July 2010 HUDLines

HUD WORKS FOR YOU...
***Secretary Shaun Donovan awards $38,892,673.00 to public housing authorities in VA for major capital improvements to public housing *** Pre-Applications due 7/26 for HUD's Community Challenge Planning Grants and Department of Transportation's TIGER II Planning Grants ***Applications due 8/23 for Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant - see more... *** Save the Dates- 7/27 and 7/28 - Capacity Building (Agency Development and Grantwriting Basics) Workshop in Crystal City, MD - contact belinda.j.fadlelmola@hud.gov ***General Section of HUD's competitive grant programs posted to HUD.Gov "funds available" page and on Grants.gov ***

A STRONGER COMMUNITY WITH CPD...
*** "Opening Doors, a Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness" unveiled by US Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), to serve as a roadmap for joint action by USICH member agencies and public & private sector partners. The plan is to end veterans and chronic homelessness by 2015; and to end children, families and youth homelessness by 2020. Read it at www.usich.gov *** Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (2nd competition) applications due 07/06 - see more... or contact David Kaminsky (202) 402-4612 or Nikki Bowser at (202) 402-4395 ***

FHA LEADS THE WAY...
***For Housing Counseling Agencies: National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association presents free webinar 7/ 8, at 2 p.m. EDT to update on changing costs in reverse mortgages. *** FHA Philadelphia Homeowner Center (HOC) presents RESPA Compliance Update webinar 7/ 8, 2:00 EDT for underwriters, loan officers, loan processors and other partners in the Philadelphia HOC jurisdiction. RESPA staff to give info on completing the new Good Faith Estimate (GFE) and HUD 1, and will be available to answer questions sent in during the webinar. *** Can't decide which webinar to attend? The RESPA webinar will be archived starting 7/9*** New FHA Mortgagee Letter: 2010-20 provides overview of key provisions and guidance to mortgagees on implementing recently issued final rule FR 5356-F-02, "Federal Housing Administration: Continuation of FHA Reform-Strengthening Risk Management through Responsible FHA-Approved Lenders." The rule increased net worth requirements for FHA-approved mortgagees, eliminated FHA approval of loan correspondents, codified requirements of the "Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009" and made minor changes to other aspects of FHA's lender regulations ***

HISTORICALLY GREEN...
*** Virginia Preservation Toolkit is now available- demonstrates sustainable benefits of historic building reuse and provides resources for owners of Virginia's historic buildings - see http://www.tusculum.sbc.edu/toolkit/how-to-preserve.shtml ***Sustainable building and historic preservation work together for stronger communities. Local Governments interested in applying for Virginia Department of Historic Resources "Certified Local Government" program, see http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/clg/clg.htm ***

BRIEF BRIEFS...
***Help for people in need - 2010 Cooling Assistance Applications now being accepted - families and individuals apply at local Department of Social Services by 8/16 - see http://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/ea/cooling/index.cgi *** Don't miss Housing Virginia's "Start Here" monthly e-newsletter (http://www.housingvirginia.com/T1.aspx?PID=160) *** Registration now open for the Governor's Housing Conference "Partnerships for the Future: Reinvesting in Communities," (Richmond - 11/17 - 11/19). See http://www.vagovernorshousingconference.com/ *** RSVP due 8/6 for "Common Cents Conference 2010" - showcasing free tax return preparation, financial literacy and consumer resources. ***

BRIEF BRIEFS TO LOOK INTO ...
*** In April, Governor McDonnell established Virginia's first executive housing policy framework for development of statewide housing policy regarding homelessness, affordable housing, workforce housing, economic development, healthy neighborhoods, effective coordination with transportation, environmental issues & other housing related issues. The Housing Policy Work group is seeking suggestions for addressing these critical housing issues.*** Family & Youth Services Bureau "Basic Center Program"for runaway & homeless youth - Applications due 7/19 - see http://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS-2010-ACF-ACYF-CY-0002 *** VHDA announces foreclosure prevention/loss mitigation housing counseling and outreach grant for HUD-approved and VHDA HUD Sub-grantees - applications due 8/6 - see http://www.vhda.com/BusinessPartners/GovandNon-Profits/AdditionalResources/Pages/ForeclosureGrants.aspx ***

BRIEF BRIEFS TO CHEER ABOUT...
*** Funding for Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD VASH) announced: Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) to help 50 homeless vets, VA Beach Department of Housing & Neighborhood Preservation to help 25 homeless vets, and Roanoke Redevelopment & Housing Authority to help 25 additional homeless vets. *** U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awards more $9.6 million+ Infrastructure Protection Grant to Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) and Office of Commonwealth Preparedness for Virginia and National Capital Region ports, transit systems and critical infrastructure sites ***Governor announces $12 million+ in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) for 24 community & economic development, economic revitalization, broadband deployment, healthcare, and improved housing & wastewater treatment. projects in Virginia