HUD News in Review: December 1, 2021

HUD News in Review banner image for December 1, 2021

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Every week, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) publishes news about important events within the agency. The following are summaries of news for the week of December 1, 2021:

Please note: This news does not cover waiting list openings for low-income rental assistance programs. The latest waiting list news can be found here.

HUD Awards $10 Million For Self-Help Homeownership Opportunities

Date Posted: November 29, 2021

HUD announced that it is giving $10 million in Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) grants.

What this means for renters

Self-help housing is a method of constructing a house using “sweat equity” which empowers a family to become owner-builders of their own home.

The funds will be distributed to three organizations involved in enabling homeownership for low-income families through providing self-help housing.

HUD picked Habitat for Humanity International, Inc. (HFHI); the Housing Assistance Council (HAC); and Community Frameworks (CF) to distribute the funding.

Between the three organizations, HUD hopes to build a minimum of 534 housing units for low income families nationwide, especially for families in rural areas.

More information about the funding can be found here.

HUD Announces New Staff Appointments

Date Posted: November 30, 2021

HUD announced numerous new key appointments to HUD staff positions.

Newly announced roles include:

  • Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations, Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations
  • Special Assistant, Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations

The Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations coordinates with Congress and other government bodies to promote HUD’s policy goals.

  • Policy Advisor, Office of Policy Development and Research

The Office of Policy Development and Research both conducts and reviews research on the effectiveness of HUD’s programs, and general housing issues.

  • Director on Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Equity, Office of the Secretary

The Office of the Secretary is where work is conducted by HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge, and her staff.

  • Special Assistant, Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

The Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity enforces housing, and other discriminatory policies.

  • Senior Advisor, Office of the Deputy Secretary

The Office of the Deputy Secretary is where work is done by HUD Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman, and her staff.

What this means for renters

While a number of HUD administration roles continue to be vacant, continuing to build HUD’s staff can help the department perform its roles better. Having the staff needed to accomplish HUD’s goals helps in several different ways that may not even be felt directly by renters.

A full list of the new staff appointments can be found here.

HUD Awarded $41 Million in Grants for Persons Living with Aids

Date Posted: December 1, 2021 

HUD announced it has awarded $41 million to 20 local governments and nonprofits in Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) funding.

What this means for renters

The HOPWA grants are part of HUD’s mission to “provide access to high-quality and culturally competent services, including housing and supportive services that are non-stigmatizing, non-discriminatory, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of persons living with HIV/AIDS.”

The full list of grantees and their project summaries can be found here.