Welcome to FIVE FOR FRIDAY: A weekly roundup of Public Policy Issues and Headlines. In this Issue: 1. Housing inflation eased in September in 'sharp reversal' from previous month 2. D.C. City Council Emergency Legislation Addresses Rental Assistance Program Financial Crisis 3. SBA disaster loan funding will run out 'very soon.' But you should still apply 4. MBA promotes pair to bolster affordable housing, DEI initiatives 5. Harris, Kaine ahead in Virginia by comfortable margins, new poll says.
Housing inflation eased in September in 'sharp reversal' from previous month
By HAMZA SHABAN, Yahoo! Finance
September's Consumer Price Index (CPI) report came in hotter than analysts expected, but the data offered one major point of optimism: Shelter cost increases came down during the month, flashing an encouraging economic signal that the most stubborn contributor to inflation may finally be giving ground.
D.C. City Council Emergency Legislation Addresses Rental Assistance Program Financial Crisis
By Holland & Knight
Amid growing concerns about escalating unpaid rents and the impact on affordable housing in the District of Columbia (D.C.), the D.C. Council adopted, on an emergency basis, the Emergency Rental Assistance Reform Emergency Amendment Act of 2024. The new law amends the requirements relating to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) and will go into effect once approved by Mayor Muriel Bowser.
SBA disaster loan funding will run out 'very soon.' But you should still apply
By ANDY MEDICI, Washington Business Journal
The Small Business Administration will run out of funding for its disaster loan program “very soon” unless Congress takes action. SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman told The Playbook in an interview that while the agency couldn’t say whether it would be days or weeks — as President Biden has said previously — the money will run out in the near future.
MBA promotes pair to bolster affordable housing, DEI initiatives
By KENNEDY EEGERTON, HousingWire
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) has announced two promotions within its leadership team. The trade group named Wendy Penn as vice president of affordable housing initiatives and Amber Lawrence as vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). As the head of affordable housing initiatives, Penn will focus her attention on MBA’s CONVERGENCE plans, a set of programs designed to help lenders and real estate professionals in breaking down homeownership barriers for Black, Hispanic and underserved communities.
Harris, Kaine ahead in Virginia by comfortable margins, new poll says
By MARKUS SCHMIDT, Virginia Mercury
Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, leads Republican Donald Trump by 11 points (52-41%) among Virginia likely voters, according to a new poll released Monday by the Wason Center for Civic Leadership at Christopher Newport University. The survey found that 4% of voters remain undecided four weeks before the Nov. 5 election, while 3% say they will vote for someone else. In the U.S. Senate race, Democrat Tim Kaine leads Republican Hung Cao by 20 points, or 55% to 35%, with 8% saying they are undecided and 2% saying they will vote for someone else.