CLPHA Seeks Changes to PHAS Interim Rule; Industry Groups Meet with REAC

On April 27, CLPHA wrote to HUD Assistant Secretary of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) Sandra Henriquez detailing the many challenges that housing authorities are facing under the new Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) Interim Rule.  The letter was prompted by CLPHA member feedback on a number of problems they are encountering in the implementation of the interim rule, particularly regarding the reliability and validity of physical inspection scores, the perverse scoring impact of new indicators, and retroactive implementation of the rule. CLPHA previously comments on the interim rule in April 2011 and on the proposed physical condition interim scoring notice in November 2011.

CLPHA Submits Comments on RAD Notice

On April 23, CLPHA and Reno & Cavanaugh submitted joint comments to HUD on the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Notice, PIH 2012-18.  This initial version of RAD should be viewed as the first step in converting public housing subsidies to leverage additional capital investment in public housing. The current no-cost model that authorizes conversions to PBV and PBRA is an important first step forward, but will only go so far in addressing capital backlog needs without the ability to adjust contract rents.  The recent industry-funded research report by Recap Real Estate Advisors makes clear the critical need for adequate RAD funding in order to provide conversion and recapitalizing opportunities to a larger pool of public housing properties.  Our comments articulate strong support for the necessary funding for adequate contract rents and adjustments for future versions of RAD and urge HUD to seek funding from Congress.  We fully support the RAD program outlined in the House authorizing bill, The Affordable Housing and Self-Sufficiency Improvement Act of 2012, which includes the original RAD program agreed upon by the RAD Working Group, as well as authorizing $200 million in critical funding support for contract rents and adjustments. 

Senate Panel Moves Forward on FY13 HUD Appropriations

Coming out of the gate ahead of their House colleagues and two days following Subcommittee action, the full Senate Appropriations Committee passed and reported out S.2322, the fiscal year 2013 funding bill for the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD). 

While bowing to the funding pressures, fiscal realities, and the discretionary budget authority caps imposed by last year’s Budget Control Act, Senate appropriators crafted a bill that is remarkably less painful than anticipated for public housing related programs. 

Asst. Sec. Henriquez Seeks Input on Operating/Capital Fund Consolidation and Program Reform

HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) is hosting a series of regional meetings across the country to discuss the potential consolidation of public housing Capital and Operating Funds and other program reforms.  Meetings begin next week in Atlanta and Boston, with the complete schedule as follows...