HUD WORKS FOR YOU...

*** HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan unveils new independent quarterly publication "Evidence Matters," focusing on research-based policy to promote data-driven and evidence-based policymaking. (http://www.huduser.org/portal/evidence.html) ***Secretary Donovan releases HUD's fiscal year 2012 proposed budget "Creating Strong, Sustainable, Inclusive Communities and Quality Affordable Homes" - See the HUD website *** April is Fair Housing Month...It's not an Option, It's the Law. HUD Richmond hosting "Fair Housing for Homeless Veterans" in Hampton on 4/14. For more information contact sylvia.m.berry@hud.gov ***Capacity Building Organizational Development & Grantwriting Workshop - 4/28 & 4/29 in Blacksburg - Contact anne.davis@hud.gov ***

$$$ ...HUD'S GOT NOFA$ ...$$$
*** FY 2010 Notice of Public Interest (NOPI) for Fiscal Year 2010 Transformation Initiative: Homeless Families Demonstration Small Grant Research due 3/1 - see website... Notice of Public Interest (NOPI) for FY 2010 Transformation Initiative: Sustainable Communities Research Grant due 3/4 - see website.... Self-Help Opportunities Program (SHOP) due 3/10 - see website...Service Coordinators in Multifamily Housing due 3/24 - see website...Assisted Living Conversion due 3/29 - see website ***

FHA LEADS THE WAY...
*** New FHA Mortgagee Letters: 2011-09 provides guidance regarding waiver of HECM counseling fees, eligible activities to be included on form HUD-92902, and allowing agencies to establish counseling fees based on certain criteria.... 2011-10 introduces 25 basis point increase to Annual Mortgage Insurance Premiums and provides guidance on validity period of case numbers, new requirements for requesting them...2011-11 clarifies and updates guidance concerning refinance transactions for FHA insurance ...2011-12 announces FHA servicing lenders' tier rankings for Round 42...2011-13 extends temporary authority established by Mortgagee Letter ML 10-30 for one year to allow Multifamily Hubs to process waiver requests pertaining to the Three-Year Rule for Section 223(f) applications...2011-14 provides guidance on use of Subordination, Non-Disturbance and Attornment Agreements (SNDA) for commercial leases in FHA insured projects, delegates approval authority of SNDAs to Hub and Program Center Directors....For all Mortgagee Letters see HUD's website***

BRIEF BRIEFS...
*** Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) Training for HOME Participating Jurisdictions, new & experienced CHDOs - 3/10. Register by 3/4. Call Paul Dennison (202) 872-6801*** Small Business Administration sponsoring "Low Cost Marketing Options for Small Businesses" on 3/9 - to register see website and "Building your Federal Business Intelligence for Contracting" on 3/24 - to register see website *** Statewide Tornado Drill scheduled for 3/15 - (http://www.vaemergency.com/threats/tornado/index.cfm) *** Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) and the disAbility Resource Center offering a seminar on Universal Design 4/6 - registration deadline 4/1 - contact Shawn Lawrence at slawrence@cildrc.org *** James River Green Building Council hosting "Building a Sustainable Future: A Design and Construction Conference" 3/29 - to register (http://jrgbc.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/JRBGC-DesignConst-Conf-Registration-Form.pdf) see website *** Virginia Association of Housing Counselors (VAHC) annual conference 5/1-5/5 - (http://www.virginiahousingcounselors.org) see website *** Start Here-Housing Virginia's e-newsletter latest issue (http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs045/1102712869256/archive/1104620937790.html) ***

BRIEF BRIEFS TO LOOK INTO ...
*** Disaster Resilience for Rural Communities applications due 3/4 (http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf11510) *** Applications due 3/11 for Department of Veterans Affairs Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program (SSVF Program)(http://www1.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp) ***EPA announces competition for Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Grants - applications due 3/18 - (http://www.epa.gov/oswer/docs/grants/epa-oswer-oblr-11-01.pdf) *** USDA Rural Development Child Day Care Initiative Grant for equipment - applications accepted first come first served until 5/1. Contact Barbara.Hodges@va.usda.gov *** Partnership for Housing Affordability hosting "Affordable Housing Awareness Week" 4/25 - 4/30. Register to volunteer starting 3/7 (http://www.affordablehousingrichmond.com/) *** Health Resources and Services Administration planning grants for development of comprehensive Section 330 primary care health centers in underserved communities. Deadline: 3/18 (http://tinyurl.com/6gljd3q) see website *** Governor McDonnell announces enhanced Virginia Business One Stop (BOS) website, a streamlined tool to serve new, existing and small business entrepreneurs (http://www.bos.virginia.gov/) ***HomeWard hosting information sessions on "Starting a Shelter in the Richmond Metro Continuum of Care" - 3/10 and 3/17. Contact jseagraves@homewardva.org ***

BRIEF BRIEFS TO CHEER ABOUT...
*** Eco-friendly renovations at Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority's Grandy Village win Elizabeth River Project "Model Level River Star" as one of the most successful local pollution prevention and habitat restoration programs in Virginia. Read more at http://www.nrha.norfolk.va.us/featured/grandy-village-learning-center *** Governor announces new Virginia Enterprise Zones (VEZ) in Pittsylvania Co. and Norfolk to create jobs, promote private investment and support local economic growth (http://www.governor.virginia.gov/News/viewRelease.cfm?id=587). *** VA Dept. of Historic resources offering downloadable "Financial Incentives and Opportunities for Historic Preservation and Archaeology in Virginia," with funding options for museums, historic sites, homeowners, neighborhoods, localities, investors, and businesses. (http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/pdf_files/Financial Incentives and Opportunities.pdf) ***