HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) has posted an updated version of Form HUD-52665, Family Portability Information. The form has a new revision date (6/2016) and expiration date (4/30/2018), and also includes revisions to account for changes brought about by the Streamlining Portability Final Rule, including:

• A new field has been added in Part II-A to indicate the receiving PHA’s administrative fee rate.
• Instructions in Part II-B of the form have been revised to state that this part must be completed by the receiving PHA and received by the initial PHA within 90 days following the expiration date of the initial PHA’s voucher, and that for changes in the family status or billing amount, Part II-B must be completed and sent within 10 working days of the effective date of the change.
• What was previously section 5 of Part II-B has now been broken out into two separate entries numbered 5 and 6. Subsequent sections have been renumbered.
• Section 9 of Part II-B (formerly 8) now includes a note that the form must be submitted again once the outcome of the family’s search is known.
• Section 10 (formerly 9) covering billing information now contains fields to account for ongoing administrative fee-related revisions in the final rule.
• A comments section is now included on the last page.

The updated form is available in on HUDCLIPS. In other news this week:

CBPP: Federal housing spending is poorly matched to need

NCSHA: HUD proposes broadband infrastructure requirement for multifamily housing

The American Prospect (via CSSP): Housing voucher recipients can move to better neighborhoods only if states and localities break down suburban barriers

CityLab: Texas refuses to follow fair housing rules

CSSP: Analysis of President Obama's FY 2017 budget proposal crunches the data and explores how policymakers should work to maximize resources to promote the well-being of young children and their families

NCSHA: Administration releases FY 2017 budget

Next City: Atlanta's blighted properties are costing city millions

Next City: Lawyer takes big-picture approach to fighting blight in Memphis

NHC: A first look at the president's proposed FY 2017 budget request for housing and community development

NLIHC: FY17 request goes bold to end family homelessness

Rooflines: Socially blind urban planning in San Diego

Urban Wire: Public housing residents tend to have poor health, and those in Choice Neighborhoods didn't fare any better than in HOPE VI

Washington Post: The poor are better off when we build more housing for the rich

Yesterday the Obama administration released its proposed budget for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2017.

In a news release, Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro praised the HUD portion of the budget for its focus on securing quality housing for Americans, ending homelessness, making communities more resilient, protecting people from housing discrimination, and providing critical rental assistance:

HUD’s proposed budget was built on the values that we uphold as Americans. That our entire nation benefits when our children grow up in a community that’s full of promise, not problems. When a hard-working family is able to responsibly buy their first-home, put down roots, and build wealth. When homeless veterans are able to get the housing they need to succeed in the very nation they risked so much to protect. When every person gets a fair shot and a fair shake to achieve their dreams.

What does the Obama administration propose for the housing choice voucher (HCV) and public housing programs in 2017? The proposed budget for HUD requests a total of $20.9 billion for the HCV program, or not quite 1 percent less than it requested for 2016. The total breaks down this way:

• $18.4 billion for voucher renewals, or 0.6 percent more than was requested for 2016
• $110 million for tenant protection activities, 27 percent less than was requested for 2016
• $2 billion for administrative fees, or 3 percent less
• $110 million for renewal of vouchers for persons with disabilities under Section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, or 2 percent more
• $60 million for the supportive housing program for homeless veterans, a 20 percent decrease from the amount provided the past several years
• $88 million for new vouchers for families with children who are experiencing homelessness
• $15 million for a new housing choice voucher mobility demonstration

As for the public housing program, the HUD portion of the proposed 2017 budget includes these requests:

• $1.87 billion for the capital fund, or about 5 percent less than requested for 2016
• $4.6 billion for the operating fund, or 0.7 percent less than was requested for 2016
• $200 million for Choice Neighborhoods, or 20 percent less

For the consolidated family self-sufficiency (FSS) program, the proposed budget includes $75 million for family self-sufficiency coordinators, 12 percent less than requested for 2016.

You will find the president's message to Congress here, a slide presentation of the proposed HUD budget here, a brief summary of it here, a press release about it here, links to the congressional justifications for the various parts of it here, and the appropriations language submitted to Congress here.

To stay updated on the latest program information, subscribe to the PIH Alert and receive a daily email with news and analysis for PHAs and housing professionals.

CBPP: Number of people in homeless shelters rises

Center for Community Progress: Comprehensive and creative resources for lot reuse implementation

Next City: HUD announces new Choice Neighborhoods "action grants"

Yesterday the Obama administration released its proposed budget for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2016. As part of the budget rollout, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published a summary of its portion of the 2016 budget and discussed the budget in a town hall meeting broadcast yesterday.

In a news release, HUD Secretary Julián Castro praised the HUD portion of the budget for its focus on securing quality housing for Americans, ending homelessness, making communities more resilient, protecting people from housing discrimination, and providing critical rental assistance:

HUD is the Department of Opportunity, and the president’s budget proposal is a blueprint for greater opportunity for all Americans. By increasing our department’s funding level by nearly $4 billion over current levels, the president’s budget helps us continue our progress toward achieving our mission to promote homeownership, support community development, and expand access to affordable housing for all.

What does the Obama administration propose for the housing choice voucher (HCV) and public housing programs in 2016? The proposed budget for HUD requests a total of $21.1 billion for the HCV program, or 5.4 percent more than it requested for 2015. The total breaks down this way:

• $18.3 billion for voucher renewals, or almost 2 percent more than was requested for 2015
• $150 million for tenant protection activities, the same amount requested for 2015
• $2 billion for administrative fees, or 18 percent more
• $108 million for renewal of vouchers for persons with disabilities under Section 811 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, or not quite 1 percent less
• $75 million for the supportive housing program for homeless veterans, the same amount provided the past several years
• $178 million for new vouchers for families, veterans, and tribal families who are experiencing homelessness, as well as victims of domestic and dating violence
• $38 million for new vouchers for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking who require an emergency transfer
• $20 million for new Family Unification Program (FUP) vouchers

The budget document explains that the new funding "restores the approximately 67,000 vouchers that were lost as a result of sequestration cuts in 2013." It also proposes expanding the Moving to Work (MTW) program, allowing fixed-income families to recertify their incomes every three years, and increasing the threshold used to determine deductions for unreimbursed medical expenses from 3 to 10 percent of family income.

As for the public housing program, the HUD portion of the proposed 2016 budget includes these requests:

• $1.97 billion for the capital fund, or about 2 percent more than requested for 2015
• $4.6 billion for the operating fund, the same amount requested for 2015
• $250 million for Choice Neighborhoods, or 108 percent more

The proposed budget also requests $50 million, a 400 percent increase, for "a targeted expansion of the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) to public housing properties that cannot feasibly convert at existing funding levels and are located in high-poverty neighborhoods, including designated Promise Zones, where the administration is supporting comprehensive revitalization efforts."

For the consolidated family self-sufficiency (FSS) program, the proposed budget includes $85 million for family self-sufficiency coordinators, 13 percent more than requested for 2015.

You will find the president's message to Congress here, a slide presentation of the proposed HUD budget here, a brief summary of it here, a press release about it here, links to the congressional justifications for the various parts of it here, and the appropriations language submitted to Congress here.

To stay updated on the latest program information, subscribe to the PIH Alert and receive a daily email with news and analysis for PHAs and housing professionals.

Businessweek: How come the president never talks about my rent?

CBPP: HUD seeks significant improvements to Moving to Work demonstration

The HUDdle: Choice Neighborhoods planning grants are transforming neighborhoods

NLIHC: Senate Republicans choose appropriations subcommittee chairs, Senator Collins to chair THUD

NLIHC: Senator Vitter reintroduces MTW expansion bill

Rooflines: Making the connections between housing and health

This morning at the second annual NMA Housing Conference, Nan McKay and Associates announced the five winners of the 2014 NMA Housing Awards. We first launched these awards nearly a decade ago to recognize excellence and innovation in the affordable housing industry.

Since then, we’ve been honored to read and evaluate a great number of worthy entries, and this year was no exception. Read on to learn more about this year’s winning agencies.

2014 Excellence in Housing Award (Large Agency)

Housing Authority of the City of Norwalk

Over the past year, the Housing Authority of the City of Norwalk (NHA) saw the culmination of years of hard work when it received several highly significant awards and grants. Most visibly, in June HUD awarded NHA with a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods implementation grant to rebuild the Washington Village development and revitalize the community. However, also very important to NHA was the award of a Head Start grant which makes it the only housing authority in New England to operate Head Start.

Everett Housing Authority accepts the 2014 NMA Excellence in Housing Award from Nan McKay and John McKay.

2014 Excellence in Housing Award (Small Agency)

Everett Housing Authority

For the past several years, the Everett Housing Authority (EHA) has partnered with Domestic Violence Services (DVS) of Snohomish County to assist survivors of domestic violence and their families with the provision of project-based voucher assistance, including building a new development on the same property as a DVS facility that includes an emergency shelter, administrative offices for support staff, and a daycare for children of occupants of the shelter.

RHA board chairman Jerry Lumpkins and the rest of the Rockford team accept the 2104 NMA Pioneer in Housing Award from John McKay.

2014 Pioneer in Housing Award (Large Agency)

Rockford Housing Authority

With high crime rates and high unemployment rates, the Rockford Housing Authority (RHA) decided to address the negative headlines and challenges being placed upon its city and its residents. With a collaborative effort of RHA and the Rockford Area Arts Council, it created a platform for creative entrepreneurship called New Mix. The program is so successful that New York City is currently using New Mix for its residents, and Dallas and Chicago are also exploring the implementation of New Mix for their communities.

Nan McKay presents CMHA with the 2014 NMA Pioneer in Housing, Honorable Mention.

2014 Pioneer in Housing Honorable Mention (Large Agency)

Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority

Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) developed an innovative initiative called Fairfax Intergenerational Housing, one of the first of its kind in Ohio and only the seventh such intergenerational housing in the country. The project offers an affordable, sustainable, and supportive environment for seniors 55 and older who have legal custody of children.

2014 Pioneer in Housing Award (Small Agency)

Housing Authority of Lancaster

The Housing Authority of Lancaster accepts the 2014 NMA Pioneer in Housing Award from Nan McKay and John McKay.

The Housing Authority of Lancaster (HAL)'s Map to Success Family Literacy Program (MAP) is an innovative research-based program that combines the teaching of adult literacy skills with child development and family education empowerment. The creative onsite program targets low-literacy adults and their families who are public housing residents and Section 8 participants, equipping them with the tools necessary to become better parents and community members.

The NMA Housing Awards is an annual event created to honor agencies that build bridges to the future and generate real change in their communities and the affordable housing industry. Read about the 2013 winners and the 2012 winners.

Yesterday the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4745, the bill that provides funding for HUD in federal fiscal year (FFY) 2015. The vote was 229 to 192. The U.S. Senate has yet to schedule a vote on its version of the bill (S. 2438).

On June 5, when the Senate Appropriations Committee approved S. 2438, the text of the bill was not available. Now that it is, we can provide you with a more comprehensive summary of what the bill contains.

• For the HCV program, the Senate bill recommends $19.562 billion in total funding (as compared to $19.177 billion available for this year and $19.357 billion recommended in the House bill), with:

o    $17.719 billion for voucher renewal funding (as compared to $17.366 billion available for this year and $17.693 billion in the House bill)

o    $130 million for tenant protection vouchers (as compared to the same amount available for this year and in the House bill)

o    $1.555 billion for administrative fees (as compared to $1.5 billion available for this year and $1.35 billion in the House bill)

o    $83.16 million for the renewal of Mainstream 5 vouchers (as compared to $106.691 million available for this year and $108.45 million in the House bill)

o    $75 million for incremental HUD–Veterans Affairs supportive housing (VASH) vouchers (as compared to the same amount available for this year and in the House bill)

• For the public housing program, the Senate bill recommends:

o    $1.9 billion for the capital fund (as compared to $1.875 provided for this year and $1.775 billion in the House bill), with a $45 million set-aside for “supportive services, service coordinator, and congregate services” (as compared to the same amount available for this year and in the House bill) and a $15 million set-aside for a Jobs-Plus pilot (also the same amount available for this year and in the House bill)

o    $4.475 billion for the operating fund (as compared to $4.4 billion provided for this year and $4.4 billion in the House bill)

o    $10 million for the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) (as compared to no funding provided for this year and no funding in the House bill)

o    $90 million for Choice Neighborhoods (as compared to the same amount provided for this year and $25 million in the House bill)

• For a consolidated family self-sufficiency (FSS) program, the draft recommends $75 million (as compared to the same funding level available for this year and recommended in the House bill). As the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) points out in its "Off the Charts" blog post, the bill would also broaden the program’s reach by allowing private owners of HUD-assisted properties to offer FSS to their tenants. (Owners would have to pay for the case management services.)

There is no mention of the new flat rent requirements in the general provisions. You can read the committee report here.

Click to enlarge

Last week the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Related Agencies approved legislation that includes funding for HUD in federal fiscal year (FFY) 2015. According to the press release that accompanies the bill, the committee recommends $26.3 billion for HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH), an increase of $6.2 million over this year.

For tenant-based rental assistance, the funding would provide:

• $17.69 billion for voucher renewals, a slight (1.88 percent) increase over this year
• $1.35 billion for administrative fees, a 10 percent decrease over this year
• $75 million for family self-sufficiency (FSS) coordinators, the same amount as this year
• $75 million for Veterans Affairs supportive housing (VASH) vouchers, the same amount as this year

For the public housing program, the bill recommends:

• $1.775 billion for the capital fund, about a 5 percent decrease over this year
• $4.4 billion for the operating fund, the same amount as this year
• $25 million for Choice Neighborhoods, about a 72 percent decrease over this year

According to industry reports, the House Appropriations Committee next week will likely begin consideration of the appropriations bill. If you would like to see any of these numbers increased, now would be the time to contact your representative in the House. As the National Low-Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) explains in its summary of the bill:

It is critical for members of the House and Senate to hear from constituents that the levels proposed in the House THUD bill are not adequate.

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Related Agencies has yet to mark up its version of the 2015 HUD appropriations bill. In other news:

The Atlantic (via Affordable Housing Report): The future of America's public housing stock: Demolition by neglect

BeyondChron (via Rooflines): A takedown of inconsistent and illogical arguments against spending on supportive housing for the formerly homeless

Columbia University (via Affordable Housing Report): Housing patterns have remained the chief determinant of school population

The HUDdle: HUD announces winners in student design competition

L.A. Times (via Affordable Housing Report): L.A. politicians weigh plan to replenish affordable housing fund

Meeting of the Minds (via MetroTrends): How could cities better connect all their residents to economic opportunity? and How HUD's latest fair housing rule could expand access to opportunity

MetroTrends: Affordable housing in safe neighborhoods: Four lessons for success

NationSwell: What cities can learn from San Francisco's newest public housing project

NLIHC: Disaster LIHTC legislation introduced

Rooflines: Good local housing policy is good economic development policy

Daylight saving time ends this Sunday — don't forget to set your clocks back one hour!

Forbes: Myths and misconceptions about SNAP users (The article is from September, but includes an excellent infographic that's highly relevant in light of today's cuts.)

High Point Enterprise: From public housing to university president's office

The HUDdle: Striving to help housing providers and organizations to recognize that fair housing/civil rights should be at the forefront of everything they do

Huffington Post: When veterans get food stamps cut, it's time to prioritize our budget

MetroTrends: Ten myths about crime

The Nation: The SNAP cuts come at a time when 49 million people—about 14.5 percent of all US households—are food insecure

New York Times: As cuts to food stamps take effect, more trims to benefits are expected

Next City: Why supportive housing cuts down on health care costs

NHC: Why don’t more housing authorities offer FSS?

NLIHC: HUD IG calls for better oversight of Moving to Work demonstration program

Off the Charts: Social Security Administration confirms 1.5 percent COLA

Urban Institute: A brief look at the early implementation of Choice Neighborhoods