Legislative Update and In-District Advocacy Webinar July 28, 2016 at 2:30 P.M. Panelists: Bob Rapoza, Rapoza Associates Audrey Johnston, Rapoza Associates

Legislative Review: Fiscal Year 2017 Budget RHS/RUS Programs FY 16 Final FY 17 Budget FY 17 House FY 17 Senate 502 Single Family Direct 900 1,000 502 Single Family Guaranteed 24,000 504 Loans 26.28 26.277 26.278 504 Grants 28.7 514 Farm Labor Housing Loans 23.855 23.857 23.9 515 Rural Rental Housing 28.4 33.074 35 40 516 Farm Labor Housing Grants 8.4 8.3 8.336 521 Rural Rental Assistance 1389 1405 1,405.03 523 Self-Help TA 27.5 18.493 30 533 Housing Preservation Grants 3.5 538 Rental Housing Guaranteed 150 230 200 Multi-Family  Restructuring* (BA) 37 37.362 Housing Preservation  Demonstration Voucher Demonstration (15) (18)

Legislative Review: Fiscal Year 2017 Budget RHS/RUS Programs FY 16 Final FY 17 Budget FY 17 House FY 17 Senate Supervisory TA Grants Community Facility Loans 2200 2,200 Community Facility Grants 25 37 43.778 42.278 Community Facility Guarantee 148 148.305 156.25 Water-Wastewater Loans 1200 803 1,250 Water-Wastewater Grants 364 350 533 364.38 Water-Wastewater Guarantee 50 Solid Waste Grants 4 1 Small Systems Revolver Rural Business Enterprise Grants 24 33 43 Intermediary Re-lending 18.9 18.889 RCDI 4* B&I 919 892 919.765 Rural Microenterprise Investment BA/Program Authority 4/32 0/0 Rural Microenterprise Investment Grants

Key Differences: Homeownership Programs The House Agriculture Appropriations Bill favored homeownership programs more than the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2017. Section 502 Direct Loans: The House Bill included $1 billion for 502 direct – an increase of $100 million over FY 2016, the Administration’s request and the Senate Bill. Section 523 : The House Bill included $30 million for Mutual and Self-Help Housing Technical Assistance Grants - $11.5 million more than the Administration and $2.5 million more than the Senate.

Key Differences: Rental Housing Programs The Senate Agriculture Appropriations Bill, in turn, favored multifamily housing programs compared to the House Agriculture Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2017. Section 521 Rental Assistance: The Senate and House bills, and the Administration’s budget request, recommended funding Section 521 Rental Assistance at $1,405 billion Section 515: The Senate bill recommended $40 million for Section 515, Senate also recommended changes to the law, including: Incentivize transfers of USDA multifamily properties to nonprofit organizations and PHAs, and Establishes a $1 million pilot program for Technical Assistance Grants to facilitate acquisition of USDA multifamily housing properties.

Talking Points New funding is needed for rural housing. The recent increase in funding for Section 521 Rental Assistance is directed towards maintaining existing contracts not expanding coverage. The Section 502 Guarantee Program does not address the needs of very-low income families. The average income of a Guarantee borrower is nearly double that of the average Section 502 Direct borrower - $54,255 compared to $28,275. Section 515 mortgages are maturing and many 515 properties are old in need of extensive repairs. As section 515 mortgages mature, the tenants living in those properties are no longer eligible for rental assistance. More and more section 515 mortgages are maturing each year, with 253 expected to mature between now and 2019 alone.

Making the Most of In-District Advocacy Congress is on recess from now until after Labor Day, and so Members will be spending more time in their districts presenting unique opportunities.

Why Does In-District Advocacy Matter?

Establishing Objectives Educate lawmakers and staff about the importance of rural housing Cultivate better relationships with lawmakers Increase support for a specific program or programs Build awareness of your organization and your successes in your community

Learn About Your Senators and Representatives If you do not already have a relationship with your Senator or Representative, take time to do some preliminary research before reaching out. Is he or she on a Congressional Committee involved with rural housing programs? Does a particular issue, such as economic growth or education, seem to resonate with him or her?

What Event is Best for YOU? Choose an advocacy strategy that will allow you to highlight your organization’s achievements. Invite your Senator or Representative to a Site Visit Meet one-on-one with your Representative or Senator Work with the local media

Site Visits Ground breakings, ribbon cutting ceremonies and anniversary celebrations are great opportunities to reach out and invite your Representatives and Senators to attend. Rep. Hal Rogers (KY), Lt. Gov. Luallen, USDA Under Secretary Menash at Fahe and Kentucky Highlands event

One-on-One Meetings Many of you visit with your Representatives and Senators when you are in Washington D.C., planning a meeting with them at home is a great chance to build on your relationship. Before the meeting… Do your research! During the meeting… Ask for what you want! After the meeting… Follow up!

Short on time? Local media Reach out to local reporters Set up a meeting with the Editorial Board Social media Facebook Twitter Instagram Do you have a blog post, op-ed or video to share? Let us help!

Questions? Contact Audrey at audrey@Rapoza.org Visit our website at http://ruralhousingcoalition.org for more information!