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Housing Virginia E-News
November,  2011
 
Conferees Agree on HUD Funding for 2012:  Overall Budget Cut by 10%; HOME Program Slashed 38%.


On November 14, the H.R. 2112 Conference Committee issued its negotiated agreement on the minibus spending bill that includes the FY12 T- HUD and Agriculture appropriations bills. The House of Representatives passed the bill November 17. A Senate vote is anticipated at any time.

 

With few exceptions, the FY12 bill would dramatically cut funding for HUD programs below FY11 levels. Many of these programs were already cut in FY11 compared to FY10 levels.  When the bill passes, HUD's FY12 budget will be $37.4 billion, a $3.7 billion cut below FY11 funding.

 

To see the HUD FY10, FY11 and FY12 budget comparison chart, click here.   

 

Below are the funding levels and impacts related to select programs:

 

Tenant Based Rental Assistance Contract Renewals - $17.242 billion: The bill would provide $130 million less than HUD's estimated cost for renewing all vouchers. This could result in 12,000 to 18,000 vouchers being lost if public housing authorities cannot cover shortfalls with voucher reserves. The bill also includes a rescission of $650 million from voucher reserves.

 

Public Housing Capital Fund - $1.875 billion: The bill would provide 22% less than the President's FY12 request and 8% below FY11 funding levels. This could result in thousands of units lost and would put thousands of current residents at risk of living in substandard housing. HUD estimates that there is a backlog of over $25 billion in public housing capital needs.  

 

Homeless Assistance Grants - $1.902 billion: The bill provides no increase over the FY11 level and is 20% below the President's FY12 request. Not providing the President's requested funding level would prohibit the full enactment of the HEARTH Act. As a result, 482,000 people experiencing homelessness would not be housed.  

 

Housing Virginia's COUNTDOWN Brings the Facts

VB Roundtable Previews HAIDid you know  rents have increased 14% in the last 3 years?  Did you know that  homelessness is on the  rise while homeownership continues to decline?  Housing Virginia's  "Housing Countdown" brings ten succinct, relevant messages useful when talking to policy interests, community groups  and decision makers.  Find the full brochure on the Housing Virginia website or contact us for a hard copy supply of the short COUNTDOWN piece.
 
Coming Attraction:  The Effects of Housing on the Local Economy

 

The deep recession that began in 2007 was partially brought about by the collapse of the housing market and the impact on the economy that followed. Due to the drop in housing construction over the past four years, this sector has been a shrinking contributor to Virginia's economic health. Since residential construction jobs in Virginia peaked at over 35,000 in the third quarter of 2006, the decline has been precipitous, down to under 19,000 by the first quarter of 2011 - a drop of over 45%.

 

 

In its latest publication,"The Effects of Housing on the Local Economy",  Housing Virginia explores the direct connection between housing and economic vitality at the state, local and neighborhood level. The intention is that these papers will be the basis for conversations about the importance of housing to economic growth and to policies that will expand housing development.

 

 

Watch for the publication release announcement in December.
Housing Virginia at GHC: Connects with Issues/ Recognizes Partners

VB Roundtable Previews HAIThe Governor's Housing Conference 2011 celebrated another successful gathering with housing producers, service providers and advocates from all over Virginia.  With an attendance of just under 800 persons, this year's conference  featured a State Housing Policy track that provided conference sessions highlighting the Governor's Housing Policy Initiative. This track provided an update on activities underway on 2011 priorities, as well as a focus on several longer-term issues that are expected to receive increased attention beginning in 2012.

During the Conference,  Housing Virginia set the stage for the housing policy work through its presentation and panel on its report "Jobs, Transportation and Housing:  Connecting Home & Work".  Trip Pollard from the Southern Environmental Law Center and industry experts explored how much the true cost of housing is impacted by long work commutes.

The Housing Virginia Board also hosted an event for regional partners, the Advisory Council, friends and supporters.  Board Member and VHDA Executive Director Susan Dewey expressed special appreciation to hosts for five regional forums, noting their hard work in recruiting panels and marketing the event. Organizations honored included Hampton Roads Housing Consortium, Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance, Roanoke Regional Housing Network, Thomas Jefferson Coalition for Housing Affordability and the Virginia Beach Housing Roundtable.






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In This Issue
Housing Virginia's COUNTDOWN Brings the Facts
Coming Attraction: The Effects of Housing on the Local Economy
Housing Virginia at GHC: Connects with Issues/ Recognizes Partners
SOURCEBOOK User Updates
 

Paycheck-to-Paycheck comes to SOURCEBOOK

 

SOURCEBOOK to add an Assisted Rental Housing Needs Assessment Tool

Stay tuned for more information about the new Housing Virginia White Paper: The Effects of Housing on the Local Economy
Give to Housing Virginia

Your generous gift helps Housing Virginia to make the case for increasing the supply of affordable housing options across the Commonwealth.

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Housing Virginia
P. O. Box 4658
Richmond, VA   23220

Or you can make a secure online donation here.
Calendar
 
VHC Raising the Bar for Excellence - December 1st

VHC Housing Trust Fund Breakfast Forum - December 9th

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