Northwest HUD Lines
January 2021

HUD e-Briefs from Alaska, Idaho, Oregon & Washington
Jeff McMorris, Region X Regional Administrator

Leland Jones, Editor, (206) 220-5356 or Leland.jones@hud.gov

www.hud.gov/alaska	www.hud.gov/idaho
www.hud.gov/oregon	www.hud.gov/washington
http://twitter.com/hudnorthwest

! ! ! HAPPY NEW YEAR ! ! !
(It seems to us that you & yours have earned it.)

e-OPEN FOR BUSINESS (STILL)
HUD offices in Anchorage, Boise, Portland & Seattle are open for business. But as of May 1st due to limited on-site staffing during the coronavirus outbreak, and consistent with local public health social distancing guidelines, the best way to contact ush is via e-mail at AK_Webmanager@hud.gov in Alaska, ID_Webmanager@hud.gov in Idaho, OR_Webmanager@hud.gov in Oregon or WA_Webmanager@hud.gov in Washington, or call us at 206-220-5101. And, of course, you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook or at four state Web sites. You'll find their addresses in the masthead above. We look forward to hearing from you.

ON THE RISE
FHA - the Federal Housing Administration – has announced increases in its "loan limits" - i.e., the maximum mortgage amounts it will insure - on one- to 1 family homes for any mortgages that receive an FHA case number on or after January 1st, 2021. FHA-insured mortgages have always been quite popular among first-time homeowners. Indeed, a report by an independent actuary submitted to the Congress on FHA's performance found that 83 percent of FHA borrowers were first-time buyers in federal fiscal year 2020. In a period of rising housing prices, increases of the sort announced today by FHA enable such buyers to participate in those markets. In virtually every county in the United States, that will mean the FHA-insurable mortgage will rise from in calendar year 2020 to in calendar 2021 as shown below.

HOWEVER, it is worth remembering that in hotter & higher-cost housing markets FHA may set "high cost" limits. In calendar year 2021, the markets below will have FHA limits higher than the "floor" or baseline limits in the table above. In Alaska "higher cost markets" include Aleutians West, Anchorage, Juneau, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Nome. Sitka, Skagway, & Yakutat. In Idaho they include Ada County/Boise, Blaine, Camas, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee & Teton counties. In Oregon they include Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Deschutes, Hood River, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington & Yamhill counties. In Washington "higher cost" communities include Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Douglas, Island, King, Kitsap. Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston & Whatcom counties. To see the 2021 FHA mortgage limits in your community,visit

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Meet Ashley. "For the first time," HUD Secretary Carson writes in Townhall, "Ashley will spend the holiday season with her children in a home of her own." Thanks, it's worth noting, to an FHA-insured loan.

EXTENDED
In January HUD also announced that FHA has extended its moratorium on evictions and foreclosures through February 28, 2021. You'll find the press release below. For context, at the end of November, 2020, there were 33,908 active FHA mortgages in Alaska, 44,958 active FHA mortgages in Idaho, 67,674 active FHA mortgages in Oregon and 134,999 active FHA mortgages in Washington State. This is the fourth extension of FHA's eviction and foreclosure moratorium due to the pandemic. The moratorium prohibits servicers from initiating or proceeding with foreclosure and foreclosure-related eviction actions for FHA-insured single family forward and reverse mortgages, except for those secured by legally vacant and abandoned properties.

P.S.
The Oregon Legislature & Governor Kate Brown has extended that state's moratorium on evictions for non-payment of rent through June 30 but the a tenant must submit a written declaration of financial hardship to their landlord. Washington Governor Jay Inslee has extend that state's eviction moratorium through. Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan has extended its moratorium through March 31 Multnomah County has extended its moratorium through the end of July.

HOT OFF THE PRESSES
HUD economists issue Comprehensive Housing Market Analysis for Olympia, Washington & for/ the Seattle-Bellevue-Everett metropolitan area.

BRIEF BRIEFS
Congrats to Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness in Anchorage, Native American Youth and Family Center in Portland & Refugee Women's Alliance in Seattle on winning almost $10 million from Bezos Day One Fund to support their efforts to end homelessness. . .Bellingham & Yakima housing authorities are first housing authorities in Washington to join the FYI – Foster Youth Independence - program & receive HUD FYI rental vouchers to help young people "aging-out" of foster care avoid homelessness. . .Alaska Housing Finance Corporation awards just over $5 million in HUD Emergency Solutions Grants from CARES Act to the Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living in Fairbanks, the Winter House in Bethel, the Native Village of Kotzebue, Women in Safe Homes in Ketchikan, My House in Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Brother Francis Shelter in Kodiak & Gastineau Human Services in Juneau, . .Bend, Oregon City Council votes unanimously to send letter of intent to purchase & renovate a former hotel to provide shelter to homeless central Oregonians says The Bulletin. . .Caldwell Housing Authority & Canyon County, reports Idaho Press, considering use of Authority-owned land to develop an RV park for people who don't have permanent housing. . .Thanks to funding from Washington Housing Trust Fund, Thurston County & the Olympia Home Fund levy approved by voters, Mayor Cheryl Selby, Low Income Housing Institute & Interfaith Works break ground for Martin Way Housing & Shelter in Olympia with 64 units of affordable housing for homeless veterans, seniors & persons living with disabilities as well as 60 beds to shelter the homeless. . .Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines awards more than $8 million to 10 housing organizations that, in collaboration with Member Banks in their communities will produce or preserve more than 700 units of affordable housing.

SUPPORTING SELF-SUFFICIENCY
HUD has awarded $78 million in Family Self Sufficiencyrenewal funding to hundreds of public housing authorities across the country to help residents of public housing and voucher-assisted housing increase their earned income & reduce their dependency on public assistance & rental subsidies. One housing authority in Alaska received $288,000 in HUD Family Self Sufficiency renewal funding; four Idaho authorities received $584,406, 13 Oregon authorities received $2,183,579 & 18 authorities in Washington state received $2,385,897. "Putting people on the path to self-sufficiency by helping them find jobs & increase their earned income is an essential part of HUD's mission," said HUD Secretary Carson. "This funding is a good example of how federal and local partnerships work to help connect families to jobs and educational opportunities to help them become a success."

SERVING THOSE WHO'VE SERVED
Eighteen housing authorities in Alaska, Oregon & Washington awarded a total of more than 650 additional HUD Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Vouchers to house homeless vets in permanent affordable housing. Alaska's housing authority was awarded 17 additional HUD VASH vouchers today, 5 Oregon Housing authorities were awarded 181 additional HUD VASH vouchers and 12 Washington housing authorities were awarded 458 vouchers. "Thanks to HUD VASH vouchers thousands of veterans are across Alaska and the Northwest no longer living on the streets or in the woods, but in permanent and affordable housing," said HUD Northwest Regional Administrator Jeff McMorris. "They deserve nothing less."

WOW!
It was the kind of news story you almost had to readd twice to fully grasp. In January, in a front page story inThe New York Times reported Mackenzie Scott's decision to donate $4.2 billion to 384 worthy organizations across the country, many of them our partners. In any time, it's a breathtaking act of generosity even more so in these times. Simply put, it was a remarkable gesture.

CONGRATS. . .

. . .to the 358 organizations across Washington state selected by Philanthropy Northwest & the Washington Department of Commerce that tod announced today the award of a total of nearly $12 million in CARES Act funds from the Washington Equity Relief Fund established by Goveernor Jay Inslee to "to engage communities of color in assisting those experiencing disproportionate impacts from the pandemic at. In commenting on the awards, Commerce Director noted "noted this funding just scratches the surface of need, as nearly 1,000 organizations applied for grants, totaling more than $40 million in requests."

BRIEF BRIEFS TWO
Washington Department of Commerce awards some $97 million in grants & loans from its Housing Trust Fund & from HUD to 37 projects across the state that will produce an estimated 1,404 multifamily rental units/beds, 121 homes for first-time homebuyers, 86 units of modular housing & 74 units in cottage-style communities. . .Portland, Oregon Housing Bureau launches second round of Household Assistance Program that could provide, says KGW-TV, $500 in relief funds for up to 4,000 households facing hardships because of pandemic. . .KREM-TV says Spokane, Washington City Council approves .1 percent increase in sales & use tax to generate up to $5.8 million a year to support construction of affordable housing & cost the average family $250 a year. . .Northeast Oregon. Housing Authority & Community Development Partners tell La Grande Observerthey expect shortly to submit plans to City for 104-unit $23.7 million Timber Ridge Apartments. . .Thanks to Idaho Housing & Finance Association award of $1 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, the Ketchum, Idaho Community Development Corporation is moving forward with 54-unit Bluebird Village workforce housing complex on site of current City Hall says Idaho Mountain Express. . .City of Seattle says Mayor Jenny Durkan is developing a policy to enable religious organizations to build higher-density affordable housing on land they own that is under or unused. . .Calling it "an unprecedented opportunity to capitalize on the current market conditions" Low Income Housing Instituteto acquire 76-unit Clay Apartments on Capitol Hill in Seattle to provide housing to homeless individuals & veterans. . .City of Boise, Idaho puts a shuttered fire station on Overland Road up for sale with the proceeds, says BoiseDevto be used for "Grow Our Housing" initiative to increase city's affordable housing stock. . .Washington Department of Commerce says it's now distributed more than $3.4 million in CARES Act funds to almost 390 non-profit arts & cultural organizations serving 32 counties "to cover pandemic-related losses during the 2020 calendar year Washington". . .To provide resources to underserved or homeless students, Youth Era opens drop-in in Eugene, home of the University of Oregon says KLCC-FM.

FINALIZED
The Federal Register published a final rule jointly issued by HUD & 8 other Federal agencies implementing Executive Order 12831 to establish White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative & "provide clarity about the rights & obligations of faith-based organizations participating in the Agencies' Federal financial assistance programs & activities." The rule takes effect on January 19. "For many Americans, houses of worship serve a wide variety of purposes in communities, which oftentimes expand far beyond the practice of one's faith,", said HUD Secretary Carson,"especially during this global pandemic, there must be a unified effort not to encroach upon religious liberty, but to ensure that places of worship are best able to respond and serve the needs of communities across our nation."

NOFA-TUNITY
The U.S. Department of Labor has set a February 2nd 2021 deadline for eligible organizations to apply for an estimated 75 YouthBuild grants of up to $1.5 million each. Originally launched by HUD but now administered by Labor, YouthBuild enable young people who have or are at-risk of dropping-out to complete their educations, learn construction trade skills & help expand communities' affordable housing stock.

NOFA-TWO-NITY
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs sets February 18th deadline for 127 organizations with currently operational Grants & Per Diem Case Management programs to seek renewal funding of up to $225,000 each.

NOFA-THREE-NITY
USDA's Rural Utilities Services is now accepting letters of intent from potential applications from eligible intermediaries for its Rural Energy Savings Program to help families & small businesses achieve savings from cost-effective, energy-efficient measures. Letters of intent will be queued as they are received. If, after review, the applicant is invited to advance, the applicant will have 90 days to submit an application.

NO-FOUR-TUNITY
As mentioned last month, the Business Oregon Website is now accepting on-line on a first-come, first-served basis applications from areas of the state that are not designated as CDBG entitlement communities for a total of more than $5.2 million in HUD Community Development Block Grant funds from the CARES Act to be split between a Small Business & Micro-enterprise Assistance fund & an Emergency COVID-19 Impact Assistance for non-profits serving low-income people.

BRIEF BRIEFS THREE
.BRIDGE Housing becomes first non-profit housing developer in U.S. to issue taxable bonds - $100 million worth in this case reports Affordable Housing Finance magazine – that it will use to develop & acquire affordable, transit-oriented &energy efficient in Oregon, Washington & California. . .tHoping to address a shortage of adult foster care capacity in Coos County, Oregon, the Devereux Center unveils plan to convert partially-demolished, former psychiatric center donated to it into 6-bed facility says The World. . .Idaho Smart Groowth announces the four winners of 2020 Grow Smart Awards. . .Moscow, Idaho Affordable Housing Trust unveils plans to build 17 more affordable townhouses in its Paradise View community over next four years says Moscow-Pullman Daily News. . .Central Oregon Veterans Outreach & Bend Heroes Foundation to break ground after new year on 15-bed transitional shelter for veterans in Deschutes County says KBND. . .The 106-unit $37 million Othello Park affordable housing complex being developed by Low Income Housing Institute & Walsh Construction "tops-out" in south Seattle says Daily Journal of Commerce. . .HomesforGood - the housing authority in Lane County - American Legion Post 32 & University of Oregon's Oregon BUILDS initiative celebrate completion of the Legion Cottages, 4 new "tiny homes" for veterans on a parcel owned by the Post in Cottage Grove, Oregon. . .Anacortes, Washington to launch second round of grants from Small Business Stabilization Fund using revenues from Skagit County, HUD's CDBG program & Rotary Club says GoSkagit. . .The City of Pocatello has issued a conditional use permit to a Chicago developer, says Idaho State Journal,to buy former Clarion Inn to create 125 affordable housing for vets w/ adult day care & job placement service.

NOT-SO-FACT-ASTIC
A Household Pulse Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, The Seattle Times reports that "among the nation's 15 largest metro areas Seattle had the highest rate" - 49.2 percent - "of adults feeling down, depressed or hopeless at least several days in the past week." At 37 percent, the New York-Newark metro area had the lowest rate of adults feeling "down, depressed or hopeless."

QUOTEWORTHY
"This" - I.e., the Household Pulse Survey cited above -, "however, is not something to be worried or ashamed about. Instead, it should inspire a bit of pride. What the survey really shows is that Seattle people are closer to feeling right about the way the world actually is than most people. Exactly, 49% seems small. It really should be around 99% or more." - Charlie Mudsede, The Stranger, .December 17, 2020.

WORTH NOTING
"She was so overjoyed she was crying. She had no idea she was walking into an appointment. Had we not been out in the field she wouldn't have known, and she'd still be out in the street," - Betty Jordan, a Salem, Oregon homeless "navigator," on the reaction a homeless woman living on the streets when she heard from Betty that the Salem, housing authority had a unit available for her.– The Salem Reporter, December 4, 2020.

WORTH A READ
Celebrating the 1st anniversary in January of the completion of a top-to-bottom renovation by The Housing Company, a subsidiary of Idaho Housing & Finance Association, of the historic Bonneville Hotel, The Post Register takes a look at the effects have been on downtown Idaho Falls.

NOTABLE & QUOTABLE
Juan Del Prado,a member of the Tlingit Tribe in Alaska, has lived in his van for 15 years. He hopes to be one of those who lives in the Chief Seattle Club ʔálʔal - "home" in English - affordable housing complex now under construction in downtown Seattle & set to open in October. And it's not just because he wants a roof over his head, he tells Bloomberg CityLab. "I am comfortable being around Native people — it makes me feel at home and puts me at ease," Del Prado says. "I just find it very essential to be around and not just share what I know, but it will help me learn more about other Natives."

JUST PUBLISHED
Now that funds will be flowing from the recently-enacted Coronavirus Relief Act, Idaho Department of Commerce provides some tips to consumers & small businesses on how to prepare for it. . .The December 22nd special Oregon Housing & Community Services Director's Message provides a brief, but comprehensive summary of the actions taken by the Oregon Legislature in the one-day session called by Governor Brown to address housing issues. . .Affordable rental housing division of Oregon Housing & Community Services publishes its anticipated Funding Calendar in December 7th Director's Message. . .Jefferson Community Foundation & Housing Solutions Network - Jefferson County, WA issue Call to Action identifying steps individuals can take to increase affordable housing stock. . .Oregon Land Conservation & Development Commission adopts new guidelines for development of middle housing - duplex, triplex, quadplex buildings - in single family zones in state's largest cities. . .FHA publishes Mortgagee Letter 2020-48 updating Manufactured Housing criteria for Appraisal comparable selection specific to manufactured homes certified under the Fannie Mae MH Advantage® or the Freddie Mac CHOICEHome® programs. . .FHA - issues revised & streamlined loan-level certification form -HUD Form 92900-A- required from lenders when originating a single family mortgage intended for FHA insurance endorsement.

NOTES TO NOTE
Business Oregon Website is now accepting on-line applications from non- entitlement areas of the state on first-come, first-served basis for a total of more than $5.2 million in HUD Community Development Block Grant funds from the CARES Act to be split between a Small Business & Micro-enterprise Assistance fund & an Emergency COVID-19 Impact Assistance for non-profits serving low-income people. . .USDA sets January 8th deadline for non-profits, state, local & Tribal governments & others to apply for a total of $10 million in Farm to School grant programs to increase access of schools to local food producers. . .HUD sets January 19rh deadline for small local governments to apply for total of $1 million in HOPE VI Main Street grants. . .HUD has set a January 22nd deadline for public comments on a proposed rule to permit private flood insurance on homes with FHA-insured mortgages. . .Washington Department of Commerce sets January 29th deadline for local & state agencies, Tribes, school districts & public institutions of higher education to apply for Energy Efficiency Grants of up to $500,000 each to retrofit existing facilities to achieve energy & operational cost savings. . .FEMA sets January 29th deadline for state, local & Tribal governments to apply for 35 Flood Mitigation Assistance grants totaling $160 million to "reduce or eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings & structures insured" by National Flood Insurance Program. . .FEMA also sets January 29th deadline for states, territories & Tribes to apply for an estimated 125 Building Resilient Infrastructure & Communities grants totaling $500 million to "reduce overall risk to the population and structures from future hazard events, while also reducing reliance on federal funding from future disasters". . .U.S. Department of Labor has set a February 2nd 2021 deadline for eligible organizations to apply for an estimated 75 YouthBuild grants of up to $1.5 million each. . .The VA sets February 18th deadline for 127 organizations with currently operational Grants & Per Diem Case Management Program grants to seek renewal funding of up to $225,000 each. . .USDA's Rural Utilities Services is now accepting letters of intent from potential applications from eligible intermediaries for its Rural Energy Savings Program to help families & small businesses achieve savings from cost-effective, energy-efficient measures.

COMING UP

HUD hosts first of 5 sequential virtual Grant Writing & Capacity Development Webinar, January 11, on-line. Visit

Oregon Affordable Housing Management Association hosts four-part Webinar on Basic Landlord-Tenant Law for Affordable Housing Providers, January 12, 14, 19 & 24, on-line. Visit

HUD hosts second of 5 sequential virtual Grant Writing & Capacity Development Webinar, January 12, on-lin. Visit

HUD hosts Webinar on 2021 Point-in-Time Count "Office hours," January 12, on-line.Visit

HUD Oregon, Oregon Housing & Community Services & U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs host virtual Listening Session on Veteran Homelessness, January 13, on-line. Visit

HUD hosts third of 5 sequential virtual Grant Writing & Capacity Development Webinar, January 13, on-line. Visit

Washington State Housing Finance Commission opens registration for February Tax Credit Fundamentals Webinar, January 14, on-line. Visit

HUD hosts fourth of 5 sequential virtual Grant Writing & Capacity Development Webinar, January 14, on-line. Visit

HUD hosts fifth of 5 sequential virtual Grant Writing & Capacity Development Webinar, January 15, on-line. Visit

HUD hosts Webinar on 2021 Point-in-Time Count "Office hours," January 19, on-line.Visit

Oregon Affordable Housing Management Association hosts Webinar on Fair Housing & COVID-19, January 20, on-line. Visit

HUD hosts Webinar on Eviction Prevention Partnerships: HCAs and Homeless Service Program, January 21 on-line. Visit

HUD Oregon joins Home Forward, Tri-Met & others at Small Business Administration's virtual "Doing Business With Government" Webinar, January 14, on-line. Visit

Association of Alaska Housing Authorities hosts virtual Environmental Review Workshop, January 20 to 22, on-line. Visit

Association of Idaho Cities hosts virtual 2021 Water Summit, January 20, on-line. Visit

HUD hosts virtual Tribal Consultation on the Final Rule for Housing Counseling Certification - Session 1, January 26 on-line. Visit

Northwest Indian Housing Association hosts virtual Winter Meeting, January 26 & 27, on-line. Visit

HUD hosts a virtual Grant Writing – The Basics on Obtaining Financial Support for Your Cause to Aid your Clients Workshop, January 25 through January 28, on-line. Visit.

Oregon Affordable Housing Management Association hosts virtual Conquering HUD Multifamily Housing Compliance, January 25 to 28, on-line. Visit

HUD Multifamily Compliance Workshop, January 26 to 28, on-line. Visit.

HUD hosts virtual Tribal Consultation on the Final Rule for Housing Counseling Certification - Session 2, February 4, on-line. Visit

Oregon Affordable Housing Management Association hosts Webinar on Apples to Apples – Bids & Estimating, February 9, on-line. Visit

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