January 2010 HUDLines

E-Briefs & Happy New Year from the Richmond Office of the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development

HUD WORKS FOR YOU...
*** HUD announces $19.2 million for renewal funding of 131 Virginia Continuum of Care programs that assist homeless families & individuals -- new project funding announcements to be made in the 1st quarter of 2010 *** HUD's Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) conducts physical inspections of public and multifamily assisted housing units. Consistent with President Obama's Open Government Directive and to "give the public a better understanding of how we work" and "a real voice in how we do business," Secretary Donovan announced that HUD is publicly posting these property inspection scores online *** Congratulations to Huston Prescott of HUD Anchorage, who submitted an idea to help government save money and perform better - and whose idea was selected as one of the 4 most promising by Office of Management and Budget (out of 38,000+ submitted by federal employees nationwide.) *** HUD seeks ideas for reform - submit comments, ideas, and votes on HUD's FY 2010-2015 strategic plan at http://hudideasinaction.uservoice.com *** Current HUD funding announcement - HOPE VI Main Street applications due 1/20 - see www.grants.gov ***

READINESS ISN'T JUST ABOUT HURRICANES...
*** With the November Nor'easter and December snow and ice emergencies behind us - Virginia once again realizes that readiness for any emergency that may come our way is critically important. A new website (http://www.accessibleemergencyinfo.com) has been developed to assist special needs populations to prepare for emergency hazards. The website contains videos with ASL interpreters advising how to prepare for 18 situations. The videos also have audible voice over and text. An Emergency Preparedness Guide formatted in Braille, large print, and regular font for download is included. All of the information is free for public use.***

FHA LEADS THE WAY...
*** FHA announces help for drywall problems... homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages experiencing problems associated with certain drywall products may be eligible for help to rehabilitate their homes. HUD's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program may also be a resource to help local communities combat the problem. FHA reminds approved lenders to offer special forbearance for borrowers confronted with the sudden effects of damaging drywall products in their homes, including the financial hardship associated with related home repairs. *** FHA Loan Limits increased for Lynchburg and Blacksburg/Christiansburg MSAs *** New FHA Mortgagee Letters ... 2009-51 discusses adoption of appraisal update and/or completion report (Fannie Mae Form 1004D/Freddie Mac Form 442/March 2005) ... 2009-52 provides guidance to lenders and underwriters regarding borrower eligibility when short sales and short payoffs involved ... 2009-53 clarifies disclosure of fees and charges for FHA-insured loans on the new Good Faith Estimate and HUD-1 Settlement Statement, consistent with changes to the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) ***

HUD RICHMOND'S PARTNER IN THE HUDLIGHTS...
*** Better Housing Coalition (BHC) and Restoration of Petersburg Community Development Corporation (ROPCDC), in partnership with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation's (LISC) community engagement process, have a new housing initiative in Petersburg. In early 2010, BHC and ROPCDC will begin construction on Claiborne Square Apartments, a new, affordable, 3-story senior community which will be certified under the EarthCraft Multifamily Program, and will incorporate green building technologies beyond EarthCraft requirements, such as solar hot water heaters. For more information, visit http://www.virginialisc.org ***

BRIEF BRIEFS...
*** Four new Virginia Enterprise Zones (VEZ) designated in Portsmouth, Staunton, Prince George County, and a joint zone in Southampton County/City of Franklin will use state and local enterprise zone incentives to create new jobs, promote private investment, and support the overall growth of the local economies - visit http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=1157 *** USDA Rural Development reaches milestone as 75,000th rural American obtains homeownership through American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding - Nationally for FY 2009, USDA/RD provided over $9 Billion in Loan Guarantees from the ARRA funding pool *** Governor Kaine announces additional $1,000,000 grant from Community Development Block Grant - Recovery (CDBG-R) program of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to fund Phase IV of Eastern Shore of VA Broadband Buildout. Visit http://www.stimulus.virginia.gov/ ***

GREEN NOTES...
*** EarthCraft Virginia announces upcoming training - for single family - 1/27 in Harrisonburg, for multifamily -2/18 at the VHDA Conference Center at Innsbrook. Pre-registration required - see http://www.ecvirginia.org/training.html *** James River Green Building Council hosts "Building Sustainable Communities" Luncheon on 1/21 - pre-registration required - see http://www.jrgbc.org/jrgbc-luncheon-program-building-sustainable-communities/ ***

BRIEF BRIEFS TO LOOK INTO...
*** Home Depot Foundation's Affordable Housing Built Responsibly and Community Trees grants deadline 1/15 - see http://www.homedepotfoundation.org/grants.html *** National Endowment for the Humanities Interpreting America's Historic Places grant applications due 01/13 - see http://www.grants.gov *** Virginia Board for People with Disabilities issues RFP for projects to meet 2007-2011 State Plan objectives in Formal/Informal Community Supports, Recreation, Employment, Transportation & Housing for FY 2011 Competitive Grant awards. Letters of interest due 1/26 - see http://www.vaboard.org/grants.htm *** National Endowment for the Arts announces Universal Design National Leadership project to increase understanding, acceptance & practice of universal design and extend appeal of universal design into mainstream design & society - applications due 2/9 - see http://www.grants.gov ***