April 2022
Serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington
A Message from Regional Administrator Margaret Solle Salazar
Dear HUD Partners,
Today marks the first week of Fair Housing Month and the fifty-fourth anniversary of the Fair Housing Act, the landmark civil rights law that made discrimination in housing transactions unlawful. Fifty-four years later, the Fair Housing Act still serves as a powerful tool for ensuring equality, equity, and dignity in our housing system. It guarantees all people have the right to obtain housing of their choice, regardless of their race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, and familial status.
Rooting out discrimination demands more than just words. HUD and our Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) and General Counsel are vigorously working to enforce the Fair Housing Act and other civil rights laws to combat discrimination in housing, home mortgage lending, and appraisals. In addition to enforcement work, HUD is also engaging in systemic changes to right the wrongs of housing inequities. Last year, we published an interim final rule that requires every locality and public housing agency that accepts federal housing dollars to certify that they will affirmatively further fair housing. HUD is also in the process of developing a rule that provides a more comprehensive approach for implementing the “affirmatively furthering fair housing” requirement. We look forward to sharing more on this in the coming months.
Additionally, last summer the Secretary and Director of the Domestic Policy Council launched the Task Force on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE), a first-of-its-kind interagency task force to combat bias in the housing market. Because of systemic discrimination in this nation's housing markets, including by the federal government itself, homeownership rates are much lower for African Americans and other people of color than for their White counterparts. This was true in the 1960s before the Fair Housing Act became law, and it is even truer today—the Black-White homeownership gap is wider today than it was in 1968 when the Fair Housing Act became law.
Last month, the PAVE Task Force delivered a final Action Plan to the President that represents the most wide-ranging set of reforms ever put forward to advance equity in the home appraisal process. The Action Plan lays out specific action items including enhancing oversight and accountability of the appraisal industry; empowering consumers with information and assistance; improving coordination and collaboration between enforcement agencies to better identify discrimination in appraisals; leveraging federal data and expertise to inform policy, practice, and research on appraisal bias, and more.
As HUD leans into our work to expand fair housing and equal opportunity, and to embrace the call to racial equity, we invite you to join us and learn more about this work. This month's HUD Region X newsletter is full of great information. We know our region faces many challenges, and I am proud that in the past several weeks we saw millions of new HUD funds coming to the Northwest, along with the release of President Biden's FY 2023 Budget which features landmark new investments in affordable housing supply, rental assistance, and more. I encourage you to take some time to check it out. Your Region X team is committed to working with you to deploy these resources to make a positive impact in our communities.
As always, I am grateful for your partnership and commitment to the work that we do during Fair Housing Month and every other month of the year.
HUD Region X News
LAPWAI, ID: Nez Perce Tribe Receives $1M Grant
The Nez Perce Tribe has received a $1 million grant from HUD to help with the construction of a new adult detention and reentry center. The Tribe plans to use the grant to provide increased safety for tribal inmates with the new center, which is currently under construction.
MEDFORD, OR: Medford Initiates Effort to Remove Lead from Homes
Children exposed to lead-contaminated homes will get relief from a $2.2 million Medford effort to remove the poison. The bulk of the funding for the program is coming from HUD and it will be managed by Habitat for Humanity.
SPOKANE, WA: Spokane Splits $4.3M in Federal Funds with Charities to Rehouse Homeless
The City of Spokane and four charities will split $4.3 million in HUD Continuum of Care funds to quickly rehouse homeless individuals, and to provide support services to help stabilize their lives.
PORTLAND, OR: HUD Awards $28 Million to Homeless Services in Multnomah County
HUD's Continuum of Care program is distributing $46 million to programs throughout the state that provide wraparound services to those grappling with housing instability. Of that, $28 million will go to such programs in Multnomah County.
TACOMA, WA: New Money Arrives for Local Affordable Housing Projects in Hilltop and with Habitat
City officials joined U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer in the Hilltop neighborhood to celebrate $4.5 million in federal HUD funding to support two projects providing affordable housing and job opportunities.
SEATTLE, WA: Seattle Housing Authority Signs on to National Climate Challenge
The Seattle Housing Authority signed on to a new U.S. Department of Energy Better Climate Challenge. The Seattle Housing Authority and King County Housing Authority are the only public housing authorities to join the initiative so far.
Region X Funding Awards
HUD Awards Funds to the Fair Housing Council of Oregon to Fight Housing Discrimination (3/4/2022)
HUD announced that it is providing $2,472,310 in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding to help 11 HUD Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) agencies combat housing discrimination related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
HUD Announces Over $22 Million to 20 Tribal Communities in Region X (3/11/2022)
HUD announced the award of nearly $70 million in Indian Community Development Block Grant-American Rescue Plan (ICDBG-ARP) grants to 49 Tribal communities to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
HUD Awards Over $145 Million to Help People Experiencing Homelessness in Region X (3/14/2022)
HUD announced over $2.6 billion in FY 2021 Continuum of Care (CoC) Competition Awards for roughly 7,000 local homeless housing and service programs across the United States.
HUD Announces $18.6 Million to Washington State to Advance Equitable Disaster Recovery, Build Climate Resilience (3/22/2022)
HUD announced the allocation of nearly $3 billion in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds to help communities recover from disasters and build inclusive resilience to climate change.
Funding Opportunities
HUD's National Homeless Data Analysis Project Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) – CLOSING 4/26/2022
This NOFO announces funding for HUD's National Homeless Data Analysis Project (NHDAP). NHDAP funding provides resources for communities to improve data collection and reporting, including integrating data collection efforts in HMIS with other funding streams.
Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program – CLOSING 6/28/2022
Through this NOFO, HUD will award approximately $72 million in up to 25 participating communities, with a priority for communities with substantial rural populations in up to eight locations.
Authority to Accept Unsolicited Proposals for Research Partnerships – CLOSING 6/30/2022
This Notice announces that HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research has the authority to accept unsolicited research proposals that address current research priorities including Lead and Healthy Homes and other topics.
HUD Announcements
Secretary Fudge Statement on Bipartisan Spending Agreement (3/15/2022)
HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge issued a statement after President Biden signed the bipartisan spending agreement.
Biden-Harris Administration Unveils Action Plan of Wide-Ranging Set of Reforms to Advance Equity in Appraisals (3/23/2022)
HUD announced the delivery of the Interagency Task Force on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE) Action Plan to President Biden. The PAVE Action Plan is aimed squarely at dismantling racial bias in the home lending and appraisal process.
HUD and Census Bureau Report New Residential Sales in February 2022 (3/23/2022)
HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau jointly announced new residential sales statistics for February 2022.
HUD Announces $72 Million Funding Opportunity to Help Youth Experiencing Homelessness (3/24/2022)
HUD is making $72 million in Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) funding available to up to 25 communities nationwide. Funding will be utilized for developing and implementing coordinated community approaches to preventing and ending youth homelessness.
Statement by HUD Secretary Fudge on the President's Fiscal Year 2023 Budget (3/28/2022)
The President's fiscal year 2023 budget details his vision to expand on the historic progress our country has made over the last year and deliver his agenda to build a better America, reduce the deficit, reduce costs for families, and grow the economy from the bottom up and middle out.
Upcoming Training and Events
National Homeless Data Analysis Project NOFO Webinar
April 1, 2022 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM EDT - This webinar will review the National Homeless Data Analysis Project NOFO.
COVID-19 Planning & Response for Homeless Assistance Providers Office Hours
April 1, 2022 | 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM EDT - SNAPS Office Hours are for homeless assistance providers and their partners to discuss COVID-19 planning and response.
NCRC Training: Fast-track to Certification
April 4-8, 2022 - This training is designed for the seasoned housing counselor who needs a refresher before taking the HUD Housing Counseling Certification Exam.
2021 Section 3 Final Rule Training Series - Office Hours: PHA
April 12, 2022 | 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM EDT - This office hour gives PHAs the opportunity to ask unanswered questions about and get clarity on the new Section 3 Final Rule.
2022 Fair Housing Office Hours: Session 3 – General Questions
April 12, 2022 | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT - This virtual office hours session will review topics in AFFH and provide grantees an opportunity to ask questions on fair housing planning.
PHA Disaster Readiness, Response, and Recovery Webinar Series: Hurricanes
April 19, 2022 | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM EDT - This webinar will discuss how PHAs can prepare for the potential impact of a hurricane and offers recommended resources for post-disaster response.
2022 Fair Housing Office Hours: Session 4 – Fair Housing Issues, Impediments, & Contributing Factors
April 26, 2022 | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT - This virtual office hours session will review topics in AFFH provide grantees with an opportunity to ask questions on fair housing planning.
Housing Counseling Webinar: Financial Literacy and Housing Counseling for the Military Community
April 28, 2022 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT - This webinar will discuss financial education tools, resources, and information for delivering services to members of the military community.
NFHTA Litigating Fair Housing Cases
May 3-12, 2022 - This course is designed for those who are involved in FHIP and FHAP litigation to understand and apply the methods and strategies for fair housing enforcement.
2022 OHC, CPD, and FPM Virtual Conference: Serving Communities Through Housing Counseling
May 10-11, 2022 - This conference will allow housing counselors and CPD grantees to collaborate to best serve clients.
2022 Fair Housing Office Hours: Session 5 – General Questions
May 10, 2022 | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT - This virtual office hours session will review topics in AFFH and provide grantees an opportunity to ask questions on fair housing planning.
NFHTA Basics of Fair Housing
May 23-26, 2022 - The Basics of Fair Housing course ensures that FHIP and FHAP participants have a framework which they can build upon to carry out their duties in a professional and proficient manner.
2022 Fair Housing Office Hours: Session 6 – Data Collection and Analysis
May 24, 2022 | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT - This virtual office hours session will review topics in AFFH provide grantees with an opportunity to ask questions on fair housing planning.
NFHTA Fundamentals of Fair Housing - Intake
June 6-9, 2022 - This course will provide an overview of the responsibilities and customer service orientation to conducting intake.
2022 Fair Housing Office Hours: Session 7 – General Questions
June 14, 2022 | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT - This virtual office hours session will review topics in AFFH and provide grantees an opportunity to ask questions on fair housing planning.
2022 Fair Housing Office Hours: Session 8 – Goal Setting and Reporting
June 28, 2022 | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT - This virtual office hours session will review topics in AFFH provide grantees with an opportunity to ask questions on fair housing planning.
In Case You Missed It
HUD's Emergency Housing Vouchers: A How-To Guide for Public Housing Agencies
DOL's Women in Apprenticeship Factsheet
HUD's Comprehensive Housing Market Analysis: Bend-Redmond, Oregon
HUD Housing Article on Washington's Bremerton-Silverdale HMA
HUD's Comprehensive Housing Market Analysis: Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, Oregon-Washington
Seattle Regional Office
Regional Administrator: Margaret Solle Salazar
Deputy Regional Administrator: Michael Look
Regional Public Affairs Officer: Vanessa Krueger
Email: Vanessa.J.Krueger@hud.gov
Customer Service: WA_Webmanager@hud.gov
Phone:(202) 262-8608
Web: www.hud.gov/washington
State Field Offices
Alaska
Anchorage Field Office Director: Chad Stovall
Customer Service: AK_Webmanager@hud.gov
Phone: (907) 677-9800
Web: www.hud.gov/alaska
Idaho
Idaho State Director: Brian Dale
Customer Service: ID_Webmanager@hud.gov
Phone: (208) 334-1990
Web: www.hud.gov/idaho
Oregon
Portland Field Office Director: Tony Ramirez
Customer Service: OR_Webmanager@hud.gov
Phone: (971) 222-2600
Web: www.hud.gov/oregon
Washington
Seattle Field Office Director: Gary Gant
Customer Service:WA_Webmanager@hud.gov
Phone: (206) 220-5101
Web: www.hud.gov/washington
Additional Resources
For Public Housing:1-800-955-2232
For Housing Counseling:1-800-569-4287
For Housing Discrimination:1-800-669-9777 (or 1-800-927-9275 for TTY)
For Multifamily Complaints:1-800-MULTI-70 (1-800-685-8470)
For Office of Inspector General: 1-800-347-3735
At www.hud.gov, you can find information on most of our programs, including information and resources related to COVID-19 at www.hud.gov/coronavirus.
If your mortgage is insured by FHA: 1-800-Call-FHA (1-800-225-5342) or email: Answers@hud.gov
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the most up-to-date information on COVID-19. For updates from CDC, visit www.coronavirus.gov.
###