Northwest HUD Lines
July 2020

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

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 get in touch with us 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.

"SAFE HAVENS"
"For generations, homeownership has sustained and empowered Americans. Recently, we have been reminded that our homes are central to our health, our independence, and the well-being of our families. In response to the coronavirus outbreak, millions of Americans have transformed their homes into safe havens, virtual workplaces, classrooms, and, most importantly, places to nurture hopes and dreams for the future. During National Homeownership Month, we acknowledge the many benefits of secure and affordable homeownership. . .This month, we renew our commitment to helping pave the way for more Americans to achieve the financial benefits and stability of homeownership. Building on the roaring success we were experiencing prior to the coronavirus pandemic, our economy will rebound and create the jobs that Americans need to achieve the American dream of owning a home." -- President Donald J. Trump, June 8th, proclaiming 2020 National Homeownership Month.

PROTECTING FHA HOMEOWNERS
FHA – the Federal Housing Administration - has announced a two-month extension of its foreclosure& eviction moratorium through August 31, 2020, for homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages. FHA insures more than 280,000 single-family mortgages in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon & Washington This extension provides additional security and peace of mind to homeowners that they will not lose their homes while they are trying to recover financially. "While the economic recovery is already underway, many American families still need more time and assistance to regain their financial footing," said HUD Secretary Carson. "Our foreclosure & eviction extension means that these families will not have to worry about losing their home as they work to recover from the financial impacts of COVID-19."

BRIEF BRIEFS
Governor Kate Brown & Oregon Housing &Community Services to provide $55 million in rental relief $15 million in energy relief to households at or below 80 percent AMI who, due to COVID-19, cannot make upcoming rent or utilities. Funds to be distributed through Community Action Agencies. . .Washington Governor Jay Inslee extends statewide moratorium of evictions to 11:59:p.m. on August 1st. . .Oregon Legislature extends eviction moratorium until September 30th &provides renters with six month period to pay owed rent following expiration says Bend Bulletin. . .Idaho Housing & Finance Association launches up to $15 million Housing Preservation Fund to assist Idaho residents who have because of COVID-19 fallenbehind in rent or utility bills or unable to pay upcoming bills & are at 80 percent or less of median income, though those already receiving r other Federal rent subsidy are not eligible. . .Anchorage, Alaska Assembly adopts $21.5 million package funded by CARES Act to extend COVID-19 small business, rent & mortgage payment &child care assistance program that had been set to expire June 1st says Alaska Public Media. . .With ground broken at end of April, the Klamath Housing Authority in Oregon moving quickly to complete Sunrise Vista, 58 units of affordable housing says The Herald & News. . .BRIDGE Housing hosts "virtual" ribbon-cutting for The Vera, 203 new units of affordable housing in Portland made possible by support from, among others, Portland Housing Bureau, Oregon Housing & Community Services, Home Forward, Prosperity Portland, Key Bank & HUD. . .Using HUD Community Development Block Grant funds appropriated by the CARES Act, the cities of Boise& Meridian ae partnering with NeighborWorks Boise to provide up to 3 months of mortgage relief assistance to households in either city at no more than 80 percent of area median income whose finances have been hurt by COVID-19. . .The Associated Press says Mayor Berkowitz & Municipality of Anchorage may spend $22.5 million in CARES Act funds to purchase Beans Cafe, a former Alaska Club & 2 former hotels in downtown to convert to "shelter & service" space for city's most vulnerable.

ON THE WAY
Recent HUD funding awards
Noting that "the dire living conditions of our most vulnerable Americans left many without a home to isolate in or proper medical & healthcare resources to defend themselves against this invisible enemy," of COVID-19, HUD Secretary Carson announces a second round of CARES Act HUD Emergency Solutions Grants including $7.9 million to Alaska, $11.4 million to Idaho, $68.5 million to Oregon & $98.2 million to Washington. . .Idaho Housing & Finance Association, Open Door Counseling & the Housing Authority of Yamhill County, Oregon & Washington Housing Finance Commission awarded a total of more than $500,000 in HUD Comprehensive Housing Counseling funds. . .Tribes & Native Villages in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon & Washington awarded $28.2 million in HUD block grants to help them meet their most urgent community & housing development priorities. . .HUD awards a total of more than $4.1 million HUD Housing Opportunities for Persons with HIV/AIDS renewal funding to the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, Idaho Housing and Finance Association, Oregon Health Authority & DESC - the Downtown Emergency Service Center - in Seattle. . .Both Alaska Housing Finance Corporation & Housing Authority of Clackamas County. . .HUD awards total of $1.9 million Fair Housing Initiatives Program to continue its support for fair housing education, outreach & enforcement activities of Alaska Legal Services Corporation, Idaho's Intermountain Fair Housing Council, the Fair Housing Council of Oregon& Washington's Northwest Fair Housing Alliance.

INTERESTED?
Federal Register notice sets July 29th deadline to submit nominations to fill 6 vacancies on HUD Housing Counseling Advisory Council to provide advice on helping individuals & families with knowledge to obtain, sustain, & improve their housing through a strong national network of HUD-approved housing counseling agencies.

UPDATE
HUD Secretary Carson has announced a proposed modification to HUD's 2016 Equal Access Rule to allow shelter providers that lawfully operate as single-sex or sex-segregated facilities to voluntarily establish a policy that will govern admissions determinations for situations when an individual's gender identity does not match their biological sex. "This important update will empower shelter providers to set policies that align with their missions, like safeguarding victims of domestic violence or human trafficking," he explained. "Mission-focused shelter operators play a vital and compassionate role in communities across America. The Federal Government should empower them, not mandate a single approach that overrides local law and concerns. HUD also wants to encourage their participation in HUD programs. That's exactly what we are doing with this rule change."

JUST IN
HUD has published new income limits to take effect July 1s for its Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnership, Housing Opportunities for Person with HIV/AIDS, Section 108 Loan Guarantees, Housing Trust Fund, Brownfields Economic Development & Neighborhood Stabilization programs. Visit.

BE WISE, BEWARE!
A word to the wise The Boise Police Department & Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden recently told KTVB-TV that there's been a "major uptick" in scam in which people are asked to pay scammers to rent homes that actually aren't available to rent. DON'T FALL FOR IT!

STAFFING-UP
A year ago no village in Alaska's Northwest Arctic Borough - a borough bigger than the Commonwealth of Kentucky - had a Village Public Safety Officer, says KTOO-FM. By this summer's end at least five will. "Our residents need protection for life and property and things" public safety director tells KTOO-FM.

A FRESH START
By the time "Jane" got to high school housing instability made life seem "impossible". Then she was referred to the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon 2nd Home program. And now, with diploma in hand, she's on way this fall to University of Oregon says KATU-TV.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"We are grateful for the additional federal funds. The CDBG program is an invaluable tool to assist Redmond residents in accessing needed services as they navigate COVID-19 challenges." - Redmond, Oregon Council Member Ginny McPherson after Council voted to award $151,000 in HUD CDBG funds from CARES Act to support rent & utility bill relief & support Meals on Wheels, Cascade Business News, June 25th.

FUN-DAMENTALS
Reading has long been one of Ben Carson's passions. While still a renowned neurosurgeon he and his wife Candy established the Carson Schools Funds which supports schools in establishing "literacy-enriched" environments including Ben Carson Reading Rooms. As HUD Secretary he's established HUD's Book Rich Environment Initiative that, in collaboration with public housing agencies, has distributed 100,000 books to children living inHUD-assisted housing. And now he's taken to the airwaves saying once-a-week this summer he'll publish story time videos for children who may be spending the summer at home because of COVID-19. "Reading is a fundamental part of learning," he said, "It certainly had an important impact on my life." For more, visit.

BRIEF BRIEFS TOO
Washington Governor extends moratorium on evictions in Washington first announced in March until August 1st. . .The Herald says Yakima Housing Authority plans to start construction of 41-unit Chuck Austin Place for homeless veterans in July. . .Oregon awarded additional HUD Foster Youth to Independence vouchers to help young people "aging-out" of foster care to avoid homelessness. . .More than 1,000 Nampa, Idaho families at launch of USDA's new Farmers-to-Families Food Box program to pick-up boxes of free, fresh produce says KIVI-TV. . .The Skanner says Self Enhancement Inc. & Community Development Partners form partnership to co-build & co-own 52--unit affordable housing in north Portland, Oregon. . .Interfaith Sanctuary's Project Recover' in Boise, Idaho celebrates first graduate says KIVI-TV . .Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Oregon Housing & Community Services & the Oregon Department of Agriculture launch $30 million Food Security & Farmworker Safety funds for agricultural producers to meet housing, transportation & field sanitation needs created by COVID-19. . .Blaine County, Commission votes, says Idaho Mountain Express, to transfer parcel in Hailey to Idaho Housing & Finance Association which will partner with ARCH Community Housing Trust to build 60 units of affordable housing for families & seniors. . .The Architect's Newspaper reports Holst Architects& Transitions Project have "unveil" colorful & "deeply affordable" 72-unit Argyle Gardens apartment complex in Kenton neighborhood of north Portland, Oregon. . .National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado & the Cold Climate Housing Research Center in Fairbanks, Alaska enter formal collaboration to "test the resiliency &reliability of energy efficient & renewable energy technologies in extreme weather". . .Boise, Idaho Parks & Recreation developing farm-to-table-park, a "community gathering space with pollinator gardens, pathways, play areas, outdoor classrooms picnic shelters" says Idaho Statesman. . .NeighborWorks Umpqua opens 2 new lines-of-business - a Financial Opportunity Center & Community Development Financial Institution - to "help customers &businesses increase earnings, build credit, reduce expenses, & boost assets which will help strengthen the economy in our Southern Oregon communities."

GET READY
Get ready, that is, for the upcoming Business Oregon Fall, 2020 CDBG – Community Development Block Grant – funding competition. To prepare, eligible cities & towns can view two pre-recorded Webcasts. To register to view, visit.

NOFA-TUNITY
The Seattle, Washington Office of Housing has set a July 8th deadline, apply for funding to build 500 permanent supportive rental housing units for people experiencing homelessness. Funded by the City's Housing Tax Levy as well, probably, as HUD Community Development Block Grant & HOME Investment Partnership funds, there is a construction cost limit of $250,000 per unit. The 500 units, Mayor Jenny Durkan, explained, are over-and-above the more than 4,000 units of supportive permanent housing the City has completed or under construction.

NOFA-TWO-NITY
HUD sets August 18th deadline for non-profit organizations that provide nationwide or statewide programs that primarily serve veterans or low-income individuals to apply for up to 9 grants of no more than $1 million each as part of HUD Veteran Housing Rehabilitation & Modification Pilot. Visit.

NOFA-THREE-NITY
Alaska Coalition on Homelessness & Housing sets July 17th deadline for organizations to submit proposals to be funded by its $1.65 million HUD Homeless Youth Demonstration Project that is also receiving funding from State of Alaska. Visit.

NO-FOUR-TUNITY
Washington Department of Commerce sets July 10th for non-profits, local governments & Tribes to apply for grants of up to $100,000 from Child Care Partnership for "local collaborations to develop community-driven action plans to increase capacity access to child care." Visit.

NO-FIVE-TUNITY
Washington Department of Commerce sets September 1st deadline to apply for up to $10 million in Housing Trust Fund dollars to develop & maintain MODULAR Construction Rental Housing that will serve the "homeless at entry" for at least 50 years. Visit.

NOFA-SIX-NITY
An August 17th deadline has been set by HUD Policy Development & Research to apply for up to 2 grants totaling $500,000 to analyze the social & economic impacts of HUD's CDBG & HOME programs.

ONE-MORE-TUNITY
HUD Policy Development & Research has set an August 4th deadline to apply for up to 3 grants totaling $500,000 to "identify alternative calculations to generate FMRs that more closely track market conditions in rapidly rising rental markets than current methods. Visit.

BRIEF BRIEFS THREE
Congrats to Bill Rumpf, the recently-retired executive director of Mercy Housing Northwest, upon his appointment chair of the Washington State Houing Finance Commission & a very BIG THANK YOU to Karen Miller who has served as chair for more than 20 years. . .Telling Fox26-TV "we worked very hard to make sure the conditions are right, the structure is right, the code is right for things like this to happen" Grants Pass, Oregon Mayor Roy Lindsay joins All Care Health & Rogue Retreat to "break ground for tiny home village to initially house 17". . .Idaho Statesman says The Housing Company, the development arm of Idaho Housing & Finance Association seeking conditional use permit to build 84-unit apartment complex in Nampa. . .20 Tribes in Washington awarded total of $4.4 million in federal Victims of Crime Act by Washington Department of Commerce to provide crisis services, advocacy & outreach. . .Community Development Partners of Portland & Northwest Oregon Housing Authority releasse plans for 238 units of affordable housing in St. Helens, Oregon says The Chronicle. . .City of Spokane, Washington, says KREM-TV, moves lock-stock-&-barrel the historic, "one-of-a-kind" Rose Apartments preserving 8 units of affordable rental housing in a tight rental market. . .The Trump Administration okays six USDA loans totaling $14.4 million to maintain & upgrade electric service in Alaska, Idaho & Washington. . .REACH Community Development Corporation breaks ground for 54-unit Mary Anne for working families in downtown Beaverton, Oregon, says Beaverton Valley Times, the first project under the Metro housing tax levy passed by Multnomah, Clackamas & Washington county voters last year.

NOTEWORTHY
The Washington State Housing Finance & Washington Department of Commerce 2020 Housing Washington Affordable Housing Conference will be a 1-day "virtual" conference on October 6th & the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance Conference on Ending Homelessness also will be "virtual" on October 7th & 8th. Visit.

QUOTE-WORTHY
"Housing is healthcare. . .As a nurse I have seen the transformative effect a safe, stable, permanent home can have on my patients who have experienced homelessness. It is even more urgent for us to ensure everyone in our community has access to permanent housing in the wake COVID-19 public health crisis." - Kevonya Elzia, a Registered Nurse at Neighborcare Health commenting on City of Seattle, Washington's plan to build 500 more units of permanent housing for those experiencing homelessness.

FACT-SINATING
With all the large apartment complexes across the country a report from the Census Bureau & HUD might seem counter intuitive. The 2020 Rental Housing Survey that nearly half of the nation's rental properties have four or fewer units.

JUST PUBLISHED
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says data on 2019 mortgage lending transactions at 5,508 U.S. financial institutions covered by the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) is now available. Chaired by HUD Secretary Ben Carson, the White House Opportunity& Revitalization Council submits report to President Trump on "best practice" community revitalization projects undertaken across the country as a result of the Tax Cut &Jobs Act . . Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issues Interim Final Rule that should "make it easier for consumers" with federally backed mortgages "to transition out of financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and easier for mortgage servicers to assist those consumers". . .Urban Institute publishes An Early Assessment of Opportunity Zones for Equitable Development Projects. . .HUD's Office of Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity Office of Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity launches 8-part, on-line Understanding Section 3 video series for HUD grantees & contracts now available for viewing. . .HUD's Office of Housing Counseling publishes FAQ document for its fiscal year 2020 Supplemental Comprehensive Housing Counseling funding competition that has July 8th application deadline. . .Zillow Research re-issues research which found that "home values remain low in bast majority of formerly redlined neighborhood". . .HUD economists publish National Housing Market Summary for first quarter of calendar 2020

NOTES TO NOTE
HUD's Office of Policy Development & Research sets July 1st deadline to apply for total of $2 million to research Estimating the Prevalence & Probability of Homeless Youth. . .The Seattle, Washington Office of Housing has set a July 8th deadline, to apply for funding to build 500 additional permanent supportive rental housing units for people experiencing homelessness. . .Washington Department of Commerce sets July 10th for non-profits, local governments & Tribes to apply for grants of up to $100,000 from Child Care Partnership for "local collaborations to develop community-driven action plans to increase capacity access to child care". . .Washington Department of Commerce extends deadline to apply for Youth Recreation Facilities grants until July 23rd & for Building for the Arts grants until August 6th. . .Health& Human Services Administration for Children & Families sets July 6th for local governments, Tribes, Alaskan Native Villages & non-profits to apply for up to 5 demonstration grants to "build, expand, and sustain organizational and community capacity to deliver services to Native American victims of human trafficking". . .HUD sets July 8th deadline for HUD-approved housing counseling agencies to apply for up to 30 fiscal year 2020 Supplemental Comprehensive Housing Counseling Program grants totaling $3.5 million. . .Alaska Coalition on Homelessness & Housing sets July 17th deadline for organizations to submit proposals to be funded by its $1.65 million HUD Homeless Youth Demonstration Project that is also receiving funding from State of Alaska. . .Federal Register notice sets July 29th deadline to submit nominations to fill 6 vacancies on HUD Housing Counseling Advisory Council. . .HUD Policy Development& Research sets August 4th deadline to apply for up to 3 grants totaling $500,000 to "identify alternative calculations to generate FMRs that more closely track market conditions in rapidly rising rental markets than current methods". . .HUD Policy Development & Research also sets August 17th to apply for up to 2 grants totaling $500,000 to analyze the social & economic impacts of HUD's CDBG & HOME programs. . .HUD sets August 18th deadline for non-profit organizations that provide nationwide or statewide programs that primarily serve veterans or low-income individuals to apply for up to 9 grants of no more than $1 million each as part of HUD Veteran Housing Rehabilitation & Modification Pilot. . .Washington Department of Commerce sets September 1st deadline to apply for up to $10 million in Housing Trust Fund dollars to develop & maintain MODULAR Construction Rental Housing that will serve the "homeless at entry" for at least 50 years. . .U.S. Department of Labor VETS program sets December 31st, 2020 deadline for state & local workforce development groups, veterans service organizations, public agencies, Tribal governments & non-profits to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to conduct veterans Stand Down events.

COMING UP
HUD & the Federal Communications Commission host virtual Webinar on Commission's Lifeline program that can lower phone & Internet costs for people with low or fixed incomes July 7th, on-line. Visit

HUD to host Investigating Complaints of Sexual Harassment Webinar, July 9th, on-line. Visit

Association of Alaska Housing Authorities hosts virtual workshop Uniform Physical Conditions Standards, July 8th, on-line. Visit

Oregon Affordable Housing Management Association hosts first part of three-part virtual Everything EIV Webinar, July 9th, on-line. Visit

Washington Affordable Housing Management Association hosts Being a Reasonable Accommodation & Pet Policy Webinar, July 9th, on-line. Visit

Oregon Affordable Housing Management Association hosts Conquering HOME Multifamily Compliance, July 15th to 17th, Salem, Oregon. Visit

HUD hosts Webinar on Public Housing Repositioning: Rental Assistance Demonstration Projects & Section 18 Unit Blends, July 22nd,on-line. Visit

Washington Affordable Housing Management Association hosts Violence Against Women Update, July 22nd on-line. Visit

HUD hosts Health@Home Health@Home: Freedom from Contaminants & Pests Webinar, July 23rd. Visit

Oregon Affordable Housing Management Association hosts second part of three-part virtual Everything EIV Webinar, July 23rd , on-line. Visit

RCAC hosts Foreclosure Prevention: Preparing for the Future Webinar for new & experienced housing counselors, July 28th to 30th, on-line. Visit

Oregon Affordable Housing Management Association hosts third part of three-part virtual Everything EIV Webinar, July 30th, on-line. Visit

Oregon Affordable Housing Management Association hosts virtual Conquering LIHTC Compliance Webinar, August 26th to 28th. Visit

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