Federal housing policy for rural areas is now at a crossroads. Since 1949 more than two million rural families have received benefits through housing programs of the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) and about 700,000 through the deep-subsidy programs of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Early in 1985 the Reagan Administration proposed that additional aid under these programs be suspended for two years, after which all subsidized housing in rural areas would be provided by HUD. While Congress has not yet concurred in these proposed changes, deep cutbacks in proggram levels are expected in the process of reducing the Federal budget deficit. nnIn this transition period, legislators and community groups are going back to the drawing board and asking basic questions about rural housing needs and programs. The questions include the following: (1) What kinds of housing difficulties face low and moderate income families in rural areas? (2) Is there a chronic credit gap for housing in rural areas? (3) What is the connection between the problems of the farm economy and housing problems in rural areas? (4) Are the Federal and State programs now in place able to deal effectively with these problems? (5) Are additional or alternative measures--private as well as public--called for?,Morton J. Schussheim, Senior Specialist in Housing.,CRS 86-517 S,"January 17, 1986.",SuDoc# 14. 18/3

Morton J. Schussheim, Senior Specialist in Housing. Prepared at the request of the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Housing and Urban Affairs, Senate of the United States.,CRS 87-6 S,"January 29, 1987.",SuDoc# 14. 18/3

There have been marked changes in the Federal Government's role in housing since 1981. Inflation, Federal budget deficits, slow income growth, public disenchantment with programs for the poor -- these and other factors would have compelled shifts in social programs such as housing regardless of the group who controlled the White House. But many of the housing programs in place in 1981 were essentially incompatible with the philosophy of the Reagan team. This paper identifies some of the major changes brought about or proposed by this Administration and the rationale for these efforts.,Morton J. Schussheim, Senior Specialist in Housing,CRS 87-142 S,"Feburary 23, 1987.",SuDoc# 14. 18/3