NAHMA HUD Update: Proposed Rule Issued on Religious Liberty Protections; Lead-based Paint and Hazards NOFO Announced

January 17, 2023

Dear NAHMA Members,

HUD, along with a group of federal agencies, recently released a joint notice of proposed rulemaking (also attached) intended to restore religious liberty protections for beneficiaries of federally funded social services, such as housing services. The agencies propose to amend their regulations to clarify protections for beneficiaries and potential beneficiaries receiving federally funded social services and the rights and obligations of organizations providing such services.

If you would like NAHMA to submit your comments, please send them to NAHMA staff by Tuesday, February 21, 2023.  Members may also submit their comments individually through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov by Monday, March 14, 2023.

Additionally, HUD published two Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) to address lead-based paint and additional housing-related hazards:

• The Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program NOFO (also attached) provides over $403 million in grants to state and local governments for improving health and safety in privately-owned older (pre-1978) homes of low-income families.
• The second funding notice (also attached) provides $165 million in grants to PHAs for programs improving health and safety in public housing through the Housing-related Hazards Capital Fund and the Lead-Based Paint Capital Fund (HRHLBP).

Please note that state and local governments have until March 14, 2023, to apply for the $403 million Lead Hazard Reduction NOFO; PHAs have until April 13, 2023, to apply for the $165 million HRHLBP NOFO, both, through www.grants.gov. HUD encourages eligible applicants to apply and has made this funding available earlier in the fiscal year with more time for applicants to apply in order to facilitate a diverse set of applications.

To view the HUD press release, click here.