Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands get disaster recovery funds, HUD addresses reentry housing needs, FHA takes steps to remove student loan debt barriers to homeownership, and more.
Breaking news
HUD Takes Additional Steps to Free Up Long Awaited Disaster Recovery Funds for Puerto Rico and USVI
A Federal Register notice published June 21 governs the use of $2 billion in CDBG-DR funds for electric power system enhancements and improvements for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. The funds provide a significant opportunity for these territories to mitigate disaster risks to their power systems and simultaneously improve their reliability. Read articleSecretary Fudge Outlines HUD Actions to Address Reentry Housing Needs and Increase Public Safety
In a letter to public housing authorities and other agencies, Secretary Fudge discusses the steps HUD is taking to improve housing access for citizens exiting prisons and jails, as well as others with criminal records. These steps include the clarification that returning citizens at risk of homelessness are eligible for emergency housing vouchers funded by the American Rescue Plan. Read article
HUD PIH Extends Date for PHAs to Apply For Landlord-Incentive MTW Cohort
The notice extends the deadline for PHAs to apply to participate until Friday, October 15. The cohort will evaluate landlord incentives and their effect on landlord participate ion the Housing Choice Voucher program. Read article
Federal Housing Administration Takes Steps to Remove Barriers to Homeownership for Those with Student Loan Debt
The policy updates for FHA Single Family Title II forward mortgages replace the current requirement for calculation of a borrower's student loan monthly payment, now basing this payment on the actual student loan payment. Read article
Study of Emergency Rental Assistance Programs Identifies and Analyzes Key Features
New research from NLIHC, the Housing Initiative at Penn, and the NYU Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy provides an initial analysis of key ERAP features, based on a survey of 64 program administrators. The report focuses on program design features. Read article
