2025 Caucus Meetings
- Tuesday, February 18
- Friday, June 6
- Friday, November 7
From your Fahe Advocacy Team
The election is over and the landscape for the next administration is slowly coming into focus. As of the 14th, the AP called that Republicans have retained their narrow majority in the House of Representatives, resulting in a unified government. This means new faces in both elected and appointed positions and new policy and funding priorities.
Over the next 3 months as appointments are made, legislation is introduced, and the budget process begins, we’ll be reaching out to help you navigate these shifts. You can expect:
- Support in crafting messaging that speaks to these new audiences.
- Information on which programs may be poised for cuts or increases – and how you can influence these decisions.
- Opportunities to meet with the new staff in the Administration and Congress.
To be well-positioned to have these important conversations at the Federal, State and Local levels, it’s important to have good relationships with these folks. Remember one of Advocacy’s golden rules: Don’t let your first contact with an elected office be when you’re facing a problem or asking for something.
To help streamline this effort, each Caucus has sent letters of congratulations on your behalf to all of the Federal and State election winners in our footprint. In addition, Jim has sent letters of congratulations from the entire network to all the Federal representatives in our footprint. We are on track to send WELL over 100 letters! Which is fantastic!
But, we know that local decisions are where the rubber meets the road. So we have a small request: To help ensure we engage at the local level too (where your relationships are VITAL) we’ve drafted a basic letter of congratulations that you can modify for local leaders (new or returning!).
You can use the template as formatted, make modifications (remove logos etc.), or copy and paste to your own letterhead. What matters is that you take a few minutes to personalize and send a note (email or snail mail!) to your local leaders. And, if possible, please tell your Fahe Advocacy Staff Member who you’ve reached out to! You can just shoot us a list, or cc us on emails. Whatever is easiest. If you’re not sure where to find good addresses (email or snail) for local winners, please let us know.
And, if you’re feeling ambitious and you’d like to send something to your State and Federal Representatives, we can provide you with that template as well as the best addresses for those candidates/incumbents. Just reach out to your state point of contact, or Kylie Milliken (kmilliken@fahe.org).
As always, we’re here to talk if you have questions or concerns. Otherwise, we look forward to hearing hearing who you’re connecting with and supporting you in this transition over the months to come.
PROGRAMS
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program
Round 2 EECBG Energy-Efficient Retrofits Application – deadline: 11:59 p.m. CST on January 10, 2025
Round 2 EECBG Energy-Efficient Retrofits Rating Criteria
Round 2 EECBG Energy-Efficient Retrofits – Frequently Asked Questions
Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC)
FY2025 ARC Second Round of Funding – deadline: 12:00 PM on January 31, 2025
As a result of the availability of additional funding for the ARC Program, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), Federal Initiatives and Recreation (FIR) Division, will be opening a second cycle for project applications. All application documents along with a video of the FY 2025 ARC Application Workshop can be accessed here.
ARC READY G2G
READY Grants to Grow Initiative (READY G2G) – LOI deadline: Nov. 1, 2024; Application deadline: Feb. 14, 2025.
READY G2G Slide Deck | Webinar (YouTube)
If your organization was impacted by Hurricane Helene and you are unable to submit a letter of intent to apply by Friday, November 1, 2024, please do the following:
If your LOI deadline is extended, the complete application will still be due on Friday, February 14, 2025.
Delta Regional Authority (DRA)
Delta Workforce Grant Program – Deadline: December 20, 2024 at 11:59 p.m
Alabama Housing Finance Authority (AHFA)
First Step program provides below-market interest rates and up to $10K toward down payment for Alabama homebuyers
AHFA will be hosting free training events via Zoom and in-person across Alabama to help Realtors, homebuilders, loan officers, underwriters, processors, and management staff prepare. Register here for one of the sessions to learn more about adding this program to your homeownership toolbox.
Watch this space and our social media for all the previews and details on this coming attraction.
Beginning April 15, homebuyers who earn less than the median income for their area can apply for two special 30-year fixed mortgage interest rates: either 5.5% on FHA, VA, or USDA loans, or 6% on Freddie Mac HFA Advantage conventional loans. Available to Alabama homebuyers only through AHFA, applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis by a statewide network of participating lenders. Both rates include up to $10,000 in down payment assistance.
Financed by the sale of tax-exempt Mortgage Revenue Bonds, the First Step program was hugely popular several years ago. Market conditions are again right for reopening the program, said AHFA Executive Director Robert Strickland.
“The 50,000 Alabama homebuyers who took advantage of this program from 1980 to 2010 know what a difference it makes,” said Strickland. “These lower-than-market interest rates result in real savings over the life of a loan. Combined with AHFA’s down payment assistance, we can stretch borrowers’ savings and reach the next generation of potential homebuyers.” Income and sales price limits for participation are set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and based on each area’s median income. Limits vary based on family size and the home’s location. In some areas of the state, qualifying households can earn up to $119,400 annually and purchase homes with a sales price up to $588,104 in “target” areas and $481,176 in “non-target” areas. These areas are also set by the federal government to encourage economic development. Program details are available at ahfa.com/homebuyers/programs-available/first-step-mortgage-revenue-bonds.
| Interest Rates AS OF 11/18/2024: |
|---|
| Below are the current Step Up interest rates: FHA / VA/ USDA: 6.500% CONVENTIONAL: 6.750% First Step: VHA/VA/USDA: 5.500% CONVENTIONAL: 6.000% |
We are pleased to announce the release of our FY23 Annual Report and financial statements. Every season brings change and challenge. Like other industries, the affordable housing market experiences its own cycles of pruning and growth. In any economic weather, the Alabama Housing Finance Authority and its associates share a commitment to seeing communities thrive in every one of our state’s 67 counties. Our 2023 Annual Report reveals the creative solutions and layered assistance that result from hard work and the careful use of resources. We remain dedicated to helping Alabama’s homeowners and household renters flourish in the coming year.
Collaborative Solutions Updates:
Housing Trust Fund Report – 2023
PREVIOUS CAUCUS MEETING INFO:
- Fri. Nov. 1, 2024 – Caucus Packet
- Tues., July 9, 2024 – in person, Caucus Packet Here
- Fri. Feb. 9, 2024 – Caucus Packet – ~ Mapping Slides
- November 9, 2023 – Caucus Packet
- June 30, 2023 – Virtual – Caucus Packet
- April 12, 2023 – Caucus Packet
