Speaker of the House Elected
Last week, Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA) was elected Speaker of the House. Speaker Johnson is a fourth-term Louisianan. He received 220 Republican votes, with a final vote of 220-209. He will face some major policy challenges in the weeks ahead, including a government shutdown deadline (Nov.17th) nearly three weeks away and a host of international conflicts and domestic priorities.
Administration Releases Guide To Create More Affordable Housing by Converting Commercial Properties to Residential Use
Last week, the White House released guidance that aims to help convert commercial properties to residential use to increase the supply of affordable housing. In a Fact Sheet, the Administration announced several new agency actions to support the conversion of commercial buildings to residential use. Specifically, the White House released a guidebook, developed by HUD and five other federal agencies, that ”will help communities and housing providers identify federal resources to finance the conversion of commercial properties to residential uses and mixed-use development.”
In addition to the fact sheet and guidebook, the Council of Economic Advisers published a new blog that shows “office vacancies have reached a 30-year high from coast-to-coast, placing a strain on commercial real estate and local economies. At the same time, the country has struggled for decades with a shortage of affordable housing units, which is driving up rental costs, and communities are seeking new ways to cut emissions, especially from existing buildings and transportation.” HUD also recently released an issue of Evidence Matters focused on office-to-residential conversions, “which provides a research overview of the issues motivating the surge in interest in conversions and highlights local examples of conversion projects.”. Please find the White House Fact Sheet and Guidebook, and HUD press release available.
From the NAHMA Conference, Members can find some session presentations below:
- NAHMA Joint Policy Committee Discussion (Oct. 24, 2023)
- HUD GRRP Presentation NAHMA Session (Oct. 26, 2023)
- NHC Presentation at NAHMA Session (Oct. 25, 2023)
- REAC Presentation at NAHMA Session (Oct. 26, 2023)
- NAHMA Trauma Informed Housing Presentation (Oct. 25, 2023)