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Spotlight On... HUD Makes $1 Billion in Grants Available through 35 ProgramsThe U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published its fiscal year 2008 "SuperNOFA," an annual funding notice that makes available more than $1 billion in grants through 35 programs. This year, the SuperNOFA does not include the Homeless Assistance Grants that fund the local Continuum of Care. HUD intends to offer an additional $1.5 billion in homeless grants later in the year through a new electronic application process that will significantly streamline funding of thousands of homeless assistance programs nationwide. For the past four years, HUD has required nearly all grant applications to be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov. This year, applicants for funding through HUD's Continuum of Care homeless assistance programs will submit their applications electronically through the HUD e-snaps system (electronic-special needs assistance programs system). The electronic grant submission process is meant to increase funding opportunities for states, local governments, and nonprofit grassroots organizations that house and serve lower income families living in their communities. Last year, more than 4,600 applicants successfully submitted their applications electronically. More Information
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Hill Update
House Passes Major Housing Bill
On Thursday, May 8, the House of Representatives passed
H.R. 3221, the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act, by a vote of 266-154. The legislation was the largest response yet to the mortgage foreclosure crisis and combines a number of different housing bills, including ones to modernize and reform the Federal Housing Administration, reform the Government Sponsored Enterprises, and protect homeowners from foreclosure.
The White House released a statement expressing opposition to most elements of the bill. If the President vetoes the bill, it is unlikely the House could garner enough support to override a Presidential veto.
House Passes Neighborhood Stabilization Act
Last Thursday, the House also passed H.R. 5818, the Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008, by a largely partisan vote of 239-188. The bill, introduced by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), would provide $7.5 billion in loans and another $7.5 billion in grants to states to purchase foreclosed properties for home ownership and rental housing. Half of the grants would be used for rental housing for very low income households, and half of that amount for extremely low income households. Also, a number of amendments were added to the bill.
The President has indicated he would veto the bill if it reaches his desk, saying the bill "would create an additional incentive for more lenders to foreclose." Without additional support, the House would not have the two-thirds majority needed to override the President's veto.
Philadelphia Inquirer on Saturday reported on the fundraising success of Project H.O.M.E., one of Philadelphia's leading homeless service providers. Celebrity musician Jon Bon Jovi, one of the many private and public donors concerned with helping homeless veterans, helped raise $3.3 million to start a new Project H.O.M.E. program called the St. Elizabeth's Recovery Residence. Bon Jovi, whose parents were both veterans, publicly praised the project, calling the investment another "amazing step" in ending the cycle of homelessness. The money raised will go to renovating the program's central building while creating 12 units of housing for homeless veterans. The program will also provide on- site services, including substance abuse treatment, to assist veterans in retaining their housing and moving towards self-sufficiency. At the groundbreaking ceremony, Peter Dougherty, director of homeless veterans programs for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, said the ranks of homeless veterans are easing as federal and local agencies provide more services for them. Dougherty cited a recent announcement by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to spend $75 million on permanent housing for homeless veterans. Of that, Philadelphia has a commitment to procure funding for 140 units of permanent housing for homeless veterans.
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