Summary: Family Self-Sufficiency Act of 2007 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to revise requirements for the administrative fee payable to public housing agencies (PHAs) to cover the costs of administering family self-sufficiency programs in connection with the housing choice voucher program of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Prescribes: (1) a base fee for a PHA serving 25 or more program participants equal to the costs of employing one full-time family self-sufficiency coordinator (prorated for an agency serving fewer than 25 such participants); and (2) an additional fee for an agency meeting minimum performance standards to cover the costs of employing a second coordinator if the agency has 75 or more participating families, and a third coordinator if it has 125 or more participating families. Requires the Secretary to publish a proposed rule specifying the performance standards applicable to funding such additional fees and agencies that have received HUD funding for more than three such coordinators between FY1998-FY2007. Requires PHAs receiving such funds to collect and report to the Secretary information on the performance of their family self-sufficiency programs. Directs the Secretary to: (1) conduct a formal and scientific evaluation of the effectiveness of well-run family self-sufficiency programs, using random assignment of participants to the extent practicable; and (2) submit interim and final reports to Congress. Authorizes appropriations for the evaluation. Permits the Secretary to reserve up to 10% of the amounts available for administrative fees to provide support to or reward family self-sufficiency programs that are particularly innovative or highly successful in achieving program goals.

family self sufficiency act amends united_states housing act revise requirements administrative fee payable public housing agencies phas cover costs administering family self sufficiency programs connection housing choice voucher program department_of_housing_and_urban_development hud prescribes base fee pha serving program participants equal costs employing time family self sufficiency coordinator prorated agency serving fewer participants additional fee agency meeting minimum performance standards cover costs employing second coordinator agency participating families coordinator participating families requires secretary publish proposed rule specifying performance standards applicable funding additional fees agencies received hud funding coordinators fy2007 requires phas receiving funds collect report secretary information performance family self sufficiency programs directs secretary conduct formal scientific evaluation effectiveness run family self sufficiency programs random assignment participants extent practicable submit interim final reports congress authorizes appropriations evaluation permits secretary reserve amounts available administrative fees provide support reward family self sufficiency programs particularly innovative highly successful achieving program goals


Summary: Small Public Housing Authority Act - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to exempt a small public housing agency from the requirement to prepare an annual public agency plan if the agency: (1) administers not more than a total of 250 dwelling units and section 8 vouchers; and (2) is not a troubled agency. Requires an agency to: (1) continue to make an annual civil rights certification, and establish, and consult with, one or more resident advisory boards; and (2) conduct a public hearing to discuss agency goals and policies, and make the information available to the public at the agency's principal office. Declares that qualified small public housing agencies are not exempt from the requirements for amendments and modifications to five-year public housing agency plans. .

act amends united_states_housing_act exempt small public housing agency requirement prepare annual public agency plan agency administers total dwelling units section vouchers troubled agency requires agency continue annual civil rights certification establish consult resident advisory boards conduct public hearing discuss agency goals policies information available public agency principal office declares qualified small public housing agencies exempt requirements amendments modifications year public housing agency plans


Summary: Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to modify certain Treasury Regulations to provide that none of the following shall be considered a grant made with respect to a building or its operation for purposes of the required reduction of eligible basis by grants received under the low-income housing tax credit: (1) specified rental assistance under the Housing Act of 1949, Housing Act of 1959, and the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act; (2) loan guarantees for multifamily rental housing in rural area under the Housing Act of 1949; (3) periodic interest reduction payments on behalf of owner of rental or cooperative housing project for low-income families under the National Housing Act; (4) modernization, operating, and rental assistance under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996; (5) certain assistance under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act for grantees following a current housing affordability strategy or an approved comprehensive homeless assistance plan; (6) tenant-based rental assistance under the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act; (7) assistance under the AIDS Housing Opportunity Act; (8) per diem payments for furnishing services to homeless veterans; (9) rent supplements under the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965; (10) rural housing voucher program assistance under the Housing Act of 1949; and (11) any other ongoing payment similar to any of these payments and designed to reduce cash flow needs from rent to enable the property to be rented to low-income tenants.

directs secretary treasury modify certain treasury regulations provide following shall considered grant respect building operation purposes required reduction eligible basis grants received low income housing tax credit specified rental assistance housing act housing act cranston gonzalez national affordable housing act loan guarantees multifamily rental housing rural area housing act periodic interest reduction payments behalf owner rental cooperative housing project low income families national housing act modernization operating rental assistance native_american_housing_assistance self determination act certain assistance homeless assistance act grantees following current housing affordability strategy approved comprehensive homeless assistance plan tenant based rental assistance cranston gonzalez national affordable housing act assistance aids housing opportunity act diem payments furnishing services homeless veterans rent supplements housing_and_urban_development_act rural housing voucher program assistance housing act ongoing payment similar payments designed reduce cash flow needs rent enable property rented low income tenants


Summary: Earning and Living Opportunities Act - Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to set forth as a condition of federal housing and community development assistance that: (1) a public or Indian housing agency or contractor shall require that at least 20% of employee hours be performed by low- or very low-income persons; and (2) a recipient of assistance for housing rehabilitation, construction, or other public construction projects and their contractors shall require that at least 20% of new employee hours be performed by low- or very low-income persons. Directs the Secretary to require a public or Indian housing agency and other recipients of federal housing and community development assistance to: (1) establish a section 3 committee of interested parties to oversee all aspects of compliance with section 3 of such Act; (2) advertise training and employment opportunities generated by development assistance; and (3) maintain a registry of eligible low- and very low-income persons who express interest in those opportunities. (Section 3 declares the policy of the Congress to ensure that the employment and other economic opportunities generated by federal financial assistance for housing and community development programs shall, to the greatest extent feasible, be directed toward low- and very low-income persons, particularly those who are recipients of government assistance for housing.) Prescribes requirements for: (1) contractor compliance and job training; and (2) agency recruitment and referral. Establishes fines for noncompliance.

earning living opportunities act amends housing_and_urban_development_act set forth condition federal housing community development assistance public indian housing agency contractor shall require employee hours performed low- low income persons recipient assistance housing rehabilitation construction public construction projects contractors shall require new employee hours performed low- low income persons directs secretary require public indian housing agency recipients federal housing community development assistance establish section committee interested parties oversee aspects compliance section act advertise training employment opportunities generated development assistance maintain registry eligible low- low income persons express interest opportunities section declares policy congress ensure employment economic opportunities generated federal financial assistance housing community development programs shall greatest extent feasible directed low- low income persons particularly recipients government assistance housing prescribes requirements contractor compliance job training agency recruitment referral establishes fines noncompliance


Summary: Homes for Heroes Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to establish in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) a Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs to: (1) ensure veteran access to HUD housing and homeless assistance programs; (2) coordinate all HUD programs and activities relating to veterans; and (3) serve as a HUD liaison with the Department of Veterans Affairs. (Sec. 3) Directs the HUD Secretary to provide assistance in the form of planning grants, capital advances, and project rental assistance to private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives to expand the supply of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families (that is, families with incomes not exceeding 50% of the area median income). Prescribes a formula for such families' rent contribution for a dwelling unit assisted under this Act. Allows the families to occupy such units for at least 15 years. Limits a project rental assistance contract to an initial 60-month term. Authorizes the Secretary, subject only to the availability of amounts provided in appropriations Acts, to renew the contract for 10 consecutive one-year terms, beginning upon the expiration of such 60-month period. Requires the Secretary to establish selection criteria for such assistance, based in part upon: (1) the extent to which the proposed housing design will meet the service-connected disability needs of such families; and (2) a preference in such selection for applications proposing housing to be reserved for occupancy by such families who are homeless. Directs the Secretary, in issuing a capital advance for projects, to delegate review and processing of such projects to a state or local housing agency that: (1) is in geographic proximity to the property; (2) has demonstrated experience in and capacity for underwriting multifamily housing loans that provide housing and supportive services; (3) may or may not be providing low-income housing tax credits in combination with such capital advance; and (4) agrees to issue a firm commitment within 12 months of delegation. Authorizes the Secretary to retain such processing authority if no state or local housing agency has applied to provide it or entered into an agreement with the Secretary to serve as a delegated processing agency. Allows such agencies to: (1) assess a reasonable fee to be included in the capital advance amounts; and (2) recommend project rental assistance amounts in excess of those initially awarded by the Secretary. Declares that the Secretary, under the delegated system, shall retain the authority to approve rents and development costs and to execute a capital advance within 60 days of receipt of the state or local agency's commitment. Requires the Secretary to coordinate with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that any housing assistance provided to veterans or veteran families includes a range of specified services tailored to the occupant's needs. Requires the Secretary to coordinate with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that owners of such assisted housing have the managerial capacity to: (1) assess the service needs of residents; (2) coordinate the provision of supportive services, tailoring them to a resident's individual needs; and (3) seek new sources of assistance to ensure the long-term provision of such services. Requires the Secretary periodically to establish reasonable development cost limitations by market area for various types and sizes of supportive housing for the families by publishing a notice of such limitations in the Federal Register. States that neither this Act nor any other provision of law may be construed as prohibiting or preventing the location and operation, in an assisted project, of commercial facilities for the benefit of project and community residents. Prohibits use of such assistance to subsidize any such commercial facility. Entitles project owners, if their actual development costs are less than the financing amount, to retain 50% of the savings in a special housing account, increased to 75% for owners which add energy efficiency features meeting specified requirements. Requires the Secretary to give owners the flexibility to design housing appropriate to their location and proposed resident population within broadly defined parameters. Permits an owner voluntarily to provide funds from sources other than this Act for amenities and other features of appropriate design and construction suitable for supportive housing if their cost is not: (1) financed with the capital advance; or (2) taken into account in determining the amount of federal assistance or tenant rent contribution. Requires an owner to: (1) adopt written tenant selection procedures that meet specified requirements; and (2) notify in writing any rejected applicant of the grounds for rejection. Requires the Secretary to make available appropriate technical assistance to ensure that prospective applicants are able to participate more fully in the program. Prescribes antidiscrimination, owner deposit, prevailing wage labor, residual receipt, project reserves, and other specified requirements and prohibitions. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008 and following fiscal years. (Sec. 4) Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to extend to all homeless veterans, regardless of medical condition, the program of rental vouchers (at least 20,000 per fiscal year) for Department of Veterans Affairs supported housing, which is currently limited to homeless veterans with chronic mental illnesses or chronic substance use disorders. Declares that if any veteran member of a household for which such rental assistance is being provided, including its sole veteran member, dies, such household may not be considered, due to such death, to lose its status as the household of a homeless veteran for continued: (1) assistance eligibility; or (2) occupancy in the dwelling unit in which such family is residing at the time of such death. Authorizes an annual increase in the budget authority for such rental assistance by sums necessary to provide the 20,000 additional vouchers for each fiscal year. (Sec. 5) Requires annual public housing agency (PHA) plans to include veterans. Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to require a state and local comprehensive housing affordability strategy to include veterans. Requires the Secretary to revise the federal regulations relating to submission of consolidated plans in accordance with the amendments made by this Act to require inclusion of appropriate information relating to veterans and veterans service agencies in all such plans. (Sec. 6) Excludes veterans' benefits from income for purposes of HUD assisted housing rental eligibility determinations. (Sec. 7) Requires the Secretary to make grants to nonprofit entities or organizations for technical assistance in sponsoring HUD housing projects for veterans. Provides funding for such grants for FY2008 and ensuing fiscal years. (Sec. 8) Requires the Secretary to: (1) report annually to specified congressional committees on HUD veteran-related activities; and (2) assess every five years the housing needs of very low-income veteran families. Prescribes funding.

homes heroes act sec amends department_of_housing_and_urban_development_act establish department_of_housing_and_urban_development hud special assistant veterans affairs ensure veteran access hud housing homeless assistance programs coordinate hud programs activities relating veterans serve hud liaison department_of_veterans_affairs sec directs hud secretary provide assistance form planning grants capital advances project rental assistance private nonprofit organizations consumer cooperatives expand supply supportive housing low income veteran families families incomes exceeding area median income prescribes formula families rent contribution dwelling unit assisted act allows families occupy units years limits project rental assistance contract initial month term authorizes secretary subject availability amounts provided appropriations acts renew contract consecutive year terms beginning expiration month period requires secretary establish selection criteria assistance based extent proposed housing design meet service connected disability needs families preference selection applications proposing housing reserved occupancy families homeless directs secretary issuing capital advance projects delegate review processing projects state local housing agency geographic proximity property demonstrated experience capacity underwriting multifamily housing loans provide housing supportive services providing low income housing tax credits combination capital advance agrees issue firm commitment months delegation authorizes secretary retain processing authority state local housing agency applied provide entered agreement secretary serve delegated processing agency allows agencies assess reasonable fee included capital advance amounts recommend project rental assistance amounts excess initially awarded secretary declares secretary delegated system shall retain authority approve rents development costs execute capital advance days receipt state local agency commitment requires secretary coordinate secretary veterans_affairs ensure housing assistance provided veterans veteran families includes range specified services tailored occupant needs requires secretary coordinate secretary veterans_affairs ensure owners assisted housing managerial capacity assess service needs residents coordinate provision supportive services resident individual needs seek new sources assistance ensure long term provision services requires secretary periodically establish reasonable development cost limitations market area types sizes supportive housing families publishing notice limitations federal_register states act provision law construed prohibiting preventing location operation assisted project commercial facilities benefit project community residents prohibits use assistance subsidize commercial facility entitles project owners actual development costs financing retain savings special housing account increased owners add energy efficiency features meeting specified requirements requires secretary owners flexibility design housing appropriate location proposed resident population broadly defined parameters permits owner voluntarily provide funds sources act amenities features appropriate design construction suitable supportive housing cost financed capital advance taken account determining federal assistance tenant rent contribution requires owner adopt written tenant selection procedures meet specified requirements notify writing rejected applicant grounds rejection requires secretary available appropriate technical assistance ensure prospective applicants able participate fully program prescribes owner deposit prevailing wage labor residual receipt project reserves specified requirements prohibitions authorizes appropriations fy2008 following fiscal years sec amends united_states housing act extend homeless veterans regardless medical condition program rental vouchers fiscal year department_of_veterans_affairs supported housing currently limited homeless veterans chronic mental illnesses chronic substance use disorders declares veteran member household rental assistance provided including sole veteran member dies household considered death lose status household homeless veteran continued assistance eligibility occupancy dwelling unit family residing time death authorizes annual increase budget authority rental assistance sums necessary provide additional vouchers fiscal year sec requires annual public housing agency pha plans include veterans amends cranston gonzalez national affordable housing act require state local comprehensive housing affordability strategy include veterans requires secretary revise federal regulations relating submission consolidated plans accordance amendments act require inclusion appropriate information relating veterans veterans service agencies plans sec excludes veterans benefits income purposes hud assisted housing rental eligibility determinations sec requires secretary grants nonprofit entities organizations technical assistance sponsoring hud housing projects veterans provides funding grants fy2008 ensuing fiscal years sec requires secretary report annually specified congressional committees hud veteran related activities assess years housing needs low income veteran families prescribes funding


Summary: Public Housing Asset Management Improvement Act of 2007 - Prohibits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from imposing restrictions or limitations on the amount of management and related fees for a public housing project which the public housing agency (PHA) determines reasonable, unless such restriction or limitation: (1) is determined pursuant to a negotiated rulemaking convened by the Secretary no earlier than April 1, 2009, with representatives from interested parties; and (2) is effective only on or after January 1, 2011. Allows any PHA that owns or operates fewer than 500 public housing units under the United States Housing Act of 1937 to elect to be exempt from asset management requirements imposed by the Secretary. Prohibits the Secretary from imposing any requirement, regulation, or guideline relating to asset management that restricts or limits in any way the use by PHAs of amounts for Capital Fund assistance for costs of any PHA central office. Requires the Secretary to ensure that PHAs encourage the reasonable efforts of resident tenant organizations to represent their members and of tenants to organize. Requires guidance issued by the Secretary to encourage participation by residents in the implementation of asset management and the development of local policies for such purposes.

public housing asset management improvement act prohibits secretary housing_and_urban_development imposing restrictions limitations management related fees public housing project public housing agency pha determines reasonable restriction limitation determined pursuant negotiated rulemaking convened secretary earlier april representatives interested parties effective january allows pha owns operates fewer public housing units united_states housing act elect exempt asset management requirements imposed secretary prohibits secretary imposing requirement regulation guideline relating asset management restricts limits way use phas amounts capital_fund assistance costs pha central office requires secretary ensure phas encourage reasonable efforts resident tenant organizations represent members tenants organize requires guidance issued secretary encourage participation residents implementation asset management development local policies purposes


Summary: Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Act - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a mortgage emergency assistance program for qualifying homeowners with National Housing Act-insured mortgages who are temporarily unable to meet their obligations due to financial hardship beyond their control. Requires: (1) homeowner repayment of such assistance and interest; and (2) certain conditions to be met before legal action may be taken against a qualifying homeowner, including providing the homeowner with program notice.

homeowners emergency mortgage assistance act directs secretary housing_and_urban_development establish mortgage emergency assistance program qualifying homeowners insured mortgages temporarily unable meet obligations financial hardship control requires homeowner repayment assistance interest certain conditions met legal action taken qualifying homeowner including providing homeowner program notice


Summary: Section 515 Rural Housing Property Transfer Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) implement administrative and procedural changes to expedite the application approval process for transferring ownership of Section 515 rural multifamily housing projects for which a loan is either made or insured for a project's preservation, continued use restriction, and rehabilitation; and (2) actively facilitate such transfers. (A Section 515 project is one involving housing and related facilities for elderly persons and families or other persons and families of low income.)Grants final regulatory authority over such property transfers to the Office of Rental Housing Preservation of the Rural Housing Service of the Department of Agriculture.Authorizes such Office, with respect to such transfers, to work with and seek recommendations from the State Rural Development offices of the Department of Agriculture.Sets forth deadlines for the processing of transfer applications by such Office as well as by state and local offices.Instructs the Secretary of Agriculture to report to certain congressional committees on: (1) actions taken to coordinate with other federal agencies, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and, in particular, with the program for rental assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, the multifamily mortgage insurance programs under title II of the National Housing Act, and the programs for low-income housing tax credits and for tax-exempt bonds under the Internal Revenue Code; (2) resulting improvements within the Rural Housing Service in expediting the transfer of ownership of projects with loans made or insured under section 515 of the Housing Act of 1949; and (3) recommended legislative changes.

section amends housing act direct secretary agriculture implement administrative procedural changes expedite application approval process transferring ownership section rural multifamily housing projects loan insured project preservation continued use restriction rehabilitation actively facilitate transfers section project involving housing related facilities elderly persons families persons families low final regulatory authority property transfers authorizes office respect transfers work seek recommendations offices department_of_agriculture sets forth deadlines processing transfer applications office state local offices instructs secretary agriculture report certain congressional committees actions taken coordinate federal agencies including department_of_housing_and_urban_development hud internal_revenue_service irs particular program rental assistance section united_states housing act multifamily mortgage insurance programs title national housing act programs low income housing tax credits tax exempt bonds internal revenue code resulting improvements expediting transfer ownership projects loans insured section housing act recommended legislative changes


Summary: Rural Housing Preservation Act of 2007 - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a preservation program to provide financial incentives and other assistance to owners of Section 515 rural multifamily housing projects through long-term use agreements entered into between the project owners and the Secretary. (A Section 515 project is one involving housing and related facilities for elderly persons and families or other persons and families of low income.)Authorizes the Secretary to give priority to applications for eligible projects located on tribal trust lands or other Indian areas, in colonias, or in other small, poor, low-income communities.Requires the Secretary to prepare and approve a long-term viability plan for each eligible project for which the owner requests to participate. Allows the Secretary, subject to certain conditions, to offer a project owner a financial restructuring plan, based on the long-term viability plan, and specified project preservation incentives.Specifies compliance requirements for rents for any eligible households residing in a dwelling unit in any preserved Section 515 project, including: (1) a disregard for certain earned income for residents; and (2) phase-in of rent increases.Establishes conditions that makes certain project owners ineligible to participate in the preservation program.Requires the Secretary to make rural preservation and rural tenant protection vouchers available to certain eligible households.Requires the Secretary to give priority, in entering into contracts involving financing for new construction of a Section 515 project, for projects located in eligible rural areas needing affordable low-income rental housing because of prepayment of Section 515 loans.

rural_housing_preservation_act amends housing act require secretary agriculture carry preservation program provide financial incentives assistance owners section rural multifamily housing projects long term use agreements entered project owners secretary section project involving housing related facilities elderly persons families persons families low secretary priority applications eligible projects located tribal trust lands indian areas small poor low income communities requires secretary prepare approve long term viability plan eligible project owner requests participate allows secretary subject certain conditions offer project owner financial restructuring plan based long term viability plan specified project preservation incentives specifies compliance requirements rents eligible households residing dwelling unit preserved section project including disregard certain earned income residents phase rent increases establishes conditions makes certain project owners ineligible participate preservation program requires secretary rural preservation rural tenant protection vouchers available certain eligible households requires secretary priority entering contracts involving financing new construction section project projects located eligible rural areas needing affordable low income rental housing prepayment section loans


Summary: Consumer Protection Home Inspection Counseling Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a comprehensive program to train HUD staff, contractors, individuals, and entities that provide housing counseling under specified HUD-funded programs also to provide counseling to consumers on voluntary home inspection. Requires the Secretary to develop a new independent protocol, or amend existing protocols, to certify that such housing counselors have successfully completed training using the voluntary home inspection training module and counseling aids established and developed pursuant to this Act. Limits authorized counseling to certified counselors. Directs the Secretary to take necessary action to make such training module and counseling aids known to state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, consumer organizations, and the general public.

requires secretary housing_and_urban_development hud establish comprehensive program train hud staff contractors individuals entities provide housing counseling specified hud funded programs provide counseling consumers voluntary home inspection requires secretary develop new independent protocol amend existing protocols certify housing counselors successfully completed training voluntary home inspection training module counseling aids established developed pursuant act limits authorized counseling certified counselors directs secretary necessary action training module counseling aids known state local governments nonprofit organizations consumer organizations general public


Summary: Mobile Home Protection Act - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 (section 8 voucher program) to require a public housing agency (PHA) to contract to make section 8 rental assistance payments directly to a family (rather than to the owner of the real property on which the family's manufactured (mobile) home is located) only in the case of a low-income family that owns a manufactured home, rents the real property on which it is located, and to whom assistance under such Act has been made available. Sets as conditions for such a direct payment contract that: (1) the owner of the real property refuses to enter into a contract to receive assistance payments; (2) the family was residing in the manufactured home on the real property at the time such assistance was initially made available on the family's behalf; (3) the family provides assurances to the agency that amounts from the assistance payments are used for rental of the real property; and (4) such rental otherwise complies with the Act's requirements for assistance.

united_states_housing_act section voucher program require public housing agency pha contract section rental assistance payments directly family owner real property family manufactured mobile home located case low income family owns manufactured home rents real property located assistance act available sets conditions direct payment contract owner real property refuses enter contract receive assistance payments family residing manufactured home real property time assistance initially available family behalf family provides assurances agency amounts assistance payments rental real property rental complies act requirements assistance


Summary: Affordable Homeownership Preservation Fund Act of 2008 - Amends the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation Act to establish in the Treasury an Affordable Homeownership Preservation Fund to allow the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, doing business as Neighborworks America, to provide financial assistance through grants to community development organizations for eligible activities to enhance and improve the availability of affordable housing. Requires such eligible activities to be: (1) carried out in accordance with the comprehensive strategic plan for the organization submitted under this Act; and (2) consistent with existing economic, community, and housing development plans adopted by or applicable to the area or targeted population served by the organization. Allows such activities to include: (1) assisting distressed homeowners with small low-interest or no-interest loans; (2) making mortgage loans to first-time homebuyers; and (3) purchasing, rehabilitating, and selling foreclosed properties for owner-occupancy.

amends establish treasury allow neighborhood_reinvestment_corporation business provide financial assistance grants community development organizations eligible activities enhance improve availability affordable housing requires eligible activities carried accordance comprehensive strategic plan organization submitted act consistent existing economic community housing development plans adopted applicable area targeted population served organization allows activities include assisting distressed homeowners small low interest interest loans making mortgage loans time homebuyers purchasing rehabilitating selling foreclosed properties owner occupancy


Summary: Section 8 Reform, Responsibility, and Accountability Act of 2007 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to prohibit section 8 rental assistance (including tenant- and project-based assistance) from being provided to any family that includes a convicted felon or illegal alien. Places a five-year limitation on section 8 rental assistance, disregarding any month during which such individual was a member of a disabled or elderly family so assisted. Prohibits such assistance on behalf of any family, unless each member of the family who is 18 years of age or older performs at least 20 hours of work activities per week. Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to exempt from such prohibition any individual family member who meets certain requirements. Requires a public housing agency (PHA), in providing such housing assistance, to give preference to families that include a member who is a veteran that will reside in the dwelling unit. Expresses the sense of Congress that the HUD Moving to Work demonstration program under the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 should be expanded to include significantly more PHAs. Authorizes the use of unspent section 8 housing assistance payments for section 8 compliance measures. Requires approved PHA plans, including modifications and amendments, to be made public at the PHA's office and in electronic form on the World Wide Web.

section reform responsibility accountability act amends united_states housing act prohibit section rental assistance including project based assistance provided family includes convicted felon illegal alien places year limitation section rental assistance disregarding month individual member disabled elderly family assisted prohibits assistance behalf family member family years age older performs hours work activities week requires secretary housing_and_urban_development hud exempt prohibition individual family member meets certain requirements requires public housing agency pha providing housing assistance preference families include member veteran reside dwelling unit expresses sense congress hud moving work demonstration program departments_of_veterans_affairs housing_and_urban_development independent_agencies_appropriations_act expanded include significantly phas authorizes use unspent section housing assistance payments section compliance measures requires approved pha plans including modifications amendments public pha office electronic form world wide web


Summary: First-Time Homebuyers' Tax Credit Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow an income-based, one-time refundable tax credit for first-time homebuyers of ten percent of a principal residence's purchase price ($3,000 maximum credit, $6,000 maximum credit for joint filers); (2) allow transfer of such credit (within 30 days of transfer application) as payment towards related downpayment and closing costs; and (3) apply the credit to purchases made on or after January 1, 2008, and before January 1, 2013, and to binding contracts made between such dates, and in which the residence is occupied before July 1, 2014.

amends internal revenue code allow income based time refundable tax credit time homebuyers percent principal residence purchase price maximum credit maximum credit joint filers allow transfer credit days transfer application payment related downpayment closing costs apply credit purchases january january binding contracts dates residence occupied july


Summary: Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008 - Title I: Housing Tax Incentives - Subtitle A: Multi-Family Housing - Part 1: Low-Income Housing Tax Credit - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the low-income housing tax credit and tax-exempt bond rules for financing low-income housing projects.(Sec. 101) Increases in 2008 and 2009 the per capita amount of the low-income housing tax credit allocable by each state.(Sec. 102) Modifies rules for the low-income housing tax credit to: (1) eliminate the distinction between new and existing buildings for purposes of such credit; (2) establish a minimum credit rate for non-federally subsidized buildings; (3) set forth criteria for designating a building as federally subsidized and for considering federal assistance in calculating such credit; and (4) revise basis rules for certain state buildings and community service facilities.(Sec. 104) Repeals: (1) the prohibition against providing low-income housing tax credits to properties receiving moderate rehabilitation assistance under the Housing Act of 1937; and (2) bond posting requirements relating to the disposition of buildings for which a low-income housing tax credit was claimed.Requires states to consider the energy efficiency of a low-income housing project and its historical nature in allocating credit amounts among such projects.Extends eligibility for the low-income housing tax credit to students who receive foster care assistance under title IV (Grants to States for Aid and Services to Needy Families with Children and for Child-Welfare Services) of the Social Security Act. Part 2: Modifications to Tax-Exempt Housing Bond Rules - (Sec. 111) Modifies rules pertaining to tax-exempt housing bonds to: (1) permit treatment of certain residential rental project bonds as refunding bonds regardless of any change in the obligors of such bonds; and (2) allow continued eligibility for low-income housing tax benefits with respect to new tenants, students, and single-room occupancies. Part 3: Reforms Related to the Low-Income Housing Credit and Tax-Exempt Housing Bonds - (Sec. 121) Requires that median gross income levels established for calendar years after 2008 for determining eligibility for low-income housing tax benefits remain at the same level as preceding calendar years. (Sec. 122) Waives annual income recertification requirements for residents of low-income rental projects whose incomes do not exceed applicable limits.Subtitle B: Single Family Housing - (Sec. 131) Allows first-time homebuyers a tax credit for 10% of the purchase price of a principal residence. Limits the dollar amount of such credit to $7,500.(Sec. 132) Allows individual taxpayers who claim the standard deduction an additional deduction from gross income for state and local real property taxes. Subtitle C: General Provisions - (Sec. 141) Authorizes in 2008 an additional $10 billion in the volume cap for issuing tax-qualified bonds for certain residential rental projects.Allows until December 31, 2010, the use of mortgage bond proceeds to refinance certain subprime residential mortgage loans made between 2002 and 2008.(Sec. 142) Exempts from the alternative minimum tax (AMT) tax-exempt interest on certain housing bonds. Allows low-income housing and rehabilitation tax credit amounts to offset AMT liability. (Sec. 143) Allows certain municipal bonds that are guaranteed by federal home loan banks to qualify as tax-exempt bonds. (Sec. 144) Sets forth an alternative procedure for furnishing a non-foreign affidavit in connection with the sale of a U.S. real property interest (USRPI) and the exemption from withholding of tax requirements. Allow a transferor of a USRPI to furnish a non-foreign affidavit to a qualified substitute (i.e., a person responsible for closing the transaction involving a USRPI or the transferee's agent). Denies an exemption from withholding of tax requirements if the qualified substitute or a transferee has actual knowledge that the non-foreign affidavit is false. (Sec. 145) Increases from 35 to 50 the percentage of property that may be leased to a tax-exempt entity without affecting such property's allowable rehabilitation tax credit.Title II: Reforms Related to Real Estate Investment Trusts - Subtitle A: Foreign Currency And Other Qualified Activities - (Sec. 201) Amends the Internal Revenue Code relating to real estate investment trusts (REITs) to treat passive foreign exchange gains attributable to overseas real estate investment as qualifying REIT income. Revises income and asset tests for such REITs for purposes of determining REIT qualifying income.Subtitle B: Taxable REIT Subsidiaries - (Sec. 211) Increases from 20 to 25% the the maximum value of a REIT's total assets that may be represented by securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries.Subtitle C: Dealer Sales - (Sec. 221) Reduces from four to two years the holding period for certain assets exempted from prohibited transaction rules for REITs.(Sec. 222) Revises criteria for imposing an excise tax penalty for prohibited transactions for sales by REITs.Subtitle D: Health Care REITs - (Sec. 231) Allows the treatment of rental payments by a health care facility to a taxable REIT subsidiary to be treated as qualifying REIT rental income.Subtitle E: Effective Dates - (Sec. 241) Sets forth the effective dates for provisions of this Title.Title III: Revenue Provisions - (Sec. 301) Requires brokers who are required to report gross proceeds from the sale of any publicly-traded security to report the holder's adjusted basis in such security and whether any gain or loss with respect to such security is long or short-term.(Sec. 302) Delays until 2010 the application of special rules for the worldwide allocation of interest for purposes of computing the limitation on the foreign tax credit.(Sec. 303) Amends the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 to: (1) repeal the adjustment to the estimated tax liability of corporations with at least $1 billion in assets for the third quarter of 2012; and (2) increase the estimated tax payments of such corporations in the third quarter of 2013 by 13%.

housing assistance tax act title housing tax incentives subtitle multi family housing low income housing tax credit amends internal revenue code provisions relating low income housing tax credit tax exempt bond rules financing low income housing increases capita low income housing tax credit allocable modifies rules low income housing tax credit eliminate distinction new existing buildings purposes credit establish minimum credit rate non federally subsidized buildings set forth criteria designating building federally subsidized considering federal assistance calculating credit revise basis rules certain state buildings community service repeals prohibition providing low income housing tax credits properties receiving moderate rehabilitation assistance housing act bond posting requirements relating disposition buildings low income housing tax credit claimed requires states consider energy efficiency low income housing project historical nature allocating credit amounts projects extends eligibility low income housing tax credit students receive foster care assistance title grants states aid services needy families children child-welfare_services social security act modifications tax exempt housing bond rules sec modifies rules pertaining tax exempt housing bonds permit treatment certain residential rental project bonds refunding bonds regardless change bonds allow continued eligibility low income housing tax benefits respect new tenants students single room reforms related tax exempt housing bonds sec requires median gross income levels established calendar years determining eligibility low income housing tax benefits remain level preceding calendar years sec waives annual income recertification requirements residents low income rental projects incomes exceed applicable limits subtitle single family housing sec allows time homebuyers tax credit purchase price principal residence limits dollar credit allows individual taxpayers claim standard deduction additional deduction gross income state local real property taxes subtitle general provisions sec authorizes additional billion volume cap issuing tax qualified bonds certain residential rental projects allows december use mortgage bond proceeds refinance certain subprime residential mortgage loans exempts alternative minimum tax amt tax exempt interest certain housing bonds allows low income housing rehabilitation tax credit amounts offset amt liability sec allows certain municipal bonds guaranteed federal home loan banks qualify tax exempt bonds sec sets forth alternative procedure furnishing non foreign affidavit connection sale real property interest exemption withholding tax requirements allow transferor furnish non foreign affidavit qualified substitute person responsible closing transaction involving transferee agent denies exemption withholding tax requirements qualified substitute transferee actual knowledge non foreign affidavit false sec increases percentage property leased tax exempt entity affecting property allowable rehabilitation tax credit title reforms related real estate investment trusts subtitle foreign currency qualified activities sec amends internal revenue code relating real estate investment trusts reits treat passive foreign exchange gains attributable overseas real estate investment qualifying reit income revises income asset tests reits purposes determining reit qualifying income subtitle taxable reit subsidiaries sec increases maximum value reit total assets represented securities taxable reit subsidiaries subtitle dealer sales sec reduces years holding period certain assets exempted prohibited transaction rules revises criteria imposing excise tax penalty prohibited transactions sales reits subtitle health care reits sec allows treatment rental payments health care facility taxable reit subsidiary treated qualifying reit rental income subtitle effective dates sec sets forth effective dates provisions title title iii revenue provisions sec requires brokers required report gross proceeds sale publicly traded security report holder adjusted basis security gain loss respect security long short delays application special rules worldwide allocation interest purposes computing limitation foreign tax amends tax_increase_prevention_and_reconciliation_act repeal adjustment estimated tax liability corporations billion assets quarter increase estimated tax payments corporations quarter


Summary: Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (the Act) to revise requirements for supportive housing for persons with disabilities. (Retains authority to provide such assistance to private nonprofit organizations to expand the supply of such housing.) Repeals the authority of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide tenant-based rental assistance directly to eligible persons with disabilities. Authorizes appropriations for such assistance under section 8 (rental voucher program) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 for persons with disabilities in FY2009 in the amount necessary to provide the same number of incremental vouchers provided in FY2008. Requires the Secretary to issue guidance to public housing agencies (PHAs) receiving voucher assistance under this Act, as well as those that received such assistance under the United States Housing Act of 1937 for incremental vouchers for non-elderly disabled families during FY1997-FY2002, in order to ensure that such vouchers continue to be provided upon turnover to qualified persons with disabilities or to qualified non-elderly disabled families. (Sec. 3) Modifies project rental assistance contract requirements, including renewal of, and increases in, annual contract amounts. Requires initial contracts with the sponsor of a project assisted with any low-income housing tax credit or with any tax-exempt housing bonds to have an initial term of up to 360 months and to provide funding for 60 months. Revises the requirement that all units in housing assisted by capital advances and project rental assistance contracts be made available for occupancy by very low-income persons with disabilities for at least 40 years. Requires the Secretary, within 30 days of issuing certain capital advances for multifamily projects (except group homes or independent living facilities), to delegate review and processing of such projects to a state or local housing agency meeting specified criteria. Revises tenant selection procedures. Requires a lease between a tenant and a housing owner to be for at least one year. Revises the application of cost limitations developed by the Secretary to supportive housing. Authorizes the Secretary to waive such limitations. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish a minimum percentage of capital advances per fiscal year for multifamily projects; and (2) carry out a project rental assistance competitive demonstration program to expand the supply of supportive housing for non-elderly adults with disabilities and with extremely low-incomes or for extremely low-income households that include at least one disabled person. (Sec. 5) Repeals the Secretary's authority to require an owner to deposit an amount up to $10,000 in a special escrow account to assure the owner's commitment to the housing. (Sec. 6) Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2012. (Sec. 7) Requires the Secretary to issue new regulations and guidance for the program under the Act for supportive housing for persons with disabilities to carry out such program in accordance with the amendments made by this Act. (Sec. 8) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the adequacy and effectiveness of the program in assisting households of persons with disabilities.

sec amends cranston gonzalez national affordable housing act act revise requirements supportive housing persons disabilities retains authority provide assistance private nonprofit organizations expand supply housing repeals authority secretary housing_and_urban_development provide tenant based rental assistance directly eligible persons disabilities authorizes appropriations assistance section rental voucher program united_states housing act persons disabilities fy2009 necessary provide number incremental vouchers provided fy2008 requires secretary issue guidance public housing agencies phas receiving voucher assistance act received assistance united_states housing act incremental vouchers non elderly disabled families order ensure vouchers continue provided turnover qualified persons disabilities qualified non elderly disabled families sec modifies project rental assistance contract requirements including renewal increases annual contract amounts requires initial contracts sponsor project assisted low income housing tax credit tax exempt housing bonds initial term months provide funding months revises requirement units housing assisted capital advances project rental assistance contracts available occupancy low income persons disabilities years requires secretary days issuing certain capital advances multifamily projects group homes independent living facilities delegate review processing projects state local housing agency meeting specified criteria revises tenant selection procedures requires lease tenant housing owner year revises application cost limitations developed secretary supportive housing authorizes secretary waive limitations requires secretary establish minimum percentage capital advances fiscal year multifamily projects carry project rental assistance competitive demonstration program expand supply supportive housing non elderly adults disabilities extremely low incomes extremely low income households include disabled person sec repeals secretary authority require owner deposit special escrow account assure owner commitment housing sec authorizes appropriations fy2008 fy2012 sec requires secretary issue new regulations guidance program act supportive housing persons disabilities carry program accordance amendments act sec directs comptroller general study report congress adequacy effectiveness program assisting households persons disabilities


Summary: Public Housing Asset Management Improvement Act of 2008 - Prohibits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from imposing restrictions or limitations on the amount of management and related fees for a public housing project which the public housing agency (PHA) determines reasonable, unless such restriction or limitation: (1) is determined pursuant to a negotiated rulemaking convened by the Secretary no earlier than April 1, 2009, with representatives from interested parties; and (2) is effective only on or after January 1, 2011. Allows any PHA that owns or operates fewer than 500 public housing units under the United States Housing Act of 1937 to elect to be exempt from asset management requirements imposed by the Secretary. Prohibits the Secretary from imposing any requirement, regulation, or guideline relating to asset management that restricts or limits in any way the use by PHAs of amounts for Capital Fund assistance for costs of any PHA central office. Requires the Secretary to ensure that PHAs encourage the reasonable efforts of resident tenant organizations to represent their members and of tenants to organize. Makes illegal immigrants ineligible for financial assistance under this Act. Prohibits the Secretary from accepting as reasonable any management or related fees for enforcing a dwelling lease or other similar agreement that requires the registration of or prohibits the possession of firearms by an individual for personal protection or for sport, if the possession is not prohibited, or the registration is not required, by existing law. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to convert current community service requirements (and related exemptions) for adult residents of public housing projects to make them optional at the discretion of a PHA. Amends the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 to authorize appropriations for FY2009-FY2011. Expands the scope of eligible activities that may be conducted under public and assisted housing drug elimination programs.

public housing asset management improvement act prohibits secretary housing_and_urban_development imposing restrictions limitations management related fees public housing project public housing agency pha determines reasonable restriction limitation determined pursuant negotiated rulemaking convened secretary earlier april representatives interested parties effective january allows pha owns operates fewer public housing units united_states housing act elect exempt asset management requirements imposed secretary prohibits secretary imposing requirement regulation guideline relating asset management restricts limits way use phas amounts capital_fund assistance costs pha central office requires secretary ensure phas encourage reasonable efforts resident tenant organizations represent members tenants organize makes illegal immigrants ineligible financial assistance act prohibits secretary accepting reasonable management related fees enforcing dwelling lease similar agreement requires registration prohibits possession firearms individual personal protection sport possession prohibited registration required existing law amends united_states housing act convert current community service requirements related exemptions adult residents public housing projects optional discretion pha amends authorize appropriations fy2009 fy2011 expands scope eligible activities conducted public assisted housing drug elimination programs


Summary: Foreclosure Counseling Assistance Act of 2008 - Directs the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (NRC) to make grants to qualified counseling intermediaries and qualified legal organizations to provide legal assistance to homeowners of owner-occupied homes with mortgages in default, in danger of default, or subject to or at risk of foreclosure. Requires the NRC to give priority to qualified counseling intermediaries and qualified legal organizations that: (1) provide legal assistance in the 100 metropolitan statistical areas with the highest home foreclosure rates; and (2) have the capacity to begin using the grant funds within 90 days after receipt of the funds.

foreclosure counseling assistance act directs neighborhood_reinvestment_corporation nrc grants qualified counseling intermediaries qualified legal organizations provide legal assistance homeowners owner occupied homes mortgages default danger default subject risk foreclosure requires nrc priority qualified counseling intermediaries qualified legal organizations provide legal assistance metropolitan statistical areas highest home foreclosure rates capacity begin grant funds days receipt funds


Summary: Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), upon request of the owner of a multifamily housing project to which specified contracts are subject, to: (1) convert such contracts to a contract for project-based rental assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937; and (2) treat the contemplated resulting contract as eligible for initial renewal under the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997, if certain conditions are met.Deems the owner to be in compliance with income-targeting requirements of the United States Housing Act of 1937 by serving low-income families.Considers each family residing in an assisted dwelling unit on the date of such conversion to meet the applicable requirements for income eligibility and occupancy.

authorizes secretary housing_and_urban_development hud request owner multifamily housing project specified contracts subject convert contracts contract project based rental assistance section united_states housing act treat contemplated resulting contract eligible initial renewal certain conditions met deems owner compliance income targeting requirements united_states housing act serving low income families considers family residing assisted dwelling unit date conversion meet applicable requirements income eligibility occupancy


Summary: Keep Our Homes Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) a tax deduction through 2012 for mortgage counseling costs; (2) a tax deduction through 2009 for amounts, up to $5,000, of mortgage indebtedness in excess of the assessed value of a principal residence; (3) a one-time tax credit for a percentage of the purchase price of a principal residence; (4) nonitemizing taxpayers a tax deduction in 2008 or 2009 for real property taxes; and (5) an exclusion from gross income for unemployment compensation received in 2008 or 2009.

homes act amends internal revenue code allow tax deduction mortgage counseling costs tax deduction amounts mortgage indebtedness excess assessed value principal residence time tax credit percentage purchase price principal residence taxpayers tax deduction real property taxes exclusion gross income unemployment compensation received


Summary: First Time Property Owners Tax Credit Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income-based, one-time refundable tax credit for first-time homebuyers of 5% of the purchase price of real property located in the United States, up to a maximum credit amount of $1,500 ($3,000 for joint returns). Makes such credit applicable to purchases of property on or after January 1, 2008, and before January 1, 2013, and to binding contracts made between such dates to purchase such property before July 1, 2014.

amends internal revenue code allow income based time refundable tax credit time homebuyers purchase price real property located united_states maximum credit joint returns makes credit applicable purchases property january january binding contracts dates purchase property july


Summary: Asset Management Improvement Act of 2008 - Prohibits the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from imposing restrictions or limitations on the amount of management and related fees for a public housing project which the public housing agency (PHA) determines reasonable, unless such restriction or limitation: (1) is determined pursuant to a negotiated rulemaking convened by the Secretary no earlier than April 1, 2009, with representatives from interested parties; and (2) is effective only on or after January 1, 2011. Allows any PHA that owns or operates fewer than 500 public housing units under the United States Housing Act of 1937 to elect to be exempt from asset management requirements imposed by the Secretary. Prohibits the Secretary from imposing any requirement, regulation, or guideline relating to asset management that restricts or limits in any way the use by PHAs of amounts for Capital Fund assistance for costs of any PHA central office. Requires the Secretary to ensure that PHAs encourage the reasonable efforts of resident tenant organizations to represent their members and of tenants to organize. Makes illegal immigrants ineligible for financial assistance under this Act. Prohibits the Secretary from accepting as reasonable any management or related fees for enforcing a dwelling lease or other similar agreement that requires the registration of or prohibits the possession of firearms by an individual for personal protection or for sport, if the possession is not prohibited, or the registration is not required, by existing law. Amends the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 to permit a PHA or owner of federally assisted housing to terminate the tenancy or assistance for any household with a member who is illegally using a firearm, or whose illegal use is determined by the PHA or owner to interfere with the health, safety, or right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other residents.

asset management improvement act prohibits secretary housing_and_urban_development imposing restrictions limitations management related fees public housing project public housing agency pha determines reasonable restriction limitation determined pursuant negotiated rulemaking convened secretary earlier april representatives interested parties effective january allows pha owns operates fewer public housing units united_states housing act elect exempt asset management requirements imposed secretary prohibits secretary imposing requirement regulation guideline relating asset management restricts limits way use phas amounts capital_fund assistance costs pha central office requires secretary ensure phas encourage reasonable efforts resident tenant organizations represent members tenants organize makes illegal immigrants ineligible financial assistance act prohibits secretary accepting reasonable management related fees enforcing dwelling lease similar agreement requires registration prohibits possession firearms individual personal protection sport possession prohibited registration required existing law amends permit pha owner federally assisted housing terminate tenancy assistance household member illegally firearm illegal use determined pha owner interfere health safety right peaceful enjoyment premises residents


Summary: HOPE VI Amendment Act of 2008 - Continues through September 30, 2009, the availability of amounts appropriated for FY2002 for grants to certain public housing agencies for public housing demolition, site revitalization, replacement housing, and tenant-based assistance (HOPE VI grants). Makes eligible for such continued grant availability any public housing agencies that since October 1, 2002, have suffered project delays, and cost increases due to shortages in labor and materials, as a result of natural catastrophes, fire, flood, explosion, or the 2007-2008 subprime mortgage crisis.

hope amendment act continues september availability amounts appropriated grants certain public housing agencies public housing demolition site revitalization replacement housing tenant based assistance grants makes eligible continued grant availability public housing agencies october suffered project delays cost increases shortages labor materials result natural fire flood explosion subprime mortgage crisis


Summary: Real Estate Assessment Center Inspection Improvement Act of 2008 - Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to take necessary actions to improve the activities of the Real Estate Assessment Center of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for physical assessment and inspection of public housing and federally assisted multifamily housing, including developing a detailed process to improve planning and preparation for such inspections.Requires the Secretary to: (1) make the three-day Real Estate Assessment Center physical inspection training for non-inspectors, held in Washington, DC, available to personnel of all public housing agencies throughout the nation, by use of the Web or other electronic means; and (2) convene an advisory committee to review and make recommendations for revising, as necessary, the Center's scoring system.

real estate assessment center inspection improvement act requires secretary housing_and_urban_development necessary actions improve activities hud physical assessment inspection public housing federally assisted multifamily housing including developing detailed process improve planning preparation inspections requires secretary day real estate assessment center physical inspection training non inspectors held available personnel public housing agencies nation use web electronic means convene advisory committee review recommendations revising necessary center scoring system


Summary: Homeowner Assistance and Taxpayer Protection Act - Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA), with respect to mortgages acquired by the Secretary of the Treasury, to direct the Secretary to use authority to require (currently, encourage) the servicers of the underlying mortgages to take advantage of the HOPE for Homeowners Program under the National Housing Act or other available programs to minimize foreclosures. Requires federal property managers holding, owning, or controlling mortgages, mortgage backed securities, and other assets secured by residential real estate to do likewise. Directs a federal property manager to require (currently, encourage) loan servicers to implement specified loan modifications in any case in which the property manager does not own a residential mortgage loan, but holds an interest in obligations or pools of obligations secured by residential mortgage loans. Requires lenders to participate in HOPE for Homeowners Program when homeowners elect to participate. Amends Chapter 13 (Adjustment of Debts of an Individual with Regular Income) of the federal bankruptcy code to allow a debtor's plan to modify an allowed secured claim secured by the debtor's principal residence (mortgage), if, after deduction of permitted expenses, the debtor has insufficient remaining current monthly income to retain possession of the residence by curing a default and maintaining payments while the case is pending. Waives the credit counseling requirement for a debtor whose home is in foreclosure. Waives the liaibility of the debtor and the debtor's estate for certain fees arising in connection with a claim secured by the debtor's principal residence. Amends EESA to prohibit financial institutions from which troubled assets are purchased by the Secretary from paying increased dividends until such time as the troubled assets are no longer owned by the Secretary. Requires that dividends be reduced to pay for excessive executive compensation in the case of any such financial institution.

homeowner assistance taxpayer protection act amends emergency economic stabilization act eesa respect mortgages acquired secretary treasury direct secretary use authority require currently encourage servicers underlying mortgages advantage hope homeowners_program national housing act available programs minimize foreclosures requires federal property managers holding owning controlling mortgages mortgage backed securities assets secured residential real estate likewise directs federal property manager require currently encourage loan servicers implement specified loan modifications case property manager residential mortgage loan holds interest obligations pools obligations secured residential mortgage loans requires lenders participate hope homeowners_program homeowners elect participate amends chapter adjustment debts individual regular income federal bankruptcy code allow debtor plan modify allowed secured claim secured debtor principal residence mortgage deduction permitted expenses debtor insufficient remaining current monthly income retain possession residence curing default maintaining payments case pending waives credit counseling requirement debtor home foreclosure waives debtor debtor estate certain fees arising connection claim secured debtor principal residence prohibit financial institutions troubled assets purchased secretary paying increased dividends time troubled assets longer owned secretary requires dividends reduced pay excessive executive compensation case financial institution


Summary: Economic Recovery Through Responsible Homeownership Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual taxpayer a refundable tax credit for the purchase in 2009 or 2010 of a residence located in the United States if the construction of such residence began before 2010 and the taxpayer makes a downpayment of at least 10% of the purchase price. Limits the amount of such credit to $5,000 ($10,000 if the downpayment is at least 15% of the purchase price).

economic recovery responsible homeownership act amends internal revenue code allow individual taxpayer refundable tax credit purchase residence located united_states construction residence began taxpayer makes downpayment purchase price limits credit downpayment purchase price


Summary: Instructs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to: (1) require an applicant for approval under the Natural Gas Act or the Deepwater Port Act of 1974 (DPA) of the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of a liquefied natural gas facility (including an off-shore facility under DPA), to identify each employee or agent engaged in activities to persuade communities of the benefits of such approval; and (2) maintain a publicly available database listing all such employees and agents.

instructs federal_energy_regulatory_commission secretary transportation secretary department coast_guard operating require applicant approval natural gas act deepwater port act siting construction expansion operation liquefied natural gas facility including shore facility identify employee agent engaged activities persuade communities benefits approval maintain publicly available database listing employees agents


Summary: Affordable Housing Expansion and Public Safety Act - Instructs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (Secretary) to provide an additional 100,000 incremental vouchers for tenant-based rental housing assistance under the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program in FY2008. Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to direct: (1) each participating jurisdiction to use Home Investments Partnership (HOME) grant funds to provide affordable housing to individuals or families whose income is 30% or lower than the area median income (extremely low-income); and (2) direct the Secretary to allocate HOME funds to such jurisdictions on a specified pro-rata basis. Amends the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 to: (1) extend to FY2012 the authorization of appropriations for the Public and Assisted Housing Crime and Drug Elimination Program (PHDEP); (2) set aside specified amounts for the Office of Policy Development and Research; (3) identify activities eligible for grant funds; and (4) require the Office to review research to assess strategies likely to be effective in preventing and reducing violent and drug-related crimes in public and federally assisted low-income housing. Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress shall create a national affordable housing trust fund to supply 1.5 million additional affordable housing units over the next 10 years, especially for extremely low-income and very low-income families. Repeals multiyear procurement authority for the F-22A Raptor Fighter Aircraft. Prohibits the Secretary of Energy from implementing the advanced research program for fossil fuels.

secretary housing_and_urban_development secretary provide additional incremental vouchers tenant based rental housing assistance section housing choice voucher program fy2008 amends cranston gonzalez national affordable housing act direct participating jurisdiction use home grant funds provide affordable housing individuals families income lower area median income extremely low income direct secretary allocate home funds jurisdictions specified pro rata basis amends extend fy2012 authorization appropriations public assisted housing crime drug elimination program set aside specified amounts identify activities eligible grant funds require office review research assess strategies likely effective preventing reducing violent drug related crimes public federally assisted low income housing expresses sense senate congress shall create national affordable housing trust fund supply million additional affordable housing units years especially extremely low income low income families repeals multiyear procurement authority fighter aircraft prohibits secretary energy implementing advanced research program fossil fuels


Summary: Moving to Work Charter Program Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to enter into charter contracts, beginning in FY2008, with up to 250 public housing agencies administering the public housing program or the section 8 housing assistance program under the United States Housing Act of 1937. States that such charter contracts shall: (1) supersede and have a term commensurate with any annual contributions contract between a public housing agency and the Secretary; and (2) provide that a participating public housing agency shall receive capital and operating assistance allocated to it under specified laws. Exempts charter contracts from the requirements of the United States Housing Act of 1937, except those for payment of wages prevailing in the community and the demolition and disposition of public housing. Requires a charter contract to provide that a public housing agency: (1) may combine section 8 low-income assistance and Public Housing Capital and Operating Fund assistance and use it for housing assistance and related services for activities under this Act; (2) shall ensure that at least 75% of the families assisted are very low-income families; (3) shall establish a reasonable rent policy designed to encourage employment, self-sufficiency, and home ownership by participating families; and (4) meet specified additional requirements. Directs the Secretary to appoint a federal advisory committee to assess and develop a demonstration program to test standards, criteria, and practices for a national public housing agency accreditation system or other evaluation system.

moving work charter program act directs secretary housing_and_urban_development enter charter contracts beginning fy2008 public housing agencies administering public housing program section housing assistance program united_states housing act states charter contracts shall supersede term commensurate annual contributions contract public housing agency secretary provide participating public housing agency shall receive capital operating assistance allocated specified laws exempts charter contracts requirements united_states housing act payment wages prevailing community demolition disposition public housing requires charter contract provide public housing agency combine section low income assistance assistance use housing assistance related services activities act shall ensure families assisted low income families shall establish reasonable rent policy designed encourage employment self sufficiency home ownership participating families meet specified additional requirements directs secretary appoint federal advisory committee assess develop demonstration program test standards criteria practices national public housing agency accreditation system evaluation system


Summary: Small Public Housing Authorities Paperwork Reduction Act - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to exempt a qualified public housing agency from the requirement to prepare an annual public agency plan if the agency: (1) administers 500 or fewer public housing dwelling units, or section 8 vouchers; and (2) is not designated as a troubled agency. Requires an agency to: (1) continue to make an annual civil rights certification and establish, and consult with, one or more resident advisory boards; and (2) conduct a public hearing to discuss changes to agency goals and policies and make the information available to the public at the agency's principal office.

united_states_housing_act exempt qualified public housing agency requirement prepare annual public agency plan agency administers fewer public housing dwelling units section vouchers designated troubled agency requires agency continue annual civil rights certification establish consult resident advisory boards conduct public hearing discuss changes agency goals policies information available public agency principal office


Summary: Homes for Heroes Act of 2007 - Amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to establish in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) a Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs to: (1) ensure veteran access to HUD housing and homeless assistance programs; (2) coordinate all HUD programs and activities relating to veterans; and (3) serve as a HUD liaison with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Directs the HUD Secretary to provide assistance to private nonprofit organizations and consumer cooperatives to expand the supply of supportive housing for very low-income veteran families (that is, families with incomes not exceeding 50% of the area median income). Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to: (1) make housing rental vouchers available to homeless veterans; and (2) include veterans in public housing planning. Excludes veterans' benefits from income for purposes of HUD assisted housing rental determinations. Requires the Secretary to: (1) make grants to nonprofit entities for technical assistance in sponsoring HUD housing projects for veterans; and (2) report annually to specified congressional committees and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on HUD activities relating to veterans.

homes heroes act amends department_of_housing_and_urban_development_act establish department_of_housing_and_urban_development hud special assistant veterans affairs ensure veteran access hud housing homeless assistance programs coordinate hud programs activities relating veterans serve hud liaison department_of_veterans_affairs directs hud secretary provide assistance private nonprofit organizations consumer cooperatives expand supply supportive housing low income veteran families families incomes exceeding area median income amends united_states housing act housing rental vouchers available homeless veterans include veterans public housing planning excludes veterans benefits income purposes hud assisted housing rental determinations requires secretary grants nonprofit entities technical assistance sponsoring hud housing projects veterans report annually specified congressional committees secretary veterans_affairs hud activities relating veterans


Summary: Workforce Housing Construction for the GO Zone Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend through 2010 the placed-in-service date requirement for buildings in the Gulf Opportunity Zone (GO Zone) for purposes of the low-income housing tax credit; (2) allow a low-income housing tax credit for buildings in the GO Zone, the Rita GO Zone, or the Wilma GO Zone (GO Zones) during a specified 10-year period; (3) provide a basis adjustment for low-income housing projects in the GO Zones; (4) exclude Community Development Block Grant funds from consideration in determining whether GO Zone buildings are federally subsidized; and (5) modify certain rules relating to tax-exempt financing of GO Zone buildings.

amends internal revenue code extend placed service date requirement buildings zone purposes low income housing tax credit allow low income housing tax credit buildings zone zones specified year period provide basis adjustment low income housing projects zones exclude funds consideration determining zone buildings federally subsidized modify certain rules relating tax exempt financing zone buildings


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain full-time students who are single parents and their children to live in housing units eligible for the low-income housing tax credit provided that their children are not dependents of another individual (other than a parent of such children).

amends internal revenue code allow certain time students single parents children live housing units eligible low income housing tax credit provided children dependents individual parent children


Summary: Affordable Housing Preservation Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue to exclude from gross income gain from the sale or exchange of certain multifamily housing property to a housing agency or related organization (preservation entity) that agrees to maintain certain affordability and use restrictions for such property. Limits the excludable amount of such gain to the depreciation adjustments for such property.

affordable housing preservation act amends internal revenue exclude gross income gain sale exchange certain multifamily housing property housing agency related organization preservation entity agrees maintain certain affordability use restrictions property limits excludable gain depreciation adjustments property


Summary: Homeownership Protection and Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to reauthorize and revise requirements for assistance with respect to housing for low- and moderate-income families. Specifies additional circumstances making a homeowner eligible for homeownership counseling from an organization that has received a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide it. Requires a proposed mortgagee to notify any eligible mortgage applicant of the availability of pre-purchase homeownership counseling, homeownership counseling, and homeownership protection center services. Requires a proposed mortgagee, also, to notify a homeowner at closing of the availability of counseling upon delinquency and of the services of State Homeownership Protection Centers. Requires specified mortgagee notices to homeowners in the event of mortgage payment delinquencies. Directs the Secretary of HUD to award competitive grants to enable state housing finance agencies to establish State Homeownership Protection Centers. Requires any State Homeownership Protection Center to provide a centralized location for information on, and referral to, public services for assisting a homeowner in default on a home loan. Requires the Secretary also to award competitive grants to enable state housing finance agencies in states with such Centers to provide one-time emergency grants or subsidized home preservation loans to assist eligible homeowners in satisfying any amounts past due on their home loans. Requires mortgagees to engage in reasonable loss mitigation activities to provide an alternative to foreclosure. Prohibits a mortgagee from initiating or continuing a foreclosure upon written confirmation that the homeowner has applied for a home preservation loan. Directs the Secretary to develop a plan to monitor the mortgage industry in order to predict likely future trends in foreclosures. Requires the Secretary to develop recommendations for a national database on mortgage defaults and foreclosures. Directs the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council to create such a database.

homeownership protection enhancement act amends housing_and_urban_development_act reauthorize revise requirements assistance respect housing low- moderate income families specifies additional circumstances making homeowner eligible homeownership counseling organization received grant department_of_housing_and_urban_development hud provide requires proposed mortgagee notify eligible mortgage applicant availability pre purchase homeownership counseling homeownership counseling homeownership protection center services requires proposed mortgagee notify homeowner closing availability counseling delinquency services requires specified mortgagee notices homeowners event mortgage payment directs secretary hud award competitive grants enable state housing finance agencies establish requires provide centralized location information referral public services assisting homeowner default home loan requires secretary award competitive grants enable state housing finance agencies states centers provide time emergency grants subsidized home preservation loans assist eligible homeowners satisfying amounts past home loans requires mortgagees engage reasonable loss mitigation activities provide alternative foreclosure prohibits mortgagee initiating continuing foreclosure written confirmation homeowner applied home preservation loan directs secretary develop plan monitor mortgage industry order predict likely future trends foreclosures requires secretary develop recommendations national database mortgage defaults foreclosures directs federal_financial_institutions_examination_council create database


Summary: Housing Assistance Authorization Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Prohibits the use of funds authorized by this Act to lobby or retain a lobbyist to influence a federal, state, or local governmental entity or officer. (Sec. 3) Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide financial assistance to the Housing Assistance Council to develop the ability and capacity of community-based housing development organizations to undertake community development and affordable housing projects and programs in rural areas. Authorizes the Housing Assistance Council to use such assistance for: (1) technical assistance, training, support, and advice to develop the business and administrative capabilities of rural community-based housing development organizations; and (2) loans, grants, or other financial assistance to such organizations to carry out community development and affordable housing activities for low- and moderate-income families. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2010. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary also to make a grant to the Raza Development Fund to provide technical and financial assistance to local nonprofit organizations to undertake similar projects and programs serving low- and moderate-income households, particularly through organizations in neighborhoods with substantial populations of income-disadvantaged households of Hispanic origin. Authorizes the Fund to use such assistance to: (1) provide technical and financial assistance for site acquisition and development, construction financing, and short- and long-term financing for housing, community facilities, and economic development; (2) leverage capital from private entities; and (3) provide technical assistance, training, support, and advice to develop the management, financial, and administrative capabilities of housing development organizations serving such low-income households. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2010. (Sec. 5) Authorizes the Secretary to make a grant to the Housing Partnership Network to create, sustain, and improve access to affordable housing and community facilities benefiting very low-, low- and moderate-income households and communities. Authorizes the Network to use such assistance to: (1) make investments, loans, and grants to its member nonprofits that demonstrate expertise in using such funds to leverage additional private capital to build, operate, finance, and sustain affordable housing and related community development facilities; (2) make investments in entities sponsored by the Network with the intent to leverage additional private capital to further the production capacity, sustainability, or efficiency of its members; and (3) pay for the expenses of the Network to administer and oversee such investments. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008-FY2010. Directs the Comptroller General to audit entities or organizations receiving such funds. (Sec. 7) Prohibits the use of such funds to provide direct housing assistance to any person not lawfully present in the United States.

housing assistance authorization act sec prohibits use funds authorized act lobby retain lobbyist influence federal state local governmental entity officer sec authorizes secretary housing_and_urban_development hud provide financial assistance housing_assistance_council develop ability capacity community based housing development organizations undertake community development affordable housing projects programs rural areas authorizes housing_assistance_council use assistance technical assistance training support advice develop business administrative capabilities rural community based housing development organizations loans grants financial assistance organizations carry community development affordable housing activities low- moderate income families authorizes appropriations fy2008 fy2010 sec authorizes secretary grant provide technical financial assistance local nonprofit organizations undertake similar projects programs serving low- moderate income households particularly organizations neighborhoods substantial populations income disadvantaged households hispanic origin authorizes fund use assistance provide technical financial assistance site acquisition development construction financing short- long term financing housing community facilities economic development leverage capital private entities provide technical assistance training support advice develop management financial administrative capabilities housing development organizations serving low income households authorizes appropriations fy2008 fy2010 sec authorizes secretary grant create sustain improve access affordable housing community facilities benefiting low- low- moderate income households communities authorizes network use assistance investments loans grants member nonprofits demonstrate expertise funds leverage additional private capital build operate finance sustain affordable housing related community development facilities investments entities sponsored network intent leverage additional private capital production capacity sustainability efficiency members pay expenses network administer oversee investments authorizes appropriations fy2008 fy2010 directs comptroller general audit entities organizations receiving funds sec prohibits use funds provide direct housing assistance person lawfully present united_states


Summary: First-Time Homebuyers' Tax Credit Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow an income-based, one-time refundable tax credit for first-time homebuyers of ten percent of a principal residence's purchase price ($3,000 maximum credit, $6,000 maximum credit for joint filers); (2) allow transfer of such credit (within 30 days of transfer application) as payment towards related downpayment and closing costs; and (3) apply the credit to purchases made on or after January 1, 2008, and before January 1, 2013, and to binding contracts made between such dates, and in which the residence is occupied before July 1, 2014.

amends internal revenue code allow income based time refundable tax credit time homebuyers percent principal residence purchase price maximum credit maximum credit joint filers allow transfer credit days transfer application payment related downpayment closing costs apply credit purchases january january binding contracts dates residence occupied july