FEMA Alert
April 13, 2023
FEMA has issued a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the state of Kansas to supplement state, tribal and local response efforts in areas affected by the Haddam Fire on April 13, 2023. The following areas have been approved for assistance:
Public Assistance:
Kansas Haddam Fire (FM-5463-KS)
Additional Resources
FEMA’s web site
FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process
Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts
VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters
FEMA Alert
April 15, 2023
***UPDATED 6/6/2023***
FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Indiana to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes from March 31 – April 1, 2023. The following areas have been approved for assistance:
Individual Assistance:
Public Assistance:
Indiana Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (DR-4704-IN)
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Indiana
Additional Resources
FEMA’s web site
FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process
Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts
VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters
Industry Update
April 12, 2023
Source: observertoday.com
Over a 10-year period, the Chautauqua County Land Bank has been able to successfully facilitate 118 properties, complete 172 demolitions, and leverage more than $10 million in public grant funds to attract an additional $10.8 million of private investment in local housing improvements.
Those stats come from the New York Land Bank Association, which recently looked at the 26 land banks in the state and what they accomplished from 2012-2022. In its 52-page report, which was compiled by Center for Community Progress, the New York Land Banks Association reports that statewide land banks have acquired over 5,000 problem properties, demolished 1,567 vacant structures, returned 3,231 properties to productive use, generated more than $300 million in private investment, and returned $135 million in assessed value to local tax rolls.
“Land banks are a powerful tool for counties to combat vacancy and blight in their communities,” said New York State Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario. “By bringing abandoned and tax-delinquent properties into productive use, these land bank interventions have curtailed the drain on local resources, stabilized property values, and made our neighborhoods safer places to live. We applaud the land banks for the results they have achieved over the past decade and look forward to using our continued partnership to expand affordable housing and build more equitable, resilient communities.”
For full report, please click the source link above.
Industry Update
April 13, 2023
Source: abc57.com
After a house was destroyed by a fire several months ago on Happy Drive in Cassopolis, it has become an invitation for danger for young people tempted to enter the building, and an eyesore for neighbors, but those days are numbered as this property is one of eight uninhabitable structures soon to be made useful again thanks to Cass County Land Bank Authority’s new Blight Elimination Program.
“An important part of our mission is to partner with local jurisdictions to not only clean up blighted property but to have the property returned to productive use,” said Cass County Treasurer Hope Anderson, who also serves as chair of the CCLBA.
In July 2022, House Bill 5783 appropriated $75 million to a statewide Blight Elimination Program, $21.5 million of which was designated to the state land bank authority for a competitive grant program to address blighted structures.
In March 2023, the state land bank authority awarded the County land bank authority $159,226.40 for the purpose of restoring blighted properties.
For full report, please click the source link above.
Industry Update
April 13, 2023
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) published for feedback a draft update to its requirements for insuring mortgages on single family homes with Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The proposal adds additional flexibility in calculating market rent and in using ADU rental income to qualify for FHA-insured mortgage financing. If finalized, these updates would allow more borrowers to qualify for FHA financing for properties with ADUs, including 203(k) renovation loans. FHA’s action today advances the goals of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Housing Supply Action Plan.
“FHA is at the forefront of the Administration’s efforts to increase housing supply and affordability,” said Federal Housing Commissioner Julia Gordon. “At a time when housing supply is constrained and ADUs are gaining popularity nationwide, an updated policy has the potential to expand opportunities for low- and moderate-income homeowners to benefit from the wealth building potential of ADUs while supporting the affordable housing needs of their communities.”
ADUs are small units of housing built inside, attached to, or on the same property as a primary residence. FHA programs currently allow for the purchase, rehabilitation, or refinance of properties that include ADUs. FHA does not, however, currently allow for the inclusion of rental income from the ADU in the borrower’s qualifying income.
For full report, please click the source link above.
Industry Update
April 11, 2023
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge has announced “Supplemental Grant” awards for Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grantees totaling more than $98 million. In addition, HUD is opening a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for $10 million to support local planning efforts.
Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grants assist in the redevelopment of severely distressed HUD-assisted properties into mixed-income communities. The program has a three-pronged “Housing, People, and Neighborhood” approach that includes not only redevelopment of distressed properties, but also provides support to housing residents related to the health, education, and income, while simultaneously investing in neighborhood improvement projects which promote economic development and private investment. Since the program’s inception, the Choice Neighborhoods program has seen 11,000 new mixed-income units built across 44 cities. More than 32,000 units are planned.
“When it comes to Choice Neighborhoods, HUD is an invested partner at the table,” said Secretary Fudge. “Cities and public housing authorities are working tirelessly to address affordable housing shortages despite pandemic era construction cost increases. The additional Choice Neighborhoods funding represents HUD’s commitment to creating new housing for the communities that need it most. The Choice Neighborhoods approach is a comprehensive model that can be transformative for communities and we invite more communities to consider tapping into it.”
For full report, please click the source link above.
FEMA Alert
April 11, 2023
FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the Navajo Nation to supplement tribal recovery efforts in areas affected by severe winter storms and flooding from January 14 – January 17, 2023. The following areas have been approved for assistance:
Public Assistance:
Navajo Nation Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (DR-4703)
Please note: Only properties located in the Navajo Nation Reservation are approved for assistance under declaration DR-4703-AZ.
Additional Resources
FEMA’s web site
FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process
Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts
VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters
FEMA Alert
April 11, 2023
FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the Navajo Nation Reservation in Arizona to supplement tribal recovery efforts in areas affected by severe winter storms and flooding from January 14 – January 17, 2023. The following areas have been approved for assistance:
Public Assistance:
Arizona Severe Winter Storms and Flooding (DR-4703-AZ)
Please note: Only properties located in the Navajo Nation Reservation are approved for assistance under declaration DR-4703-AZ.
Additional Resources
FEMA’s web site
FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process
Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts
VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters
FEMA Alert
April 10, 2023
***UPDATED 5/23/23***
FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Kentucky to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding, landslides and mudslides from March 3 – March 4, 2023. The following areas have been approved for assistance:
Public Assistance:
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Kentucky
Additional Resources
FEMA’s web site
FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process
Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts
VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters
FEMA Alert
April 7, 2023
***LAST UPDATED 5/18/23***
FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Tennessee to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes from March 31 – April 1, 2023. The following areas have been approved for assistance:
Individual Assistance:
Public Assistance:
Tennessee Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (DR-4701-TN)
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Tennessee
Additional Resources
FEMA’s web site
FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process
Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts
VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters
