Rural Health
News by Topic: Housing and homelessness

A Non-Profit Wants to Broker Housing Solutions for a Recreation County in Need

Dec 19, 2024 - Highlights affordable housing issues in a rural New Mexico community, including factors contributing to high prices and impacts on the community. Notes that lack of affordable housing impacts the ability of local institutions such as the hospital to recruit workforce.

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RHS: Revisions to the Smoke Alarm Requirements in the Section 515 Rural Rental Housing and Section 514/516 Farm Labor Housing Direct Loan Programs Federal Register

Dec 19, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) amending its regulation to implement changes related to the smoke alarm requirements for properties that receive funding from the Multi-Family Housing Section 515 Rural Rental Housing and the Section 514/516 Farm Labor Housing Direct Loan and Grant Programs. This rule is effective January 21, 2025.

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Helene Exacerbated Rise in Homelessness Across Western North Carolina

Dec 16, 2024 - Describes the rise in homelessness in rural western North Carolina after many properties were destroyed by Hurricane Helene. Features a range of programs and organizations offering services and support to displaced individuals and families. Notes that housing shortages in some rural areas have exacerbated the challenges faced by displaced residents.

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RHS: Multi-Family Housing and Community Facilities Updates to Federal Financial Assistance Guidance Federal Register

Dec 6, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) updating the audit and financial statement language in the Multi-Family Housing (MFH) and Community Facility (CF) regulations to align with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 2024 revisions. This rule is effective December 6, 2024.

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RHS: Section 504 Direct Single Family Housing Home Repair Loans and Grants; Materials Pilot Program Federal Register

Dec 2, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) implementing the Section 504 Direct Single Family Housing Loans and Grants pilot program. USDA intends to evaluate existing regulations and remove regulatory barriers to assist eligible applicants with improved ease of use for very low-income homeowners seeking to repair or rehabilitate their homes. The pilot program is expected to continue until December 2, 2026. The regulatory waiver is effective December 2, 2024.

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RHS: Updates to the Off-Farm Labor Housing (Off-FLH), Loan and Grant Rates and Terms; Clarification of Grant Agreement Terms; Announcement of Enforcement Date Federal Register

Nov 15, 2024 - Notice from the Rural Housing Service (RHS) correcting the effective date in the October 25, 2024, final rule, which amended the current regulation for the Off-Farm Labor Housing (Off-FLH) program to clarify the grant agreement term and adopt the period of performance as required by Federal award information requirements. The enforcement date is now November 25, 2024.

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RHS: Clarification on the Requirement To Record the Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program Deed Restriction Federal Register

Nov 5, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) proposing amending the current regulation for the Multifamily Housing (MFH) Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP) to codify language within the GRRHP regulation to clarify that a separate deed restriction must be recorded. Comments are due by January 6, 2025.

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HUD: Public Housing Evaluation and Oversight: Changes to the Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) and Determining and Remedying Performance Deficiencies Federal Register

Nov 4, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to revise the weight of Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) performance indicators. Proposed changes will emphasize the importance of occupancy, financial condition, and physical assessments, with scoring indicators being based on measurable program outcomes and data already available to HUD. These proposed revisions will allow HUD to respond more quickly to performance deficiencies and intervene based on trending performance data. Includes considerations for small rural public housing agencies. Comments on the proposed rule are due January 3, 2025.

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RHS: Updates to the Off-Farm Labor Housing (Off-FLH), Loan and Grant Rates and Terms; Clarification of Grant Agreement Terms Federal Register

Oct 25, 2024 - Notice of final rule from the Rural Housing Service (RHS) amending the current regulation for the Off-Farm Labor Housing (Off-FLH) program to clarify the grant agreement term and adopt the period of performance as required by Federal award information requirements. This rule is effective October 25, 2024.

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Northern Forest Center Focuses on Rural Middle-Income Housing Needs

Oct 23, 2024 - Highlights the work of the nonprofit Northern Forest Center to fund workforce housing development in rural Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. Notes that housing shortages have contributed to recruitment challenges for local businesses, including healthcare organizations. Describes their "capital stack" funding approach and the potential for replication in rural communities elsewhere in the country.

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