Beyond Bricks and Sticks

A weekly digest of current trends in housing and community development. The discussion examines topics from infrastructure to community fabric.

16 Ideas Have Raised $3 Billion-Plus for Affordable Housing in U.S. Cities

(RECAP: A new report from the Urban Land Institute and NeighborWorks America showcases 16 of the best ideas for affordable rentals from around the country. Here’s a brass-tacks look at some of these ideas for how to build the new infrastructure for affordable housing.)

https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/affordable-housing-funding-ideas-us-cities

Addressing community opposition to affordable housing

(RECAP: The National Housing Conference’s new report, “Building Support for Affordable Housing: Perspectives from the Field,” offers seven key strategies for addressing community opposition to affordable housing development from veteran developer and regional housing program manager Arthur Sullivan.)

http://www.nhcopenhouse.org/2015/12/addressing-community-opposition-to.html

Exploring Greater Access to FHA Mortgage Insurance for Small Rental Investors

(RECAP: HUD recently released a commissioned study that examined options for making FHA’s mortgage insurance programs available to single-family rental property investors and more attractive to small-multifamily rental property investors. The result could be new investment that not only protects and preserves the existing rental housing stock but also speeds the conversion of distressed properties to rental units.)

http://www.huduser.gov/portal/pdredge/pdr_edge_research_071315.html

Assessing the Accessibility of America’s Housing Stock for Physically Disabled Persons

(RECAP: The “Accessibility of America’s Housing Stock: Analysis of the 2011 American Housing Survey,” suggests that housing stock is not well equipped to accommodate people with disabilities — a need likely to become more acute as the number of older Americans who have both ambulatory limitations and a desire to age in place grows. The study notes that additional research is needed to understand how people with disabilities live in homes with limited accessibility features.)

http://www.huduser.gov/portal/pdredge/pdr_edge_research_101315.html

Opinions on Housing

The views and opinions expressed in Opinions on Housing are solely those of the original authors, and do not necessarily represent those of VHDA, our stakeholders or any/all contributors to this blog.

Dear FHA, Ignore the Doubters

(RECAP: More than seven years after the crisis, the private sector is hopefully set to return to the mortgage market in a bigger way. But FHA should not arbitrarily pull back the reins in the hopes that the private market will rebound. FHA's role is still as important as ever.)

http://www.americanbanker.com/bankthink/dear-fha-ignore-the-doubters-1078333-1.html

There’s More to VHDA Than Mortgages

Today’s post originally appeared in VML’s Virginia Town and City Magazine.

Housing is the cornerstone of a strong economy, impacting everything from local school systems to the state’s business climate. That understanding is what led the Commonwealth of Virginia to create the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) in 1972. Since then, the self-supporting, not-for-profit organization has focused on the mission of helping Virginians attain quality, affordable housing.

The mission takes on many forms. Perhaps best known for affordable mortgages for first-time homebuyers, VHDA has also financed more than 152,600 rental units since its inception. The organization plays an active role in housing education, providing thousands of first-time homebuyer classes each year, and online educational resources for renters and homebuyers. VHDA also offers programs and grants to help people with disabilities and the elderly make their homes more livable.

The resulting economic impact is significant. Since its inception, VHDA’s lending investment in communities has supported more than 370,000 local jobs and contributed more than $27 billion to Virginia’s economy through local tax revenues and jobs.*

* Source: VHDA data; calculations based on formula developed by the National Association of Homebuilders.

© 2013 VHDA, All Rights Reserved. Please Review the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Register now for one of VHDA’s How-to-Apply Tax Credit Workshops

Are you new to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) application process or has it been a while since you’ve applied? Then you should attend one of our How-to-Apply workshops. They’re scheduled for January 5, 6 and 7 in Northern Virginia, Richmond (VHC) and Chesapeake. In addition, the workshop will be streamed live to our Wytheville office simultaneously with the Jan. 6 Richmond presentation. Each workshop will cover the following and much more:

• LNI (due January 27, 2016) 
• The Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP)
• Scoring Categories
• Cost Limits
• 2016 Applications (competitive & TEB)
• Market Studies & Appraisals
• Minimum Design & Construction Requirements
• UD and Accessibility Elements (including elevator requirements)
• EarthCraft
• A demonstration on how to complete the application 
• Common mistakes when submitting documents

Information, including directions and hotel information, can be found below. If you would like to attend any of these free workshops, please use our online calendar to register.

January 5 - How-to-Apply @ Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks - Fairfax

January 6 - How-to-Apply @ The Virginia Housing Center - Richmond

January 6 - How-to-Apply @ The Southwest Virginia Housing Center - Wytheville

January 7 - How-to-Apply @ Springhill Suites by Marriott - Chesapeake (New location!)

© 2013 VHDA, All Rights Reserved. Please Review the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Beyond Bricks and Sticks

A weekly digest of current trends in housing and community development. The discussion examines topics from infrastructure to community fabric.

A New Guide to Participatory Planning

(RECAP: The Project for Public Spaces shares news of a new guide published by the Montréal Urban Ecology Centre that provides advice and best practices for community engagement.)

http://www.pps.org/blog/muec-participatory-planning-guide/

America’s Rental Housing 2015: Record Number of Renter Households Face Severe Affordability Problems

(RECAP: While lower-income households are most likely to experience these cost burdens, the 2015 report on rental housing released today from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies finds rental cost burdens increasingly afflict even moderate-income renters earning as much as $45,000 per year.)

http://www.realestaterama.com/2015/12/09/americas-rental-housing-2015-record-number-of-renter-households-face-severe-affordability-problems-ID030317.html

The Future of Architecture: Moss, Not Mirrors

(RECAP: Plants and lichens on a concrete wall used to be a sign of decay, but soon they might be a sign of sophistication.)

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/12/bioreceptive-buildings/418620/

How Communities Could Create Aging-in-Place Zones

(RECAP: Land-use regulations could mean the difference between aging in place and moving elsewhere for many older adults, and restructuring zoning codes might allow more seniors to remain in their homes, a group of researchers has suggested.)

http://homehealthcarenews.com/2015/11/how-communities-could-create-aging-in-place-zones/

Opinions on Housing                                                                  

The views and opinions expressed in Opinions on Housing are solely those of the original authors, and do not necessarily represent those of VHDA, our stakeholders or any/all contributors to this blog.

Anchoring “The Community” to the Community Building Movement

(RECAP: The current surge of advocacy for market-based approaches to revitalizing distressed communities has sparked attention to anchoring lower-income residents to the economies of their communities.)

http://www.rooflines.org/4249/anchoring_the_community_to_the_community_building_movement/

Connecting Real Estate Developers to Meaningful Social Change

(RECAP: Government and private-sector actors alike need to focus on integrating social impact into our urban developments and creating stronger and more coordinated financing mechanisms that still realize a decent return. Enabling impact development could truly change the way we rebuild our cities and communities in 21st century.)

https://nextcity.org/daily/entry/impact-development-real-estate-investing

In Case You Missed It: A Look at Recent National Housing Policy News

Tax Package Makes Permanent 9 Percent Minimum Housing Credit Rate 

Late December 15, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) unveiled tax extender legislation, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015, that would renew and make permanent some of the expired tax provisions, including the 9 percent minimum Housing Credit rate, and extend for either five years or two years other expired tax provisions. The bill—a major victory for NCSHA and other Housing Credit industry stakeholders—is the result of weeks of negotiations among leaders of both parties and both chambers.  We expect the House to vote on the bill either Thursday or Friday of this week and to separately consider within the same timeframe the omnibus spending bill Ryan also announced last night. The Senate will then combine the two bills for consideration soon thereafter. Both chambers are expected to pass the measures.

FY 2016 Omnibus Spending Bill Increases HOME Funding 

In the early hours of the morning on December 16, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) unveiled the Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 omnibus spending bill, providing $1.1 trillion in funding for government operations, including funding for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service programs.  The bill is a major victory for NCSHA, providing $950 million for the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program, $50 million more than its FY 2015 level. In an environment of constrained spending, an increase of $50 million is a notable accomplishment.  NCSHA and other HOME program allies have worked together this year to defeat the earlier House proposal to cut direct HOME appropriations to $767 million and transfer $133 million from the Housing Trust Fund (HTF) to HOME and the earlier Senate proposal to cut HOME by 93 percent to just $66 million. The HOME funding increase in the FY 2016 omnibus spending bill comes entirely from new appropriations, leaving the HTF intact.

MBA White Paper Cites Need for Holistic Policy Solutions on Affordable Rental Housing

The Mortgage Bankers Association yesterday released a white paper outlining the importance of--and recommendations to expand--affordable rental housing.  MBA convened a Task Force of leaders in the commercial/multifamily finance industry to study the range of issues that surround affordable rental housing and recommend steps to enhance its availability.  The Task Force sought to: (1) highlight the extent and impact of the current shortage of affordable rental housing, drawing on data and research; (2) be a catalyst for a holistic public discussion on affordable rental housing; (3) recognize the nature of the challenges and complexities associated with finding solutions to address affordable housing concerns; and (4) recommend principles that should shape how we think about affordable rental housing and improvements to existing programs that have supported the availability of affordable rental housing.  "The number of American households who rent their homes stands at an all-time high," said Task Force Chairman Hugh Frater, chairman and former CEO of Berkadia, one of the nation's largest multifamily lenders. "With a quarter of renter households paying half of their incomes on housing, the need to expand the availability of affordable rental housing has rarely been greater."

News you can use: The National Housing Conference

Here’s a great affordable housing resource that you might not be aware of. It’s the National Housing Conference (NHC), a non-profit that got its start more than 80 years ago, and today still remains dedicated to helping ensure safe, decent and affordable housing for all Americans. The research division of NHC, the Center for Housing Policy, concentrates on research that can help broaden both stakeholder and consumer understanding of America’s affordable housing challenges. The NHC also examines the impact of policies and programs developed to address these housing needs.

Using evidence-based advocacy, the NHC develops resources, ideas and policy solutions to shape an improved housing landscape. Many of their reports remain timely and relevant long after their initial release.

Although the NHC is a membership organization, you don’t need to be a member to take advantage of the wealth of information found in their publications and policy agendas. Check out this site and let us know what you find helpful.
© 2013 VHDA, All Rights Reserved. Please Review the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Register now for one of VHDA’s How-to-Apply Tax Credit Workshops

Are you new to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) application process or has it been a while since you’ve applied? Then you should attend one of our How-to-Apply workshops. They’re scheduled for January 5, 6 and 7 in Northern Virginia, Richmond (VHC) and Chesapeake. In addition, the workshop will be streamed live to our Wytheville office simultaneously with the Jan. 6 Richmond presentation. Each workshop will cover the following and much more:

• LNI (due January 27, 2016) 
• The Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP)
• Scoring Categories
• Cost Limits
• 2016 Applications (competitive & TEB)
• Market Studies & Appraisals
• Minimum Design & Construction Requirements
• UD and Accessibility Elements (including elevator requirements)
• EarthCraft
• A demonstration on how to complete the application 
• Common mistakes when submitting documents

Information, including directions and hotel information, can be found below. If you would like to attend any of these free workshops, please use our online calendar to register.

January 5 - How-to-Apply @ Fairfax Marriott at Fair Oaks - Fairfax
January 6 - How-to-Apply @ The Virginia Housing Center - Richmond
January 6 - How-to-Apply @ The Southwest Virginia Housing Center - Wytheville
January 7 - How-to-Apply @ Springhill Suites by Marriott - Chesapeake (New location!)

© 2013 VHDA, All Rights Reserved. Please Review the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Virginia Housing Directory - What is it? Where do I find it?

Since 1992, VHDA has produced the Virginia Housing Directory as a resource to find organizations engaged in housing activities (i.e. non-profit organizations, federal and state agencies, and county and city resources).  This directory is a cooperative effort of VHDA and the agencies and organizations listed therein. The information captured provides the description, address, phone number, email address and area of services provided. The information is provided by each individual organization, which is solely responsible for their content.

If your organization is already listed, does it need updating? Would you like to be listed? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then please contact us at housingdirectory@vhda.com.

We hope you will use this valuable tool and join us in our goal to help Virginians obtain safe, decent and affordable housing that would otherwise be unaffordable for them.

© 2013 VHDA, All Rights Reserved. Please Review the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Year end recognition for VHDA

As we approach the end of 2015, we want to take a moment to update our partners and stakeholders about some of the recognition VHDA has earned from our affordable housing peers during the year.

First, Jim Chandler was inducted into Affordable Housing Finance magazine’s Affordable Housing Hall of Fame. He received the award for his longtime service, which includes his role as the director of VHDA’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program for the past 18 years. Jim was also recognized for his dedicated efforts to encourage the use of green building strategies.

Second, Michele Watson, our Director of Homeownership Strategic Relations, received the Northern Virginia Association of Realtors® Affiliate of the Year Award. This award is presented to an affiliate member who has demonstrated dedicated service to NVAR through volunteering, participation in committees and providing financial support through direct sponsorship.

In addition, VHDA Senior Community Housing Officer Bruce DeSimone was honored with the President’s Award from the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association. Bruce was chosen based on his years of dedication to developing and presenting multiple courses for planners on housing and housing finance issues, hosting chapter events and his strong support of planning education.

Finally, the entire authority was recognized for outstanding achievement at NCSHA’s annual conference! Our VHDA Map Gallery Apps won in the “Technology” category. This app allows our partners and elected officials to easily see the economic impact of VHDA’s programs in their part of the state. It also helps us tell our story about the difference we’re making in Virginia through our housing programs.

Each of these achievements have contributed to making 2015 a great year for VHDA when it comes to our mission of helping put quality housing within the reach of every Virginian. As we gear up for 2016, we look forward to accomplishing even more.
© 2013 VHDA, All Rights Reserved. Please Review the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Beyond Bricks and Sticks

A weekly digest of current trends in housing and community development. The discussion examines topics from infrastructure to community fabric.

New ULI Report Looks at Innovative Financing Efforts Aimed at Preserving Workforce and Affordable Housing 

(RECAP: Preserving Multifamily Workforce and Affordable Housing, published by the Urban Land Institute Terwilliger Center for Housing, profiles 16 leading efforts to retain the affordability of rental units that have either lost or are at risk of losing government subsidies, as well as “naturally occurring” affordable units that are likely to be repositioned to serve higher-income households.)

http://www.realestaterama.com/2015/12/02/new-uli-report-looks-at-innovative-financing-efforts-aimed-at-preserving-workforce-and-affordable-housing-ID030165.html

APPLE, GOOGLE, TESLA ... HOW ABOUT YOU?

(RECAP: Innovation -- speed, operational leanness, tech-enablement and profitable adjacent growth -- is a pillar for all sectors' future viability and vitality. Where does housing and community development fit into the conversation?)

http://www.builderonline.com/builder-100/strategy/apple-google-tesla-how-about-you_o

Millennials turned cities ‘hipster.’ Can they do the same for the suburbs?

(RECAP: Young people once flocked to cities. Now, many are moving to the suburbs. How will that change the way these places look and feel?)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/12/01/millennials-turned-cities-hipster-can-they-do-the-same-for-the-suburbs/

Opinions on Housing                                                                         

The views and opinions expressed in Opinions on Housing are solely those of the original authors, and do not necessarily represent those of VHDA, our stakeholders or any/all contributors to this blog.

Housing policy will actually happen in 2016, if quietly

(RECAP: Despite the confounding influence of the upcoming election, a few areas of housing policy might see concrete action next year. Several issue areas look ripe for policymaking and implementation in 2016.)

http://www.nhcopenhouse.org/2015/12/housing-policy-will-actually-happen-in.html

In Case You Missed It: A Look at Recent National Housing Policy News

New House bill would end 'FICO monopoly' at Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac

Bipartisan bill pushes Fannie, Freddie to look at alternative credit scores
A bill introduced in the House of Representatives would allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to consider alternative credit-scoring models beyond the FICO credit score the government-sponsored enterprises currently use when determining what loans to purchase.  The bill, which is entitled the “Credit Score Competition Act of 2015,” was introduced Thursday by Rep. Ed Royce, R-CA., and Rep. Terri Sewell, D-AL.  According to a joint release from Royce and Sewell, the bill would enable Fannie and Freddie to consider other credit-scoring models, which would level the playing field for borrowers whose credit doesn’t meet FICO’s standards and make it easier for them to buy a home.

Record Number of Renter Households Face Severe Affordability Problems, As Rents Grow Faster Than Incomes and Increased Supply Fails to Meet Demand

Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies Releases Biennial Rental Housing Report
Multifamily housing construction has accelerated to its fastest pace in nearly 30 years but has still not been sufficient to meet surging demand.  Rental vacancy rates are now at their lowest point since 1985 and inflation-adjusted rents are rising 3.5 percent annually.  With renter incomes stagnant, last year was another record-setting year in the number of renters paying more than 30 percent of their income on housing costs, according to the 2015 report on rental housing released today from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. While lower-income households are most likely to experience these cost burdens, the report finds that rental cost burdens increasingly afflict even moderate-income renters earning as much as $45,000 per year.

Pew: Middle Class Losing Ground

A new Pew Research Center analysis said after more than four decades of serving as the nation's economic majority, the American middle class is now matched in number by those in the economic tiers above and below it.  The analysis, The American Middle Class is Losing Ground (http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/files/2015/12/2015-12-09_middle-class_FINAL-report.pdf), authored by Rakesh Kochhar, associate director of research, and Richard Fry, senior researcher, said the percentage of American adults in middle-income households fell to less than 50 percent in 2015, compared to 61 percent in 1971.  The report said in early 2015, 120.8 million adults were in middle-income households, compared to 121.3 million in lower- and upper-income households combined, a demographic shift that Kochlar and Fry said could signal a tipping point.  "The hollowing of the American middle class has proceeded steadily for more than four decades," the report said. "Since 1971, each decade has ended with a smaller share of adults living in middle-income households than at the beginning of the decade."

HUD at 50: History in the Making

Join HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research on January 12 for a thought-provoking discussion exploring how HUD’s policies have evolved over the last 50 years and what direction they may take going forward.

Visit the HUD website for more information.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016
2 p.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Brooke-Mondale Auditorium
HUD Headquarters
http://www.huduser.gov/portal/event/quarterlyupdate-Jan2016.html
© 2013 VHDA, All Rights Reserved. Please Review the Privacy Policy.

Beyond Bricks and Sticks

A weekly digest of current trends in housing and community development. The discussion examines topics from infrastructure to community fabric.

Merger Approved: Virginia Housing Alliance Launches January 1, 2016

(RECAP: The Virginia Housing Coalition and the Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness took one of the final steps in their two year journey toward merger. The merger votes of the membership of both organizations was officially certified at a membership meeting. The merger brings together two organizations that have been in existence for over thirty years.) 
http://www.housingvirginia.org/Blog-2015-10-20-Merger-Approved-Virginia-Housing-Alliance-Launches-January-1-2016.aspx

Asset Management Discussion Group: How the LIHTC Investor Drives Compliance

(RECAP: HAND’s January 21, 2016 discussion group will cover the investor as a business partner; how investors new to the program since 2008 have changed the environment; the role of the investor’s Asset Manager and much more. This event is free to current HAND members; the non-member fee is $45.)
http://www.handhousing.org/training-engagement/discussion-groups/asset-manager-discussion-group-january-21-201/
  

How Mobile, Alabama, Used Instagram to Address Blight

(RECAP: Like many cities, Mobile didn't even know how many blighted properties it had. Instagram offered a cheap and simple way to start figuring that out.)
http://www.governing.com/topics/transportation-infrastructure/gov-mobile-alabama-blight-instagram.html

Crowd-sourced financing meets urbanism

(RECAP: Crowd-sourced real estate financing has grown to a $200-million-plus business in just three years. Small Change is a crowd-sourced real estate financing business with a mission to revitalize urban neighborhoods. Although the early projects are located in Western Pennsylvania, the goal is to operate nationwide.)
http://bettercities.net/article/crowd-sourced-financing-meets-urbanism-21844

Senior Housing and Services: Challenges and Opportunities in Rural America

(RECAP: In September, HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) convened a panel of housing and health experts to better understand the challenges and strategies related to housing and service coordination for low-income seniors in rural America.)
http://www.huduser.gov/portal/publications/reports/Senior-Housing-Services-Challenges-Opportunities.html

In Case You Missed It: A Look at Recent National Housing Policy News

Final Multiyear Transportation Bill Includes Housing Provisions 
After months of deliberation both the House and Senate yesterday by wide margins passed multiyear transportation legislation—the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST). President Obama is expected to sign the bill before current authorization expires at the end of today.  FAST includes several housing-related provisions that have already won bipartisan support and passed the House in separate bills, including a pay-for-success demonstration program to improve water and energy efficiency in HUD-assisted multifamily developments, triannual recertifications for fixed-income households, a modification to the Low-Income Housing Preservation and Resident Homeownership Act (LIHPRA) to make it easier for owners of properties preserved under LIHPRA to access the equity in their properties, and language designed to exempt more lenders working in rural areas from Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) mortgage regulations.

Black Knight’s October Mortgage Monitor: Despite New GSE Products, FHA/VA Still Dominate High-LTV Lending  

Cash Share of Residential Sales Hits 7-Year Low
The Data and Analytics division of Black Knight Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE: BKFS) released its latest Mortgage Monitor Report, based on data as of the end of October 2015. This month, Black Knight looked at high loan-to-value (LTV) products – greater than 95 percent LTV – in light of the GSEs’ reintroduction of high-LTV products at the end of 2014, coupled with the 50-basis-point reduction in FHA annual mortgage insurance premiums earlier this year. Despite the renewed availability of GSE products, the data shows that high-LTV lending is still primarily the province of the FHA/VA. As Black Knight Data & Analytics Senior Vice President Ben Graboske explained, the FHA/VA has been the primary driver in what is an expanding segment of the purchase origination market.

HLP, Freddie Mac, NFL legend Tim Brown partner to help minority families become homeowners

Launch American Dream Homeownership Initiative
HLP, Freddie Mac, the Hispanic Action Outreach Network, and NFL Hall of Famer Tim Brown announced a partnership designed to help low and moderate-income African-American and Hispanic families buy their own homes.  The parties are joining together to form a financial education project called the American Dream Homeownership Initiative.   The American Dream Homeownership Initiative will host a series of financial education events in eight cities over the next 12 months, starting Dec. 5 in Oakland, California.   Brown, who starred as a wide receiver with the Oakland Raiders and now runs the Tim Brown Foundation, is acting as the group’s lead spokesperson.   According to a release from HLP, a national non-profit organization, anyone can attend the free, one-day financial education program on Dec. 5, which is designed to help them understand how to qualify to buy a home.

Recent Awards for VHDA

Today’s post originally appeared in VHDA’s Fall 2015 eNews. Sign up for VHDA eNews.

NCSHA Award of Excellence:
VHDA was presented with an Award of Excellence for Management Innovation (Technology Category) at the NCSHA 2015 Annual Conference & Showplace for our Map Gallery Apps. These custom applications show the economic impact of our housing programs in various parts of the state, displaying the data in an interactive, user-friendly map format. The Map Gallery Apps, including a short video tutorial, can be seen at vhda.com/Impact.

Fr. Gerry Creedon Housing Award: 
Throughout the years, VHDA has partnered with Catholics for Housing, Inc. (CFH), in a variety of ways to create housing opportunities. In October, the non-profit presented VHDA with the inaugural Fr. Gerry Creedon Housing Award for outstanding service to the housing industry. (Fr. Creedon is a founder of CFH.) The award was presented at the CFH 2015 Gala.

© 2013 VHDA, All Rights Reserved. Please Review the Privacy Policy.

In Case You Missed It: A Look at Recent National Housing Policy News

Moody's Report Predicts Stable Outlook for State HFAs in 2016 

Moody's Investors Service (Moody's) released a report predicting a stable financial outlook in 2016 for state HFAs. The report concludes that the continued growth of state HFAs median margins (net revenue/total revenue) and strong loan production indicates a stable outlook for fiscal year (FY) 2016. Moody's says HFAs must begin to rebuild their balance sheets by adding more mortgage loan assets to their portfolios to achieve a positive outlook.  In FY 2014, HFAs' median margins reached a post-crisis high, surpassing 12 percent. Moody's predicts this upward trend will continue in FYs 2015 and 2016. According to the report, while the trend will continue, median margins will not surpass 15 percent because short-term interest rates will not have an impact until later in FY 2016. The report places an emphasis on HFAs' margins, explaining that margins between 10 and 15 percent support a stable sector outlook, while margins over 15 percent can indicate a positive outlook, and margins under 10 percent could drive a negative outlook.

2016 Maximum Conforming Loan Limits Established for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac 

National Baseline Loan Limit Remains Unchanged; Limits Rise for 39 High-Cost Areas
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today announced that the maximum conforming loan limits for mortgages acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2016 will remain at existing levels, except in39 high-cost counties where they will increase. In most of the country, the loan limit will remain at $417,000 for one-unit properties.  The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA) established the baseline loan limit at $417,000 and mandated that, after a period of price declines, the baseline loan limit cannot rise again until home prices return to pre-decline levels. The $417,000 loan limit will stay the same for 2016 because FHFA has determined that the average U.S. home value in the third quarter of this year remained below its level in the third quarter of 2007.

Quicken Loans debuts 8-minute mortgages, without humans

Detroit-based Quicken Loans has unveiled a new self-service website aimed at speeding up the mortgage approval process and cutting down the need to talk with a human loan officer.  The new Rocket Mortgage website allows prospective borrowers to start and finish a mortgage application entirely online and get approved in as little as eight minutes, the company said last week. A pioneer in Internet-based mortgage lending, Quicken Loans has traditionally let borrowers begin their application process online and get loan quotes, but it still required a call at some point with a live Quicken employee.
"This is a massive sea change in the home-lending world," said Dan Gilbert, founder and chairman of Quicken Loans. "I'm not aware of any other lender where you can apply for your mortgage, look up your interest rate, become automatically approved and have interfaces into assets, income and property values" all online, he said.

Fannie Mae joins e-document revolution

Partners with DocuSign, will offer e-signatures for several documents
The government-sponsored enterprise announced that it is partnering with DocuSign to provide an “easy, fast, and secure way” to execute agreements with Fannie Mae by allowing electronic signatures on several of its documents.  The new e-document process will also allow for the electronic tracking and handling of documents, Fannie Mae said.   Fannie Mae made the announcement in an email on Tuesday sent to lenders and servicers.  According to Fannie Mae, the new e-signature process will roll out in early December.   In its initial phase, Fannie Mae will implement e-signatures for its lender master agreements, master selling and servicing contracts, and “certain custodial documents.”

VHDA Congratulates DHCD Director Bill Shelton

Bill Shelton, director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), has been a long-time friend of VHDA, as well as an ex-officio member of VHDA’s Board of Commissioners. We are pleased to share the news of his Lifetime Achievement Award recognition during the Excellence in Virginia Government Awards Luncheon hosted by the Virginia Commonwealth University L. Douglas Wilder School. Click here for more information. Congratulations, Bill!

Beyond Bricks and Sticks

A weekly digest of current trends in housing and community development. The discussion examines topics from infrastructure to community fabric.

Ready to Respond Tools for Resilience

(RECAP: The Ready to Respond Tools for Resilience were developed to help affordable housing organizations make their buildings resilient, prepare their staff to handle emergencies and ensure their residents remain safe. The toolkit is the very first dedicated to multifamily housing emergency planning.)

http://www.enterprisecommunity.com/solutions-and-innovation/enterprise-green-communities/tools-and-services/ready-to-respond

Guidebook: Lowering Barriers to Urban Farming

(RECAP: Urban agriculture has long been a staple of sustainable urbanism—in theory. Can policy changes help it become much more than that? This guidebook offers tactics and policies that planners can use to promote urban farms.)

http://www.planetizen.com/node/82210/guidebook-lowering-barriers-urban-farming

Planning for Better Regional Outcomes

(RECAP: On October 1, 2015, HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research hosted a panel discussion on the ways that regions are overcoming barriers to regional cooperation and tackling these and other challenges through collaborative planning and implementation.)

http://www.huduser.gov/portal/pdredge/pdr_edge_featd_article_110615.html

Welcome to the Inclusionary Calculator

(RECAP: The Inclusionary Calculator is a simple on-line development pro forma which allows users to model a real or hypothetical housing development and then add affordable housing requirements in combination with different development incentives. Using this innovative new tool, users can get a sense of what might be economically reasonable for a given jurisdiction trying to set appropriate inclusionary housing requirements and offer developers meaningful incentives.)

http://www.affordableownership.org/inclusionary-housing/inclusionary-housing-calculator-tool/welcome/

Opinions on Housing                                                                   

The views and opinions expressed in Opinions on Housing are solely those of the original authors, and do not necessarily represent those of VHDA, our stakeholders or any/all contributors to this blog.

How Equitable TODs Would Improve Urban Environments

(RECAP: Enterprise Community Partners claims that to make urban environments stronger, low- and moderate-income residents need equitable transit-oriented developments (eTOD). The preservation and creation of dedicated affordable housing is a primary goal of eTOD.)

https://www.multihousingnews.com/post/how-equitable-tods-would-improve-urban-environments/ 

Promoting Community Housing Options

Today’s post originally appeared in VHDA’s Fall 2015 eNews. Sign up for VHDA eNews.

As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the 30th anniversary of the Virginians with Disabilities Act, VHDA is engaged in an important partnership involving several state agencies and regional teams.

The goal is to advance housing options and choice for the Commonwealth's intellectually and/or developmentally disabled citizens covered by the 2012 settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice.

Whereas Virginia had previously focused on institutions as the primary approach to serve the ID/DD population (people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities), the ADA and subsequent Olmstead decision by the U.S. Supreme Court require a broader array of housing and service options which enable disabled citizens to be more fully integrated into our communities.

VHDA is supporting this effort by:

• Establishing a set-aside through our Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program to serve the ID/DD population while helping create the framework with HUD to leverage the participation of other local HCV programs. 
• Using resources through our Capacity Building program to strengthen the ability of organizations and regional partnerships to foster collaboration among local housing and services providers. 
• Working to design programs funded by VHDA REACH resources that can help identify and enhance housing units to serve the ID/DD population.  

We'll share recent success stories about these initiatives in our upcoming Community Outreach Report, which will be available soon on our website, as well as at our booth at the Governor's Housing Conference.

© 2013 VHDA, All Rights Reserved. Please Review the Privacy Policy.

Beyond Bricks and Sticks

A weekly digest of current trends in housing and community development. The discussion examines topics from infrastructure to community fabric.

Housing Affordability Update

(RECAP: The "Housing Affordability Primer" from Fannie Mae’s Economic & Strategic Research Group allows us to identify which affordability indicators may be insightful for different facets of housing affordability while stressing that no single measure can give us a complete view of the matter. The analysis focuses on housing affordability in terms of households' ability to cover housing costs at given income levels, as opposed to households' ability to access mortgage credit.)

http://www.fanniemae.com/portal/about-us/media/commentary/111215-mota.html

7 Smart Ways to Design Housing That’s Actually Affordable

(RECAP: With Designing Affordability: Quicker, Smarter, More Efficient Housing Now, Marc Norman, who recently curated an exhibit on the subject, contends this niche area of interest isn’t so niche anymore. He highlights seven methods designers can use to create housing that is affordable, and draws on 23 examples from around the country to illustrate how these methods are implemented in the real world.)

http://www.wired.com/2015/11/7-smart-ways-to-design-housing-thats-actually-affordable/

How gentrification may benefit the poor

(RECAP: Gentrification has long been a dirty word for forcing poor people out of neighborhoods across U.S. cities. Now, a new storyline is emerging that shows that it isn't fair to blame gentrification for displacing low-income residents and that there might actually even be some benefits.)

http://money.cnn.com/2015/11/12/news/economy/gentrification-may-help-poor-people/index.html?iid=hp-stack-dom

Ten urban innovations that may re-shape cities of the future 

(RECAP: Get ready for augmented mobility, smart water management and more shared space. These breakthroughs are among the next wave of innovations that could revolutionize cities, according to the World Economic Forum.)

http://citiscope.org/citisignals/2015/ten-urban-innovations-may-re-shape-cities-future

So Much For The Death of Sprawl: America’s Exurbs Are Booming

(RECAP: It’s time to put an end to the urban legend of the impending death of America’s suburbs. With the aging of the millennial generation, and growing interest from minorities and immigrants, these communities are getting a fresh infusion of residents looking for child-friendly, affordable, lower-density living.)

http://www.newgeography.com/content/005088-so-much-for-the-death-of-sprawl-americas-exurbs-are-booming

Opinions on Housing                                                                         

The views and opinions expressed in Opinions on Housing are solely those of the original authors, and do not necessarily represent those of VHDA, our stakeholders or any/all contributors to this blog.

This is why the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit should be priority #1

(RECAP: What’s happening in the rental segment of the market affects demand for single-family homes, which in turn impacts the overall U.S. economy. It is all connected.)

http://www.housingwire.com/blogs/1-rewired/post/35594-this-is-why-the-low-income-housing-tax-credit-should-be-priority-1

In Case You Missed It: A Look at Recent National Housing Policy News

FHA's Capital Ratio Returns to Statutorily Required 
HUD recently released its 2015 Annual Report to Congress on the Financial Status of the Federal Housing Administration's (FHA) Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund (MMIF). The report finds that the MMIF, which funds FHA's single-family and reverse mortgage programs, has a capital ratio of 2.07 percent, slightly above the statutory minimum ratio of 2 percent. This is the first time the MMIF has met its minimum capital ratio since 2009.  According to the report, the MMIF began fiscal year (FY) 2015 with a net value of $24 billion, an increase of nearly $19 billion over the beginning of FY 2014. In FYs 2012 and 2013, due to losses caused by the financial crisis, the MMIF ran a negative balance. In September 2013, HUD was forced to request funding from the U.S. Treasury Department to keep it actuarilly solvent. In FY 2014, the MMIF returned to a positive balance, but its capital ratio was at only .41 percent.

HUD Publishes 2016 QCTS and DDAs Using New Small Area DDA Methodology 

HUD published on its website the 2016 Difficult Development Areas (DDAs) and Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs), which are eligible for the 30 percent basis boost under the Housing Credit program. As HUD has long planned, the methodology for determining 2016 metropolitan DDAs relies on new Small Area Fair Market Rents, and thus result in 311 zip code level small area metropolitan DDAs across 45 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. This compares to 35 full metropolitan statistical areas in 11 states plus Puerto Rico that HUD designated as DDAs in 2015.

Most Renters Carry Debt Each Month, Downpayments on a Home Not a Top Priority 

• Gen Xers more likely than Millennials or Boomers to buy a home 
• Millennials more likely to save for short- and long-term goals 
• Renters offset rent hikes by spending less on essentials and are considering getting a roommate 

Renters indicate they still feel challenged with their finances and 66 percent are carrying debt each month, according to a recent Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) survey. Yet, the majority of renters (56 percent) are optimistic about managing their debt. Renters are also saving money for numerous priorities and a down payment on a home is not at the top of their list. In addition, Gen Xers are more likely than Millennials or Boomers to buy a home in the next three years.

House votes to revamp Qualified Mortgage rules; Presidential veto is looming

The House of Representatives voted recently to change the definition of “Qualified Mortgage,” opening the door to a potentially seismic change in the mortgage lending landscape.   By a vote of 255-174, the House approved the “Portfolio Lending and Mortgage Access Act,” which would broaden the definition of qualified mortgages – those that qualify for the safe harbor – to include all mortgages held on a lender's balance sheet.  The new QM rule would recognize all residential mortgage loans held in portfolio by credit unions and other lenders as qualified mortgages for the purposes of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s mortgage lending rules.

All Aboard for the VHDA Bus Tour!

Today’s post originally appeared in VHDA’s Fall 2015 eNews. Sign up for VHDA eNews.


A group of local government officials was recently in Richmond for the Virginia Municipal League's Annual Conference, and while they were here, they had the opportunity to go on VHDA's bus tour.

The tour took them to visit several locations where they were able to see firsthand how VHDA financing is helping to bring about much-needed revitalization and affordable, quality housing.

Points of interest included downtown historic structures such as factories, storefronts and warehouses that are being brought back to life as quality, affordable rental housing. They also toured new construction in the area and learned about its role in meeting local housing needs.


If you missed the bus tour and would like to see how local governments are using VHDA financing to revitalize neighborhoods and provide beautiful, quality housing, visit vhda.com/SuccessStories.

© 2013 VHDA, All Rights Reserved. Please Review the Privacy Policy.

Beyond Bricks and Sticks

A weekly digest of current trends in housing and community development. The discussion examines topics from infrastructure to community fabric.

Two new online tools from NHC’s Center for Housing Policy

(RECAP: The National Housing Conference’s Center for Housing Policy has recently released two online tools to help you analyze local housing affordability challenges and develop local policy solutions. The toolkit outlines various strategies for expanding housing opportunities at the local and regional levels, with examples of actual policies and programs.)
http://www.nhcopenhouse.org/2015/10/two-new-online-tools-from-nhcs-center.html

Three ways loan-modification and weight-loss scams are similar

(RECAP: There are three ways the campaign against loan-modification scams is similar to the fight against weight-loss scams. Understanding these similarities helps us better educate consumers on how to protect themselves.)
http://www.neighborworks.org/Three-ways-loan-modification-and-weight-loss-scams-are-same

Fair Housing and Community Developers Can Work Together

(RECAP: When fair housing and community development groups collaborate and deal honestly with issues of racial and economic segregation, the need for truly comprehensive community revitalization and the challenges of gentrification, we can accomplish far more than we can on our own.)
http://www.shelterforce.org/article/4278/fair_housing_and_community_developers_ican_i_work_together/

High-rise mobile homes could revolutionize apartment living

(RECAP: The idea works like this: Rather than custom-designing every individual building, what if apartment buildings were mere frames, and apartments were mobile boxes that simply slipped into docks, the way cars park in a parking garage? It's a batty idea that may not work, but if it does, it could help to solve America's urban affordability crisis.)
http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/28450/high-rise-mobile-homes-could-revolutionize-apartment-living/

Opinions on Housing                                                             

The views and opinions expressed in Opinions on Housing are solely those of the original authors, and do not necessarily represent those of VHDA, our stakeholders or any/all contributors to this blog.

Ask the Economist: Housing Industry Should Look Forward Instead of Focusing on ‘Recovery’

(RECAP: “Recovery” implies backward looking. Rather than trying to keep looking back and asking, “Are we recovered or not?” I think the more interesting challenge today is to focus on looking forward and saying, “Who are we going to be financing? Who are the first-time homebuyers of the future? What are the kinds of mortgage products that we need to create? What are the impediments to those communities for becoming homeowners in the future?”)
http://dsnews.com/news/10-28-2015/ask-the-economist-housing-industry-should-look-forward-instead-of-focusing-on-recovery