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Self-Help Builder Newsletter June 2013 Volume 6, Issue # 2
Policy update
By Stan Keasling,
RCAC chief executive officer
I am returning from a week in Washington D.C. and I am more
optimistic about the policy and funding outlook today than I have been in
months. It appears that there may be an
agriculture appropriations bill that will pass both houses of Congress. Both
houses are also working on a farm bill, which will come to the House and Senate
for a vote.
Read more>>
Windsor families move into their Self-Help homes
By Jeremy Raff, RCAC multimedia producer
Watch the grand opening here>>
For more about affordable housing challenges in wine country, read the article More
affordable housing would benefit Napa County (California) workers and economy in RCAC's Network News - May 2013.
We hear you!
By Bruce Newman, RCAC
homeownership options manager
Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) has heard
your desire to build green in the Mutual Self-Help Housing Program and your
concerns over potential increased costs. We have heard 502 loan procession
delays are making it difficult to meet grant requirements and your desire to find
efficiencies to shorten build times for new homes and reduce program
administration costs. In response, RCAC recently set goals to focus on these
areas.
Read more>>
Dissecting
energy efficiency as a compensating factor
By Art Seavey, RCAC rural development
specialist-housing
A recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural
Development Administrative Notice (AN) provided guidance on the compensating
factor consideration of new homes constructed under specific energy efficiency
programs. The AN states: “A new home
built to exceed the prevailing International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
results in greater energy efficiency and significantly lowers the homeowner’s
utility costs.” This indicates “that a 502 borrower may be able to make
larger loan payments than the ratio analysis suggestions.”
Read more>>
Dear Sher,
At a recent meeting, I
had an insurance agent tell me we should carry medical expense coverage for the
homeowners/client and carry construction management insurance, does that sound
right and what are these insurance policies?
Sincerely,
Bamboozled by the insurance man
Read more>>
Who’s
Paul Ainger and what is Development Solutions?
By RCAC staff
Paul Ainger
recently joined RCAC to manage Development Solutions, a new initiative that
supports nonprofit organizations and tribes to build and rehabilitate
affordable rental housing across the rural West. Ainger brings more than 30
years of experience as an affordable housing developer and consultant. He has
produced more than 1,800 units of multifamily affordable housing and more than
110 single family homes. This includes a mix of new construction, acquisition,
rehabilitation of substandard units, special needs and family housing.
Read more>>
What’s
in a name: should independent contractors really be employees?
By Mary Fleming, RCAC financial management specialist
In
recent months, I’ve received many questions regarding the use of independent
contractors instead of or in addition to employees. There are some obvious
advantages of independent contractors versus employees.
Read more>>
Self Help Automated Report and
Evaluation System (SHARES) tidbits
By Nancy Jacobson, RCAC rural development specialist - housing
Congratulations
to the USDA Rural Development consultant and task force participants who
contributed their time and efforts to bring us the long-awaited new SHARES
program. Hopefully, you have accessed the new program and find it simpler and
easier to use. The new program requires access to Internet Explorer 8 or
higher, Microsoft Excel (for the Reports) and a level 2 USDA eAuthentication
ID.
Read more>>