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Proposed legislation known as the Energy Efficiency Modernization Act of 2009 (H.R. 4099, S. 2897), currently pending in the House Financial Services Committee and Senate Banking Committee, contains language and some requirements that concern housing organizations, including the National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) and the National Leased Housing Association (NLHA).
HUD has released more than $13 million in grants for 25 projects to conduct activities intended to make low-income housing safer and healthier. Funded activities include: eliminating lead and housing-related hazards in thousands of homes; training workers in lead and healthy homes interventions; supporting research to improve home safety efforts; increasing public awareness; and evaluating outreach on controlling housing-based hazards.
HUD has extended the Disaster Voucher Program (DVP) for all pre-disaster public housing, project-based, homeless, and special needs housing families currently receiving DVP assistance. The deadline for the program had been Dec. 31, 2009, depending on the availability of funding and the number of families expected to be assisted. The new deadline is Sept. 30, 2010.
Recipients of federal funds are obligated to comply with pertinent laws and regulations that help ensure the rights of persons with disabilities.
HUD recently emphasized the need for compliance in a reminder notice for all those receiving federal funds in its various housing programs and activities [Notice PIH—2010-2 (HA)]. The notice also applies to contractors or other agents of public housing agencies (PHAs) performing covered work or conducting covered activities on behalf of PHAs.
On Nov. 16, 2009, HUD's Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) published a new protocol entitled “Property Requirements for the Inspection of Elevator Equipment Rooms.” The new requirements, effective Jan. 4, 2010, apply to HUD-assisted and -insured properties with elevators.
Beginning on the effective date, REAC inspectors will not enter or inspect enclosed rooms that house only elevator equipment. If the door to the room is not locked at the time of the inspection, the REAC inspector will record a health and safety deficiency and will inspect the door.
HUD will begin publishing online a full historical view of detailed information on the physical condition of public housing and multifamily units across the U.S. and will offer the public the opportunity to contribute to HUD's long-term strategic plan through a new interactive “suggestion box.”
Along with 15 other cabinet agencies, HUD is launching initiatives to increase transparency through the Obama administration's Open Government Directive.
HUD launched Neighborhood Networks in 1995 as one of its first initiatives to promote self-sufficiency for residents and provide computer access in its assisted housing communities. As the program's 15th anniversary approaches in 2010, the agency remains as committed as ever to the idea of engaging site owners and managers in establishing community learning centers that bring digital opportunity and lifelong learning to residents.
The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) presented its Leadership in Federal Energy Management Award to Richard Santangelo, program manager for HUD's Public Housing Environment and Conservation Clearinghouse. The program encourages housing authorities to make energy efficiency improvements and reduce energy consumption, using cost savings from reduced consumption to repay the cost of installing energy-efficient utilities and appliances.
HUD's Financial Audits Division performed an audit of the agency's formula-based allocations related to five programs funded in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The five programs audited were: (1) Public Housing Capital Fund; (2) Native American Housing Block Grant Program; (3) Community Development Fund; (4) HOME Investment Partnerships Program; and (5) Homelessness Prevention Fund.
HUD wants you to be more vigilant than ever in assuring that lifetime sex offenders do not receive federal housing assistance. In a Sept. 9, 2009, Notice, HUD reiterated current requirements and encouraged sites to set standards and processes to prevent lifetime sex offenders from receiving federal housing assistance. Recommendations are to:
Ask households at each recertification whether any member is subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a state sex offender registration program.
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