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Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
News by Topic: Housing and homelessness

Sep 27, 2024 - Notice from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service (RHS) announcing it is accepting applications for the Multifamily Housing Preservation and Revitalization Demonstration Program (MPR) and Section 515 Loan Program. These loan and grant funds may be used to preserve and improve existing Rural Rental Housing (RRH) and Off-Farm Labor Housing (OFF-FLH) projects to extend their affordable use. Applicants must send an email message to the RHS Production and Preservation Division by 12:00 p.m. Eastern on December 16, 2024. Applications are due by December 26, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 19, 2024 - Notice of proposed rule from the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Housing Service (RHS) proposing to amend the current Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program (SFHGLP) regulations. Among other things, this rule proposes changes to the requirements for the length of time a prior Agency loss is considered significant derogatory credit and address seasoning requirements and payment performance for refinance transactions and the establishment of a seven-year time frame for the applicant to re-establish credit after a prior loss claim with the Agency before that loss would no longer be considered significant derogatory credit. Comments are due by November 18, 2024.
Source: Federal Register
Sep 17, 2024 - Announcement of technical assistance grants available from USDA Rural Development to support the preservation of affordable housing in rural communities. Awardees will provide technical assistance to property owners through one of two programs, focused on either multifamily housing property transfer or supporting affordable housing availability for farmworkers. Applications are due on November 18, 2024 at noon.
Source: USDA Rural Development
Sep 3, 2024 - Details a project piloted by the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) to build four "tiny homes" for use by medical students in western North Carolina. Notes that students have struggled in the past to find housing for their clinical rotations in the region.
Source: WLOS News 13
Aug 30, 2024 - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will hold a virtual public meeting of the Advisory Committee on Tribal and Indian Affairs from September 24-26, 2024. The Committee will provide advice and guidance to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on all matters relating to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Native American Veterans. The agenda will include, among other things, updates on the VA Native American Direct Loan and Specialty Adapted Housing Programs; homeless programs; VA Office of Rural Health; VA Reimbursement Agreement program; Veterans Benefits Administration/Outreach, Transition, and Economic Development/PACT ACT; and the VA Office of Connected Care.
Source: Federal Register
Aug 22, 2024 - Profiles a new mental illness and substance use disorder support center in a rural New York county. The Wellness Hub will offer emergency and permanent housing and access to clinicians. Discusses gaps in treatment and care access due to workforce shortages.
Source: Public News Service
Aug 21, 2024 - Describes challenges with accurately tracking HIV cases in rural West Virginia due to limited outreach and testing, locating unhoused people, drug use, and lack of funding. Highlights efforts by small local organizations to fill testing and treatment gaps.
Source: WV Public Broadcasting
Aug 21, 2024 - Discusses eviction data and policy across the country and in South Carolina specifically. Highlights rural disparities in both evictions and access to legal and other resources for avoiding eviction.
Source: The Daily Yonder
Aug 15, 2024 - Announces funding for 9 states and Puerto Rico to address clean energy, infrastructure, affordable housing, and food security needs for rural and tribal communities.
Source: Rural Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture