The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced two actions last week intended to expand the reach of federal housing voucher programs.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that it will increase the definition of fair market rents by 12 percent, to increase the amount of rent that qualifies for the Housing Choice Voucher Program, according to a August 31 press release.
“These updated Fair Market Rents and our funding will ensure households can utilize vouchers in a competitive rental market,” said HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge in a statement included in the press release. The rising definition of fair market rate reflects the rising cost of rental housing around the United States, as well as the inflation that has defined the economy for over a year.
In addition to the change to fair market housing, the Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) also announced an additional $113 million in Housing Choice Voucher funding awards for 118 high-performing public housing agencies in 36 states, according to the press release.
FULL STORY: HUD Updates Fair Market Rents; Makes $113 Million Available in Affordable Housing Vouchers

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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