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The Biden-Harris Administration released its Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights Today, the Biden-Harris Administration released its Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights, a timely and much-needed recognition that tenant protections are important for a well-functioning housing market. The showcases commitments by federal agencies to advance tenant rights, and it provides a five-principle framework: (1) access to safe, quality, accessible and affordable housing, (2) clear and fair leases, (3) education, enforcement, and enhancement of renter rights, (4) the right to organize, and (5) eviction prevention, diversion, and relief.   “Rental housing used to be a local industry, but it is increasingly dominated by national and multinational entities,” said NHLP’s Executive Director Shamus Roller. “The... Read More »

A Resource Guide for Housing Advocates needing assistance during natural disasters Hurricanes Fiona and Ian have caused major devastation and there are still two months remaining in the 2022 Atlantic Hurricane season. We would like to share the following resources for advocates who are working to get short-term and long-term housing resources to BIPOC and low-income communities who have been repeatedly underserved and left out of disaster recovery programs. Join NLIHC and their Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition on Tuesday, October 4, at 2 pm for a national webinar. Hear how federal, state, and local governments are responding to housing needs related to Hurricanes Fiona and Ian, learn from leaders in impacted communities about the impact... Read More »

Compliance Although LIHTC properties must commit to at least 30 years of affordability, they are only subject to a 15-year “compliance period.” This is the period of time where the tax credits that have been given to developers can be taken away or “re-captured” if the property fails to comply with LIHTC regulations. A re-capture is only used in extreme cases. During the following 15 years (or more) the property is still required to maintain affordability and comply with LIHTC rules and regulations. However, without the ability to take back the credits, the state allocating agencies do not have much of an enforcement arm in which to ensure compliance. The IRS has not issued guidance regarding this issue. However, state... Read More »

49 civil rights, affordable housing, and tenants’ rights organizations, including 25 national groups, called on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to act immediately to end evictions in HUD housing and to do more to stop the national eviction crisis. Letter to HUD News Release Policy Advocacy and Analysis... Read More »

Advocate Primer on CDC Eviction Halt Order 2.0.  Answers key questions and summarizes most important arguments advocates will need to be prepared to make in representing tenants contesting eviction under the new CDC eviction halt imposed August 3, 2021.  Also contains practice tips and links to resources for advocates in local jurisdictions resistant to honoring CDC order. Read More »

NHLP has prepared a memo detailing the legal implications of the government shutdown. This memo provides an overview of the impact of the shutdown on tenants in the various federally-assisted housing programs, including ways you can talk to clients about their legal rights. View NHLP’s memo here. Read More »

NHLP has updated its litigation webpage. Read More »

Becoming involved in the Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) process is a way to advocate for changes to the LIHTC program in your state. Each state tax credit allocating agency develops a QAP to set priorities and criteria for how it will award tax credits taking into account the affordable housing needs of the state. Every state agency must review their QAP annually. The reviews must be properly noticed and include a public hearing and an opportunity for public comment. A QAP may contain either preferences or set-asides to ensure that its priorities are met. With preferences, a housing finance agency awards extra points when scoring applications to proposals that meet certain desired characteristics, such as longer use restrictions or deeper... Read More »

The 2013 amendments of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) explicitly extended VAWA’s protections to applicants of and tenants in LIHTC properties. However, the IRS has failed to issue any regulations or guidance on VAWA implementation for the LIHTC program. Some state tax credit allocating agencies have taken steps to implement VAWA. This has led to a state-by-state variation in the implementation of VAWA protections in the LIHTC program. This report provides a state-by-state analysis of LIHTC VAWA implementation. For more information on VAWA’s housing protections, see NHLP’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Project. Read More »

Good Cause for Eviction Owners of LIHTC properties must have good cause to evict tenants. The good cause requirement provides an important tool to ensure that low-income tenants can remain in their homes. Some states such as California have implemented the good cause requirement by requiring all LIHTC properties to have a good cause lease rider and providing all tenants with a letter informing them of their rights. Other States, such as Massachusetts and Wisconsin, reference good cause in LIHTC regulatory agreements. However, many state tax credit allocating agencies have entirely failed to implement the good cause requirement. Advocates can and should work with agencies to implement good cause because of the important due process protections it provides to tax... Read More »