Legislative Updates

AHMA-PSW’s Affordable Housing News 07/25/19

July 25, 2019

HUD has released a memorandum “Treatment of Solar Virtual Net Energy Metering Credits on Tenant Utility Bills.” The purpose of this memorandum is to provide guidance to HUD MF Housing field staff and owners and management agents on the treatment of on-bill virtual net energy metering (VNEM) credits that may be received by tenants in HUD multifamily housing as a result of an owner’s participation in California’s Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) program. This notice clarifies that VNEM credits on Resident paid utility bills is exempt from income, and does not effect the utility allowance (which seems to be in conflict with previous guidance). Please click here to view he full notice.
HUD announces targeted release of the CNA e-Tool version 3.0. A primary goal of CNA e-Tool 3.0 is to eliminate the Excel Assessment Tool by moving all data entry to the web. We are pleased to share that HUD expects to deploy a replatformed CNA e-Tool in Spring 2020. The improved system will provide user customization and dashboards, expanded narrative features, easy revise and resubmit ability, robust data transfer tools, and transparency for all users. This Bulletin provides instruction for users on how to prepare for release 3.0. As announced in this memo, owners of insured multifamily properties and their servicing lenders, who are required to submit a Capital Needs Assessment (CNA) for the insured property at intervals not greater than 10 years, may submit a hard copy to their local field office in lieu of a CNA prepared in the CNA e-Tool. This only applies until CNA e-Tool 3.0 is complete in the Spring of 2020.
The Arizona Department of Housing is in the process of completing the 5-year HUD Consolidated Plan for the period from July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2024. The Consolidated Plan describes community development priorities and goals for the State CDBG, HOME, ESG, HOPWA, and HTF programs. As part of the process, they are conducting a brief (5-minute) survey to help identify community priorities. Please download the Information Bulletin for additional information.