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

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. Why Does In-District Advocacy Matter?

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

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

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

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

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

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

15. Questions? Contact Audrey at audrey@Rapoza.org
Visit our website at for more information!