SBA: Enhanced COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program to Aid Small Businesses Facing Challenges from Delta Variant Announced
Increased Loan Cap to $2 Million, Expanded Use of Funds to Pay and Prepay Business Debt, Streamlined Review Processes, and Deferred Payments; First Approval and Disbursement of Loans of $500,000 or Less Also Introduced. Today, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced major enhancements to the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, a federal…
FEMA: President Biden Approves Major Disaster Declaration for North Carolina
FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the state of North Carolina to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred, from Aug. 16-18, 2021. The President’s action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Buncombe, Haywood and Transylvania counties. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and…
Census Bureau: Household Pulse Survey Phase 3.2 Biweekly Data Released
The U.S. Census Bureau today released new data from phase 3.2 of the experimental Household Pulse Survey. This phase of data collection includes new questions on the Child Tax Credit, sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI), rent/mortgage arrears, utility arrears and restrictions, summer catch-up education activities for grades K-12 and preventative health care for children. The…
HUD: New Research on Increasing Affordable Housing Production and Preservation Released
Research Part of Biden-Harris Administration’s Effort to Increase Affordable Housing Supply The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today released its latest research on innovative strategies being pursued by state and local governments to remove regulatory barriers to affordable housing and increase housing supply. “This research is a testament to the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment…
HUD: Disaster Assistance for Nebraska Disaster Survivors Announced
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced the implementation of federal disaster assistance for areas in the State of Nebraska affected by affected by severe storms and straight-line winds from July 9 to July 10, 2021. On September 6, 2021 President Biden issued a major disaster declaration for the following counties: Box Butte,…
HUD: Disaster Assistance Announced for New Jersey and New York Disaster Survivors
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced the implementation of federal disaster assistance for areas in the State of New Jersey and the State of New York affected by Hurricane Ida. On September 5, 2021 President Biden issued major disaster declarations for the New Jersey counties of Bergen, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Passaic, and Somerset,…
FHFA: Additional Data Released on Enterprise Fair Lending and Housing Goals
Today, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) released several sets of demographic data related to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s (the Enterprises) fair lending and housing goals activities. The rate of homeownership for minority families in the United States continues to lag well behind the national average. Fair lending is central to the principles under…
OCC: Proposal to Rescind 2020 Community Reinvestment Act Rule Issued
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) is soliciting comments on proposed rules to rescind the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) rule issued in 2020 and replace it with rules adopted jointly by the Federal banking agencies in 1995, as amended. This action facilitates the ongoing interagency work to modernize the CRA regulatory framework…
HUD: Over Two Dozen Waivers Granted to Speed Hurricane Recovery
HUD cuts red tape to offer flexibility to state and local partners The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced a package of 27 regulatory and administrative waivers aimed at helping communities to accelerate their recovery from Hurricane Ida. Today’s announcement represents one of the largest collections of regulatory and administrative waivers…
FHFA: Equitable Housing Finance Plans for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Announced
Public input requested on how Enterprises can sustainably advance equitable housing finance Today, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is announcing that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) will submit Equitable Housing Finance Plans to FHFA by the end of 2021. The Enterprises will update these plans annually. The plans will identify and address…