Author: Chris Holden
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HUD Files Fair Housing Complaint Against Facebook
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is charging Facebook with violating the Fair Housing Act. In announcing the charge, HUD says that Facebook encouraged, enabled and caused housing discrimination through its advertising platform. HUD’s charge is the latest controversy surrounding Facebook, which has recently been involved in issues of selling user data…
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Oregon First in Nation with Statewide Rent Control
Oregon enacted the first statewide rent control law in the nation in February, providing low-income renters with important protections. The state has seen a dramatic rise in rents with the tech boom and has been hit hard by the affordable housing crisis. Supporters say it will help address skyrocketing housing costs and slow the epidemic…
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New legislation proposes carbon monoxide detectors in HUD units
In response to recent deaths of two Public Housing residents, lawmakers are now proposing legislation requiring carbon monoxide (CO) detectors for all major HUD rental assistance programs. Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) introduced legislation in March, requiring CO detectors in all units funded through the main HUD rental assistance programs. In announcing the Safe Housing for…
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Trump FY20 Budget Disastrous for Affordable Housing (Again)
President Trump released the first part of his FY 2020 budget, and it proposes disastrous cuts to critical affordable housing programs. The White House is proposing $9.6 billion in cuts to HUD programs, a massive 18% decrease from FY 2019 funding. The administration also proposes eliminating all direct housing programs at USDA. Similar to last…
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HUD Disarray Slows Carson’s Signature Initiative
HUD Secretary Ben Carson has touted his initiative to create EnVision Centers around the country, which links Public Housing residents to services that promote self-sufficiency. But in the nine months since the demonstration was announced not a single center has opened. The program’s delay is the latest indication of management issues at HUD. There have…
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Trump signs budget deal with increased affordable housing funds
With bipartisan support, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives approved funding last week to keep the government open through September 30, 2019, the end of federal Fiscal Year 2019. HUD and USDA affordable housing programs received increases over FY 2018 funding levels, rejecting the huge affordable housing cuts proposed by the Trump Administration. President Trump…
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Limited Section 8 and Public Housing funds available if shutdown continues
In early February, HUD sent a letter to Public Housing Agencies (PHAs), informing them that if the government shuts down again on February 15, there are limited funds available to house Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Public Housing residents. HUD will be able to make HCV payments through the end of April, and…
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Frail Public Housing conditions lead to gas leak deaths
In a recent tragedy, gas leaks at a Public Housing property in Columbia, South Carolina caused two deaths and the evacuation of 411 residents. Managed by the Columbia Housing Authority (CHA), Allen Benedict Court is reportedly the third oldest Public Housing complex in the country. Without adequate funding for program operations and capital improvements —…
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Prolonged shutdown puts rural renters at risk of rent hikes or eviction
Thousands of rural low-income renters could face higher rents or lose their homes if the partial government shutdown goes into March. Some residents in properties subsidized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have already received notice that they may have to pay more or face eviction if the government cannot make rental assistance payments…
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Millions of low-income renters at risk if shutdown goes into March
If the partial government shutdown continues into March, millions of low-income renters will find their housing at risk. And if the shutdown extends past February, each month, $1.5 billion in rental assistance payments will not be paid to landlords who rent to persons using Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV). Tenants will also lose out…