On September 9, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced additional requirements and flexibilities for $3.96 billion in emergency solutions grants provided to states and units of local government under the CARES Act. These flexibilities allow for additional eligible activities for which the recipients can use the funds and also extends the obligation deadline for the recipients. Release.
On March 18, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) made a joint announcement to suspend all foreclosures and evictions for homeowners with mortgages backed by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae for 60 days. The moratorium on evictions and foreclosures aim to provide relief for borrowers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. FHFA Release. HUD Release. CFPB Release.
On January 7, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published its proposed Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule (AFFH Rule). The proposed AFFH Rule would replace the AFFH Rule that was finalized in 2015 to provide a process for evaluating local jurisdictions’ compliance with the Fair Housing Act’s requirement that HUD funding be used to affirmatively further fair housing. The proposed AFFH Rule revises the 2015 definition of “affirmatively furthering fair housing”, develops metrics to compare jurisdictions and requires jurisdictions to identify steps they will take over five years to comply with AFFH Rule requirements. Comments on the proposed AFFH Rule are due 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. HUD Release. Proposed Rule.
On October 28, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two agencies that provides prudential guidance on the appropriate use of the False Claims Act (FCA) for violations by Federal Housing Administration (FHA) lenders. The MOU aims to bring greater clarity to regulatory expectations within the FHA program and ease banks’ worries about facing future penalties for mortgage-lending errors. HUD expects that FHA requirements will be enforced primarily through HUD’s administrative proceedings, but the MOU specifically addresses how HUD and the DOJ will consult with each other regarding the use of the FCA in connection with defects on mortgage loans insured by the FHA. In addition to the MOU, the FHA is simplifying certain certifications that lenders make in connection with the FHA program to better track statutory requirements and address materiality and culpability considerations. HUD Release. DOJ Release.
On August 9, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will insure mortgages on mixed-used developments under the FHA’s Section 220 Program to cover all Opportunity Zones, expanding the program’s reach. Release.
On April 17, the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council (Council) published its Implementation Plan, a detailed work plan for how the Council – chaired by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson – will accomplish the goals specified in Executive Order 13583 of December 12, 2018. The Implementation Plan explains the various subcommittees of the Council, as well as describes the strategy to implement administrative reforms and initiatives that will target, streamline, coordinate and optimize federal resources in economically distressed communities, including Opportunity Zones. Release.
On February 21, U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson announced a significant expansion of a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) pilot program that streamlines FHA mortgage insurance applications for affordable housing developments that have equity from the sale of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program, the nation’s primary source of affordable housing production. Release.
On September 6, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded more than $12 million in Healthy Homes Production grants to 13 Tribes and Tribal agencies to protect children and families from home health and safety hazards. Release.
On August 5, HUD announced that it would amend its existing regulations regarding the equal participation of faith based (religious) organizations in HUD programs. The amendments are being undertaken to implement Executive Order “(EO) 13559”. EO 13559 sets forth principles clarifying that religious providers are welcome to compete for Federal funding without loss of their religious identity, and providing protections for program beneficiaries, including a referral process for beneficiaries who object to the religious character of an organization that operates a program with direct Federal funds. Release.
On March 19, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Census Bureau jointly announced the following new residential construction statistics for February 2015: (i) BUILDING PERMITS: Privately owned housing units authorized by building permits in February were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,092,000. This is 3.0 percent (±1.7%) above the revised January rate of 1,060,000, but is 7.7 percent (±2.0%) above the February 2014 estimate of 1,014,000. Release.
