Rural Housing

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Understanding Military Income and Allowances

I get many questions from managers regarding how to deal with and verify income for members of the military. Understanding the military pay system is confusing even for those in the military; it can be impossible for persons not familiar…

2015 Income Limits

On March 6, 2015, HUD published the 2014 income limits for HUD programs as well as for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and Tax-Exempt Bond programs. The limits for the LIHTC and Bond projects are published separately from the limits…

Social Security COLA Announced

The federal government announced on October 22, 2014 that the Social Security Cost of Live Adjustment (COLA) for 2015 will be 1.7%. This will increase the monthly pension for the average retired worker by $22 per month. This is up from…

Changes in Administration of State Supplementary Payments (SSP)

Almost all states have a Supplementary Payments (SSP) Program, which supplements the Federal Supplemental Security benefit (SSI), which is administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). In the past, many states had their program administered by the SSA, making it…

Farm Bill Protects Rural Area Designation

After a three-year struggle, the Farm Bill (H.R. 2642) was finally passed by Congress on February 4, 2014, and will now go to the President, who has indicated that he will sign the bill into law. The 357 page bill…

Rural Area Definition – Legislative Update (June 28, 2013)

Approximately 900 communities across the United States that are currently considered “rural” for purposes of United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs are in danger of losing their rural designation. The communities will no longer be considered rural based on…

A Primer on Pre-Paid Debit Cards

Federal and State governments are rapidly moving away from cash and paper checks and going to the use of pre-paid cards. Such cards enable consumers without bank accounts to benefit from the shift to electronic transactions from cash and to…

Handling Income from Investment Accounts

As most operators of housing under HUD, Rural Development, and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Programs know, there is a considerable difference of opinion in our industry regarding the handling of investment accounts from which regular distributions are taken. This…

No More Paper Checks for Federal Retirement Benefits

In an effort to save money, Federal officials began retiring paper checks in favor of direct deposits and prepaid ‘Direct Express’ debit cards in May, 2011. Since then, the Treasury Department has required all new recipients of payments from federal benefits…

Social Security Benefits Verification Now Available Online

Social Security recipients can now get their benefits verification letter and conduct other business online, as part of enhanced Web services introduced on January 7, 2013 by the federal government. The letters, which state the amount of the recipient’s monthly…

Ten States Increase Minimum Wage

Ten States Increase Minimum Wage Happy New Year! For workers in ten states, the new year will bring an increase in minimum wages. Nine of the ten states already had minimum wage levels higher than the federal minimum of $7.25…

Rural Designation at Risk for Some Areas

Some Areas May Lose Rural Designation   Approximately 55 areas around the country with MTSP income limits lower than the National Non-Metropolitan Income (NNMI) limits are in danger of losing their status as rural areas. These areas are found in…

Setting Up a Home Visit Program

One of the best practices to assist a management company in determining whether an applicant will be a good resident is a home visit program. Before considering the establishment of such a program, management should be aware of the difficulties…

Generally Allowable Medical Expenses

Generally Allowable Medical Expenses   The rent calculation for many affordable housing programs, including HUD Section 8 and Rural Development Section 515, is based on the “adjusted” income of households. Adjusted income is the “gross” income of a household, minus…

GAO Report on RHS Subsidy Errors

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) completed a study in 2012 that examined improper RA payments by the Rural Housing Service (RHS). The study found that between 2007 and 2010, RHS made from $15 million to $35 million in errors…

Section 538 Web Conferences

In August and November 2012, the United Stated States Department of Agriculture will hold a series of teleconference calls and/or web conferences regarding the Section 538 Guaranteed Loan Program. These discussions are open to the public and will cover a…

House 2012 Funding Bill Cuts RD Across the Board

The House passed the 2012 agriculture appropriations bill (H.R. 2112) on June 16 in which virtually all discretionary spending was cut. The effect of the amendment will result in a reduction in funding for the Section 515 Program of $457,080,…
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