Census Bureau: Household Pulse Survey Phase 3 Biweekly Data Released
The U.S. Census Bureau today released new data from the extension of the third phase of the experimental Household Pulse Survey. The extension includes intent-to-vaccinate and stimulus payment questions. The Household Pulse Survey is the result of an effort by the Census Bureau and other federal statistical agencies to document temporal trends in how individuals are experiencing…
OCC: Second and Third Quarters 2021 CRA Evaluation Schedule Issued
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) today released its schedule of Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) evaluations to be conducted in the second quarter and third quarter 2021. The OCC encourages public comment on the national banks and federal savings associations scheduled to be evaluated under the CRA. Public comments should be submitted…
FEMA: Texas Winter Storm Survivors in 31 Additional Counties Can Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance
Texas homeowners and renters in 31 additional counties who suffered damage from the winter storm that recently struck Texas may now apply for disaster assistance with FEMA. If you have insurance and are applying for disaster assistance, you must also file a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible. By law, FEMA cannot…
HUD: $2.7 Billion Awarded to Improve, Preserve Nation’s Public Housing
Housing authorities will use funding to modernize housing for families, seniors The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded more than $2.7 billion in funding to nearly 2,900 public housing authorities (PHAs) in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to make…
HUD: FHA Extends Single Famly Policy Flexibilities to Maintain Mortgage Originations and 203(k) Rehabilitation Projects Through June 2021
Today, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced extensions of a set of policy flexibilities for single family lenders and servicers designed to maintain new mortgage originations for homebuyers and allow 203(k) rehabilitation projects to continue during the COVID-19 pandemic. These temporary policies recognize the sustained need for flexibility during this critical time to ensure mortgage…
FHFA: U.S. House Prices Rise 10.8 Percent over the Last Year; Up 3.8 Percent in the Fourth Quarter
U.S. house prices rose 10.8 percent from the fourth quarter of 2019 to the fourth quarter of 2020 according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency House Price Index (FHFA HPI®). House prices were up 3.8 percent compared to the third quarter of 2020. FHFA’s seasonally adjusted monthly index for December was up 1.1 percent from November. “House prices nationwide recorded the…
EDA: U.S. Department of Commerce Launches $38 Million Build to Scale Program to Fuel Innovation and Tech-Based Economic Development
Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced the opening of the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) FY21 Build to Scale (B2S) program, which is designed to invest in regional economies through scalable startups. The Build to Scale program’s national competitions will deploy $38 million to further technology-based economic development initiatives that accelerate high-quality job growth, create more…
HUD: Disaster Assistance Announced for Victims of Texas Severe Winter Storm
Foreclosure protections in place for homeowners in Presidentially Declared Major Disaster Areas The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced the implementation of federal disaster assistance for the State of Texas to provide support to homeowners and homebuyers in areas affected by the Severe Winter Storm. On February 19, 2021, President Biden…
SBA: Smallest of Small Businesses Prioritized in the Paycheck Protection Program
Steps to Promote Equitable Relief for Mom-and-Pop Businesses Building on a month of strong results, the Biden-Harris Administration and the U.S. Small Business Administration are taking steps with the Paycheck Protection Program to further promote equitable relief for America’s mom-and-pop businesses. The latest round of Paycheck Protection Program funding opened one month ago and already the Biden Administration has…
CDFI Fund: $175.35 Million in Awards for Affordable Housing Nationwide Announced
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) awarded 48 organizations $175.35 million today to finance the development of affordable housing and community facilities in low-income communities. These awards were made through the fiscal year (FY) 2020 round of the Capital Magnet Fund, and will support financing for the preservation,…