Florida CARH News
HUD: New HUD Guidance: Preservation Rent Increase for RAD for PRAC Conversions
On Friday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published Housing Notice 2025-04, introducing important updates to the Preservation Rent Increase for eligible Section 202 Project Rental Assistance Contract (PRAC) properties pursuing a Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) conversion.
Comment deadline extended for USDA reorganization
Comments on USDA’s reorganization plan, which was announced in late July, will now be accepted through September 30.
RD Management Fees Announced for FY 2026
Rural Development (RD) sent out an Announcement entitled, “2026 Proposed Budget Requirements,” that included management fees for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. It is expected that an official Procedural Notice will soon be published and will also provide the same information listed below on the FY 2026 management fees.
White House Weighs National Housing Emergency as Affordability Crisis Deepens
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent predicts a “big economic pickup in 2026” while warning that housing affordability remains a national crisis. A housing emergency declaration may be on the horizon, with potential measures to lower costs and boost supply.
August Regulatory Alert
August 2025 Regulatory Alert from CARH
FHFA Expands America’s Affordable Housing Supply in Rural and Underserved Communities; 2) Senate Passes FY 2026 Agriculture Appropriations Bill
On August 5, FHFA issued a Press Release entitled, Consistent with the One Big Beautiful Bill, U.S. Federal Housing Expands America’s Affordable Housing Supply in Rural and Underserved Communities.
Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee Unanimously Passes “ROAD to Housing Act” Bill – Rural Housing Provisions Included
On July 29, 2025, the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, by a unanimous vote of 24-0, passed legislation titled the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing Act (hereafter referred to as its short title, the “ROAD to Housing Act”).
USDA Announces Reorganization
USDA issued a Press Release on July 24 entitled “Secretary Rollins Announces USDA Reorganization, Restoring the Department’s Core Mission of Supporting American Agriculture”. Included in the press release, is a Secretary Memorandum on this subject.
USDA will Begin Accepting Applications for the Rural Energy for America Program on October 1, 2025
The grant application window for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) will open on October 1, 2025.
USDA Seeks Applications for Funding to Help Rural Towns Strengthen Housing and Economic Development
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development invites applications for grants to provide strong rural communities the leadership and technical know-how to keep growing.
Congress Passes Sweeping Reform Bill with Key Housing Provisions
The newly signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes a permanent 12% increase to the 9% Housing Credit, reduced bond financing requirements, and new rural incentives through Opportunity Zones. Learn how these changes impact affordable housing in rural communities and what’s next for FY 2026 appropriations.
George Kelly Named Administrator for USDA’s Rural Housing Service; Joe Gilson New RD Chief of Staff
George Kelly named administrator for USDA’s Rural Housing Service and Joe Gilson new RD chief of staff.
June 2025 Rural Development Housing News
HUD, budget, USDA updates and more featured in the June 2025 Rural Development Housing News blog.
Save the Date: Florida CARH 2025 Annual Conference — Registration Now Open!
Mark your calendars! Florida CARH’s highly anticipated 2025 Annual Conference will take place October 27–30 at Sheraton Sand Key Resort in Clearwater. This premier event brings together professionals, owners, managers, and stakeholders dedicated to advancing affordable rural housing in Florida.
CARH to Testify at House Committee Hearing on Rural Housing on June 12, 2025
The House Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing on June 12 entitled, “Housing in the Heartland: Addressing Our Rural Housing Needs.” CARH will be there to testify.
HUD Proposes Rescission of Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Regulations
On June 3, 2025, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to rescind its Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing regulations, codified at 24 CFR parts 108 and 200, subpart M.
House Narrowly Passes Budget Bill
The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed budget reconciliation tax legislation last week by a 215-214 vote. The bill includes key measures to expand affordable housing, extend the Opportunity Zones (OZ) incentive, and scale back certain clean energy tax credits. It now heads to the Senate.
HUD: Utilize Existing Mailboxes for Workload Requests
HUD reminded owners, agents and partners that it is critical that all asset management workload requests for HUD be submitted to the existing incoming mailboxes previously established for our Multifamily regional and satellite offices.
Senators Tina Smith, Mike Rounds Reintroduce Bipartisan Rural Housing Legislation
On April 3, 2025, Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) issued a press release announcing that they reintroduced The Rural Housing Service Reform Act which would “improve federal rural housing programs, cut red tape, and strengthen the supply of affordable housing in small towns and rural communities.”
