The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), enacted in 1994, provides housing protections to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Despite its long-standing presence, many public and affordable housing providers still have questions about implementing VAWA, especially after the act's reauthorization in 2022, which expanded the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) enforcement authority. Since then, HUD has initiated multiple cases involving non-compliant housing providers.

With a constant shortage of public and affordable housing units across the nation, a new development or rehab is always a positive sign for the state of housing. However, growth brings new risks for housing agencies, particularly builders' risk.

As temperatures rise, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is taking action to ensure public housing residents can stay cool during the scorching summer months. In a June 13, 2024 notice, HUD reminded public housing authorities (PHAs) that they can utilize capital and operating funds to help residents beat the heat. Additionally, HUD clarified that PHAs may establish a policy to provide individual relief and immediately start granting relief requests from air conditioning or cooling-related surcharges or utility supplier billings based on severe or extreme heat.

As housing agencies increasingly rely on digital systems and data management, the importance of cyber insurance cannot be overstated.

Since taking on the role of executive director at North Providence Housing Authority in 2021, Marilee Arsenault has prioritized safety and security within the organization. She began her journey with the agency in December 2018 as a public housing coordinator before moving to the role of executive assistant. Two years after becoming executive director, Arsenault was named HAI Group’s 2023 Risk Champion of the Year.

Property owners and managers face the challenge of interpreting and adhering to the regulations and guidelines established by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Among these complexities lies the realm of non-rent fees in HUD-assisted properties. 

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program remains a cornerstone in providing affordable housing options for low-income individuals and families in the United States, offering substantial benefits to tenants and landlords. Administered by public housing agencies (PHAs), these vouchers subsidize rental costs for eligible recipients, facilitating access to decent, safe, and sanitary housing within the private rental market.

Since cybersecurity can feel overwhelming for those outside the information technology sphere, we've developed a list of 15 (mostly non-technical) cybersecurity terms that public and affordable housing leaders and employees should know in 2024.