Here is today's Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns (KCDC) Disability News message.? I hope you have a wonderful day.?
Martha
Martha K. Gabehart | Executive Director
Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns (KCDC)
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly
900 SW Jackson, Suite 100 | Topeka, Kansas 66612
(785) 296-6525 (direct) | (785) 260-4027 (cell)
[email protected] | www.kcdcinfo.ks.gov
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This message is from the Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD)
Official Guidelines + Webinar Invitation
Thursday, May 4 | 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
KOBD is launching the Lasting Infrastructure and Network Connectivity (LINC) program which is a multi-faceted effort to improve broadband infrastructure, middle mile connectivity, and Internet Exchange Point capabilities within the State of Kansas. Through this program, applications will be solicited, and grants will be awarded for the two categories of capabilities. Separate sections outlined within this document will describe the solutions being requested, program guidelines and application requirements for each capability. The LINC program information is captured in two separate sections as documented below:
Section 1: Broadband Infrastructure
Section 2: Internet Exchange Point (IXP) and Middle Mile
Applications will be accepted for any or all capabilities as outlined in section one and two of the program guidelines. Each application will be evaluated on its own merit. Service providers may submit multiple applications, specifically for Section 1 (Broadband Infrastructure) given specific geographic considerations for each type of application in these categories. Section 2 (Internet Exchange Point and Middle Mile Solutions) is a combined capability where an applicant may apply for either Middle Mile or Internet Exchange Point or for both capabilities. KOBD may choose to award grants to both capabilities or any one capability depending on the compelling information provided by the applicant pool.
Guidelines + Webinar Invitation
Lasting Infrastructure and Network Connectivity (LINC) final program guidelines are posted on the KOBD website here.
Interested in the LINC program? KOBD invites you to join us for an informational webinar on Thursday, May 4 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. via Teams. Register for the webinar here.
**NEW** Internet Service Provider Guideline Review Period - Service providers were able to review and suggest feedback on the Program Guidelines. The Program Guidelines were posted on the KOBD website until Tuesday, April 18th and KOBD received feedback via Submittable until Monday, April 24, 2023, 11 PM CST. We thank all for sending and sharing program feedback with the team.
The Kansas Office of Broadband Development was established in 2020 to help ensure all Kansans have the opportunity to live, work, learn and compete in a global economy by improving universal access to quality, affordable and reliable broadband.
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Kansas Housing Resources Corp (KHRC)
Kansas Housing Compliance Update | May 2023
New Smoke Detector Requirement for Assisted Housing Properties
At the end of 2022, Congress passed a law regarding smoke detectors in assisted housing. This new rule requires all federally assisted housing units to have either hardwired or tamper-resistant battery-powered smoke alarms with sealed batteries.
Read more about this new law and its potential impact.
Fire Hazard and Prevention Tips for Electric Scooters and Bikes
Attention, Multifamily Stakeholders!
The attached memo and flyer (below) provide awareness about the increasing fire hazard and fire prevention tips for electric scooters and bikes. Please ensure this information is shared periodically with staff and residents in all of your multifamily properties to help reduce the risk of fire and injury.
Multifamily owners, management agents, and residents can do their part to help prevent electric scooter and bike related fires. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends following these guidelines:
? Always be present when charging devices using lithium-ion batteries.
? Only use the charger that came with your device.
? Only use an approved replacement battery pack.
? Follow the manufacturer?s instructions for proper charging and unplug the device when done.
? Never charge while sleeping.
? Never use these devices with a battery pack that has been modified/reworked by unqualified personnel or with re-purposed or used cells.
? Never throw lithium batteries into the trash or general recycling. Instead, take them to your local battery recycler or hazardous waste collection center.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Issues Unique Entity Identifier Notice
Dear Multifamily Owners and Operators,
On January 26, 2023, HUD?s Office of Multifamily Housing Programs published a Notice titled Unique Entity Identifier Replaces Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System for Identification of Federal Awards. The Notice provides background on the federal government?s transition from the Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Number System (DUNS Number) to the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
HUD cannot obligate funds to an owner entity or grantee that has not registered its ?unique entity identifier? with the federal government?s System for Award Management (SAM.gov). On April 4, 2022, the unique entity identifier changed from the DUNS Number to the UEI. In addition to listing the types of HUD owner entities and grantees to which this requirement applies, the Notice identifies resources available to assist with the transition and addresses current and future TRACS implications.
The full Notice on HUDCLIPS is attached below.?
HUD Final Rule on the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) of 2016
On January 31, 2023, HUD released HUD Final Rule Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016: Implementation of Sections 102, 103, and 104.
This Final Rule implements the Housing Opportunities Through Modernization Act (HOTMA) which was signed into law in July 2016. Additional provisions are included as well. We expect HUD to issue additional guidance providing clarification for owner/agents.
Keep in mind that HUD will be working with software vendors and other industry stakeholders to define changes to site software requirements which will need to be programmed and tested before owner/agents can fully implement HOTMA.
Owner/agents are encouraged to review this Final Rule in its entirety since the changes provided affect:
? Eligibility
? Interim Recertification
? Use of EIV
? Income Inclusions and Exclusions
? Deduction used to reduce Annual Income
? Management & Occupancy Review errors/findings
Such changes require edits to key property documents including, but not limited to:
? The Tenant Selection Plan
? The EIV Use Policy
? Interim Recertification Notices
? New Hardship Exemption Policy Related to Deductions
We will review those changes and edit as appropriate and then make updated and new products available to you, our customers.
HUD will be sending out more information soon!
HUD to delay release of FY 2023 median family incomes until around May 15
HUD annually calculates estimates of median family income for every area of the country. These estimates are used to calculate various income limits, which are defined as percentages of median family income, and vary by the number of persons in a household. HUD uses income limits to define low-income status and resulting eligibility for many of its housing assistance programs. For more information, please see the Median Family Income and Income Limits Methodology documents.
Since FY 2011, HUD has based its median family income estimates on data from the Census Bureau?s American Community Survey (ACS). Since FY 2012, there has been a 3-year lag between the ACS estimates and the fiscal year for which the income limits are in effect. For example, the FY 2022 median family incomes and income limits were based on the ACS 2019 data.
On July 29, 2021, the Census Bureau announced that it would not release standard 1-year estimates from the 2020 American Community Survey (ACS) because of the impacts of the COVID?19 pandemic on data collection, which resulted in the 1-year estimates not meeting the Census Bureau?s Statistical Data Quality Standards.
The FY 2023 median family incomes and income limits would ordinarily be based on the ACS 2020 estimates. However, because of the lack of 1-year ACS 2020 estimates described above, HUD intends to instead base the FY 2023 median family incomes and income limits on ACS 2021 data. Since 2014, HUD has released median family incomes and income limits in March or April of each year. Because the special tabulations of ACS 2021 data HUD needs for median family income calculations will not be available until early 2023, HUD intends to delay the release of FY 2023 median family incomes and income limits until on or about May 15, 2023. Should HUD revise this date, HUD will make a similar announcement here.
2023 Kansas Housing Conference
Our 18th annual Kansas Housing Conference will bring together housing professionals from across the state and region to network, learn, and explore the latest trends and innovations in affordable housing.
Presenters will offer compliance training for housing administrators, sessions on expanding affordable housing opportunities in Kansas, breakout content for housing advocates, community leaders, social service providers, and more.
Make plans to join us at the Overland Park Convention Center Aug. 22-24, 2023!
Sponsor / Exhibitor Registration and the call for agenda submissions are open, with the same priority deadline of May 12.
Questions? Contact [email protected].
Kansas Housing Resources Corporation
611 S Kansas Ave., Suite 300 | Topeka, KS 66603
[email protected]
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