Federal Policy Updates

Congress passes sweeping Onmibus bill funding HUD through Sept 2016

Congress Passes Sweeping Onmibus Bill Funding HUD through September 2016 *Excerpted from NAHRO & Center on Budget and Policy Priorities This week Congress passed a 12 bill Omnibus spending package which appropriates $38.3 billion for HUD, a $1.6 billion increase over FY2015 or 3.9 percent above this year’s funding level (accounts for the expected decline in HUD’s mortgage credit program). ...

US Supreme Court Decision Upholds Use of Disparate Impact in Fair Housing Cases

The Supreme Court ruled today to uphold a key tool used for more than four decades to fight housing discrimination.The justices ruled 5-4 that the Fair Housing Act prohibits seemingly neutral practices that harm minorities, even without proof of intent that policies segregate minorities in poor neighborhoods and even if they do so unintentionally. Writing for the majority, Justice Kennedy stated...

February-March 2015 Housing Wrap-Up

HUD Reports on Results of Admin Fee Study The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the release of its long-awaited study on administrative fees in the housing choice voucher (HCV) program. HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) provides this introduction to the study: PHAs can only help low-income families with housing choice vouchers if they can pay the...

January 2015 Housing Wrap-Up

Provided by Jennifer Keogh, Minnesota NAHRO VP of Housing (Jennifer.keogh@metc.state.mn.us) Beginning January 2015, the Housing Committee provides a monthly Housing Wrap-Up to keep members updated and informed of PIH notices and other relevant issues from HUD and any known implications to its members. Topics this month include: HUD Published Proposed Rule on Streamlining HUD Letter Details HCV...

Take Action! Urge Congress to Fully Fund Housing Programs

The Next Two Weeks Is Critical! Call your Members of Congress today at 202-224-3121. Or, find contact information for their offices by visiting NAHRO's advocacy website - just enter your zipcode. In Minnesota, Betty McCollum is the only member of our delegation who sits on the Appropriations Committee. See Minnesota NAHRO's Impact of Sequestration Survey & the news coverage Scroll down for...

The Shutdown’s Effects on PHAs—Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Shutdown’s Effects on PHAs—Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) *This article was originally posted by NAHRO and updated October 7, 2013 UPDATED: NAHRO FAQs - The Government Shutdown and PHAs This Direct News item, originally issued on October 3,is intended to address confusion created by media coverage of HUD’s “FY2013 Contingency Plan for Possible Lapse in Appropriations.” We are updating and...

2013 Government Shutdown Tools & Messaging

Tools To Help Message About Housing & The Government Shutdown This member update focuses on providing some tools as you respond to the government shutdown on your programs. The first is a FAQ from NAHRO answering common questions about the impact of the shutdown on agency funding. Read the full article here. The second is a sample letter for use to inform landlords about the possible impact...

HUDs Contingency Plan for Potential Government Shutdown

HUDs Contingency Plan for Potential Government Shutdown *This article is provided by NAHRO Washington Update - September 30, 2013 With a federal government shutdown still a very real possibility, on Friday HUD posted to its website a document titled “FY2013 Contingency Plan for Possible Lapse in Appropriations.” The document provides information on those HUD employees who will be expected to...

Federal Advocacy Toolkit & Resources for FY2014

Just In Time For August Recess! NAHRO has put together a list of resources that will help you in your communications with Congress. In addition, you may download a workbook provided at the bottom of this page to help you prepare for your August visits. Feel free to contact Tess or John at national NAHRO if you have questions or need more information. Chart: Public Housing Operating Fund, FY...

Funding for Affordable Housing Programs at Risk - Act Now! in Policy

Create Your Own Fireworks in Congress! Use this link to send a letter to Congress. This Federal Update is taken from NAHRO Direct News Washington Update dated July 3, 2013 The regular appropriations process is progressing quickly in Congress. In June, both the House and the Senate Appropriations Committees approved their FY 2014 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development spending bills. The...