HUD and Census Bureau: Residential Construction Activity Report for April 2018
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 April 2018. Building Permits: Privately owned housing units authorized by building permits in April were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,352,000. This is 1.8 percent (±1.3 percent) below the revised…
HUD: FHA Extends Foreclosure Moratorium for Hurricane Maria Victims
Additional 90-day relief to help eligible FHA-insured families in Puerto Rico & U.S. Virgin Islands For the third time since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) today announced that the agency is extending its foreclosure moratorium to borrowers with FHA-insured mortgages. This extended foreclosure moratorium is…
HUD: $10 Million in “Sweat Equity” Grants Announced
SHOP grant funding calls for the use of elbow grease to help 535 families become homeowners The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded $10 million in “sweat equity” grants to four non-profit self-help housing organizations which will create at least 535 affordable homes for hard-working, low-income families and individuals. Funded through HUD’s…
Federal Reserve: Fed Notes – Can More Housing Supply Solve the Affordablilty Crisis? Evidence from a Neighborhood Choice Model
Can More Housing Supply Solve the Affordability Crisis? Evidence from a Neighborhood Choice Model (PDF) Elliot Anenberg and Edward Kung Abstract: We estimate a neighborhood choice model using 2014 American Community Survey data to investigate the degree to which new housing supply can improve housing affordability. In the model, equilibrium rental rates are determined so…
HUD: New “HUD Strong Families” Initiative Launched
Effort helps strengthen family ties while promoting economic empowerment, educational opportunities, and health resourcese WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced it will launch HUD Strong Families, a new effort in coordination with Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), federal partners, and service organizations to support families living in HUD-assisted housing…
HUD: Department Seeks Public Comment on Disparate Impact Regulation
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced that it will formally seek the public’s comment on whether its 2013 Disparate Impact Regulation is consistent with the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project, Inc. “HUD remains committed to making sure housing-related…
FEMA: Disaster Assistance Tops $50 Million to Florida Government and Nonprofits
The state and FEMA continue collaborating to bring federal disaster dollars to Florida for Hurricane Irma-related expenses. The agency’s Public Assistance program has provided Florida more than $50 million to reimburse local governments and certain nonprofits for disaster-related projects. Below are examples of the funding so far: Monroe County: about $3.3 million for emergency response…
FHFA: Correction and Extended Comment Period for Proposed Rule Amending FHLB Affordable Housing Program Regulation
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced that it is extending the comment period for the Agency’s proposed rule to amend the Federal Home Loan Banks’ Affordable Housing Program by 30 days. The comment period was previously set to close on May 14, 2018, 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. The comment…
FHFA: Index Shows Mortgage Rates Increased in March 2018
Nationally, interest rates on conventional purchase-money mortgages increased from February to March, according to several indices of new mortgage contracts. The National Average Contract Mortgage Rate for the Purchase of Previously Occupied Homes by Combined Lenders Index was 4.49 percent for loans closed in late March, up 21 basis points from 4.28 percent in February….
HUD: Secretary Carson Proposes Rent Reform
Reforms to make current rent policies simpler, more transparent and predictable WASHINGTON – U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson today unveiled a package of reforms designed to offer Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), property owners and HUD-assisted families a simpler, less invasive and more transparent set of rent structures, and places HUD’s rental…