The City of Alexandria is accepting  public comments regarding a program amendment to the City’s FY 2013 Action Plan for Housing and Community Development to create a new program: Rebuilding Together Alexandria Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The draft program amendment (Attachment I) reflects the proposed reallocation of $1,000,000 in CDBG and HOME Funds. The CDBG funds would be a reallocation of funds from the Home Rehabilitation Loan Program and the HOME Funds would a reallocated from the Housing Opportunities Fund. Based on the projected loan amounts and the carryover amount from FY 2012 needed to support FY 2013 loan activity, staff has determined that $500,000 in CDBG funds may be transferred from the Home Rehabilitation Loan Program without impacting service level. The program amendment has a 30-day comment period and will be docketed for Public Hearing and City Council consideration at the Council meeting to be held Saturday, February 23, 2013.

The Capital Area Foreclosure Network announces the availability of funds through its Capital Area Foreclosure Prevention Fund to support organizations providing housing counseling, outreach and other support services in an effort to eliminate the region’s foreclosures. While CAFN serves as a clearinghouse for foreclosure-related information, education and outreach, there is no substitute for the help provided by housing counselors and other stakeholders who can reach homeowners directly who are delinquent on their mortgages and at risk for foreclosure.   Organizations serving homeowners in the Washington Metropolitan area are encouraged to apply. Click HERE to access the full Request for Proposals. Interested organizations should read the full RFP and follow the detailed instructions for preparing and submitting a proposal. The submission deadline is Friday, January 25, 2013 at 11:59 PM EST.     

HAND’s Housing Achievement awards recognize the most outstanding and innovative housing developments, programs and solutions across the metropolitan region. HAND Members, enter your best work for your chance to elevate your organization, stand out among your peers and share with our partners how you are contributing to building vibrant and sustainable communities throughout the metropolitan region. Download the 2013 HAND Housing Achievement Awards guidelines and application here. All entries must be received by mail on Friday, March 15, 2013, 5 PM to Heather Raspberry, Executive Director, HAND, PO Box 48386, Washington, D.C. 20002. Please provide one (1) original and three (3) copies. Late entries will not be accepted.

The City of Falls Church has released its draft affordable housing policy for public comment. The Affordable Housing Policy outlines the City’s strategy to address the diverse housing needs of its current and future populations by encouraging and actively supporting a mix of housing types and price levels. Two community forums are planned to solicit public comment. They will be held on the following January 9 at George Mason High School (TCL Room); and January 17 at Winter Hill Senior Center (Club Room). Both meetings will be held from 7 to 9 PM.  Comments can also be submitted via email to dlewis@fallschurchva.gov, or in writing to: City of Falls Church, Housing and Human Services, 300 Park Avenue, G04, Falls Church, VA 22046. The comment period closes January 26.

Owners of affordable housing projects developed with Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and HOME Investment funds in the District of Columbia are hereby notified to file the 2012 Annual Owner’s Certifications of Compliance and 2013 Monitoring Compliance Fees (fees are only for Tax Credit funded properties), as required by federal regulations by February 15, 2013. The documents required for the annual owner’s compliance monitoring responsibilities with the District of Columbia, Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), are available here. The LIHTC or HOME Owner’s Certificate of Continuing Program must be submitted and signed by an authorized member of the ownership entity. All other forms and documents must be returned electronically to AOC@dc.gov.