HUD publishes FY 2023 FMRs and announces funding for addressing high-priority environmental hazards as well as housing and community development research; California passes the “Affordable Housing and High Road Jobs Act”; Gainesville, FL will reform zoning laws to allow for additional multi-family housing.
Nationally, Fair Market Rents (FMRs) will increase by an average of about 10 percent, effectively opening up more rental units to housing voucher holders. For FY23, HUD is using private sector data to estimate changes, addressing a temporary data availability challenge; the basic method HUD uses to estimate FMRs remains the same. Read article
Applications for the grant program funds are due Tuesday, Oct. 18. The funds, made available through the Healthy Homes Protection Grant Program, will allow local governments to fix older housing, preserve affordable housing, and improve the health of children and families in their communities. Read article
In Florida, the Gainesville City Council has voted to create zoning reforms to change single-family zoned land to multi-family zoning, allowing the construction of duplexes and similar housing on lots currently reserved for single-family homes. NLIHC reports on the decision. Read article
Funding will allow historically black colleges and universities—commonly economic anchors for their communities—establish or bolster Centers of Excellent that conduct housing and community development research. Research projects will initiate an ongoing series of reports that can serve as benchmarks and influence policy at the local, state, and national levels. Read article