April 25, 2024

This week, the US Supreme Court weighed the legality of Grant Pass, Oregon’s crackdown on homelessness, sparking a constitutional debate on public sleeping bans amidst a shortage of shelter and affordable housing units. After Monday’s arguments, the court appears poised to uphold the ban. Its decision will have broad implications for cities and people living on the streets across the nation.

High housing prices, rising interest rates, and limited inventory have hindered the ability of Maine’s homeownership programs to assist residents, especially in cities like Portland, where costs exceed household earnings. According to the Portland Housing Authority, voucher recipients have not successfully closed on a home since 2022.

Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration will launch a new housing assistance pilot program for Medicaid recipients who have a serious mental illness, have a substance use disorder, or are experiencing housing insecurity or homelessness. Florida health care workers, community leaders, and service professionals will work together to serve up to 4,000 Medicaid recipients annually.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) introduced a new rule to strengthen the Section 184 Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Program, aiming to boost lender participation and expand access to Native American beneficiaries. The rule clarifies eligibility requirements for lenders and establishes guidelines for tribal participation, underwriting processes, servicing standards, and claims procedures.