This Week in Washington

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded $47.4 million to fair housing organizations across the country under its Fair Housing Initiatives Program.The grants will support the efforts of 120 national and local fair housing organizations working to address violations of the Fair Housing Act.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has completed renovations of its Chicago headquarters. NAR has operated its offices on Michigan Avenue since 1974.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded $30 million to 32 nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, and public housing authorities to help low-income elderly homeowners age in place. The grants assist in undertaking comprehensive programs that make safety home modifications and limited repairs to help reduce falling risks.

In 2001, immediately after the Realtors Relief Foundation was founded, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) made a $1 million donation to kick off a fundraising drive which ultimately generated $8.5 million for the families of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Now, NAR and its subsidiaries have made an unprecedented $1.25 million donation to aid with hurricane and wildfire damage.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) will convene a FinCEN Exchange in August with representatives from financial institutions, other key industry stakeholders, and federal government agencies to discuss ongoing concerns regarding ransomware. Ransomware attacks are a growing concern for the financial sector, given the role of some financial institutions in the processing of ransom payments.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has launched a new digital toolkit for stakeholders interested in providing the latest information and resources to renters and mortgage borrowers who continue to struggle financially because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced more measures to help homeowners struggling financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new assistance includes a new home retention option called the COVID-19 Advance Loan Modification.