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CARIBBEAN BULLETIN
2023 MID-YEAR HIGHLIGHTS
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 Meet the San Juan Office Field Policy and Management (FPM) team. Left to Right: Adriana Grau Margarida, Program Analyst; Charlene Rodriguez Gomez, Program Analyst; Efrain Maldonado, Field Office Director; Sasha M. Davila, Program Analyst.
The San Juan Field Office has begun transitioning to a new information dissemination system, GovDelivery. We will continue to highlight the accomplishments of our community and government partners, and provide readers with a centralized repository of the latest and most relevant resources using the newly implemented platform. Your HUD team in San Juan has been busy providing technical assistance, educating on the Secretary's new policies and initiatives, and delivering tools to our grantees at all levels and program areas in order to advance projects that benefit the most underserved.
HUD's Hurricane Fiona relief and recovery programs activated a package of twenty-nine regulatory and administrative waivers representing one of the largest collections of regulatory and administrative waivers ever issued by the Department at one time. It was one of the tools provided to our jurisdiction to continue to move work forward despite the devastation caused by Hurricane Fiona.
In this issue, I want to highlight Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW), celebrated every year in the first week of May since 1985. It is a time to recognize and honor the men and women who serve our nation as federal, state, county, and local government employees. I also want to thank the entire HUD family for their daily hard work for the people we serve, their commitment to our grantees, partners, and stakeholders, and for always striving and going the extra mile. To learn more about Public Service Recognition Week, click here.
We hope you enjoy this highlight review, and we look forward to continuing working with our partners and stakeholders.
FEATURED STORY
HUD Southeast Regional Administrator Jose Alvarez Cultivating Homeownership Wealth at the 68th Puerto Rico Association of Realtors Convention
Photo Description:San Juan, PR Field Office Director, Efrain Maldonado, Esq; María Coca Quiroga, former president of the Puerto Rico Association of Realtors and Region IV Regional Administrator, Jose Alvarez receiving a certificate of recognition for providing Housing opportunities in Puerto Rico
The 68th Puerto Rico Association of Realtors (PRAR) Annual Convention was held on October 21-22, 2022. The HUD Region IV Regional Administrator, Jose Alvarez, served as a speaker at the convention where he addressed an audience of primarily the private sector, realtors, government entities, and other housing industry professionals, as well as the public. His speech included HUD's new initiatives, policies, and programs to advance homeownership in Puerto Rico and nationwide, and how HUD's changes and new approaches under HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge are increasing homeownership and building wealth for minorities and low- and middle-income families, such as the Interagency Task Force on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE) Action Plan and updates to its student loan monthly payment calculations.
Mr. Alvarez shared that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) also increased to 30 days the listing period when homeowners, HUD-approved nonprofit organizations, and governmental entities have an exclusive opportunity to bid on most listings of single-family homes on HUD's real estate-owned sale site. The previous exclusive period for these potential bidders was 15 days.
Mr. Alvarez shared that he felt among family, as he was a licensed real estate broker for over 23 years, and had the privilege of serving communities by taking part in numerous homeownership and business growth initiatives. He commended the industry for staying informed and educating buyers of the options they have through the FHA to achieve their dream of becoming homeowners.
He also provided information about HUD's disaster relief and recovery programs after Hurricane Fiona, such as the new package of twenty-nine regulatory and administrative waivers that represent one of the largest collections of regulatory and administrative waivers ever issued by the Department at one time, FHA's 203h program for disaster victims, and FHA's loss mitigation options. The RA was accompanied by Efrain Maldonado, HUD San Juan Field Office Director, who provided local data from the Office of Single Family and the office's commitment with Puerto Rico’s recovery and growth. Staff from the office of Single Family Housing and Field Policy and Management managed a booth where HUD assisted 70+ real estate agents by distributing materials and answering questions about FHA programs. Information disseminated included: single-family disaster relief and recovery options, new policies, loss mitigation options, housing counseling agencies, REO inventory, NAID application troubleshooting and registration, fair housing, and more.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
FHA’s Single-Family Nonprofit Program Presented to the U.S. Virgin Islands Government Entities and Nonprofit Sector
CDBG-DR Helps Fund Green Energy for Resilience in Affordable Housing and Medical Facilities
NSPIRE goes to Puerto Rico
HUD Staff Address Housing Opportunities with the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals
HUD Puerto Rico holds "Understanding Lead" Series with Help from the EPA
Section 3- Opportunity Portal
HUD Upcoming Opportunities
HUD Announcements
Upcoming Events
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FHA’s Single-Family Nonprofit Program Presented to the U.S. Virgin Islands Government Entities and Nonprofit Sector
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On October 26, 2022, staff from the HUD San Juan Field hosted a virtual seminar for the U.S. Virgin Islands nonprofit and government entities. The Offices of Field Policy & Management and Single Family collaborated on this successful event which garnered participation from 20+ attendees, including staff from the Virgin Islands Housing Authority and the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority.
Rachel Lavelanet, Program Support Division Director for the Office of Single Family - Atlanta Homeownership Center, provided an overview of the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) Single-Family Nonprofit Program. She explained how nonprofits, by obtaining FHA approval, could purchase HUD Homes at a discount, provide Secondary Financing, and/or act as an FHA Mortgagor. She also described program requirements, approval criteria, the application process, and benefits that assist low-income individuals and families. This program can also be used for disaster recovery and community revitalization efforts. There are currently no FHA-Approved Nonprofits in the USVI, and we hope this training encourages applications.
Nonprofits and Government Entities in the Atlanta Homeownership Center’s jurisdiction have provided more than $201.6 million in Secondary Financing assistance in Fiscal Year 2022.
Single-Family Program Support Division and the San Juan Field Office encourage USVI nonprofits to apply for the FHA Single-Family Nonprofit Program as a way to support unserved communities and increase affordable housing opportunities, creating a path to homeownership in today’s challenging market.
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CDBG-DR Helps Fund Green Energy for Resilience in Affordable Housing and Medical Facilities
Puerto Rico is no stranger to hurricanes and natural disasters, with individuals preparing on a yearly basis to weather these storms with non-perishable food, reinforced homes and structures, and family safety plans. This resiliency is built into the DNA of the Caribbean and into two disaster recovery projects—Sabana Village Apartments and the Puerto Rico Medical Center Micro-Grid.
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NSPIRE Goes to Puerto Rico
HUD’s Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) provided the “Get Ready NSPIRE Series” in Spanish for the first time in San Juan, Puerto Rico. HUD’s Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) assists in improving housing quality by performing accurate, credible, and reliable assessments of HUD’s real estate portfolio. The new NSPIRE model prioritizes health, safety, and functional defects over appearance.
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 Photo Description:Victor Dominguez, NAHREP member of the board of directors and event moderator; Efrain Maldonado San Juan Field Office director: Blanca Fernandez, Puerto Rico Housing Finance Authority Executive director and the Honorable Juan Zaragoza Chairman of the Committee on Treasury, Federal Affairs and Fiscal Control Board of the Senate of Puerto Rico ( from left to right) shared a segment about affordable housing on the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals- Puerto Rico Chapter
On October 27, 2023, the San Juan Field Office Director, Efrain Maldonado, served as a panelist on the affordable housing forum at the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) Puerto Rico Chapter. Mr. Maldonado shared the panel with the Puerto Rico Housing Finance Authority Executive Director, Blanca Fernandez, and the Chairman of the Committee on Treasury, Federal Affairs, and Fiscal Control Board of the Senate of Puerto Rico, Honorable Juan Zaragoza, as they discussed the current market challenges, real estate, and mortgage industry opportunities.
Director Maldonado emphasized how HUD actively makes homeownership a reality for families across America and Latinos in Puerto Rico through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insurance programs. NAHREP's mission is to advance and increase sustainable homeownership by educating and empowering the real estate professionals who serve Hispanic homebuyers and sellers.
The conversation started by Mr. Maldonado defining what affordable housing is and its importance to the department. He educated the audience on how HUD's new policy initiatives advance homeownership in minority communities such as the Latino force. Information about HUD's disaster relief and recovery programs after Hurricane Fiona, FHA's 203h program for disaster victims, and FHA's loss mitigation options were shared with the audience. 100+ Real Estate Professionals from all mortgage industry sectors benefitted from this information.
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 Photo Description: LEFT TO RIGHT -Shayna Sellars, Lead Awareness/Tribal Lead Curriculum Coordinator, USEPA-HQ, Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics -Theresa Bourbon, OCSPP Sub lead Coordinator, USEPA Region 2, Land Chemicals and Redevelopment Division -Tracy Truesdale, Regional Lead Coordinator, USEPA Region 2, Land Chemicals and Redevelopment Division -Magaly Méndez, J.D., Management Analyst, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development -Martha Rivera, Caribbean Lead Coordinator, USEPA Region 2, Caribbean Environmental Protection Division -Wilmarie Muñiz-Forestier, Ph.D., Director and Principal Investigator, Puerto Rico Department of Health -Nicole Pérez-Rodríguez, Ph.D., Epidemiologist, Puerto Rico Department of Health -Yvette López-Vázquez, MPH, Program Manager, Puerto Rico Department of Health -Megan Workman-Rivera, Administrative Assistant, Puerto Rico Department of Health
Addressing climate and environmental justice is at the core of HUD’s mission to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities. Environmental justice means ensuring equal protection from environmental and health hazards and providing equal and meaningful opportunity to participate in the decision-making process to achieve a healthy environment.
To help empower communities in Puerto Rico to eliminate health risks caused by environmental injustices, the HUD Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes (OLHCHH) partnered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 2 in November 2022 to raise awareness in Puerto Rico about childhood lead exposure, its potential impacts on children’s health, and to encourage actions that can be taken to reduce and to prevent childhood lead exposure.
Community outreach events were held in Arecibo and Loíza in December 2022 where staff from OLHCHH, EPA, and the Puerto Rico Department of Health delivered presentations on the subject. In addition, Train-the-Trainer sessions were provided to community leaders. The sessions identified key information to empower individuals to act within their own homes to protect their children and communities. Several preventive actions such as effective cleaning techniques, proper handwashing and good nutrition can be taken by parents, grandparents, childcare providers, and others to reduce children’s potential exposure to lead.
Lead is a naturally occurring element found in small amounts in the earth’s crust. While it has some beneficial uses, it can be toxic to humans and animals, causing health effects such as, but not limited to, behavior and learning problems, lower IQ, hyperactivity, slowed growth, hearing problems, and anemia.
To learn more, visit https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/healthy_homes
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Did you know? HUD’s Section 3 Opportunity Portal can connect businesses to contracting opportunities.
The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Section 3 program requires that recipients of certain HUD financial assistance, to the greatest extent possible, provide training, employment, contracting and other economic opportunities to low- and very low-income persons, especially recipients of government assistance for housing, and to businesses that provide economic opportunities to low- and very low-income persons. To learn more about section 3, click the button below.
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HUD UPCOMING FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
HUD awards discretionary funding through over 20 Grant programs that support HUD initiatives, including Affordable Housing Development and Preservation, Community and Economic Development, Environment and Energy, Fair Housing, Homelessness, Homeownership, Rental Assistance, and Supportive Housing and Services.
Search for HUD grants on Grants.gov – Here you may search for discretionary HUD Grants, eligibility, and category. You will also find a Forecast for upcoming HUD grants.
HUD ANNOUNCEMENTS
HUD Announces $5 Million Available to Help End Youth, Family Homelessness (April 25, 2023) HUD announced that it will make available $5 million for new Family Unification Program (FUP) voucher assistance for youth and families who lack safe and adequate housing. This funding opportunity will help strengthen coordination among public housing authorities (PHAs), public child welfare agencies (PCWAs), and Continuums of Care (CoCs) and increase access to supportive services for those who need them.
HUD Outlines its Action Plan to Remove Unnecessary Barriers to Housing for People with Criminal Records (April 24, 2023) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge announced further steps HUD will take to ensure that qualified people are not denied the opportunity to access housing solely due to a criminal history record. In the weeks ahead, HUD will issue a Notice of Proposed Rule Making in which it proposes to change its regulations governing public housing agencies and HUD-subsidized housing providers to prevent unnecessary denials of housing assistance to people with criminal history records.
HUD Awards $170 Million in Rental Assistance to Puerto Rico Municipalities and Public Housing Agency (April 13, 2023) HUD announced the availability of $30.3 billion for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program for 2023. This historic $2.9 billion (10.5 percent) increase over the prior year will help Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) address recent inflation in rents and enable more low-income families to use housing vouchers to afford a safe, decent place to call home.
HUD Awards $98 Million in Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grants and Opens New $10 Million Funding Opportunity for Local Planning Efforts (April 11, 2023) HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge today announced “Supplemental Grant” awards for Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grantees totaling more than $98 million. In addition, HUD is opening a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for $10 million to support local planning efforts.
HUD Announces $24.2 Million in Annual Funding to Help People Experiencing Homelessness in Puerto Rico (March 28, 2023) To help individuals and families experiencing homelessness move into permanent housing, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced $2.8 billion in Continuum of Care (CoC) Competition Awards for thousands of local homeless service and housing programs across the United States.
UPCOMING EVENTS
2023 Innovative Housing Showcase on Affordable Housing Solutions Hosted by Secretary Marcia L. Fudge
From June 9 to 11, 2023, HUD will host the 2023 Innovative Housing Showcase on the National Mall. The Showcase is a public event to raise awareness of innovative and affordable housing designs and technologies that have the potential to increase housing supply, lower the cost of construction, increase energy efficiency and resilience, and reduce housing expenses for owners and renters. For more information visit the website at: Innovative Housing Showcase | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
In-Person: FHA Condominium Approval and Processing Training – San Juan, PR May 16, 2023 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM (Atlantic)
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This free on-site training will provide information on FHA policies for approving condominium project submissions and Single Unit Approval (SUA) guidance.
Who Should Attend: Lenders, underwriters, loan officers, HOA Presidents, attorneys, appraisers, 203(k) consultants, home inspectors, lenders, direct endorsement underwriters, loan processors, real estate agents/brokers, and mortgage brokers.
Jurisdictional Host: Atlanta Homeownership Center
Event Location: San Juan HUD Office - Parque Las Americas (3rd floor), 235 Federico Costa Street, Ste 200, Puerto Rico 00918
Instructions: Advance registration is required no later than May 10, 2023. Seats are limited, and you must be registered to participate. Training will be held in a government building which will require a photo ID. Allow extra time to go through a security screening upon arrival at the event. Register for this event
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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes; utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination and transform the way HUD does business.
Find your local HUD office
For suggestions or collaborations, please contact program analyst for the Office of Field Policy and Management, Charlene Rodriguez, at charlene.rodriguez@hud.gov
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