Rural and Non-Metropolitan Needs: The Field Perspective of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD's) Response

摘要

The responsiveness of HUD programs in meeting the needs of small communities and rural areas in eight southeastern States is reviewed. Information was gathered from HUD area offices in Region IV, public associations, and other unspecified sources. Areas of consideration include: (1) technical assistance, (2) the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) small communities program, (3) CDBG regulatory hardships, (4) assisted housing program problems, (5) program overlap, and (6) funding level adequacy. In addition, the housing problems of small communities and rural areas are considered separately. The report recommends that HUD should allow staff working with these areas to conduct greater outreach and training efforts. Officials in small communities and rural areas are often less technically oriented than their metropolitan counterparts and require additional assistance. Regulations and application requirements for HUD programs in these areas should be simplified and streamlined. Multifamily housing represents an area of large potential in these less developed areas. Both 701 program and low - income housing funding to these nonmetropolitan areas should be increased. HUD should sponsor joint funding efforts to eliminate resource duplication. Tabular data and copies of related correspondence are included. Participant housing recommendations are listed.