Housing Assistance Council

10/02/2026

For this week’s , we’re celebrating Hurricane Heights in southwest Utah. With a loan from HAC, Self-Help Homes was able to offer a mix of natural beauty, modern living, and recreational opportunities for residents in this new housing development.

Hurricane, UT is a growing community — Washington County had a 35% population increase in the last 10 years and is struggling to keep up with rising housing needs. With half of residents earning below the area median income at $75,000, dedicated affordable housing through Self Help Homes' sweat equity program is essential.

Check out these photos from their open house last month!

10/01/2026

Now available in Spanish! HAC is highlighting a report on heirs' property in Latino communities in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. This report, developed in partnership with UnidosUS, offers a framework for policymakers, funders, practitioners, and advocates to prevent future heirs’ property issues and preserve intergenerational wealth in Latino communities. Read the report here:

https://loom.ly/tKelRfU

09/30/2026

HAC presents the FY 2024 USDA Rural Development Housing Activity Report. USDA obligated about 49,000 loans, loan guarantees, and grants.

09/30/2026

Did you know farmworker housing is a critical component of our national food system? Last week, Manda LaPorte of HAC's Research and Information Department presented at the Association of Farmworker Opportunities Program (AFOP) conference on the ecosystem of farmworker housing in rural America. Farmworkers rely on a complex housing system that includes private-market housing, employer-provided accommodations, and government-supported homes. This new report provides a framework for understanding how these systems interact, where they fall short, and what information is still missing. Read more here
https://loom.ly/bo5MGUs

09/30/2026

HAC welcomes new pilot program to preserve affordable rural rental housing. A new pilot program will help the Rural Housing Service (RHS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue providing decent, affordable rental homes for rural Americans with limited incomes.

https://loom.ly/qSvKcI8

Sept. 28, 2026 – A new pilot program will help the Rural Housing Service (RHS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue providing decent, affordable rental homes for rural Americans with limited incomes. The effort drew praise today from the Housing Assistance Council (HAC), a nati...

09/29/2026

Good news! The Stand-Alone Rental Assistance program is offering an opportunity for Section 515 direct loan borrowers to continue receiving long-term rental assistance in exchange for operating their property as affordable rural housing. Learn more about the eligibility requirements, application process, and how this program can preserve multifamily housing. Register now!

https://loom.ly/VA_cBGU

The Housing Assistance Council (HAC) is excited to announce a new webinar series focused on some of the most pressing issues affecting the USDA rural rental housing portfolio. These sessions […]

09/28/2026

-USDA opens new rental preservation pilot
-After appeals court ruling, HUD reopens Continuum of Care funding notice
-Judge puts brief hold on USDA staff relocations
-Senate committee holds hearing on Native American housing
-IRS proposes to limit non-citizens’ eligibility for refundable tax credits
..and more in this issue of
https://loom.ly/VynluOk

Information on rural housing and rural America. Stay updated on the latest rural issues by subscribing to the HAC News Newsletter.

09/25/2026

Last week HAC was honored to join board member Scott McReynolds, Executive Director of Housing Development Alliance, and his dedicated team onsite in eastern Kentucky.

We learned about HDA's lasting disaster recovery impact from a wide group of stakeholders, including homeowners, residents, builders, partners, local government, staff, and clients. Our tour started with a trip to River Caney holler, where HDA staff chronicled housing recovery efforts after the 2022 flood that devastated the community. Local church members graciously hosted a traditional Appalachian lunch for us, underscoring the deep-rooted community value of neighborliness needed to revitalize the community after disaster. After exploring the Black Gold Festival that celebrates Kentucky's coal heritage, board members also had the opportunity to chat with HDA's partners at the local arts center in downtown Hazard. Rounding out the day, Mayor of Hazard, Donald "Happy" Mobelini, and Perry County Judge, Scott Alexander, joined us at Skyview Estates, a new mountaintop development designed to house displaced residents above the flood plain. A huge thanks to HDA for organizing this informative and immersive tour of their cherished community! Learn more about HDA and their work to strengthen Eastern Kentucky.


https://loom.ly/AgaTeMY

09/23/2026

Interested in preserving affordable rural housing? USDA's Section 515 Rural Rental Housing program provides subsidized loans to developers to build or preserve rental housing in rural areas. As the Section 515 portfolio continues to age and face new challenges, preserving these critical housing resources has never been more important. In the first of this new webinar series, learn about the loan transfer process and how you can access opportunities for financing. Register now!

https://loom.ly/qFE1E0o

Explore the current state of the Section 515 portfolio and learn about the transfer process, key requirements, and preservation opportunities.

09/15/2026

HAC is excited to collaborate with the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond on the upcoming Investing in Rural America Conference: The Strength of Rural Places, taking place September 30 – October 2, 2026, at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. This flagship event, including the post-conference session including the post-conference session, Advancing Practical Rural Housing Solutions with the Housing Assistance Council, brings together rural practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and funders to explore cutting-edge strategies in workforce pathways, economic development, small business support, community investing, and financial inclusion.

Join us for dynamic sessions, national speakers, and opportunities to connect with leaders committed to rural prosperity. Learn more and register:

This two-day conference connects rural stakeholders to learn, collaborate, share ideas and network to support small towns and rural communities.