Our Way Home Monthly Lookback
July 12, 2022
HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge launched the Our Way Home Initiative in June to focus on housing supply challenges and successes across the country.
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May 30: Housing Supply Featured as a Critical Tool to Tame Inflation
President Biden published an Op-Ed in the Wall Street Journal outlining his plan to fight inflation. He discussed the Administration’s Housing Supply Action Plan, stating that it will “make housing more affordable by building more than a million more units, closing the housing shortfall in the next five years.”
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May 31: President Biden Issued National Homeownership Month Proclamation for June 2022
President Biden issued A Proclamation on National Homeownership Month, 2022 recognizing the importance of housing and reaffirming the Administration’s commitment to ensuring that everyone has a place to call home.
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June 1: Secretary Fudge’s Our Way Home Initiative Kicked off with a National Day of Action
The Our Way Home initiative kicked off on June 1 with a National Day of Action on housing supply. HUD Regional Administrators held events across the country to emphasize the importance of building and preserving affordable housing.
HUD Region I Regional Administrator Juana Matias held a roundtable at the Stuart Avenue Apartments construction site, an affordable housing development in Colchester, Vermont, for the National Day of Action.
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June 2-3: HUD Housing Supply Actions Recognized by National Organizations
The National Association of Realtors (www.nar.realtor/newsroom/nar-applauds-new-hud-program-prioritizing-housing-supply) and The National Council of State Housing Agencies commended HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge for launching the Our Way Home initiative. NAR has commissioned reports showing that the U.S.’s housing supply is insufficient, and that action needs to be taken to address the housing supply crisis. NCSHA called on other government agencies to join the initiative to help address the affordable housing supply shortage.
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June 3-6: The United States Conference of Mayors Adopted Resolutions in Support of Housing Supply
At their 90th Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada, the United States Conference of Mayors voted to support a number of HUD housing supply proposals and programs in 2022. Among the adopted resolutions, the U.S. Conference of Mayors applauds the FY23 Budget proposal to establish a Housing Supply Fund and calls on Congress to pass housing supply funding.
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June 7: Novogradac Published Profile on Faircloth-to-RAD Conversions
Novogradac published an article on HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), Faircloth-to-RAD Conversions Pose Possibilities for PHAs, Developers. The article features quotes from HUD’s Office of Multifamily Housing Recapitalization Director Tom Davis. A Faircloth-to-RAD transaction allows Public Housing Authorities to use their Faircloth authority with RAD to create new, deeply affordable rent-assisted homes.
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June 8: RA Ampry-Samuel Visited Affordable Housing Development in NYC
HUD Region II Regional Administrator Alicka Ampry-Samuel conducted a walking tour of a new affordable housing construction site, Marcus Garvey Extension, in New York City. The tour was followed by a roundtable discussion with supportive housing organization, Community Solutions, where they discussed HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstrations (RAD) conversion related to NYCHA’s Seth Low Houses.
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June 8-9: RA Salazar Visits Spokane
HUD Region X Regional Administrator Margaret Salazar visited Spokane, WA to highlight housing supply solutions. Following a tour of the newly opened Gonzaga Family Haven campus, which serves families with co-located early learning, library hub, and other services, RA Salazar joined the Spokane Housing Authority for its 50th anniversary celebration and held a roundtable with local elected officials, builders, and developers on the issue of housing supply. These local partners stressed the need to collaborate on solutions from housing finance to zoning reform, which has helped spur new supply in the growing region.
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June 9: Federal Housing Commissioner Julia Gordon Participates in Innovative Building Technology Panel
Federal Housing (FHA) Commissioner Julia Gordon participated in a panel session at the Innovative Housing Showcase co-hosted by HUD and the National Association of Homebuilders on how public and private actions can spur adoption of innovative building technology. Commissioner Gordon spoke about how HUD Office of Housing and Federal Housing Administration programs can support innovative building technology and increase affordable housing supply, touching on the use of Accessory Dwelling Units, manufactured housing, the FHA Multifamily “green” mortgage insurance premium, and FHA Single Family renovation loan programs.
The Innovative Housing Showcase featured innovative housing technologies and designs, including modular design, prefabricated components, and 3-D printed construction.
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June 10-12: Innovative Housing Showcase Returned to the National Mall after a 2-year Hiatus
The Innovative Housing Showcase was held on the National Mall in June, demonstrating solutions to the affordable housing supply. The showcase included various housing types, including manufactured housing, modular homes, and 3-D printed homes. Secretary Fudge spoke at the event and toured the innovative solutions.
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June 12-14: RA Salazar Visited with Alaskan Communities to Discuss Housing Supply
Regional Administrator Salazar met with the Alaska Association of Housing Authorities, the Cook Inlet Tribal Housing Authority, and Covenant House to discuss housing supply concerns, as well as the creation of spaces for arts, culture, learning, and living. She learned about innovative housing initiatives in Anchorage that are creating opportunities for Native Alaskan communities. She further learned about creative housing and employment opportunities for Anchorage youth experiencing homelessness, spurred by the HUD Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program.
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June 13-16: HUD’s Office of Manufactured Housing Programs Hosted MH State Administrative Agency/Primary Inspection Agency Conference
HUD’s Office of Manufactured Housing Programs hosted a four-day conference for State Administrative Agency and Primary Inspection Agencies partnering with HUD to regulate and enforce the federal manufactured housing program in their states. This first live conference in over two years focused on a variety of topics related to manufactured homes, including HUD’s plans to update the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards. FHA Commissioner Gordon provided remarks at the event, reinforcing that “HUD Code” homes provide safe and affordable housing for families, offer the chance for stability and wealth creation, and enable owners to live affordably in the neighborhoods they choose.
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June 15: Deputy Secretary Todman addressed the AHTCC and HAG at the Affordable Housing Symposium
HUD Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman attended the 2022 Affordable Housing Symposium, co-hosted by the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition (AHTCC) and Housing Advisory Group (HAG), as a featured speaker. She discussed key issues relating to housing supply and the initiatives in place to help resolve them.
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June 17: Leaders Visited the Community Empowerment Association in Pittsburgh, PA
Secretary Fudge, Vice President Harris, and EPA Administrator Regan visited Pittsburgh and delivered remarks at the Community Empowerment Association. They met with community leaders and engaged in conversations regarding the White House’s lead paint/pipe action plan. Secretary Fudge announced $520 million in funding to help protect low-income households from lead and other home health and safety hazards, which will contribute to the supply of safe and affordable housing.
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June 21: HUD OHC and OMHP Co-hosted a Manufactured Housing Seminar
HUD’s Offices of Housing Counseling and Manufactured Housing Programs co-hosted a webinar for housing counselors and housing industry professionals to educate these professionals about manufactured homes and HUD’s administration of the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards. The webinar highlighted how manufactured homes can provide an affordable alternative to site-built homes and are one part of solving for the nation’s housing supply challenges.
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June 21: RAD Transactions Supported Rental Housing Supply Improvements in Columbus, OH and St. Croix, USVI
HUD closed Rental Assistance Demonstrations (RAD) conversion transactions in two communities. The Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority received $16 million to preserve 142 homes and build 8 new homes at Post Oak Station. The development additionally includes a community gathering space and childcare facilities. The U.S. Virgin Islands Housing Authority in St. Croix received $73.3 million to rehabilitate 248 affordable homes at the Walter I.M. Hodge Pavilion community, which were significantly damaged during Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017.
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June 22: HUD Invested over $22 million in Native Hawaiian Housing
HUD announced funding through the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant (NHHBG), providing $22 million for construction, rehabilitation, and acquisition of housing, as well as rental assistance to Native Hawaiians. This funding provides support to communities where the cost of housing is exceedingly high, often pricing Native Hawaiians out of homes in their own communities.
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June 22: Senior Advisor Brundage Discussed Housing Supply at NCSHA Housing Credit Connect Conference
Senior Advisor for Housing Supply and Infrastructure Sarah Brundage spoke at the National Council of State Housing Agencies’ (NCSHA) Housing Credit Connect conference about HUD’s focus on Housing Supply and the opportunities for collaboration with state housing finance agencies on the shared affordable housing production and preservation goals. Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO PDAS) Demetria L. McCain also joined the panel to discuss HUD’s fair housing focus.
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June 22: Deputy Secretary Todman Delivered Keynote Remarks at NLHA
Deputy Secretary Todman delivered keynote remarks at the National Leased Housing Association’s (NHLA) 50th Annual Congress in Washington, D.C. This event included discussions of housing supply challenges and solutions.
RA Ampry-Samuel is joined by Newark Mayor, Deputy Mayor, members of Newark City Council, and project developer for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
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June 23: RA Ampry-Samuel Attended Ribbon-Cutting for Affordable Housing Development in Newark, NJ
Regional Administrator Ampry-Samuel attended the ribbon cutting of The Lantana, a new construction affordable housing development in Newark, NJ. The development includes 72 apartment units and are available to households with low and moderate incomes. Newark’s Mayor Ras Baraka was also in attendance to celebrate the successful implementation of HUD funds.
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June 23: Deputy Secretary Todman Spoke at BPC Summit on Housing Supply Solutions
Deputy Secretary Todman spoke at Bipartisan Policy Center’s Terwilliger Center Summit on Housing Supply Solutions. She discussed housing supply solutions in conversation with Ron Terwilliger and Former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros.
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June 24: HUD Senior Advisors Spoke at CLPHA Summer Meeting on Housing Supply and other HUD Priorities
Senior Advisor for Housing Supply and Infrastructure Sarah Brundage discussed the Administration’s Housing Supply Action Plan and HUD’s Housing Supply Initiative at the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities’ (CLPHA) summer meeting. Senior Advisors Peggy Bailey and Joe Carlile also elevated other HUD priorities in the engagement with public housing and affordable housing leaders.
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June 24: Deputy Secretary Todman Visited St. Paul, Minnesota
Deputy Secretary Todman delivered remarks at the National Community Development Association (NCDA) 53rd annual conference. She then visited innovative housing developments in Falcon Heights, MN, including Amber Union, a historic building restoration project.
Deputy Secretary Todman tours the construction site of Amber Union, where a historic building is being restored and repurposed from office space to affordable apartment units.
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June 28: HUD and COF Announced Winners of 2022 Secretary's Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships
HUD and Council on Foundations announced the winners of the 2022 Secretary's Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships. The award recognizes partnerships that have led to measurable benefits in housing and community development. Many of the 2022 awardees were recognized for their commitment to improving housing supply in the United States as well as education, workforce development, and disaster resilience.
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June 28: Forbes published interview with FHA Commissioner Gordon Highlighting FHA Plans to Support Affordable Housing Supply
Forbes Advisor published an exclusive interview with FHA Commissioner Julia Gordon where the Commissioner spoke about the importance of attainable homeownership as “homeownership has been one of the most powerful tools for economic stability.” Commissioner Gordon noted the challenges for working-class Americans to access homeownership, “Right now, single-family housing is upward of $400,000, which is well out of reach for most households.” Tackling the housing shortage and helping folks keep their homes are top priorities Commissioner Gordon discusses.
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June 29: Secretary Fudge Visited Affordable Housing Development in Miami, FL
Secretary Fudge visited Miami, FL to tour affordable housing projects and meet with local leaders. She discussed the significant housing supply shortage in the area and called on leaders to effectively use the funding and resources available to them.
Secretary Fudge visited Miami, FL to meet with local leaders
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June 29: HUD Officials Discussed Housing Supply in the Northwest Region
RA Salazar, Oregon Governor Kate Brown, and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici celebrated the grand opening of 81 rental homes in Tigard, OR that are fully occupied and are using VASH and project-based vouchers to expand housing opportunities to veterans and working families. On the same afternoon, HUD Region X Deputy Regional Administrator Michael Look joined Washington Governor Jay Inslee and the Office of Senator Patty Murray to speak at the groundbreaking for Sunset Gardens Apartments in Renton, WA, which will use HUD HOME and Housing Trust Fund resources to create permanent housing for 76 families.
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June 30: RAD Transactions Supported Housing Supply in Baltimore, MD and Miami-Dade County, FL
HUD closed RAD conversion transactions in two communities. The Housing Authority of Baltimore City and the City of Baltimore received $27.8 million for the development of 93 new affordable rental homes as part of the neighborhood redevelopment plan for Baltimore’s Perkins-Somerset-Oldtown community. Additionally, Miami-Dade Country Public Housing & Community Development received $34.5 million in construction funding for the renovation of 240 homes at Haley Sofge, a 13-story building. This investment is part of a five-project redevelopment, preserving and developing 1,055 units of affordable rental homes.
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June 30: Federal Housing Administration Leaders Participated in Miami-Dade County Housing Summit
The Federal Housing Administration’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Single Family Housing Julienne Joseph and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multifamily Housing Ethan Handelman participated in a housing summit in Miami, FL. The Building Blocks Housing Summit was hosted by Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and the Department of Public Housing and Community Development. Both HUD leaders spoke about affordable housing supply challenges and solutions.
Michaela LaPatin contributed to this blog post.
Stay tuned for more Our Way Home community engagements. To share HUD-funded affordable housing projects, key HUD community partners, or other community partnerships for HUD to consider elevating as a model on the Our Way Home blog, please email OurWayHome@hud.gov. Please include a short summary paragraph describing the project and key stakeholders.