Written by HBA and AAM CEO, Forrest M. Wall, CAE
CERA Program Closed
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) has announced the closing of the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program to new applications effective June 30, 2022. This program, which began accepting applications in March 2021, had received over 266,000 applications for assistance as of June 15. Over $1 Billion in federal rental and utility assistance funding has been appropriated to the program, and MSHDA will continue to process applications submitted prior to June 30.
With the announcement of the program closure, AAM sent a letter to the Michigan Supreme Court requesting the recission of Administrative Order 2020-17. This administrative order was implemented initially in conjunction with a state of emergency caused by COVID-19 and the statewide (followed by nationwide) eviction moratorium. It was further extended to facilitate the renter assistance funding from the federal government. The order provides for several requirements – including a two-hearing process – which alter and go beyond Michigan’s summary proceedings statute.
Regulations Now Account For Over 40 Percent Of Apartment Development Costs
Recently released research from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) shows regulations now account for an average of 40.6% of apartment development costs. The figure includes regulation imposed by all levels of government, and was based on a survey of 49 developers across the United States. A variety of regulations were cited, including zoning requirements, building codes, permitting, and safety rules to name a few. NAHB Chairman Jerry Konter said “This study clearly shows how burdensome regulations are exacerbating the nation’s housing affordability crisis and that officials at all levels of government need to make it a priority to reduce excessive regulatory costs to allow developers and builders to boost housing production and ease affordability challenges.” The full study is available at www.nahb.org.