A. J. Johnson Consulting Services, Inc.

Posts by A. J. Johnson

A. J. Johnson

959 posts

USDA Issues 2026 Budget Requirements for Section 515 Multifamily Housing Projects

September 14, 2025

The USDA Rural Housing Service has issued updated guidance for multifamily housing owners and property managers preparing their 2026 operating budgets. This detailed guidance emphasizes the importance of cost-effectiveness and responsible management of taxpayer funds, while ensuring that rural residents…

Courts Provide Conflicting VAWA Decisions

September 13, 2025

VAWA Notices in Eviction Cases: Conflicting Court Interpretations and Best Practices for Owners & Managers Recent court decisions reveal conflicting interpretations of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) related to eviction and termination notices. Although the statute itself is clear,…

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

September 7, 2025

In October 2025, A. J. Johnson will partner with the Mid-Atlantic Affordable Housing Management Association for a live webinar designed for real estate professionals, particularly those in the affordable multifamily housing sector. The following session will be presented: October…

Federal Court Orders HUD to Release Withheld Fair Housing Funds

September 6, 2025

In June 2025, two national fair housing organizations—the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) and the Tennessee Fair Housing Council (TFHC)—filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban…

HUD Abandons Fair Housing Enforcement

August 31, 2025

HUD Retreats from Fair Housing Enforcement: Why Compliance Still Matters The federal Fair Housing Act requires the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to enforce laws prohibiting discrimination in housing. However, by late 2025, it has become increasingly…

HUD Releases 2026 Inflationary Adjustments

August 16, 2025

HUD’s 2026 Housing Program Adjustments: Partial Release Status HUD has not yet released the major 2026 program adjustments that housing providers typically need for annual planning, including Fair Market Rents (FMRs), income limits, and payment standards. However, the department…

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

August 12, 2025

In September 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: September…

Historic Housing Expansion in Reconciliation Act

July 14, 2025

Since being signed into law on July 4, I have read the “One Big Beautiful Bill” twice, in an effort to determine its impact on housing – especially affordable housing. What follows is my take on the impact of the…

USDA Proposes Mandatory Market Studies for Section 538 Projects

July 5, 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing Service (RHS) is tightening requirements for project feasibility under its Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program (GRRHP). In a newly proposed rule, RHS will require all applicants seeking loan guarantees for new…

RD to Implement HOTMA Income and Certification Rules on July 1, 2025

June 28, 2025

Although HUD has postponed implementation of HOTMA for its Multifamily Housing Programs until January 1, 2026, the USDA Rural Housing Service (RHS) Office of Multifamily Housing has announced that the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) will take effect on…

HUD’s Proposed Rule to Eliminate Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plans: A Critical Analysis

June 7, 2025

Introduction The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has proposed eliminating the requirement for Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plans (AFHMPs), a cornerstone of fair housing enforcement for decades. This proposed rule, published on June 3, 2025, represents a significant…

HUD Inspector General Reports Major Financial Recoveries and Oversight Improvements

June 5, 2025

Federal watchdog agency identifies nearly $500 million in recoveries while addressing critical housing challenges across America. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General (HUD OIG) has published its semiannual report to Congress, highlighting significant financial…

HOTMA Compliance Deadline Extended to January 1, 2026 for HUD Multifamily Housing Programs

May 30, 2025

On May 30, 2025, the Office of Multifamily Housing Programs issued a new Housing Notice extending the mandatory compliance date for the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA). The previous deadline of July 1, 2025, has now been…

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

May 12, 2025

In June 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. Following the LIHTC webinars, AJ will review…

Navigating Solicitation Bans in Apartment Communities: Religious and Political Canvassing Rights

May 7, 2025

Understanding the Legal Landscape Property managers and apartment community owners often implement solicitation bans to protect residents from unwanted disturbances. However, these policies can create complex legal scenarios when religious groups and political campaigns seek to canvas on the property.…

Federal Budget Cuts Threaten Core Affordable Housing Programs Nationwide

May 7, 2025

In its latest proposal, the White House has outlined $163 billion in reductions to nondefense discretionary spending, with housing and community development programs bearing a significant portion of the cuts. The proposed budget includes sweeping eliminations and consolidations across HUD…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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…

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