Northwest HUD Lines
November 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.

JUST FINALIZED
The Federal Register has published a HUD Final Rule on benchmarks for its Section 3 program creating economic opportunities for low-income residents & businesses in areas with HUD-funded projects. The rule took effect on October 29th.

FHA UPDATE
HUD's Federal Housing Administration (FHA) issues Mortgagee Letter 2020-34 extending the date by which applications for COVID-19 Forbearance or COVID- 19 Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) Extension from October 30, 2020 to December 31, 2020

FH-AUTOMATION
In October the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) launched a new automated underwriting system to be used by originators of FHA-insured mortgages that will, says Assistant Secretary for Housing & FHA Administrator Dana Wade, "streamline processes for everyone, including consumers."

DON'T FORGET
If you or someone you know is eligible for but have not yet claimed your $1,200 the IRS has extended filing deadline to Novembe 21st, 2020.

BRIEF BRIEFS
Recognizing "how hard the past seven months have been for essential employees like first responders & teachers," Idaho Housing & Finance Association's CEO Gerald Hunter announces launch of Idaho Heroes Loan Program offering a "limited special" mortgage "rate of 2.375% is available to nurses, firefighters, law enforcement, teachers, doctors, paramedics, retail workers & current & former members of the military who meet" program requirements. . .Washington Governor Inslee extended Washington state's moratorium on eviction for non-payment of rent through the end of this year. . .Thanks to $5 million grant from Bezos Family Day 1 Fund Catholic Social Services - Alaska launches Flourishing Families initiative to end family homelessness in Anchorage, Alaska says Daily News. . .Oregon Legislative Emergency Board okay $30 million for Project turnkey to provide shelter for victims of recent by purchasing, renovating & retrofitting hotels & motels say KTVZ-TV. . .Washington Department of Comerce awards $10.8 million in HUD CDBG funds to 21 rural cities & counties improve rural water, sewer, streets, community facilities, fire protection systems & support affordable housing & economic development. . .Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reaches settlement with Washington Federal Bank of Seattle over Bureau finding it reported inaccurate Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data in 2016 & 2017. . .Boise-Ada County Housing Authority invited to join 2020 ConnectHome USA cohort of housing authorities & organizations committed to helping their residents to get across the nation's digital divide. Housing Works - Central Oregon's housing authority - says construction of 47-unit Midtown Place has begun, the third affordable housing project undertaken by Housing Works in Redmond in last two years. . .FUSION Housing Families In Need completes transformation of former hotel & celebrates grand opening of 29-unit Pete Andersen FUSION Family Center, the first-ever family shelter to open in Federal Way, Washington says Mirror. . .Community Frameworks based in Spokane & Bremerton, Washington one of four organizations nationwide award total of $9.4 million in HUD "sweat equity" funds. . .Fox 11 says Oregon Governor Brown extends social distancing & other COVID-19 related protections for agricultural workers ih employer-provided housing through April 30th.

GREAT DAY IN SKYWAY
Skyway, Washington's 18,000 residents make their homes in a three-square unincorporated area of south King County, Washington often described as a "social service desert." Thanks to in part its October 16th recent designation as Washington state's newest HUD EnVision Center, that's changing. It was launched in early September by a collaboration of Renton City Schools, the Renton Innovation Zone Partnership and the King County Housing Authority. It's unique among HUD EnVision Centers because, like a farmers market, it "pops-up" outdoors every two weeks at New Birth Ministries church parking lot. More than a dozen social, health and educational providers already are offering a full range of services from food boxes to rental assistance, free diapers for infants and books for older children, behavioral health and youth mentoring services, free bicycle repairs and kits for aspiring artists, cancer screening and assistance in applying for health insurance, referrals to substance abuse disorder treatment programs and personal protective equipment to reduce the risk of COVID-19. "To provide the community with centralized social services is not only timely given the current situation throughout the nation," said Cherryl Jackson-Williams of the Renton School District, "but responsive due to the community requesting this type of support for several decades. HUD's designation of our "pop-up" demonstrates that our community has been heard and met with an opportunity to realize having a multi-service center." The October 16th designation ceremony represented, said HUD Northwest Regional Administrator Jeff McMorris, "a great day for Skyway and a great day for HUD."

GREAT DAY IN CdA
Since it first opened its doors in Coeur d'Alene more than 70 years ago, St Vincent de Paul North Idaho has been in the business of helping people find shelter, stock their kitchen pantries, get a job, prepare to be a parent, complete their education and even pay their bills. The largest social services agency in Idaho's panhandle, its Help Center served 20,000 people last year alone. "But," says its executive director Larry Riley, "we can do a better job." Which is why St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho sought and, on October 22nd, celebrated designation as Idaho's first HUD EnVision Center", "basically the culmination," said board chair Mike Kennedy, "of many decades of service to the neediest people" in the region. So what will the designation mean for St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho? First and foremost, it'll open doors. "The Federal government is huge. I work in it and struggle with it," HUD Northwest Regional Administrator Jeff McMorrs explained. "The average person on the street, it's just too big to figure out." As an EnVision Center, he added, HUD will help North Idahoans get more "resources so they can reach their potential & live the best lives possible" and, as Mr. Riley said, he lp St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho do its good service even better.

CONGRATS. . .
. . .to the Shoshone Bannock Tribe in Idaho the Sauk-Suaittle Indian Tribe in Washington & five Native Alaskan organizations - the Native Village of Ruby the Native Village of Unalakleet, Koyukuk Village, the Village of Gakona &the Taġiuġmiullu Nunamiullu Housing Authority – that won $5.8 million in HUD Tribal Healthy Homes Production grants. "Given unique climactic challenges faced by Northwest & Alaska Tribes & Native Villages face, they and their partners have dome and are doing some of the most innovative healthy homes work in the country," said HUD Northwest Regional Administrator Jeff McMorris. "We're pleased that this HUD funding will enable them to build on their past successes and to achieve even more successes in the future."

CONGRATS TOO. . .
. . .to Idaho Housing & Finance Association Washington State Housing Finance Commission, Open Door HousingWorks, the Housing Authority of Yamhill County & Community Connection of Northeast Oregon, Inc. among 219 HUD-approved counseling agencies to win $12.5 million in HUD Supplemental Housing Counseling fundsto, says Secretary Ben Carson, help "homeowners and renters who are struggling as a result" of pandemic "stay int heir homes."

CONGRATS THREE. . .
. . .to RaShawn, a single mom with her kids who moved into to Alaska Housing Finance Corporations public housing since 212. 2020 has been a big year for heer. With a 3.8 grade point average, this May, she received her degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in health care reimbursement. Even better, recently advised the Corporation that she was fully supporting her family "without government assistance." & would be vacating her apartment. The secret of her success? "The question isn't who is going to let me," she wrote to the Corporation's Terrie Ware. "It's who is going to stop me?" She's got that right!

BRIEF BRIEFS TOO
Native American Youth & Family Center's Nesika Illahe affordable housing complex in Portland & the Seattle Housing Authority's the Yesler Terrace neighborhood win Urban Land Institute Affordable Housing Awards. . .USDA in Oregon" awards $200,000 grant to CASA of Oregon to provide technical assistance to resident cooperatives in buying two rural manufactured housing parks as well as 10 other parks that residents already have bought. . .Sunset neighborhood of Renton, Washington gets brand new health clinic says Reporter. . .$15,000 grants from NeighborImpact are now available for veterans who wish to become first-time homebuyers in Crook, Deschute or Jefferson counties & the Warm Springs reservation. . .Federal Reserve Board of Governors says it will seek public comments on proposed rulemaking on "an approach to modernizing the Community Reinvestment Act" regulations. . .Saying "being clean is a human right," in Poulsbo, Washington Fishline launches Fresh Start mobile shower facility three-times-a-week so the homeless women, men & families can shower & get needed hygiene products. . .Spokane County, Washing Commission Commissioners vote unanimously to award $5.9 million in HUD CDBG funds to Spokane Neighborhood Action Program to provide rental assistance to households hard-hit by COVID-19 says Spokesman Review. . .USDA awards Re-Connect rural broadband construction grants to connect more than 10,500 people &,393 businesses in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon & Washington. . .Three communities in Idaho & Oregon awarded total of $14.1 million in USDA Community Facilities loans & grants. . .King County, Washington Council Okays .01 percent sales tax hike effective January 1st to buy hotels, motels & nursing homes to provide permanent supportive housing to 2,500 hardest-to-place chronically homeless says KING-TV though some of its cities opt-out of rise says Times.

GOT VIEWS?
USDA's Rural Housing Service sets November 23rd deadline to submit comments on proposed modifications in its rural rental housing programs. If you've got views, don't be shy!

GOT THOUGHTS?
HUD sets set a November 20th deadline to submit comments on a proposed rule to revise & expand its Family Self-Sufficiency program "to reduce burden and streamline the program for PHAs, owners, and eligible families". . Got thoughts? Another reason, then, not to be shy!

GOT. IDEAS?
HUD sets December 7thcomment on a proposed rule that would affect its Housing Quality Standard inspections as well as its Housing Choice Voucher & Project Based Voucher assisted housing programs.

FYI on FYI
In September HUD Secretary Ben Carson says in its first year HUD's Foster Youth to Independence – or FYI - program that provides rental assistance to young people "aging-out" of foster care so that they can find permanent, affordable housing & avoid homelessness has awarded 844 vouchers in 25 states- including Alaska& Oregon. He also took the occasion to announce a series of program enhancements that will enable more housing public housing authorities & child welfare programs to participate in FYI & doubling the total of FYI rental vouchers eligible housing authorities can receive from 25 to 50. Secretary Carson developed & launched the FYI program after collaborating with young people who've lived through the challenges of "aging-out" of foster care.

NOFA-TUNITY
HUD sets January 19thdeadline for local governments of jurisdictions of less than 50,000 people which is not served by a housing authority with more than 100 public housing units to apply for $1 million in HOPE VI Main Street grants. The grants are intended to assist smaller communities in the renovation of an historic or traditional central business district, or "Main Street" area, by replacing unused, obsolete, commercial space in buildings with affordable housing units.

NOLFA-TWO-NITY
Oregon Housing & Community Services is now accepting applications from regulated affordable housing properties in Oregon may apply for a total of $20 million in Affordable Rental Housing Portfolio Stabilization COVID-19 Response Funds to "provide operational support needed due to missed rent due to the COVID pandemic and recession. Loans will be forgiven if property owners forgive their tenants' past due rent." Eligible housing providers should advise the Department of their interest in applying for funds by November 3rd& must submit an application by November 6th.

NOFA-THREE-NITY
FEMA – the Federal Emergency Management Agency - sets January 29 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.

NO-FOUR--TUNITY
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."

NO-FIVE-TUNITY
USDA sets January 8thdeadline for non-profits, state, local & Tribal governments &others to apply for a total of $10 million Farm to School grant programs to increase access of schools to local food producers.

BRIEF BRIEFS THREE
After raising $3 million to build Morrow Manor in Kitsap County, Washington, the Rotary Club of Poulsbo donates the housing subdivision to the YWCA to provide "safe harbor" housing to victims of domestic violence says KOMO-TV. . .Built in 1905, Yates Memorial Hospital in Ketchikan, Alaska is among the National Trust for Historic Preservation's 2020 list of America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. . .Washington Department of Commerce Public Works Board awards $17.8 million for broadband construction projects statewide at. . .Oregonian says Human Solutions to name a 75-unit affordable housing complex being built in east Portland "The Nick Fish" in memory of late City Commissioner whose portfolio of responsibilities included Portland Housing Bureau. . .Tacoma, Washington City Council okays $2.2 million contract with Low Income Housing Institute to develop 40-unit micro-shelter community at First Christian Church of Tacoma says KIRO-TV. . .Leading a tour of Aid For Friends executive director tells Idaho State Journal she's "astonished" by how quickly construction of new 8,500 square foot shelter for homeless families & single women in Pocatello. . .BECU - Boing Employees Credit Union – one of seven finalists in Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines "Strong Communities" competition for its support of Spokane Community College Foundation Running Start program. . .USDA Rural Development in Oregon announces completion of $19.7 million in renovations to preserve 102 affordable rental units at 1 apartment complexes in Glendale & 2 in Rogue River. . .Canyon County, Idaho Commissioners are considering judicial district's request to create "eviction court mediation program, where tenants & landlords" can "work out an agreement with a mediator" says Idaho Press. . .In this November's election Clackamas County, Oregon voters to decide whether to enact a Children's Safety levy to raise $9 million over next 5 years to assist children & young people who are abused, homeless or in foster care says Oregonian. . .Expanding its presence in rural communities Catholic Charities Eastern Washington tells KXLY-TV says it plans to provide 25 units of affordable housing for seniors at a residential complex it recently purchased, says in Chewelah Washington.

QUOTEWORTHY
"Typically we have about 150 to 170 families since the pandemic hit, we're now over 200 and most recently 220 families waiting to get housing services like CATCH. . .What we're seeing is a lot more instances of one parent working and one parent staying home with children, and these are larger families, and once COVID hit, whoever was working got laid off and they ended up losing their home and entering our path housing for the first time," said Flachbart." - Rachel Flachbart, development director for CATCH on KIVI-TV, October 23, 2020.

FACT-SINATING
University of Washington study of Seattle moving homeless into hotels during pandemic is beneficial whether in or not in pandemic. "Without having to worry about day-to-day survival, their attention could instead turn toward improving their respective situations long-term says KIRO-TV.

FACT-ASTIC
Since its launch on August 24th, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farmers to Families program has delivered more than 100 million boxes of healthy, nutritious food to families hard-hit by COVID-19.

FAC-TAS-TOO
An Oregonian analysis of 125,000 jail bookings in Multnomah County from 2016 through 2019 finds homeless people "with even temporary housing" are "less likely to be booked into jail" than those living on the streets.

UN-FACTASTIC!
Analysis of U.S. Census Bureau finds that while median incomes rose 47 percent, rents rose 92 percent in last 10 years in Seattle metro, the biggest rise in U.S says KIRO-TV.

WORTH A WATCH
Wondering what Homes4Good - Lane County Oregon's housing authority - been up to these days? Well, how about building a total of 224 units of affordable housing on 5 sites, all at the same time. Don't believe us? Well, why not a virtual construction tour. We think you'll be impressed.

JUST PUBLISHED
HUD Secretary Carson posts second Mustard Seed podcast focusing on how faith-based organizations contribute to the work HUD does. . .U.S. Interagency Council on Homeless issues new strategic plan, Expanding the Toolbox: The Whole of Government Response to Homelessness. . .HUD Policy Development & Research issues National Housing Market Summary for 2nd quarter, 2020. . .Centers for Disease Control, CDC, Department of Justice & HUD issue FAQ that provides "non-binding guidance" on when landlords may begin eviction process prior to the expiration of CDC eviction moratorium on December 31st. . .Oregon Housing & Community Services publishes notice on how it intends to use & allocate $49.4 million in HUD Emergency Solutions Grants from the CARES Act. . .HUD publishes latest issue of Evidence Matters looks at Supporting Homeowners and Renters During Times of Disruption.

NOTES TO NOTE
HUD sets November 2nd for teams of graduate students to register to participate in 2021 HUD Innovation in Affordable Housing student design competition. . .HUD sets November 2nd deadline for public housing authorities to apply for Lead Based Paint Capital Fund Program grants totaling $31 million to help up to 10 authorities identify and eliminate lead-based paint hazards in public housing. . .Oregon Housing & Community Services sets November 3rd deadline for regulated affordable housing providers in Oregon to notify it of their interest in applying for & a November 6th deadline to submit application for Affordable Rental Housing Portfolio Stabilization COVID-19 Response Funds. . .HUD sets November 9th deadline for local governments, Tribes, housing authorities, colleges & others to apply for 5, $1million Healthy Homes & Weatherization Cooperation Demonstration grants to determine whether coordination of the two programs produces better outcomes . .HUD sets November 19thdeadline for resident associations, Tribes & non-profits to apply for a total of $35million in Resident Opportunity & Self Sufficiency Service Coordinator grants ranging from $100,000 to $717,000. . .HUD sets set a November 20th deadline to submit comments on a proposed rule to revise & expand its Family Self-Sufficiency" program "to reduce burden and streamline the program for public housing authorities, owners and eligible families". . .USDA's Rural Housing Service sets a November 23rd deadline to submit comments on proposed modifications in its rural rental housing programs. . .HUD sets December 16th deadline for public housing authorities & cities to apply for up to 5 Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grants"of no more than $35 million each to replace distressed housing & invest in distressed communities. . .HUD sets December 1st deadline for public housing authorities to apply for up to 5 JobsPlus grants of no more than $3.7 million per grant. . .HUD sets December 7th comment on a proposed rule that would affect its Housing Quality Standard inspections as well as its Housing Choice Voucher & Project Based Voucher assisted housing programs. . .HUD set December 10th deadline for Tribes & Tribally designated housing entities to apply for $91 million in Indian Housing Block Grant-Competitive grants of between $100,000 & $5 million to "develop, maintain, & operate affordable housing in safe & healthy environments". . .HUD sets December 16th deadline for public housing authorities & cities to apply for up to 5 Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grants of $35 million each to replace distressed housing & invest in distressed communities . .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. . .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 19th deadline for small local governments to apply for total of $1 million in HOPE VI Main Street grants. . .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".

COMING UP
Association of Alaska Housing Authorities hosts virtual Grant Writing Workshop, November 4th, on-line. Visit

HUD Seattle hosts 6th session on Floodplains& Wetlands - of 10-part virtual 24 CFR Part 58 Environmental Review Training for HUD Region X, November 4th, on-line. Register with Brian.sturdivant@hud.gov

Business Oregon hosts Enterprise Zone Webinar, Part 1, on-line. Visit

National Congress of American Indians hosts virtual 77th Annual Conference, November 8th to 12th on-line from Portland, Oregon. Visit

Washington Affordable Housing Management hosts virtual COVID-19 Communications Challenges with Staff & Residents Workshop, November 10th, on-line. Visit

Alaska Municipal League hosts virtual Annual Local Government Conference, November 10th to 12h, on-line. Visit

Washington Affordable Housing Management Association hosts virtual Understanding the Unique Behavioral Challenges Associated with Untreated Mental Health Conditions in Elderly and Younger Disabled Adults Workshop, November 12th, on-line. Visit

HUD Seattle hosts 7th session – Flood Insurance, Noise & Sole-source Aquifers - of 10-part virtual 24 CFR Part 58 Environmental Review Training for HUD Region X, November 10th, on-line. Register with Brian.sturdivant@hud.gov

Business Oregon hosts Enterprise Zone Webinar, Part 2, on-line. Visit

Neighborhood Partnerships hosts virtual RE: Conference 2020, November 16th to 18th, on-line. Visit

Oregon Affordable Housing Management Association hosts Harassment & Neighbor vs. Neighbor Disputes Webinar, November 17th, on-line. Visit

Association of Alaska Housing Authorities hosts virtual Meth Decontamination & Remediation Workshop, November 17th, on-line. Visit

Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University hosts 2020 State of the Nation's Housing panel discussion, November 19, on-line. Visit

Oregon Affordable Housing Management Association hosts virtual Workshop on Taking on Management? How Smart Managers Can Transition With Ease!, November 19th, on-line. Visit

Association of Alaska Housing Authorities hosts Admission& Occupancy Workshop, Decembers 1st through 3rd, on-line. Visit

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