HUD Highlights E-Newsletter

Grants Awarded Throughout the Region
Several organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska have recently received grant awards from HUD. Most of the grants will help local communities improve living conditions for their residents, and increase economic development. Visit the Archived Grants and News Releases page for your state to learn more.

• Alaska
• Idaho
• Oregon
• Washington

Farm Workers and Economic Development
Our local Office of Community Planning & Development (CPD) has just published a new report highlighting ways that communities can better integrate their farm worker population into the development of the local economy.

• Read the report on HUD's website.
• CPD in Washington can be found on HUD's website.

Housing Counselor Training
Our Homeownership Center is offering training for Housing Counselors on September 11-12, 2007 in Seattle, WA. Topics include loss mitigation, electronic data systems, updates on FHA homeownership programs, FHA's approval process for new agencies, recordkeeping & reporting. Registration required, no fee.

Nonprofit Participation in FHA Activities
As of August 15, 2007, HUD has transitioned to an online application system for Nonprofits applying/recertifying for approval to participate in FHA activities. Nonprofit organizations that want to participate as a FHA mortgagor, purchase HUD Homes at a discount, or administer a Secondary Financing/Down Payment Assistance Program must email our Homeownership Center (HOC) indicating that they'd like to participate.

• Learn how to apply on HUD's website.

Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP)
The Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP) has transferred from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to HUD. This rental assistance program helps 30,000 families displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita currently living in private rental units around the country. HUD has established a toll free call center number, 1-866-373-9509, to answer questions about the program.

• DHAP program info can be found on HUD's website.

New Field Office Director in Portland, OR
On July 22, 2007, Roberta Ando became the new HUD Field Office Director in Portland, OR, upon the retirement of Tom Cusack. Tom had served as Field Office Director for 10 years, and retired from HUD on July 4 with 37 years of federal service. Roberta has been a prominent figure in the Portland Field Office Director's Office for over eight years as the primary point of contact for many Oregon communities. During her long career at HUD she has served as a senior manager in both Public Housing and Multifamily Housing. She is an Oregon native with a bachelor's degree from the University of Oregon and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Southern California.

HUD Highlights is an e-newsletter from HUD's Seattle Regional Office about HUD news, upcoming events, program updates and grant opportunities. If you received this newsletter from a friend, and would like to receive your own copy, please sign up for our mailing list.

Questions or comments about HUD Highlights?
HUD Seattle Regional Office, 909 First Avenue, Suite 255, Seattle, WA 98104-1000
(206) 220-5101 or toll-free (877) 741-3281
WA_Webmanager@hud.gov
www.hud.gov or espanol.hud.gov

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