The National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) has released its 2010 Factbook, a comprehensive survey of Housing Finance Agency (HFA) program activity. This survey enables NCSHA to accurately represent and respond to its member needs, as well as supports the organization’s advocacy within Congress, the Administration, and the numerous federal agencies concerned with housing.
One key trend of note in this year’s survey results is a 41 percent increase in the number of single-family homes financed by HFAs in 2010 as compared to 2009. Despite continuing national economic and housing market challenges, HFAs financed 59,127 affordable homes in 2010, up from 41,857 in 2009.
“We are very proud of this annual undertaking that provides hard evidence of HFA program results and successes,” said Barbara J. Thompson, executive director of NCSHA. “The combination of the trends that we are seeing in the 2010 Factbook, along with what we are hearing from the HFA community, is a positive indication that the housing market recovery efforts are moving in the right direction.”
At the center of HFA activity within the states and NCSHA’s work in Washington are three federally authorized programs: Tax-exempt Housing Bonds, the Housing Credit, and the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program. Using Housing Bonds, the Housing Credit, and HOME, HFAs have designed hundreds of housing programs, including homeownership, rental, and all types of special needs housing. Many NCSHA member agencies also administer other federal housing programs—including Section 8 and homeless assistance—and state housing resources.
NCSHA publishes the Factbook annually to assist HFAs when comparing their programs and operations to those of other HFAs. Many housing industry professionals also utilize the Factbook as they work with and provide services to HFAs and the people they serve. The 2010 Factbook is divided into the following sections:
►Administration and Budget Characteristics,
►Private Activity Bond Volume Cap Usage,
►Mortgage Revenue Bonds,
►The Low Income Housing Tax Credit,
►Multifamily Bonds, and
►HOME Investment Partnerships.
