HUD Lines

HUD WORKS FOR YOU...
On 3/19, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan released guidelines and launched a website to implement the President's "Making Home Affordable" plan. The coordinated effort between major government and regulatory agencies will bring relief to America's housing market and homeowners, make ownership more affordable for 9 million families, and help stop the damaging impact of declining home prices. Want to know what else HUD is doing to help the economic recovery? HUD releases Fiscal Year 2009 Income limits for participation in housing programs.

ALERTS...ALERTS...ALERTS...
Deceptive website posing as HUD. This website requests people to give personal information ("phishing") and the site looks like an "official US Government website", but is NOT With the recent increase in the HECM loan limit, existing HECM borrowers may be targeted for HECM refinances. HECM Counselors are urged to ensure that borrowers clearly understand all HECM costs and can decide their own best interests in each unique financial situation See new HECM Mortgagee Letters 09-10 and 09-11

KNOWING WHAT TO DO IS THE FIRST STEP...
HUD Richmond hosting a symposium on SHP and S+C programs on April 8 - contact Jay Grant HUD Richmond and Hampton Roads Community Housing Resource Board present "Fair Housing - It's Not an Option, It's the Law" Fair Housing Month Event in Norfolk on April 8, 10 am - 4pm SBA presents "SUCCESS" 2009 Small Business Symposium April 25 - Beulah Baptist Church, Woodford, VA. Contact James Williams (804) 771-2400, ext. 123 Virginia Association of Housing Counselors (VAHC) annual certification and conference May 4th - 7th in Virginia Beach. Registration deadline April 24 Grantwriting and Organizational Development "Critical Basics" Seminars to start in Richmond - different topics at each seminar - May 7, June 4, Sept 9 and Oct 8 contact Anne Davis

BRIEF BRIEFS...
Earned Income Tax Credit/Child Tax Credit info: Virginia Cash Campaign, Center on Budget & Policy Priorities, National Women's Law Center, Looking for funding? Virginia Service offers funding opportunity listings as informational service - Link New report from Congressional Research Service, "FEMA's Disaster Declaration Process: A Primer,"

GREEN NOTES...
Area Bio-Energy Conference April 10 at GMU Prince William Campus - contact Terry Lasher (540) 347-6305 or Adam Downing (540) 348-6881- Brochure download Community Housing Partners (CHP) awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Silver Certification from U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for Tekoa Boys' Home EPA announces incentives for clean & renewable energy development on contaminated land - Link You didn't lose them... APVA Preservation Virginia has changed into " Preservation Virginia." See their new logo and website The Green Government Challenge from Virginia Municipal League now in its 2nd year -friendly competition helps local governments implement environmental policies that reduce carbon emissions and save money - Link

BRIEF BRIEFS TO CHEER FOR...
LINK of Hampton Roads, Inc receives award from Department of Veterans Affairs' National Hospice & Palliative Care for pilot program to increase access to hospice & palliative care for rural & homeless vets. Contact Joyce O'Brien at (757) 254-6989 VA Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) receives $1 million from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to increase enrollment of children in Virginia's FAMIS and FAMIS Plus health insurance programs FEMA awards $800,000 plus to 6 Virginia fire departments and emergency medical services organizations through Assistance to Firefighters Grant program - list of awards Bristol, Chesapeake, Danville, Fairfax, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Richmond, Roanoke and Waynesboro Housing Authorities awarded Family Self-Sufficiency funding to help public housing residents find jobs that lead toward economic independence - Link

BRIEF BRIEFS TO LOOK INTO...
New Markets Tax Credits applications due 4/8 - see link or contact (202) 622-6355, email Affordable Housing Finance Magazine "Readers' Choice Awards" for Low Income Housing Tax Credit projects opening in 2008 or 2009; nominations due 4/17. See link or contact Donna Kimura, 415-315-1241 ext. 309 SAMHSA grant for "Services in Supportive Housing" for HUD-funded or comparable permanent supportive housing programs - applications due 4/17; SAMHSA grant for Development of Comprehensive Drug/Alcohol and Mental Health Treatment Systems for Persons Who are Homeless - applications due 4/30 - see www.grants.gov Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) Tax Credit Deadline 5/15 - site specific market study required for application - see Link USDA opens applications for Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program