1. The Housing Assistance Council released this summary of the Federal Shutdown's Impacts on Housing Programs: "Under its shutdown plan, USDA has furloughed all of its 3,336 Rural Development field staff. A total of 53 RD staff in Washington, D.C., and St. Louis, out of 1,394, are still on the job. On October 1 Under Secretary for Rural Development Doug O'Brien sent an email to RD offices explaining that 'many [RD] services will be delayed or interrupted. For example, Rural Development will not be able to make any new loans or grants; the only exceptions will be for emergency purposes and to protect the Government's interest. Automatic disbursements for previously obligated Rental Assistance (RA) funds will continue, but no RA contracts will be renewed or issued.' Over 600 properties whose RA contracts were not renewed in September did not establish alternative payment plans with USDA and expected to receive renewals in October using FY14 funds, which are not yet available. * At HUD, 337 of 8,709 employees are still working. HUD updated its shutdown contingency plan and is expected to issue another update this week. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has estimated the shutdown's impact on HUD's housing programs. * Some federal websites, including USDA's and the Census Bureau's, are offline, so archived information is not accessible. Others, including HUD's, remain live but are not being updated. Several news reports note the uncertainties raised by lack of federally generated data, including one by the Daily Yonder.* The Federal Register is publishing essential items but has announced that 'documents related to normal or routine activities of Federal agencies, even if funded under prior year appropriations, will not be published.' * Check HAC's website for links to media coverage of rural housing shutdown issues and for general updates." (Issued October 9, 2013: Vol. 42, No. 20) [Resources: HAC's Website, Subscribe to the HAC Newsletter].
2. From the July 19th Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Proposed Rule, there are Background Materials and a Prototype Geospatial Tool which includes information on Voucher Locations, Subsidized Housing, and various Demographics.
3. As shown below, there are no new HUD notices this week due to the continuing federal government shutdown. HUD released its contingency plans which provide agency guidance for possible lapse in appropriations.
4. Don't miss: Julie S. McGovern will participate in a RAD teleconference-"RAD in Action"-through the Forum on Affordable Housing & Community Development Law this Wednesday, October 16th from 1-2:30pm ET [Register here].
5. George L. Weidenfeller is on a panel called "Understanding the Transfer of HAP Contracts" at the National Leased Housing Association conference this Thursday, October 17th in Washington, DC.
6. Lauren M. Lyon-Collis will be speaking at the NAHRO National Conference in Cleveland, Ohio about Using FHA Financing in a RAD Transaction on October 25th from 10:45am-12:15pm.
7. On October 25th, Laura Schwarz will be on a panel entitled: Exploring Section 8 Landlords' Fair Housing Responsibilities - The PHA's Duty to Enforce Section 8 Landlords' Compliance with Fair Housing Laws.at the Housing and Development Law Institute's 2013 Fall CLE Conference.
