Region X HUD Highlights
December 2021

Serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington

HUD REGION X NEWS

SEATTLE, WA: Abandoned Naval Barracks in Seattle Converted into Affordable Housing
Mercy Magnuson Place has 148 apartments for individuals and families who make between 30 and 60 percent of the area median income. Twenty percent of the units are reserved for people with disabilities.

VANCOUVER, WA: 'The Beautiful Thing': Vet Saved by VA Now Helps Save Others
A partnership with the VA is helping thousands of vets get back on their feet after leaving the military. The program currently provides housing vouchers to 2,200 vets in Oregon and Southwest Washington, helping them find apartments.

BOISE, ID: 'I'm home': Valor Pointe Serves as Housing-First Model for Idaho's Homeless Veterans
Valor Pointe is the first-of-its-kind project dedicated specifically to helping homeless veterans. The program provides support services - for one individual that included a social worker, a companion animal, strong friendships, and a job.

LA GRANDE, OR: New Housing Gives Veterans a Brand-New Home and a Fresh Start
Veteran's Village Union County, a micro-neighborhood of cottage-style homes, opened its doors Nov. 3. The new homes provide homeless or low-income veterans with a safe, community-style living environment.

REGION X FUNDING AWARDS

HUD Allocates More than $422 Million to Oregon for Disaster Recovery (11/1/2021)
The funds will go to recover from and build resilience to natural disasters, including climate disasters with a specific focus on low- and moderate-income populations. These are the first CDBG-DR/MIT awards of the Biden-Harris Administration.

Organizations in Alaska, Idaho, and Washington Receive HUD American Rescue Plan Funds to Address and Prevent Housing Discrimination Related to the Coronavirus Pandemic (11/3/2021)
Funding will help HUD Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) agencies to conduct fair housing enforcement and education and outreach activities related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

HUD Announces $34 Million to Deliver Equitable COVID-19 Relief to Alaskan and Washingtonian Tribal Communities (11/10/2021)
These funds to Tribes will help protect the health and safety of their communities, particularly low-and moderate-income individuals and families, by expanding access to safe housing, a suitable living environment, and economic opportunities.

HUD Secretary Fudge and Oregon Governor Brown Discuss Disaster Recovery and Resilience Funding Award (11/18/2021)
$422 million allocated to Oregon for disaster recovery will go towards expanding access to affordable and fire-resilient housing, and supporting business recovery to help recover lost jobs, according to a statement from Governor Brown.

HUD Awards $1.8 Million to Idaho Organization for Eviction Protection and Diversion (11/23/2021)
The Eviction Protection Grant Program is the first of its kind for HUD. The grants will be awarded to legal service providers to assist in providing legal assistance to low-income tenants at risk of or subject to eviction.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Continuum of Care Notice - CLOSING 12/31/2021
Notice to non-competitively renew for one 12-month period existing CoC renewal projects (including Shelter Plus Care and Youth Homeless Demonstration Program projects), CoC planning awards, and Unified Funding Agency Costs awards expiring during Calendar Year 2021 (between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021).

Indian Housing Block Grant Competitive - CLOSING 1/4/2022
HUD's Office of Native American Program offer eligible applicants grants to carry out a range of affordable housing activities.

Tribal HUD-VASH Expansion - CLOSING 1/18/2022
A second NOFO for the Tribal HUD-VASH Expansion program, this NOFO announces the availability of approximately $2.2 million for competitive grants to eligible Indian tribes and tribally designated housing entities. Funding is to be used provide housing in addition to other support in collaboration with the VA.

FY 2021 Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant Program - CLOSING 2/15/2022
Local leaders, residents, and other stakeholders, such as public housing authorities, cities, schools, police, business owners, nonprofits, and private developers, come together to create and implement a plan that |revitalizes distressed HUD housing and addresses the challenges in the surrounding neighborhood. The program helps communities transform neighborhoods by redeveloping severely distressed public and/or HUD-assisted housing and catalyzing critical improvements in the neighborhood.

Authority to Accept Unsolicited Proposals for Research Partnerships - CLOSING 6/30/2022
This Notice announces that HUD has the authority to accept unsolicited research proposals that address current research priorities. HUD is making up to $2 million available for Lead and Healthy Homes Research Partnerships and approximately $1 million available for other topics.

HUD ANNOUNCEMENTS

Federal Housing Administration Publishes Revised Title I Policies to Further Future Financing of Manufactured Homes (11/9/2021)
The FHA's enhanced policies provide updated guidance that will make the program easier to understand and use for lenders, while providing expanded eligibility requirements for loan financing that are consistent with the criteria for income and property valuations used in real-estate mortgage financing.

HUD Awards $36 Million to Boost Local Economic Development and Affordable Housing Programs (11/9/2021)
Over 250 communities will be able to increase the economic impact of their local community development and affordable housing programs for low- and moderate-income persons through $36 million in "capacity-building" grants awarded to three national organizations and are ultimately expected to produce approximately 8,000 units of affordable housing nationwide and stimulate nearly $150 million in total investment.

HUD Applauds CFPB's Actions to Stop False-Identity Matching (11/10/2021)
The CFPB's recent advisory opinion, which affirmed that consumer reporting agencies, including tenant and employment screening companies, violate the law when utilizing name-matching procedures that lead to false-identity matching.

UPDATED - Secretaries of HUD, VA Joint Statement on Ending Veteran Homelessness (11/11/2021)
The secretaries of VA and HUD are aligning efforts and joining forces to work towards ending Veteran homelessness, along with the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. Together, the agencies will enhance how services are delivered and provide opportunities to Veterans to ensure the full force of the federal government is working to end Veteran homelessness.

FHA Releases 2021 Annual Financial Report to Congress (11/15/2021)
Fiscal year 2021 report to Congress on the financial health of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund. In addition to its emphasis on delivering relief options to homeowners financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, FHA continued to deliver on its mission of enabling homeownership for first-time and low- and moderate-income, and households of color.

HUD Announces Formation of Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (11/16/2021)
HUD will form the Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (TIAC), as part of the Biden-Harris Administrations commitment to engaging with Tribal Nations. The first-of-its-kind advisory committee within HUD will bring together senior HUD officials and Tribal Leaders to ensure the needs of Tribes are being met in how HUD programs and designed and implemented.

HUD Awards More than $5.3 Million in Disaster Relief and Recovery Funds to the City of Lake Charles, Louisiana (11/16/2021)
HUD is awarding more than $5.3 million to Lake Charles, Louisiana to assist in the city's recovery from Hurricanes Delta and Laura. The money will help Lake Charles communities rebuild and become more resilient to future disasters.

HUD Releases Agency Climate Action Plan (11/17/2021)
HUD has published a Climate Action Plan to reduce the agency's energy and carbon footprint. The plan rests on three principles: mitigation, adaptation, and environmental justice.

HUD Awards $3.6 Million for Neighborhood Revitalization Plans in Eight Communities (11/22/2021)
HUD awarded $3.6 million to eight communities to support comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plans to redevelop severely distressed HUD-assisted housing, improve outcomes for residents, and bring new amenities to neighborhoods.

HUD Awards $10 Million to Boost Self-Help Homeownership Housing Opportunities (11/29/2021)
HUD awarded $10 million in SHOP grants to support three national and regional organizations in facilitating innovative homeownership opportunities to communities, especially low-income communities, through the provision of self-help housing.

UPCOMING TRAINING AND EVENTS

NeighborWorks Training: Counseling Solutions for Vulnerable Populations Amid COVID-19
December 1, 2021 - This training provides the proper tools to help housing counseling agencies minimize the risk and impact of current financial circumstances on vulnerable populations. Online.

NeighborWorks Training: Rental Counseling & Eviction Preventions in Times of Crisis
December 2, 2021 - This training provides the most current information on government assistance programs, eviction moratorium, and rental relief options. Online.

2021 Section 3 Final Rule Training Series - Office Hours: HCD & PHA
December 2, 2021 | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EST - This office hour gives HCDs and PHAs the opportunity to ask unanswered questions about and get clarity on the new Section 3 Final Rule. Online.

COVID-19 Planning & Response for Homeless Assistance Providers Office Hours
December 3, 2021 | 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM EST - SNAPS Office Hours are for homeless assistance providers and their partners to discuss COVID-19 planning and response. Online

NFHTA Fundamentals of Fair Housing - Intake
December 6-9, 2021 - This course will provide an overview of the responsibilities and customer service orientation to conducting intake. Online.

NeighborWorks Training: Remote Homeownership Counseling Amid the COVID-19 Crisis
December 7, 2021 - This training provides guidance for effectively delivering housing counseling in a remote environment. Online

Detecting and Addressing Hazards from Mold Training
December 7-8, 2021 - This training is intended to inform PHAs about mold detection, causes, health concerns, and remediation procedures in housing units and common areas. Online.

Housing Counseling Webinar: Delivering Group Education on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness
December 7, 2021 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST - This webinar prepares HCAs for the delivery of Emergency and Disaster Preparedness group education sessions. Online.

Emergency Housing Vouchers Office Hours
December 7, 2021 | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST - PIH's weekly Office Hours are for homeless assistance providers and their partners to support the implementation of the EHV program. Online.

Meth Decontamination & Remediation
December 7-8, 2021 - This training course will cover aspects of meth lab and meth user (smoking) site decontamination/ remediation and clean up. Attendees of the course will learn the tools and skills necessary to decontaminate a building or dwelling where meth has been smoked or produced.

2021 Section 3 Final Rule Training Series - Region X
December 7-9, 2021 - This three-day virtual training guides participants in understanding the purpose and scope of Section 3 and defining the requirements of the new Section 3 Final Rule. Online.

NAHASDA Intermediate
December 7-9, 2021 - This virtual 3-day training will provide attendees with comprehensive information regarding NAHASDA including rental housing, homebuyer programs, rehabilitation, and housing and crime prevention services. This foundational course will acquaint tribal and TDHE staff with the basic requirements of the IHBG Program and opportunities that are available.

NeighborWorks Training: Foreclosure Tune-up
December 9, 2021 - The primary focus of this training is to brush up on key foreclosure prevention concepts and apply the latest foreclosure protocols and processes. Online.

Federal Resources, Creative Community Development, and Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program Webinar
December 9, 2021 | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST - The webinar features NASAA's Creative Placemaking Public Resources Guide, the story of Crosstown Concourse in Memphis, and highlights Section 108's creative placemaking projects. Online.

Detecting and Addressing Hazards from Mold Training
December 13-14, 2021 - This training is intended to inform PHAs about mold detection, causes, health concerns, and remediation procedures in housing units and common areas. Online.

Emergency Housing Vouchers Office Hours
December 14, 2021 | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST - PIH's weekly Office Hours are for homeless assistance providers and their partners to support the implementation of the EHV program. Online.

Detecting and Addressing Hazards from Mold Training
December 15-16, 2021 - This training is intended to inform PHAs about mold detection, causes, health concerns, and remediation procedures in housing units and common areas. Online.

2021 Section 3 Final Rule Training Series - Office Hours: HCD & PHA
January 11, 2022 | 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM EST - This office hour gives HCDs and PHAs the opportunity to ask unanswered questions about and get clarity on the new Section 3 Final Rule. Online.

FYI Initiative Webinar Series: Voucher Program Administration
January 25, 2022 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST - This webinar will discuss best practices for effective FYI voucher administration that best meets the needs of youth. Online.

HUD Davis-Bacon Labor Standards and Section 3 Training
January 26, 2021 | 10 AM - 12 PM EDT - This training is geared towards HUD grantees and business owners who are interested in becoming a Section 3 business.

HUD Davis-Bacon Labor Standards and Section 3 Training
January 27, 2022 | 10 AM - 12 PM EDT - This training is geared towards HUD grantees and business owners who are interested in becoming a Section 3 business.

2021 Section 3 Final Rule Training Series - Office Hours: HCD
February 8, 2022 | 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM EST - This office hour gives HCDs the opportunity to ask unanswered questions about and get clarity on the new Section 3 Final Rule. Online

2021 Section 3 Final Rule Training Series - Office Hours: HCD & PHA
March 3, 2022 | 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM EST - This office hour gives HCDs and PHAs the opportunity to ask unanswered questions about and get clarity on the new Section 3 Final Rule. Online.

2021 Section 3 Final Rule Training Series - Office Hours: PHA
April 12, 2022 | 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM EDT - This office hour gives PHAs the opportunity to ask unanswered questions about and get clarity on the new Section 3 Final Rule. Online.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

HUD Worst Case Housing Needs 2021 Report to Congress
The 2021 Worst Case Housing Needs report provides national data and analysis of critical housing problems facing very low-income renting families. The report determines that 7.77 million renter households had worst case housing needs in 2019, and there were only 62 affordable housing units per 100 very low-income renters. Since this report uses data captured just before the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and its associated economic impacts, it includes a Special Addendum to examine the impacts of the recession and relief legislation on worst case needs.

White House Releases State Factsheets on Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Impacts
State and territory fact sheets that highlight the nationwide impact of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The fact sheets highlight how the historic legislation will deliver for states and territories across the country to repair roads and bridges, improve transportation options, build a network of EV chargers to accelerate the adoption of EVs, help connect every American to reliable high-speed internet, eliminate the nation's lead service lines and pipes for clean drinking water, protect against extreme weather events and cyberattacks and improve our nation's airports.

HUD Challenge
HUD Challenge was a periodical published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development from November 1969 to September 1978. A total of 100 issues covered timely topics such as Operation Breakthrough and timeless topics like disaster recovery.

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