Community Opportunity News — November 2024

November 25, 2024

National Voice

Trump Picks Scott Turner for HUD Secretary

President-elect Donald Trump named former White House official Scott Turner to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). During Trump’s first term, Turner served as the executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council. The council coordinated with federal agencies to attract investment to Opportunity Zones, which were created under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to encourage those with capital gains to invest in low-income and under-capitalizalized areas. Read an analysis of Opportunity Zones by the Tax Policy Center of the Urban Institute and Brookings Institution.

Turner currently chairs the Center for Education Opportunity at America First Policy Institute, a think tank closely tied to the Trump administration. He is the founder and chief executive of the Community Engagement & Opportunity Council, which works to revitalize communities through sports, mentorship and economic opportunity. Turner is a former NFL player, Texas State Representative, pastor, and local businessman.

Tax Reform Presents Opportunities for Affordable Housing

The affordable housing crisis got unprecedented recognition in 2024 Presidential and Congressional elections. Increasing the affordable housing supply has gained bipartisan support. As President-elect Trump and Congressional Republicans prioritize passing a tax package in 2025, we plan to advocate for bipartisan housing tax credits along with our national partners. 


“Tax reform presents a significant opportunity to expand the Low Income Housing Tax Credit and pass the Neighborhoods Homes Investment Act,” said Community Opportunity Alliance Executive Director Frank Woodruff. “Get ready to support these tax credits by signing onto letters and telling Members of Congress how they can address the housing needs of your communities. We will alert you to key opportunities to raise your voice.”

The Future of Housing Policy Under a New Administration

Hear how the election’s outcome may affect affordable housing from David Dworkin of the National Housing Conference, Sarah Brundage of the National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders, and Gisele Roget of Overbrook Square Group. Brundage and Roget are veterans of the Biden and Trump administrations. They discussed potential efforts to increase the housing supply through reduced regulation, expanding Low Income Housing Tax Credit program, passing the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act, revamping Opportunity Zones, and de-emphasizing the Housing First model.

Biden Administration Awards Grants for 30,000 Affordable Homes

The Department of the Treasury awarded $246.4 million to 48 organizations for the development of affordable housing and community facilities through the Capital Magnet Fund. The awards will support financing for the preservation, rehabilitation, development, or purchase of affordable housing, as well as related economic development facilities, including day care centers, workforce development centers, and health care clinics. 

Alliance Member Appointed to HUD Advisory Committee

David Young, Director of Capacity Building for Housing Action Illinois, was appointed to HUD’s Housing Counseling Federal Advisory Committee. The committee helps shape the direction of their Housing Counseling Program and provides guidance on how to better serve prospective buyers, homeowners, and renters. Housing Action Illinois is one of seven organizations funded by HUD to provide education to HUD-certified housing counselors across the nation. “I am honored to have this opportunity to work with HUD’s Office of Housing Counseling to advance the industry and help more households realize their housing goals,” said Young.

Capacity

Interested in Hosting a Housing Counseling Corps VISTA?

Housing counseling agencies across the U.S. can host AmeriCorps VISTA members through Housing Action Corps, a program of Housing Action Illinois. Join them for a webinar — How to Host Housing Counseling Corps Members — on December 5 from 1-3 pm (Eastern Time). Get an overview of the AmeriCorps VISTA program and site application process to help you prepare a strong project proposal. You will hear from current site hosts and AmeriCorps members about their experiences with the program. This webinar is hosted in partnership with National Housing Resource Center (NHRC). 

Funding

Apply for HUD Section 4 Capacity Building Grants

Section 4 grants support Community Development Corporations and Community Housing Development Organizations with resources to promote organizational stability and increased capacity to carry out community development and affordable housing programs and business operations.

Watch for our Environmental Justice Special Bulletin.

It's coming to your inbox early next week. Learn about opportunities for funding and partnership.

Job Opportunities


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To post a job opportunity on our website, contact Kadasha Hershey at [email protected].
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