ADVOCACY ALERT Advocates’ Sign-On Letter to HUD. The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law have opened a sign-on letter to HUD Secretary Ben Carson about the urgent need to enter into a strong Voluntary Compliance Agreement (VCA) with the City of Houston in order to address violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Continue reading

CONGRESS Senators Urging Creation of DHAP. On November 15, a group of 12 Senators sent a letter urging FEMA administrator Brock Long and HUD Secretary Ben Carson to better coordinate recovery housing efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The letter specifically encourages FEMA and HUD to establish a disaster housing assistance program Continue reading

Congress Tax Reform and Recovery. Local housing groups in Texas and Florida sent a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan in opposition to the current House Republican tax plan, saying it would hurt disaster recovery efforts. The House tax plan eliminates the tax exemption for private activity bonds (PABs), essentially eliminating 4% Low Income Housing Continue reading

General Updates Third Supplemental Request from Administration Anticipated. The Trump administration is expected to send to Congress its third supplemental funding request for disaster aid this week. After combining the funding requests from the states and territories impacted by recent natural disasters, the aid package requested by the administration could be as high as $200 Continue reading

GENERAL UPDATES NLIHC Analysis of Florida FEMA Hurricane Assistance Registrations. FEMA recently released data about registrations for assistance from its Individuals and Households Program (IHP) after Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. The data provide a summary of the number and ownership status of registrants, extent of damage, and the dollar amounts approved for assistance. Like NLIHC’s Continue reading