Author: Katie Roberts

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House Passes the Final FY 2026 Appropriations Bill

This past Friday, the House passed the final FY 2026 appropriations bills after several delays, approving Defense, Transportation-HUD, and Labor-HHS by a wide margin, while Homeland Security passed narrowly amid Democratic opposition over immigration enforcement funding. Overall, Congress rejected the Trump administration’s proposed deep spending cuts, particularly for HUD. Instead of the $43.5 billion requested, lawmakers appropriated $84.2 billion for HUD which is nearly double.

– Housing Choice Vouchers and Project-Based Rental Assistance saw significant increases.
– Homeless assistance funding rose.
– HOME and CDBG programs were preserved at current levels.
– Public housing operating funds were cut, while capital funding remained flat.

The executive order on housing omitted several anticipated proposals, including assumable and portable mortgages, and President Trump also distanced himself from a key administration idea allowing 401(k) withdrawals for home downpayments, citing concern about protecting retirement savings. Overall, after months of discussion on housing affordability, the administration’s actions have been limited to mortgage bond purchases by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and policies affecting the single-family rental market.

Separately, HUD Secretary Scott Turner testified before the House Financial Services Committee, with Democrats pressing issues such as fair housing, immigration, and staffing. Read Secretary Turner’s testimony here: HHRG-119-BA00-Wstate-TurnerS-20260121.pdf

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HUD publishes letter on Screening Criminal Responsibilities

From the Office of Multifamily Housing Programs (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development): Secretary Publishes Letter on Screening Criminal Responsibilities

Today, the Office of Multifamily Housing Programs is announcing that the Secretary has published a letter on screening criminal responsibilities.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has rescinded:

1. Notice 2015-19, “Guidance for Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and Owners of Federally-Assisted Housing on Excluding the Use of Arrest Records in Housing Decisions”;

2. 2016 memo from HUD’s Office of General Counsel on “Guidance on Application of Fair Housing Act Standards to the Use of Criminal Records by Providers of Housing and Real Estate-Related Transactions”; and

3. 2022 memo from HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity on “Implementation of the Office of General Counsel’s Guidance on Application of Fair Housing Act Standards to the Use of Criminal Records by Providers of Housing and Real Estate-Related Transactions” on background screening.

Please review the letter for additional information: https://lnkd.in/eWR6499R

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Apply now for NLHA’s Resident Scholarship Program.


Education can help open doors – and leave them open – providing you with flexibility and control, now and into the future. Scholarships can make the cost of your education more manageable. The National Leased Housing Association Education Fund is seeking applications for its resident scholarship program. Community members like you are eligible to apply for the following awards, ranging from $1000-$4,000. Apply now through March 13, 2026: Education Fund – NLHA – National Leased Housing Association

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HUD: Relief for RAD Projects Facing Extraordinary Costs

Hot off the presses from HUD: Relief for RAD Projects Facing Extraordinary Costs. Public housing properties converted under RAD receive annual rent increases based on HUD’s Operating Cost Adjustment Factor (OCAF). However, in recent years, rising operating costs have outpaced the standard OCAF, leaving some RAD projects under financial strain. To address this, HUD now allows owners to request a one-time good-cause exception to the standard OCAF if they can demonstrate that uncontrollable cost increases are creating severe financial hardship.

To learn more regarding the owner submission and review process for an exception to use an alternative operating cost factor, read the following: Question Details

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HUD Extends NSPIRE-V Mandatory Compliance Date to October 1, 2027

HUD extends the NSPIRE-V Mandatory Compliance Date from the original extension date of October 1, 2025, to February 1, 2027. National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) wrote a great article explaining the new deadline that was given to PHAs.

Read more about the extended deadline: HUD Extends NSPIRE-V Mandatory Compliance Date to Feb. 1, 2027 – The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)

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Please note that the deadline to submit any comments regarding Tenant Eligibility and Rent Procedures to HUD is October 17, 2025

On September 15, HUD wrote an article in the Federal Register titled, “30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Owner’s Certification With HUD Tenant Eligibility and Rent Procedures.” The mentioned forms are now posted to HUDs HOTMA-related Forms Drafting Table at HOTMA Related Forms Drafting Table | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)