Climate Change

FEMA: Funding Opportunity Announced for New Community Resilience Program

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Provides $500 Million Over Five Years for Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund grant program  Today, FEMA announced it will soon begin accepting applications for a new resilience program, funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to make communities safer from natural hazards. Beginning Feb. 1, the agency will accept applications for the Safeguarding…

HUD: Improvements Announced to the Climate-Forward Housing Program

Rate Reduction Incentive Program Enhancements to Encourage Public Housing Agency Participation Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is announcing updated guidance on the use and eligibility of the Rate Reduction Incentive (RRI). The RRI serves as a climate-friendly incentive program available to Public Housing Agencies (PHA) that encourages them to reduce their utility…

FEMA: $135 Million Commitment Made to Support Relocation of Tribal Communities Affected by Climate Change

Funding from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act Supports Community-Driven Relocation for Threatened Communities  The Biden-Harris administration today announced the launch of a new Voluntary Community-Driven Relocation program, led by the Department of the Interior, to assist Tribal communities severely impacted by climate-related environmental threats. Through investments from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and…

HUD: Flood Insurance Options Increased for Homeowners with FHA Mortgages Living in Special Flood Areas

Federal Housing Administration to allow private flood insurance policies on insured single-family mortgages in special flood hazard areas The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), is announcing today that effective December 21, 2022, it will allow homeowners with FHA-insured mortgage financing to obtain flood insurance policies that conform to…

Federal Reserve: Six of the Nation’s Largest Banks to Participate in Pilot Climate Scenario Analysis

Exercise designed to enhance the ability of supervisors and firms to measure and manage climate-related financial risks The Federal Reserve Board on Thursday announced that six of the nation’s largest banks will participate in a pilot climate scenario analysis exercise designed to enhance the ability of supervisors and firms to measure and manage climate-related financial…

HUD: Public Input Sought on Design of New Green and Resilient Retrofit Program for Multifamily Assisted Housing Properties

Part of President Biden’s landmark Inflation Reduction Act, the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program will provide funding to enhance energy efficiency and climate resiliency in HUD Multifamily assisted housing properties. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today released a Request for Information in public inspection form in the Federal Register to obtain public input regarding the…

OCC: Chief Climate Risk Officer Announced

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today announced the appointment of Dr. Yue (Nina) Chen as Chief Climate Risk Officer. Dr. Chen will lead the agency’s climate risk efforts related to supervision, policy, and external engagement. She will oversee the activities of the OCC’s Office of Climate Risk and report directly to…

EDA: Over $47 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds Invested Last Week

The following grants were made under the American Rescue Plan Funds program: September 6, 2022 – U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $4.7 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support Small Businesses on Fort Apache Indian Reservation September 6, 2022 – U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $3.5 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds for Water Utility Improvements…

Census Bureau: The Opportunity Project Innovation Expands Its Focus to Puerto Rico

Each year, the U.S. Census Bureau brings together cross-sector collaborators to solve some of the nation’s biggest challenges with data and technology through The Opportunity Project (TOP) product development sprints. TOP is an innovation program led by the Census Open Innovation Labs at the Census Bureau. TOP engages government, technologists and communities to co-create digital products that serve…

HUD: FHA Implements Residential Care Facility “Green Mortgage Insurance Premium” Reductions

Guidance issued today explains how lenders participating in FHA’s Section 232 Mortgage Insurance for Residential Care Facility program can obtain mortgage insurance premium reductions on mortgages for eligible “green” facilities Federal Housing Commissioner: Green MIP pricing will “support the Biden-Harris Administration’s climate goals and HUD’s Climate Action Plan” The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced today…