HUD Discloses Its Activities in Opportunity Zones, Requests Public Input

HUD recently released a document that provides a snapshot of HUD’s programs and initiatives within Opportunity Zones (OZs) and requested input and recommendations on how HUD can incorporate OZs into existing policies, practices, planned actions, regulations, and guidance. According to HUD:

• 2,394,000 persons live in HUD-assisted housing within OZs (27 percent of total residents of HUD-assisted housing).
• 371,000 public housing units are within OZs (38 percent of the total), and 738,000 persons are living in public housing within OZs (39 percent of the total).
• 465,000 Housing Choice Voucher units are within OZs (22 percent of the total).
• 62,000 project-based voucher units are within OZs (32 percent of the total).
• 337,000 project-based rental assistance units are within OZs (27 percent of the total).
• Almost one-third of Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Component 1 conversions are within OZs.
• 265,000 completed HOME developments from 1996–2018 are within OZs.

The document also invites public input in a series of questions, including:

• How should HUD use its existing authority to maximize the beneficial impact of OZs?
• What types of information and other guidance should HUD include if it were to create an information portal on OZs?
• How could HUD structure preference points for OZs in discretionary grant competitions?
• What types of technical assistance could HUD offer?
• What role can HUD play in helping to ensure that existing residents, businesses, and community organizations in (OZs) benefit from the influx of investment and remain the focus of their community’s growth moving forward?
• How can HUD properly evaluate the impact of OZs on communities?
• How should HUD interact with other stakeholders to maximize the success of OZs?
• How might qualified Opportunity Fund investments support the goal of ending homelessness?