March 2022
Serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington
A Message from Regional Administrator Margaret Solle Salazar
Dear HUD Partners,
Greetings to you all. I am honored to serve as your new HUD Regional Administrator! March is a time of transition here in the Northwest as days get longer and Spring flowers begin to bloom; it is also a time of transition for HUD Region X. Since joining HUD Region X as the Regional Administrator last month, I have rolled up my sleeves and taken a deep look at the good work that our partners and stakeholders – you – have been doing alongside HUD over the past months and years.
This month’s newsletter highlights some of that work ranging from the use of Indian Community Development Block Grant – American Rescue Plan funds by the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe in Washington to buy a life-saving ambulance, to a grand opening event in Redmond, OR for an affordable housing apartment community built using Community Development Block Grant funds.
I know that our region is facing compounding challenges. Too many of our neighbors are experiencing housing insecurity or living through the trauma of unsheltered homelessness. Climate change is becoming a reality for our communities and Tribes, with unprecedented impacts on natural disasters and our ways of life. Our small cities and towns are growing quickly – and with that growth, we are facing housing shortages. Racial inequities persist across the housing continuum, from houselessness to homeownership. And, of course, we continue to navigate the health, economic, and social impacts of COVID-19. I know this can feel overwhelming.
The good news is that the federal government is stepping up in unprecedented ways to address these challenges, with significant new funding from the CARES Act, Congressional Appropriations, and the American Rescue Plan Act. These dollars are “on the street” now in the form of rental and mortgage assistance, homeless services, affordable housing supply, and housing vouchers. HUD Region X stands ready to help partner with you to make strategic use of these funds to address the crises of today and to create a lasting, equitable recovery for tomorrow. We are all in this work together. In the weeks and months ahead, I will be reaching out and making an effort to visit the diverse communities in this region that we love. I look forward to hearing from you how HUD can be most impactful.
One opportunity you’ll be hearing more about is House America, Secretary Fudge’s signature initiative to partner with state and local leaders to drive toward meaningful work of re-housing residents and adding to the affordable housing supply. You can learn more about how to join House America here.
This month we celebrate Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, a month to reflect on and celebrate the remarkable women who have come before us and whose shoulders we stand on. While there have been great strides towards equality for women as homeowners and earners over the past 30 years, there is still work to be done to ensure women of color have equal access to economic and homeownership opportunities. With the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and the historic influx of funds from the CARES Act and American Rescue Plan Act, many of our communities have resources to meet the needs of people who are struggling – including women and their families – get to a place where they can start to rebuild and recover.
I look forward to our continued partnership as we work together to help the people of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington find stability and prosperity, and to help build inclusive communities. Thank you for your dedication to this important work.
HUD Region X News
ISSAQUAH, WA: Snoqualmie Indian Tribe and Eastside Fire and Rescue to Receive Grant-Funded Emergency Aid Vehicle
The Snoqualmie Indian Tribe and Eastside Fire and Rescue received Indian Community Development Block Grant funds through the American Rescue Plan Act to purchase a new emergency medical transport vehicle for residents.
BOISE, ID: Treasure Valley Nonprofits Land Grant Funds from HUD to Prevent Evictions
HUD awarded Idaho Legal Aid Services $1.8 million through its new Eviction Protection Grant, a new program to provide legal assistance to those facing eviction. The grant funds awarded will be shared with Jesse Tree and the Intermountain Fair Housing Council.
SALEM, OR: Salem Breaks Ground on Affordable Housing Apartment Project
The Salem Housing Authority broke ground on Yaquina Hall - a long-awaited housing program at a former state hospital nurses' dormitory. 52 apartments will be built and HUD will subsidize rent via vouchers for qualified residents.
SPOKANE, WA: Spokane Gets a $680,000 Grant for Affordable Housing
The City of Spokane received a Washington State Department of Commerce grant for improvements to connect 54 affordable units to the city water and sewer systems. The property was purchased using Community Development Block Grant funds and is being renovated.
REDMOND, OR: Grand Opening of Redmond 47-Unit Affording Housing Project Set
Housing Works recently hosted a grand opening event for Midtown Place, a new 47-unit affordable housing apartment community built with Community Development Block Grant funds designed to support working families and individuals living in Redmond.
Region X Funding Awards
Washington County Joins HUD’s House America Initiative to Address Homelessness (2/11/2022) The Washington County Board of Commissioners announced their House America initiative goal to house 879 families experiencing homelessness and build 90 affordable homes (with an additional 381 homes under construction) by December 31, 2022.
Funding Opportunities
Radon Testing and Mitigation Demonstration for Public Housing – CLOSING 3/28/2022 Funds for public housing agencies (PHAs) to conduct testing and as-needed mitigation of radon in the units that they manage and to support the development of a plan for future testing and mitigation. Authority to Accept Unsolicited Proposals for Research Partnerships – CLOSING 6/30/2022 This Notice announces that HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research has the authority to accept unsolicited research proposals that address current research priorities including Lead and Healthy Homes and other topics.
HUD Announcements
HUD Releases 2021 Annual Homeless Assessment Report Part 1 (2/4/2022) HUD released its 2021 Annual Homeless Assessment Report Part 1 to Congress. The report found that more than 326,000 people experienced sheltered homelessness in the United States on a single night in 2021, a decrease of eight percent, from 2020.
HUD Approves Agreement with Las Vegas Housing Providers Resolving Claims of Disability Discrimination (2/8/2022) HUD announced that it approved a Conciliation Agreement with Las Vegas landlord, Anwar Malik, and Malik’s property manager, Ahmad Sharif-Yazdi, to resolve allegations of discrimination brought by a prospective tenant with a disability.
HUD Applauds Actions to Ensure that the Maintenance and Marketing of Real Estate Owned Portfolio Aligns with Fair Housing and Civil Rights Requirements (2/9/2022) HUD applauded the recent settlements between Fannie Mae, the National Fair Housing Alliance, and local fair housing organizations. Grants from HUD supported the investigation into potential disparities in the maintenance and marketing of Real Estate Owned (REO) properties.
Federal Housing Administration Removes Temporary COVID-19 Underwriting Mitigants for Multifamily Transactions (2/14/2022) The FHA announced that it is removing temporary COVID-19 underwriting mitigants for multifamily transactions insured under Section 223(f) of the National Housing Act, effective immediately for all insured transactions that have yet to reach endorsement.
Statement from Secretary Marcia L. Fudge on Black Homeownership Remaining Lower Than a Decade Ago Despite the U.S. Homeownership Rate Experiencing Largest Annual Increase on Record (2/24/2022) HUD Secretary Fudge released a statement on the National Association of Realtors®’ (NAR) 2022 Snapshot of Race and Home Buying in America report, which examines current racial disparities in the housing market.
HUD Secretary Fudge Joins DOE Secretary Granholm to Announce Better Climate Challenge (2/28/2022) HUD joined the Department of Energy and White House to announce the inaugural Better Climate Challenge, a private-public partnership led by DOE with over 80 American businesses and organizations that have signed on to ambitious carbon reduction goals.
Upcoming Training and Events
Housing Counseling Webinar: How the Homeowner Assistance Fund Can Serve Your Clients
March 1, 2022 | 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM EST - This webinar discusses what the HAF is and how it can be used to best to address the needs of homeowners.
Rapid Rehousing Roundtable Discussion Series: Innovation in RRH
March 1, 2022 | 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM EST - This session explores questions of innovation in RRH.
NeighborWorks Training: Rental Counseling and Eviction Prevention Amid the COVID-19 Crisis
March 1, 2022 | 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM EST - This training provides current information on the CARES Act, government assistance programs, eviction moratorium, and rental relief options.
Housing Counseling Webinar: MSI Grantees: What You Need to Know to Execute, Implement, and Report
March 2, 2022 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST - Learn what grant awardees need to know to execute, implement, and report on partnership activities with HBCUs and other MSIs.
NeighborWorks Training: Introduction to Community Organizing for Disaster Preparedness
March 2, 2022 | 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM EST - This training strategies that can increase the response and recovery resiliency of a community when disasters occur.
NeighborWorks Training: Foreclosure Tune-up
March 3, 2022 - The primary focus of this training is to brush up on key foreclosure prevention concepts and apply the latest foreclosure protocols and processes.
DRGR Public Action Plan Webinar
March 3, 2022 | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST - A focus on the DRGR Public Action Plan, how to use and submit it, and the difference between the Action Plan and the Public Action Plan.
2021 Section 3 Final Rule Training Series - Office Hours: HCD & PHA
March 3, 2022 | 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM EST - This office hour gives HCDs and PHAs the opportunity to ask unanswered questions about and get clarity on the new Section 3 Final Rule.
COVID-19 Planning & Response for Homeless Assistance Providers Office Hours
March 4, 2022 | 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM EST - SNAPS Office Hours are for homeless assistance providers and their partners to discuss COVID-19 planning and response.
2022 Fair Housing Office Hours: Session 1
March 8, 2022 | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST - This virtual office hours session will review topics in AFFH and provide grantees an opportunity to ask questions on fair housing planning.
NFHTA Forum | Assistance Animals Are Not Pets: Reasonable Accommodations Related to Support Animals
March 16, 2022 | 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EDT – Learn reasonable accommodations that can be made for those with disabilities who need service or support animals and how to manage requests.
Housing Counseling Webinar: Rental Housing Counseling - Promising Practices and Lessons Learned
March 16, 2022 | 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EDT - Examine key characteristics included in the design of two successful rental housing counseling programs and resources that can offer support.
NFHTA Fundamentals of Fair Housing - Intake
March 21-24, 2022 - This course will provide an overview of the responsibilities and customer service orientation to conducting intake.
Updating Your PHA’s Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy Webinar Series – Webinar 2
March 23, 2022 | 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM EDT - This webinar will introduce PHAs to chapters from the updated Public Housing Occupancy Guidebook.
2022 CDBG-DR Virtual Problem-Solving Clinic
March 29-31, 2022 - Clinic for CDBG-DR and CDBG-MIT grantees on how to successfully and compliantly implement their disaster recovery programs and mitigation projects.
2021 Section 3 Final Rule Training Series - Office Hours: PHA
April 12, 2022 | 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM EDT - This office hour gives PHAs the opportunity to ask unanswered questions about and get clarity on the new Section 3 Final Rule.
In Case You Missed It
IRS Resources on Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit The IRS has resources and tools for partners to help reach families about the Child Tax Credit and EITC. Downloads available in English and Spanish (more languages to come).
National Association of Realtors 2022 Snapshot of Race and Home Buying in America NAR’s report found that homeownership rates increased in 2020 across all racial groups; however, there was a widening gap between White and Black homeownership rates.
HUD Issues Notice Requiring Carbon Monoxide Alarms or Detectors in Assisted Housing HUD posted a notice on February 2, 2022, requiring carbon monoxide alarms or detectors in their HUD-assisted housing programs starting December 27, 2022.
HUD PD&R Housing Market Profile: Boise City, Idaho Nonfarm payrolls have recovered from pandemic losses and are above the pre-pandemic high in March 2020. Home sales market conditions are very tight, with prices for existing homes rising 26 percent during the 12 months ending October 2021.
SAMHSA Toolkit for Helping Individuals Experiencing Homelessness Obtain Identification Documents This resource provides guidance on helping individuals who are experiencing homelessness obtain ID documents and is available in English and Spanish.
HRSA Expanding Access to COVID-19 Testing Supplies HRSA has an increased supply of COVID-19 at-home self-tests available through the HRSA COVID-19 Testing Supply Program available to all HRSA-supported health centers and Medicare-certified rural health clinics.
Seattle Regional Office
Regional Administrator: Margaret Solle Salazar Deputy Regional Administrator: Michael Look
Regional Public Affairs Officer: Vanessa Krueger
Email: Vanessa.J.Krueger@hud.gov
Customer Service: WA_Webmanager@hud.gov
Phone:(206) 220-5101
Web: www.hud.gov/washington
State Field Offices
Alaska
Anchorage Field Office Director: Chad Stovall
Customer Service: AK_Webmanager@hud.gov
Phone: (907) 677-9800
Web: www.hud.gov/alaska
Idaho
Idaho State Director: Brian Dale
Customer Service: ID_Webmanager@hud.gov
Phone: (208) 334-1990
Web: www.hud.gov/idaho
Oregon
Portland Field Office Director: Tony Ramirez
Customer Service: OR_Webmanager@hud.gov
Phone: 971-222-2600
Web: www.hud.gov/oregon
Additional Resources
For Public Housing: 1-800-955-2232
For Housing Counseling: 1-800-569-4287
For Housing Discrimination: 1-800-669-9777 (or 1-800-927-9275 for TTY)
For Multifamily Complaints: 1-800-MULTI-70 (1-800-685-8470)
For Office of Inspector General: 1-800-347-3735
At www.hud.gov, you can find information on most of our programs, including information and resources related to COVID-19 at www.hud.gov/coronavirus.
If your mortgage is insured by FHA: 1-800-Call-FHA (1-800-225-5342) or email: answers@hud.gov
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the most up-to-date information on COVID-19. For updates from CDC, visit www.coronavirus.gov.
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