HUD Proposes New Initiatives to Reduce Barriers

U.S. HUD recently published notices in the Federal Register seeking comments on two HUD initiatives to reduce federal, state, and local regulatory barriers to the production or rehabilitation of affordable housing.

In the first proposal, HUD announces its intention to make removing regulations to affordable housing a policy priority in its SuperNOFA funding process. HUD plans to give additional points to governmental and nongovernmental applicants that are able to demonstrate successful efforts in removing these regulatory barriers to affordable housing.

Comments on this initiative must be submitted by January 12, 2004 [NOTE: This date represents an extention of the original deadline of December 29, 2003.] Those wishing to respond should send comments to the Regulations Division, Office of General Counsel, Room 10276, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410–0500. Comments should refer to the docket number and title of the notice.

The Federal Register notice on incentive criteria for barrier removal strategies can be found at: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/pdf/03-29324.pdf

In the second initiative, the Department is seeking comments from current and former program participants on HUD regulations that might have a negative impact on the creation of affordable housing. HUD would like those submitting comments to identify the regulation (s) and also to suggest how the regulations might be simplified or streamlined.

Comments, suggestions, and recommendations concerning this initiative are due by January 26, 2004. Those wishing to respond should send comments to the Regulations Division, Office of General Counsel, Room 10276, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20410–0500. Comments should refer to the docket number and title of the notice.

The Federal Register notice concerning comments on HUD's rules and regulations can be found at:
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/pdf/03-29325.pdf