Housing Assistance Council

Taking Stock: Your Community is a powerful resource to help rural leaders and advocates better understand their local housing conditions. From analyzing demographic data to identifying critical housing needs, this publication offers actionable insights to create stronger, more resilient communities. Take the first step in understanding and improving your community’s housing landscape. ?? ?? Read Taking Stock now: https://loom.ly/DM5jv-w #RuralHome

Hurricane Helene, known for its massive strength and potential to impact rural communities, serves as a reminder that natural disasters can strike without warning. HAC's Hurricane Helene Disaster Recovery Guide provides essential resources to help rural families and communities recover. This comprehensive guide includes: ? Immediate safety and evacuation protocols ? Steps to access disaster recovery assistance ? Tips for rebuilding homes and infrastructure ? Contact information for federal and state recovery programs Rural communities are often the hardest hit, but with the right tools, recovery is possible. Stay informed, stay prepared, and be ready for whatever comes your way. ?? Download the guide and share it with your community! https://loom.ly/NmnhT5I

?? Great News! ?? We're thrilled to announce that HAC has been recognized by the Department of Treasury's CDFI Fund with one of this year’s largest Financial Assistance grant awards! ?? HAC will be receiving $1.285 million to further support our lending and services, helping us continue our mission of empowering rural communities across the nation. ???? Thank you to our partners and supporters who make this work possible. Together, we are building stronger, more resilient communities. ?? Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to make an impact! Visit our website and discover the resources we offer to strengthen rural housing. ?? ruralhome.org #RuralHome

?? Happy 100th Birthday, President Carter! Today, we celebrate not only your remarkable leadership but also your enduring commitment to housing advocacy. Your dedication to building a better world through affordable housing has transformed countless lives and communities. ?? From all of us at HAC, thank you for your vision, service, and unwavering support of housing for all. Wishing you a wonderful birthday filled with joy! ?? #HappyBirthdayPresidentCarter Photo Credit: The White House

Shoutout to our CEO, David Lipsetz, for attending and speaking at the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable panel today! ?? It was an inspiring discussion on how outdoor spaces strengthen rural communities. Special thanks to Dr. Basil Gooden, Under Secretary for Rural Development, and Baratunde Thurston for the powerful conversations and collaboration! ???? And David even snagged a great photo with them! ?? Together, we’re championing rural communities and creating lasting change. ??? #OutdoorRecreation #RuralHome

With HAC’s technical assistance, Habitat for Humanity of Caroline County turned the dream of their first self-help home subdivision into reality ?? Discover how HAC is empowering communities through capacity building: https://loom.ly/b7YCWm4

Homelessness often looks different in rural communities. With limited access to supportive services, many people experiencing homelessness are hidden—living in vehicles, overcrowded homes, or couch surfing. The 2022 federal point-in-time count revealed that rural areas saw a 10% increase in homelessness, with over 43% of the unhoused being unsheltered. ?? At HAC, we advocate for: ??Stronger protections for manufactured housing residents facing predatory practices. ??Increased funding for USDA’s Section 502 loans, which help rural families achieve affordable homeownership. ??Modernized HUD programs that are better tailored to rural needs, ensuring access to housing assistance. Homelessness is not just about housing—it’s often linked to challenges like mental health, substance use disorders, and chronic health conditions. We need customized rural funding for essential support services to address these barriers. ?? Learn more about our efforts and read our full policy priorities here: https://loom.ly/83foQgo #RuralHomelessness #RuralHome

#LoanFundFriday 64% of renters in #rural Navasota, TX, are rent burdened! In November, we closed a $1.5 million loan to help Dance With Todd, Inc. buy 8 new homes in Navasota. These homes will be rented to low- & extremely low-income families at #affordable rates.

And more in this week's HAC News: Government funding extended, shutdown avoided Agencies affirm commitment to Violence Against Women Act’s housing provisions USDA offers funding for rental housing preservation Revisions suggested for Section 502 guaranteed mortgage program USDA publishes guide to tenant recertifications It's not clear whether federal land can help relieve affordable housing shortages Read more: https://loom.ly/54F6L6o

Native communities face many of the same challenges characteristic of other persistently poor rural areas, with the addition of some unique barriers around land status and access to financial services. Often, traditional lenders will not lend in Indian Country because of the Tribal trust land status and a lack of lender recourse options in many Tribal legal systems. HAC supports reauthorization of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA), addressing non-traditional titles, and increased funding for tribal housing programs. https://loom.ly/D7v6mxM