Rural Health
News by Topic: Housing and homelessness
Jan 13, 2025 - Outlines the findings of a new study on the relationship between opioid use and homelessness in rural populations. Discusses the difficulty of accurately counting the number of homeless individuals in rural areas, and how this can lead to inadequate allocations of funding and resources.
Source: Georgia State University News
Jan 13, 2025 - Announces a volunteer opportunity for tribal government leaders, tribally designated housing entities, or other Native housing organizations to work on a certification examination in connection with the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program or Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) program.
Source: HUD's Southwest Office of Native American Programs
Jan 9, 2025 - Discusses stigma and the gaps in support for people who are both homeless and drug users in a rural Missouri community.
Source: Public News Service
Jan 7, 2025 - Discusses the lack of shelters for the homeless population in rural Georgia ahead of forecasted inclement winter weather. Describes other services available trying to fill the gap.
Source: 13 WMAZ
Dec 26, 2024 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announces the availability of funds for grants under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program. The purpose of the SSVF Program is to provide supportive services grants to private non-profit organizations and consumer cooperatives who will coordinate or provide supportive services to very low-income Veteran families reside in or are scheduled to transition to permanent housing. For fiscal year 2026, SSVF includes a new priority area to expand services to trial and rural communities and U.S. territories. Applications are due by March 3, 2025.
Source: Federal Register
Related funding:
Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program
Dec 23, 2024 - Describes how wildfires in August 2023 have contributed to worsening physician workforce shortages in rural Maui County, Hawai'i. Notes that housing shortages and the rising cost of living have led many healthcare workers, including physicians, to consider moving. Highlights a variety of recruitment efforts including workforce rental housing and a state loan repayment program.
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat
Dec 20, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) announcing updates to the process for competitive lender submissions regarding proposed projects for the Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP). The purpose of the GRRHP is to increase the supply of affordable rural rental housing using loan guarantees to encourage partnerships between the Agency, private lenders, and public agencies. These updates are effective December 20, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Dec 19, 2024 - Highlights a rural Federally Qualified Health Center in Massachusetts and challenges with offering services including workforce shortages, affordable housing for staff, and surge capacity for variable population rates throughout the year.
Source: Commonwealth Beacon
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.
Source: The Daily Yonder
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.
Source: Federal Register