NMA Blog

CBPP: As more low-income renters struggle, federal subsidies favor well-off homeowners

CCP: Stabilizing neighborhoods through effective rental registration programs

HUD: New MTW committee and timeline for expansion

The HUDdle: Expanding horizons with STEM education

The HUDdle: Fulfilling HUD's commitment to creating economic opportunities

NCSHA: HOTMA introduced in Senate

Next City: Harvard's national housing report has bad news for renters

NHC: Using opportunity mapping to improve affordable housing policy

NLIHC: Live podcast on the housing affordability crisis

Rooflines: To reduce recidivism rates, turn to housing policy

Urban Wire: National housing supply falls short of demand by 430,000 units

This week in a letter sent out to covered recipients, HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) announced the relaunch of the Section 3 Performance Evaluation and Registry System (SPEARS) for the submission of annual summary reports (Form HUD-60002) and to notify Section 3 businesses about the availability of local HUD-funded contracts. In 2012, the system had been disabled due to fatal technical errors and lapses in information security, leaving PHAs, PJs, and other covered recipients unable to submit reports for the 2013 and 2014 reporting periods.

As previously reported, no recipients were penalized for failing to submit Form HUD-60002 while the system was disabled, although grantees were encouraged to maintain sufficient records to facilitate report submission once the system had been relaunched. With SPEARS officially back on-line as of August 24, 2015, however, electronic submission of Form HUD-60002 for the 2013 and 2014 reporting periods can resume. Submissions are due no later than October 30, 2015. Agencies who fail to submit by this date will be subject to penalties in accordance with the type of covered assistance.

To access SPEARS, users must obtain an ID and password in HUD’s Web Access Secure System (WASS). User registration instructions, submission instructions, FAQs, video training, and additional information can be found on HUD’s Section 3 webpage.

Looking for further guidance? We can bring our Procurement and Section 3 seminar to your PHA. Email [email protected] for more information about our affordable onsite training options. And if you missed it the first time, check out our blog series on what you need to know about Section 3.

While serving as executive director of a Minnesota housing authority, Nan McKay started one of the nation’s first Section 8 programs. She has previously written for the NMA blog on the topic of executive management and high performance achievement in the HCV program as well as stories from her fifty years in the housing industry.

Regulatory Knowledge for Smart Management

Legislative Update with Nan McKay
Presenters, Nan McKay with Terry Provance and Annie Stevenson

One of the most popular sessions at the NMA and GoSection8 Housing Conference is always Nan's review of recent regulations, guidance, and breaking news. We're bringing her back this year to fill us in on the most important notices of 2015, including the final rule on affirmatively furthering fair housing (AFFH), proposed rules on streamlining, Section 3, and VAWA, and a forecast of what she sees ahead for our industry in 2016 and the second half of the decade.

Register online or email [email protected] for more information. Don't delay, only four days left for early bird discounts! Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to reserve a free, one-hour consulting session with one of our NMA experts before they're all gone.

Yesterday HUD issued a press release about the new Section 3 proposed rule, which has not yet been published in the Federal Register but was previewed earlier this week in an advance copy.

The press release (and an accompanying set of FAQs) highlights the nationwide Section 3 business registry. Established in July 2014, the Section 3 registry is a searchable online database that local housing authorities, government agencies, and contractors can use to find firms that are self-certified as employing at least 30 percent public housing residents or low-income workers. In other news:

Housing Finance: Rents rising faster than incomes

The HUDdle: Going green

NHC: Housing affordability improves slightly, but challenges remain for working renters and people of color

Today is the first day of spring, and after the winter we've had, it's safe to say most of us are looking forward to it. Enjoy your weekend!

HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) has posted an advance copy of the Section 3 proposed rule. The 99-page document has not yet been published in the Federal Register. A 60-day public comment period will open upon its publication.

The purpose of Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 is to ensure that when HUD assists housing and community development projects, preference for some of the new jobs, training, and contracting opportunities that are created go to low-income people and to the businesses that hire them, “to the greatest extent feasible.” Since 1994, the Section 3 program has been governed by an interim regulation. For the first time in 20 years, HUD is proposing a new rule that would expand opportunities for public housing residents and low-income workers and increase contracting opportunities for local businesses. According to PD&R’s web page dedicated to the proposed rule:

The proposed rule clarifies definitions and provisions that are left to interpretation and eases barriers to reaching compliance for recipients of HUD funding. It ensures that public housing authorities and other grantees are implementing consistent procedures for determining which residents and businesses should be counted towards Section 3 compliance. The proposed rule also addresses a number of concerns expressed by stakeholders to HUD and codifies “best practices” implemented by high-performing grantees.

PD&R has also posted the following resources related to the proposed rule:

• A one-page fact sheet
• A four-page summary
• A 15-page regulatory impact assessment
• A 6-page document containing 14 specific questions for which HUD is requesting comments

Looking for further guidance? We can bring our Procurement and Section 3 seminar to your PHA. Email [email protected] for more information about our affordable onsite training options. And if you missed it the first time, check out our recent blog series on what you need to know about Section 3.