Northwest HUD Lines
March 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

YOU'RE INVITED
More than 3,000 HUD Northwest HUDLines readers in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon & Washington on Twitter at http://twitter.com/hudnorthwest. We hope you find it of value & will continue doing so. But if your preferred cup of e-tea is Facebook, HUD Northwest has just launched a site at https://www.facebook.com/HUDNorthwest/. If that's your preferred platform, we hope to see you there. (P.S. – And if you do, please feel free to send an e-mail to leland.jones@hud.gov on how we might improve it. Thanks.)

DELIVERED
Promoting, you guessed it, opportunity in Opportunity Zones
On behalf of the 17-agency White House Opportunity & Revitalization Council he shares, in early February HUD Secretary Carson submitted a report to President Trump on the progress it made in its first year in synchronizing Federal programs & optimizing Federal investments in the nation's more than 8,000 Opportunity Zones created by the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act of 2017 to stimulate invests & economic activity in distressed areas identified by Governors. To date, he said, Federal agencies have taken 180 actions to do so. "When President Trump first took the oath of office, he vowed that our nation's forgotten men & women would be forgotten no more - and through his unprecedented support for economic opportunity initiatives, this is not just a promise made: it is a promise he has delivered."

MEETING THE CHALLENGE
More than $150 million in housing funds awarded to Northwest & Alaska Tribes & Villages
Saying "these grant funds will allow local leaders to build stronger and vibrant communities that drive more economic development," HUD Secretary Carson announced the award of $655 million in HUD Indian Housing Block Grant formula funds to Federally recognized Tribes, Native Villages & Tribally-designated entities in 38 states, including $4.9 million to 239 Alaska Tribes & Villages, $3.7 million to 4 Idaho Tribes, $16.8million to 9 Oregon Tribes & $41.2 million to 28 Washington Tribes. The funds primarily benefit low-income Native American and Alaska Native families. Grant amounts are based on a formula that considers local needs and housing units under management by the Tribe or TDHE. Eligible activities for the funds include housing development, operation and modernization of existing housing, housing services to eligible families and individuals, housing management services, crime prevention and safety activities, and model activities that provide creative approaches to solving affordable housing problems in Indian Country. "Safe, affordable housing is a critical need in Tribal communities," said HUD Northwest Regional Administrator Jeff McMorris. "Today's awards will greatly assist our Tribal partners in meeting the unique and challenges they face." For a full list of awardees, visit.

JUST IN
Helping the hardest hit
HUD Exchange has just announced that "HUD plans to issue a Notice of Funding Availability targeted to Continuums of Care (CoCs) with high levels of unsheltered homelessness. Funding will be prioritized to CoCs with high levels of unsheltered homelessness, which includes encampments". The funds will be utilized under HUD's CoC Program with applicants expected to develop a plan to demonstrate how they will reduce unsheltered homelessness and be assessed based on the quality of the plan. The NOFA will place heavy emphasis on applicants demonstrating the evidence supporting their plans. For updates on this upcoming funding opportunity, it would be advisable to register for the HUD Exchange e-mail notification system.

BRIEF BRIEFS
Non-profits Mercy Housing Northwest & Human Good Affordable Housing awarded a total of $5.7 million HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Very Low-Income Elderly capital advances & rental subsidies to develop, respectively, 60 units of affordable housing in Tacoma & 20 in Seattle. . .Since it opened its Didgwalic Wellness Center in 2017 the Swinomish Tribe in Anacortes, Washington has seen "the fatal overdose rate on the reservation has been cut in half" & tells KING 5-TV it now wants to develop 100 units of affordable housing for those enrolled in the treatment program. . .Washington County, Oregon Housing Authority & City of Hillsboro celebrate completion of Willow Creek Crossing, 120 new units of affordable housing in the heart of downtown says KGW-TV. . .Ada County, Idaho Commissioners unanimously approves, says Meridian Press, ordinance prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender or sexual orientation in "employment, housing, commercial property and the use of public accommodations". . .Alaska Housing Finance Corporation commits $12 million in grants and tax credits for 102 units of new, affordable housing for the elderly in Wasilla, Alaska says KTVA-TV. . .Oregon Housing & Community Services' Housing Stability Council awards $16 million to produce or preserve 435 units of affordable rental housing in Klamath Falls, Tigard, Portland, La Grande, Toledo, Medford & Multnomah County. . .56 percent of Anacortes, Washington vote YES to one-tenth of one percent increase in local sales tax to help fund much-needed affordable housing says Skagit Valley Herald. . .Thanks to $1.2 million in grants & $4.4 million in tax credits from Alaska Housing & Finance Corporation, ground will be broken for 15 units of affordable, supportive housing for youth in Petersburg says KESK=FM. . .Commonwealth Company tells Newport, Oregon News Times the first of four buildings at Surf View with 110 units of affordable & workforce housing is expected to be completed in late May, early June. . .Metro, the regional government serving Clackamas, Multnomah & Washington counties in Oregon, has referred a measure to the May 2020 ballot for voter consideration that would raise $250 million with a 1 percent increase on taxes for the wealthiest earners – i.e., couples earning more than $200,000 – and a 1 percent increase for businesses with gross receipts of more than $5 million says Oregon Public Broadcasting. . .U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan & Congressman Don Young announce that U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded State of Alaska $33.5 million to repair highways & bridges damaged in November, 2018 Cook Inlet Earthquake in the Municipality of Anchorage, Mat-Su Borough, and the Kenai Peninsula.

PRESERVING CRITICAL STOCK
Capitalizing public housing
On February 14th, HUD announced that 46 public housing authorities in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon & Washington State receive $44 million in capital funds to maintain & upgrade housing for families & seniors The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation was awarded $3,035,482 in HUD capital funds while 9 housing authorities in Idaho were awarded $1,618,480, 13 housing authorities in Oregon were awarded $9,324,005 and 23 housing authorities in Washington state were awarded $30,201,530. The funds were awarded under HUD's Capital Fund Program, which offers annual funding to approximately 2,900 public housing authorities to build, repair, renovation modernize the public housing in their communities. Housing authorities use the funding to complete large-scale improvements such as replacing roofs or making energy-efficient upgrades to replace old plumbing and electrical systems. All told, HUD awarded $2.7 billion in public housing capital funds nationwide. For a list of housing authorities receiving awards, visit.

DESTINATION INDEPENDENCE.
Self Sufficiency grants awarded
On February 27th HUD announced the award id $2,159,174 to 10 housing organizations in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington to assist residents of public housing to become economically self-sufficient. The Resident Opportunities and Self-Sufficiency - Service Coordinators program or ROSS-SC grants enable public housing authorities, Tribal organizations & non-profit agencies hire or retain service coordinators who help connect all public housing residents with employment training, financial literacy services, educational opportunities, and health and wellness programs. "Living independent, self-sufficient lives is a primary goal for most public housing residents," said HUD Northwest Regional Administrator Jeff McMorris. "These funds enable our partners to help residents toward and ultimately across that goal line." Awardees included:

These awards were part of a nationwide announcement by HUD Secretary Carson of some $36 million in ROSS grants to organizations across the country.

GOT VIEWS?
Adjust the cycle?
In its most recent Notice of Funding Availability for and its recent award of $655 million in Indian Housing Block Grant funds to Federally recognized Tribes, Native Villages & Tribally-designated housing entities, HUD awarded funds from two fiscal years. In the past, HUD had used one-, not two-year funding cycles. It recently sent an invitation to r Tribal leaders seeking their views on whether they prefer a one- or two-year cycle. The deadline for submission is mid-March.

VIEWS TOO?
Still time to be heard
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation & the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency have extended to submit public comments on a proposed Community Reinvestment Act rulemaking proceeding from March 9th to April 8th. For more, visit.

BRIEF BRIEFS TOO
City of Idaho Falls, Optum & the Housing Company, subsidiary of Idaho Housing & Finance Association, celebration the renovation & grand re-opening of the historic, 93-year-old former Bonneville Hotel – once described as the hotel premier of the entire state" - that now's providing 35 affordable housing units in downtown that now's providing 35 affordable housing units in downtown says Post Register. . .Though not signing or vetoing it, Seattle, Washington Mayor Jenny Durkan allows ordinance passed by City Council to curtail winter evictions to become law while proposing an alternative that would provide "the resources to help prevent eviction in the first place". . .Thanks to financing from USDA Rural Development, City of Gold Beach, Oregon City of Gold Beach , Oregon on the Pacific coast builds new hospital replacing one that had become since it was built in 1951 an "outdated fire hazard." City of Pocatello's HUD-funded Healthy Homer lead paint abatement program completes 30th home for lead issues says Idaho State Journal. . .Spokane, Washington City Council votes unanimously to provide $280,000 to Pioneer Human Services' Thee Carlyle & Transitions Home Yard Cottages affordable housing communities says Spokesman Review. . .More than 30 service providers help more than 100 vets who are homeless or at risk of it at Homer, Alaska's first-ever Project Homeless Connect event says Homer News. . .New apartment building near the University of Washington Tacoma campus has set-aside 62 of 152 units for at-risk students as part of Tacoma Housing Authority program to prevent housing instability from interfering "with the ability to succeed in school" reports NextCity. . .After learning that one of his employees was living in a tent with her 5 children, Albertina Kerr CEO commits to building 150 units of housing in Gresham Oregon "open to all with qualifying incomes, not just Kerr employees" says Portland Tribune. .Washington Department of Commerce awards $17.2 million in grants to 39 current & new early learning providers across the state to plan, expand, remodel, purchase or construct early learning facilities & classrooms. . .Non-profit Sponsors celebrates grand opening of non-profit Sponsors celebrates grand opening of Jeffrey Commons in West Eugene, Oregon a 10-unit tiny home community designed, says KLCC-FM, to reduce recidivism through affordable housing.

NOFA-TUNITY
There's no such thing as "too prepared"
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security & the Federal Emergency Management Agency have set an April 15th deadline to apply for more than $1.8 billion in a number of emergency preparedness grant opportunities for state, local& Tribal governments as well as ports, intercity transit systems, non-profits & "high-threat, high-density" urban areas focused on "preventing, protecting against, responding to, recovering from and mitigating terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies."

NOFA-TWO-NITY
Facilitation funding
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has set an April 22nd deadline for state & local governments, Federally recognized Tribes, public housing authorities & non-profits to apply for a total of $40 million in grants & per diem payments to support their Transition in Place housing models to "facilitate housing stabilization for Veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless under VA's Homeless." It expects to support up to 450 beds. The award ceiling is $1.6 million per grant.

NOFA-THREE-NITY
Serving rural communities
On March 2nd, the Washington Department of Commerce will begin accepting applications from cities with less than 50,000 residents & counties with 200,000 residents to apply for Community Development Block Grant General Purpose grants. A list of eligible communities is on the state's Web site. The application deadline is June 3rd. The Department will host application workshops on March 2nd & 19th. To register to attend, visit.

NO-FOUR-TUNITY
Boosting Oregon's affordable stock
Oregon Housing & Community Services has set a March 6th pre-application deadline & an April 24th full application deadline for more than $100 million in funding & Low-Income Housing Tax Credits under its Affordable Rental, Agricultural Workforce & Homeownership Housing Development. Funding will include Local Innovation Fast Track -LIFT - Housing Program (rental and homeownership), 9 percent Low Income Housing Tax Credits, HOME, Preservation, Oregon Affordable Housing Tax Credit for 4 percent & 9 percent LIHTC, Manufactured Home Park Preservation, Agricultural Workforce Housing Tax Credit, and Oregon Rural Rehabilitation. To view a broadcast on the Notice, visit

NO-FIVE-TUNITY
Book buildings
The Washington Department of Commerce has announced that it will begin accepting applications from counties, cities, towns & rural libraries for Library Capital Improvement Grants established by the State Legislature in 2019 to with acquisition, construction & renovation of aging library facilities. It expects to award up to $10 million with a maximum of $2 million per grant. Grantees will be expected to provide a 10 percent match. Applications will be due March 17th.

BRIEF BRIEFS THREE
Housing Authority of Grays Harbor County & Washington State Housing Finance Commission, celebrate completion of extensive renovation of the almost 100-year old Emerson Manor affordable housing for the elderly in downtown Hoquiam says Daily World. . .Washington State Senate confirms Charlie Clark as director of Washington Department of Financial Institutions. . .Homes for Good, the housing authority serving Eugene & Lane County, Oregon, American Legion Post 34 & University of Oregon's celebrate, says KLCC, wall-raising for first of four "tiny cottages" that will provide permanent housing to homeless vets & others in Cottage Grove. . .New West Capital of Boise, Idaho wins upon winning $1.5 million in U.S. Treasury Community Development Financial Institutions Capital Magnet grant to support its efforts to expand affordable housing stock. . .With the completion of former Washington County housing authority executive director Val Valfre's term as chair of the Oregon Housing & Community Services Housing Stability Council (THANK YOU, Mr. Valfre), Governor Kate Brown has named Lincoln County Commissioner Claire Hall to succeed him (WELCOME!). . .City of Florence, Dev NW & Oregon Housing & Community Services break ground for 12 new homeownership houses ranging in price from $160,000 to $200,000 says KEZI-TV. . .Seattle, Washington Housing Authority & City of Seattle form partnership to partnership to preserve 211 existing units of affordable, unsubsidized housing & to develop more mixed-income housing on site near Northgate Mall & light rail station. . .Lane County, Oregon Commissioners vote 4-1 to move forward with plans to build affordable housing for women & children on county-owned parcel at the fair grounds says KLCC-FM.

FAC-TASTIC
Packing a punch
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines has just issued a very informative report on the state-by-state impact its resources & Member banks have on the production & preservation of affordable housing in the 13 states it serves, including Alaska, Idaho, Oregon & Washington.

WORTH NOTING
"He's knowledgeable on all the potential grants. If you're in an Opportunity Zone and you want to do a project with HUD, you're going to get one- or two-point advantages in an Opportunity Zone. They get so many applicants, and it can be fractions that make the difference between you and another candidate getting funding. But if you're in an Opportunity Zone and you get a couple points toward getting your HUD project done, that's a huge advantage." – Jerry Field, Pacific Northwest Region Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration, explaining why he & Bannock Development Corporation wanted HUD Northwest's Jeff McMorris to speak at the Southeast Idaho Opportunity Zone Connection Forum in Pocatello, Idaho Post Register, February 24, 2020

WORTH A PONDER
"Want to keep People out of Idaho prisons?" asks Kendra Knighten of Idaho Voices for Children. "Affordable homes can help," she tells Boise State Public Radio. Learn why it might well be right.

WORTH A LISTEN
Back in 1943, a 280 unit prefabricated, public housing community called Sinclair Park sprung-up in Bremerton, Washington, a city that had grown from 15,000 to over 80,000 residents in just five years. The "vast majority" of residents, says the Authority's executive director Kurt Wiest, "were non-Caucasian." But, adds KNKX-FM's Gabriel Spitzer, it was a "vibrant" community. Then producer Quincy Jones likely would agree.

JUST PUBLISHED
The Trump Administration releases the Federal fiscal year 2021 proposed budget for HUD that "preserves rental subsidies; increases homeless assistance & healthy housing". . .USDA publishes new area loan limits for its Section 502 direct homeownership loan program that took effect January 31st. . .Joint Center for Housing at Harvard University issues America's Rental Housing 2020 report. . .The White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy issues Rural Community Action Guide – Building Stronger Healthy, Drug-Freed Rural Communities. . .King County, City of Seattle & Zillow unveil Housing Connector, an app that makes it easier & faster for non-profit service providers to help clients currently or at risk of experiencing homelessness find available, affordable housing in Seattle metro area. . .Washington Department of Commerce's Office of Youth Homelessness issues Youth Exiting Systems of Care reporting that a quarter of the more than 7,000 young people who exit such systems end-up within 12 months unstably housed or homeless. It's well worth a look.

NOTES TO NOTE
.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has set March 2nd deadline for state & local governments, public & Tribal housing authorities & non-profits to apply for its Homeless Providers Grant & Per Diem program. . .Washington Department of Commerce Office of Crime Victim Advocacy has set March 2nd deadline for Tribal victim services agencies for grants of up to $140,000 each to fund culturally specific services for people hurt or harmed in their communities. . .Bureau of Indian Affairs has sets a March 2nd, 2020 deadline for Federally-recognized Tribes & Tribal organizations to apply for competitive Tribal Resilience Program funds to "build resilience through adaptation& coastal planning & related travel". . .Oregon Housing & Community Services has set a March 6th pre-application deadline & an April 24th full application deadline for more than $100 million in funding & Low-Income Housing Tax Credits under its Affordable Rental, Agricultural Workforce & Homeownership Housing Development. . .HUD's Office of Native American Programs has set a mid-March deadline for Tribal leaders to submit comments on whether they prefer one- or two-year funding cycles for the Indian Housing Block Grant program. . .HUD & National Environmental Health Association March 10th as nomination submission date for the 2020 HUD Secretary's Health Homes Award competition. . .HUD has set March 16th deadline to submit comments on proposed rule establishing new design & construction standards as safe harbors in terms of compliance with Fair Housing Act's accessibility standards. . .HUD has set a March 16th deadline to submit comments on a proposed Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule. . .USDA has set a March 16th deadline to apply for up to $550 million its second round this fiscal year of USDA Re-Connect broadband funding. . .Washington Department of Commerce has set a March 17th deadline for counties, cities, towns & rural libraries to apply for up to $10 million for Library Capital Improvement Grants. . .Washington Department of Commerce's Office of Crime Victims Advocacy will open a $3.5 million Human Trafficking Services a & Outreach competition inviting non-profits & Tribes to apply by March 30th for 7 grants – 4 in labor trafficking & 3 in sexual trafficking. . .Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation & Office of the Comptroller of the Currency have extended the deadline to submit comments on its proposed Community Reinvestment Act rulemaking to April 8th. . .DHS & FEMA set an April 15th deadline to apply for more than $1.8 billion in a number of emergency preparedness grant opportunities. . .The VA has set April 22nd deadline for state & local governments, Federally recognized Tribes, public housing authorities & non-profits to apply for a total of $40 million in grants & per diem payments to support their Transition in Place housing models. . .Pacific Northwest NAHRO sets deadline for young people from Kindergarten to 12th grade living in affordable housing to submit "What Home Means to Me" regional poster contest. . .Business Oregon sets April 30th deadline for eligible local governments to apply for 2020 HUD Community Development Block Grant funds for community facilities, housing rehabilitation, public works & micro-enterprise development. . .Idaho Smart Growth has set a May 4th deadline to submit nominations for its 2020 Grow Smart Awards. Washington Department of Commerce sets June 3rd deadline cities with less than 50,000 residents & counties with 200,000 residents to apply for Community Development Block Grant General Purpose grants. 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

Idaho Housing & Finance Association hosting Housing & Economic Development Conference, March 2nd & 3rd, Boise, Idaho.Visit

Washington Department of Commerce hosts Community Development Block Grant General Purposes grants application workshop, March 2nd, Tumwater, Washington. Visit

HUD hosts How to Become a HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agency Webinar, March 3rd, on-line. Visit

Mayor Ted Wheeler & City of Portland, host Community Conversation on Homelessness, March 3rd, north Portland, Oregon. Visit

Mayor Ted Wheeler & City of Portland, host Community Conversation on Homelessness, March 7th, southwest Portland, Oregon. Visit

Washington State Housing Finance Commission hosts workshop on Tax Credit Fundamentals, March 10th, Seattle, Washington. Visit

Washington State housing Finance Commission hosts workshop on Advanced Tax Credits, March 11th, Seattle, Washington. Visit

Oregon Affordable Housing Management Association hosts Occupancy Focus Class for Rural Development Managers, March 12th, Salem, Oregon. Visit

NAYA Family Center hosts Housing to Homeownership Fair, March 14th, Portland, Oregon. Visit

Tanana Chiefs Conference hosts annual conference, March 16th to 19th, Fairbanks, Alaska. Visit

Association of Alaska Housing Authorities & HUD's Alaska Office of Native American Programs host workshop on Contract Administration & Procurement, March 17th to 19th, Anchorage, Alaska. Visit

Oregon Affordable Housing Management Association hosts Conquering Low Income Housing Tax Credit Compliance workshop, March 18th to 20th, Salem, Oregon. Visit

Washington Department of Commerce hosts Community Development Block Grant General Purposes grants application workshop, March 19th, Moses Lake, Washington. Visit

Washington Public Works Board hosts free training on public infrastructure management, March 25th, Ellensburg, Washington. Visit

Oregon Affordable Housing Management Association hosts Occupancy Focus Class for Rural Development Managers, March 26th, Grants Pass Oregon. Visit

Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines hosts Regional Member Conference, April 6th, Anchorage, Alaska. Visit

Oregon Affordable Housing Management Association hosts Everything EIV! Workshop, April 7th, Salem, Oregon. Visit

Washington Public Works Board hosts free training on public infrastructure management, April 7th, Auburn, Washington. Visit

Northwest Indian Housing Association hosts spring Conference, April 7th & 8th, Grand Ronde, Oregon. Visit

Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines host Regional Member Conference, April 10th, Portland, Oregon. Visit

Association of Alaska Housing Authorities & HUD's Alaska Office of Native American Programs host workshop on Uniform Guidance on 2 CFR Part 200, April 14th & 15th, Anchorage, Alaska. Visit

Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines hosts Regional Member Conference, April 15h, Seattle, Washington. Visit

Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines hosts Regional Member Conference, April 16h, Spokane, Washington. Visit

Washington Nonprofits hosts the Central Washington Conference for the Greater Good, April 17th, Yakima, Washington. Visit

Association of Alaska Housing Authorities & HUD's Alaska Office of Native American Programs host workshop on Environmental Review for HUD-assisted Projects, April 21st to 23rd, Anchorage, Alaska. Visit

Northwest Fair Housing Alliance, cities of Spokane & Coeur d'Alene, Spokane Housing Authority, Washington Department of Commerce, the Landlord Association of Inland Northwest & Spokane Low Income Housing Consortium host Inland Northwest Fair Housing Conference, April 23rd, Spokane, Washington. Visit

Oregon Affordable Housing Management Association hosts workshop on Oregon Housing & Community Services Elderly Bond Compliance Certification processes, April 23rd, Salem, Oregon. Visit

League of Oregon Cities hosts Local Government Spring Conference, April 24th, Hermiston, Oregon. Visit

Washington Affordable Housing Management Association hosts annual conference, April 27th to 28th, Wenatchee, Washington. Visit

Association of Alaska Housing Authorities & HUD's Alaska Office of Native American Programs host workshop, on Residential Endorsement, April 27th & 29th, Anchorage, Alaska. Visit

Pacific Northwest Regional Council of NAHRO hosts annual conference, April 26th to 29th, Renton, Washington. Visit

Association of Alaska Housing Authorities & HUD's Alaska Office of Native American Programs host Admission & Occupancy Workshop, April 28th to May 1st, Anchorage, Alaska. Visit

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