Posts by A. J. Johnson

A. J. Johnson

943 posts

Multifamily Housing Projects Subject to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

April 28, 2025

Introduction Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a foundational federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance (FFA). In the context of multifamily housing, Section 504…

Understanding Tariffs and Their Impact on Construction Costs

April 17, 2025

A. J. Johnson

What Are Tariffs? A tariff is simply a tax imposed on imported goods. When products like building materials enter U.S. ports, paying the applicable tariff is a standard part of the customs process. Historical Context Tariffs have deep…

A. J. Johnson Partners with Mid-Atlantic AHMA for Training on Affordable Housing – May 2025

April 15, 2025

A. J. Johnson

In May 2025, A. J. Johnson will partner with the MidAtlantic Affordable Housing Management Association for four live webinar training sessions for real estate professionals, particularly those in the affordable multifamily housing field. The following sessions will be presented: …

Crime-Free Ordinances: When Local Laws Conflict with Federal Fair Housing Protections

April 13, 2025

A. J. Johnson

In August 2024, the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice issued a critical warning: municipal “crime-free” rental housing and “nuisance” property ordinances may violate federal fair housing laws. These ordinances—effective in nearly 2,000 cities across 48 states until…

HUD Publishes 2025 Income Limits

April 1, 2025

A. J. Johnson

On April 1, 2025, HUD published the 2025 income limits for HUD programs and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and Tax-Exempt Bond programs. The limits are effective on April 1, 2025. The limits for the LIHTC and Bond projects are…

Effects of Potential Staffing Cuts on HUD Programs

March 14, 2025

A. J. Johnson

As the Trump administration moves forward with plans to reduce the federal workforce dramatically, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), according to recent reporting by the Associated Press, could face potential cuts that could eliminate half of its…

A. J. Johnson Partners with Mid-Atlantic AHMA for December Training on Affordable Housing—April 2025

March 10, 2025

A. J. Johnson

In April 2025, A. J. Johnson will partner with the MidAtlantic Affordable Housing Management Association for four live webinar training sessions for real estate professionals, particularly those in the affordable multifamily housing field. The following sessions will be presented: April…

Impact of Trump Administration’s Regulatory Restructuring on HUD and IRS

March 8, 2025

A. J. Johnson

The Trump administration’s recent executive order on federal regulations, “Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Deregulatory Initiative,” signals significant changes for federal agencies. The order has particularly notable implications for the Department of Housing and…

Understanding the HOTMA Educational Assistance Rules

March 8, 2025

A. J. Johnson

Under the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA), specific rules govern how educational assistance is treated as income for Section 8 residents. HOTMA Educational Assistance Rule Overview HOTMA clarified and simplified the treatment of educational assistance in determining a household’s…

Executive Order Establishes English as Official U.S. Language: Impact on HUD Programs

March 3, 2025

A. J. Johnson

President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order on March 1, 2025, establishing English as the official language of the United States. This move has significant implications for federal agencies and their communication policies, especially for the Department of Housing and…

HUD Extends NSPIRE Affirmative Standards Compliance Deadline to October 2025

February 22, 2025

A. J. Johnson

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) has announced an extension of the compliance deadline for the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) affirmative requirements. Initially planned for earlier…

HUD Delays Implementation of Final Rule Updating HOME Investment Partnerships Program

February 20, 2025

A. J. Johnson

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced a significant update to the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program regulations. This final rule, which was originally set to take effect on February 5, 2025, has now been delayed…

Understanding Medicare Advantage Flex Card Benefits in HUD Housing Income Determinations

February 16, 2025

A. J. Johnson

In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) clarified how Medicare Advantage (MA) supplemental benefits, particularly those administered through Flex Cards, should be treated when calculating income for HUD-assisted housing residents. This guidance helps housing providers…

A. J. Johnson Partners with Mid-Atlantic AHMA for December Training on Affordable Housing – March 2025

February 10, 2025

A. J. Johnson

In March 2025, A. J. Johnson will partner with the MidAtlantic Affordable Housing Management Association for three live webinar training sessions for real estate professionals, particularly those in the affordable multifamily housing field. The following sessions will be presented: March…

Dealing with Federal Immigration Agents at Apartment Communities

February 2, 2025

A. J. Johnson

Not surprisingly, we are starting to receive inquiries from property managers about how they should respond if federal immigration officials enter a property searching for individuals without legal immigration documents. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids at apartment communities are…

Rent Rules Under Final HOME Rule

January 28, 2025

A. J. Johnson

The final HOME rule changes the HOME Program rent determination rules. One change permits the use of a PHA utility allowance for HOME units. The second and more significant change allows owners to collect more than the HOME rent for…

Understanding Security Deposits and Fees in HOME Rental Projects

January 24, 2025

A. J. Johnson

The Final Rule for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), effective February 5, 2025, establishes specific rules regarding security deposits and fees that property owners and managers must follow. These regulations are designed to protect tenants while maintaining fair housing…

Understanding Income Determination Methods in the HOME Program Final Regulation

January 16, 2025

A. J. Johnson

Understanding Income Determination Methods in the HOME Program The new final HOME regulation maintains specific income targeting requirements that necessitate accurate income determination for participating families. This article outlines the various methods and requirements for determining annual income under the…

Navigating the HOME Final Rule- Key Updates on Property Standards and Inspections

January 12, 2025

A. J. Johnson

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently updated the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) Final Rule, emphasizing enhanced property standards and inspection requirements for participating jurisdictions (PJs). These updates aim to improve safety, accessibility, energy efficiency, and…

A. J. Johnson Partners with Mid-Atlantic AHMA for December Training on Affordable Housing – February 2025

January 9, 2025

A. J. Johnson

In February 2025, A. J. Johnson will partner with the MidAtlantic Affordable Housing Management Association for four live webinar training sessions for real estate professionals, particularly those in the affordable multifamily housing field. The following sessions will be presented: February…

HUD Strengthens Tenant Protections in New HOME Rule

January 8, 2025

A. J. Johnson

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has published the Final Rule for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, which will take effect on February 5, 2025. The new rule significantly enhances tenant protections and lease requirements, establishing a…

HUD Publishes Final Rule Updating HOME Regulations

January 5, 2025

A. J. Johnson

HUD’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program (also known as the HOME program or HOME) provides formula grants to states and local government units to support various activities to produce and maintain affordable rental and homeownership housing. The program also offers tenant-based…

USDA Updates Audit Requirements for Rural Housing and Community Facilities Programs

January 4, 2025

A. J. Johnson

On December 6, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing Service (RHS) issued a final rule updating audit and financial statement requirements for its Multi-Family Housing and Community Facilities programs. These changes align the agency’s regulations with recent revisions…

HUD Issues Final Rule Updating HOME Investment Partnerships Program

January 3, 2025

A. J. Johnson

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced a significant update to the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program regulations. This final rule, which will be published in the Federal Register on January 6, 2025, aims to modernize…

HUD Extends HOTMA Compliance Deadline for Community Planning and Development Programs to 2026

December 30, 2024

A. J. Johnson

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced an extension of the compliance deadline for implementing specific provisions of the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) final rule for Community Planning and Development (CPD) programs. This extension…

Rural Development Updates Form 3560-8, Tenant Income Certification

December 21, 2024

A. J. Johnson

On December 10, 2024, the Rural Housing Service (RHS) Office of Multifamily Housing (MFH) announced an updated Form RD 3560-8 Tenant Certification for the July 1, 2025, implementation of the changes to income and asset calculations due to the Housing Opportunity…

Trump Nominates Scott Turner as HUD Secretary

December 21, 2024

A. J. Johnson

In a significant move relating to affordable housing, former President Donald Trump has nominated Scott Turner as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Known for his leadership and commitment to community development, Turner brings a…

Treasury Posts Support of HFA Disincentives for Qualified Contracts

December 19, 2024

A. J. Johnson

In a December 12, 2024 post, the U.S. Department of Treasury expressed strong support for Housing Finance Agency (HFA) attempts to prevent or limit qualified contract requests for LIHTC projects. According to recent Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies data,…

HOTMA Implementation Guide- Key Updates for Multifamily Housing Owners

December 8, 2024

A. J. Johnson

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has released updated guidance on implementing the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA). This comprehensive overview highlights essential deadlines and requirements for Multifamily Housing (MFH) owners, as outlined in…

Federal Housing Policy Response to America’s Housing Crisis- Key Takeaways from the National Housing Task Force Report

November 24, 2024

A. J. Johnson

The National Housing Crisis Task Force, a bipartisan coalition of practitioners and policymakers, has released a comprehensive federal policy agenda to address America’s deepening housing crisis. The report, released in November 2024, and titled “From Crisis to Transformation: A Federal…

Posts by A. J. Johnson

Multifamily Housing Projects Subject to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Understanding Tariffs and Their Impact on Construction Costs

A. J. Johnson Partners with Mid-Atlantic AHMA for Training on Affordable Housing – May 2025

Crime-Free Ordinances: When Local Laws Conflict with Federal Fair Housing Protections

HUD Publishes 2025 Income Limits

Effects of Potential Staffing Cuts on HUD Programs

A. J. Johnson Partners with Mid-Atlantic AHMA for December Training on Affordable Housing—April 2025

Impact of Trump Administration’s Regulatory Restructuring on HUD and IRS

Understanding the HOTMA Educational Assistance Rules

Executive Order Establishes English as Official U.S. Language: Impact on HUD Programs

HUD Extends NSPIRE Affirmative Standards Compliance Deadline to October 2025

HUD Delays Implementation of Final Rule Updating HOME Investment Partnerships Program

Understanding Medicare Advantage Flex Card Benefits in HUD Housing Income Determinations

A. J. Johnson Partners with Mid-Atlantic AHMA for December Training on Affordable Housing – March 2025

Dealing with Federal Immigration Agents at Apartment Communities

Rent Rules Under Final HOME Rule

Understanding Security Deposits and Fees in HOME Rental Projects

Understanding Income Determination Methods in the HOME Program Final Regulation

Navigating the HOME Final Rule- Key Updates on Property Standards and Inspections

A. J. Johnson Partners with Mid-Atlantic AHMA for December Training on Affordable Housing – February 2025

HUD Strengthens Tenant Protections in New HOME Rule

HUD Publishes Final Rule Updating HOME Regulations

USDA Updates Audit Requirements for Rural Housing and Community Facilities Programs

HUD Issues Final Rule Updating HOME Investment Partnerships Program

HUD Extends HOTMA Compliance Deadline for Community Planning and Development Programs to 2026

Rural Development Updates Form 3560-8, Tenant Income Certification

Trump Nominates Scott Turner as HUD Secretary

Treasury Posts Support of HFA Disincentives for Qualified Contracts

HOTMA Implementation Guide- Key Updates for Multifamily Housing Owners

Federal Housing Policy Response to America’s Housing Crisis- Key Takeaways from the National Housing Task Force Report

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