STATEWIDE NEWS
Oregon Housing and Community Services Announces Spring CFC Awardees
Housing Division of OHCS Reorganizes
FEDERAL NEWS
Section 8 Emergency Affecting Oregon, Washington, Florida, West Virginia
Frank, Waters Urge Public Housing Demolition Moratorium
HUD Secretary Comments on Section 8, Other FY10 HUD Requests
HUD Interprets of Section 8 Provisions in Protecting Tenants Act
Census Funding, Affecting Housing Assistance, Will Not Be Reduced
Legislation Expands Resources for Native Americans, Women and Veterans
NACEDA Announces Pilot Locations for MNC Initiative
PORTLAND METRO NEWS
Stadium Owner Withdraws Proposal for Lents
Multnomah Judge Rules Sit-lie Law Unconstitutional
ROSE makes a park for Marysville School neighborhood
FUNDING AND AWARD OPPORTUNITIES
US Dept of Agriculture Expands Rural Mortgages in Douglas County
National Phone Call to Report on $1 Billion for Housing Trust Fund
HUD and APA Announce Criteria for Opportunity and Empowerment Award
NOFA for Health & Human Services Administration for Children, Families
NSP-1 Formula Grant Implementation Training, NSP-2 Correction Notice
EVENTS
Habitat for Humanity, Church Embrace Portland Pride Build: June 27
Portland Town Hall on the Economic Crisis: June 30
RESOURCES, TRAININGS AND CONFERENCES
Urban Institute Report Finds Rents Leave Working Families Behind
New Tools Available for Mixed-Income Transit Oriented Development
Shaun Donovan Speaks at Solutions Conference June 30
AWARDS
CPAH’s Watershed Housing Receives Silver LEED Rating, National Awards
NHA Housing Director Wins Young Leaders Award
CDC Leader Named One of ‘100 Most Influential Leaders in World’ by Time
Oregon Housing & Community Services Announces Spring CFC Awardees -top
Nearly $26 million in combined grants, loans and tax credits to housing developers throughout the state will help fund 435 units of affordable housing, providing hundreds of low-income Oregonians a place to call home. The Housing Council approved the money on Friday, June 5.
“This financing can give the economic punch to inject important construction jobs into the Oregon economy,” said Rick Crager, deputy director of Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), the state agency that oversees the distribution of these funds.
“A number of these projects also preserve existing federally-subsidized rental housing,” added Crager. “In addition, this financing makes more affordable homes readily available to families whose living situations are jeopardized by the troubled economy.”
Seventeen low-income housing projects throughout Oregon will receive funding from the department’s spring 2009 Consolidated Funding Cycle (CFC), generating an estimated $844 million in economic activity throughout the state, Crager announced today.
The latest round of CFC funding includes:
• Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program (LIHTC) encourages new construction and rehabilitation of rental housing for low-income families $5.8 million in annual tax credits.
• Oregon Affordable Housing Tax Credit Program (OAHTC) lowers the cost of financing by up to 4 percent and reduces tenant rents by an amount equal to the savings that result from the low interest rate $13.5 million in reduced-interest-rate loans.
• HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development program that supports affordable housing options for people at less than 50 and 60 percent of their area’s median income $4.26 million.
• Housing Trust Fund: Receipt of trust fund grants obligates projects to provide 25 years of affordable housing $1.95 million.
• Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) increases energy efficiency by bringing old units up to or above code and enabling new construction to be built to standards greater than code when energy savings justify the additional investment $404,461.
OHCS awarded CFC funds for projects in the following communities:
Ashland (Snowberry Brook) The Housing Authority of Jackson County received $100,000 in Housing Trust Fund, $825,000 in LIHTC, $2.7 million in OAHTC and $100,000 in LIWP funds to construct 60 units of affordable housing for low-income families. Total project costs: $11,390,240.
Astoria (Astoria Gateway II) Shelter Resources and Astoria Gateway II, LP, received $100,000 in Housing Trust Fund, $420,000 in HOME, $755,369 in LIHTC, and $225,000 in OAHTC funds to construct 33 units of affordable housing for persons with disabilities and low-income families.Total project costs: $7,249,992.
Cave Junction (Valley Village II) Southern Oregon Affordable Rentals I, LLC, received $137,000 in Housing Trust Fund, $421,284 in HOME, and $296,342 in OAHTC funds to acquire, rehabilitate and preserve 16 units of affordable housing and associated tenant rental assistance for seniors and persons with disabilities. Total project costs: $861,571.
Dallas (Jen’s Place) Polk Community Development Corp. (CDC) received $105,555 in Housing Trust Fund and $844,464 in HOME funds to construct five units of affordable housing for persons in drug/alcohol recovery and low-income families. Total project costs: $1,211,483.
Eugene (Sunny Drive) Oregon Supportive Living Program received $98,973 in Housing Trust Fund monies to rehabilitate a four-bedroom group home for released offenders who have disabilities. Total project costs: $98,973.
Hood River (Hood River Crossing Apartments) Luckenbill-Drayton & Associates received $187,792 in Housing Trust Fund, $660,000 in HOME, $818,679 in LIHTC, and $1.2 million in OAHTC funds to construct 40 units of affordable housing for farmworkers and low-income families. Total project costs: $8,225,059.
North Bend (Cedar Grove Apartments) Lovelace Properties, LLC, received $100,000 in Housing Trust Fund, $985,000 in HOME, $262,059 LIHTC, and $1.12 million in OAHTC funds to acquire, rehabilitate and preserve 42 units of affordable housing for persons with disabilities and low-income families. Total project costs: $4,105,000.
Ontario (The Family Place) Housing Authority of Malheur County received $105,638 in Housing Trust Fund monies to rehabilitate and preserve one unit of affordable housing for a low-income family.Total project costs: $173,312.
Portland (CSI MRDD Group Home, Burnside) Community Services, Inc., received $100,000 in Housing Trust Fund and $11,608 in LIWP funds to acquire, rehabilitate and preserve a four-bedroom group home for persons with disabilities.Total project costs: $484,000.
Portland (Portland Hope Bridges) Portland Hope Meadows is sponsoring this innovative housing model, serving both seniors and foster children in the same complex. OHCS is funding the senior portion with $100,000 in Housing Trust Fund, $793,782 in LIHTC, and $63,646 in LIWP funds to construct 27 units. Total project costs: $7,835,384.
Portland (Upshur House) Northwest Housing Alternatives received $464,993 in LIHTC and approximately $2.4 million in OAHTC funds to acquire, rehabilitate and preserve 30 units of affordable housing for low-income families. Total project costs: $6,680,992.
Portland (Walnut Park-Portland) REACH Community Development, Inc., received $100,000 in Housing Trust Fund, $506,102 in LIHTC, almost $1.3 million in OAHTC, and $96,384 in LIWP funds to acquire, rehabilitate and preserve 38 units of affordable housing for seniors and homeless persons. Total project costs: $6,907,652.
Portland (Yolanda House) YWCA of Greater Portland received $100,000 in Housing Trust Fund monies to rehabilitate nine units of affordable housing for homeless persons and low-income families.Total project costs: $149,122.
Rogue River (Rogue Terrace) Southern Oregon Affordable Rentals 1, LLC received $164,461 in Housing Trust Fund, $934,960 in HOME, and $622,872 in OAHTC funds to acquire, rehabilitate and preserve 32 units of affordable housing for seniors and persons with disabilities. Total project costs: $1,736,891.
Roseburg (Parkside Village) Guardian Affordable Housing Development, LLC, received $226,561 in Housing Trust Fund, $577,734 in LIHTC, and $1.8 million in OAHTC funds to acquire, rehabilitate and preserve 36 units of affordable housing for low-income families. Total project costs: $6,633,438.
Springfield (Afiya Apartments) ShelterCare received $125,187 in Housing Trust Fund and $32,823 in LIWP funds to construct 16 units of affordable housing for persons with disabilities. Total project costs: $2,544,410.
Tigard (The Knoll @ Tigard) Community Partners for Affordable Housing, Inc., received $100,000 in Housing Trust Fund, $825,000 in LIHTC, $1.85 million in OAHTC, and $100,000 in LIWP funds to construct 48 units of affordable housing for seniors.
Total project costs: $10, 435,115.
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Housing Division of OHCS Reorganizes-top
In order to offset workforce reductions made necessary by balancing the budget in the next biennium, Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is reorganizing its Housing Division. It is one of several restructurings being instituted at OHCS.
OHCS Director Victor Merced reports that Betty Markey from the Multi Family Housing Section will change her role to reflect the fluctuating dynamics of the marketplace and the agency. He cited the need for “a strong policy analyst to meet head-on the challenges that financing affordable housing has thrown in our path. OHCS and other housing finance agencies across the nation are confronted with enormous hurdles, and Betty is perfect to be on the front line here in Oregon. As a long-time manager with deep knowledge and capacity to operate outside the scope of day-to-day operations, she is assigned to pursue affordable housing initiatives and policies on behalf of the department.”
The newly reorganized division will have two sections – a Single Family Section and a Multifamily Section. Within the Multifamily Section, duplicated elements from the old Housing Finance and Housing Resources Section have been merged in order to streamline the organization. Dave Summers will manage the new Multifamily Section.
Prior to the reorganization, says Merced, key employees in both the Housing Finance and Housing Resources Section handled a variety of both multifamily programs and projects, creating unnecessary overlap. Thus they have established two units on one side of the Multifamily Section: an affordable housing resource management unit to handle programs, processes, reporting, and procedures related to all housing programs; and an affordable housing underwriting unit to package the financing and monitor the development of each project award through completion.
On the other side of the Multifamily Section, they added an additional two units to provide support to the housing development process and conduct quality assurance. The affordable housing development process unit handles key support work, employing the appraiser (whose job includes liaison to the Asset and Property Management Division), the architect and the data support assistant. The other unit, loan closing and quality assurance, provides for a focus on the closing of all loans and grants, and ensures that the Asset and Property Management Division is delivered with files that are in order and have been thoroughly reviewed.
The newly reconstituted Single Family Section is managed by Dona Lanterman and includes oversight of the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program.
The residential loan and homeownership programs remain much the same as they were before the reorganization in the Single Family Section, which has limited activity of late because of the housing market downturn.
Section 8 Emergency Affecting Oregon, Washington, Florida, W. Virginia -top
As housing advocates have traced the roots of the Section 8 failure in Clatsop, Columbia and Tillamook Counties (see 6/11 Oregon ON newsletter) they have found that nationally, HUD’s 2009 funding formula is shortchanging housing authorities that have been pushed beyond their means by economic instability, rising rental costs and a growing number of impoverished families.
Washington state, Florida, and West Virginia are experiencing Section 8 losses as well. Walla Walla Housing Authority in Washington reports that it may have to cut up to 150 recipients because of a shortage in HUD funding. The Brevard Family of Housing Authorities in Florida is reporting that it might have to cut 200 to 250 families from the Section 8 program because of the same funding shortfall. And in testimony before the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity on June 4, Tony Bazzie, executive director of the Raleigh County Housing Authority in Beckley, W. Va., said that his agency is faced with possibly cutting 156 families from the program for the remainder of 2009, starting next month.
Because families will be discarded from the program in as soon as a week, with many facing homelessness, housing advocates are calling for emergency action from President Obama, HUD Secretary Donovan, and Congress to provide housing authorities with an immediate infusion of funding to ensure all current Section 8 tenants can keep their vouchers.
To read the full story or to sign a petition, click here.
Frank, Waters Urge Public Housing Demolition Moratorium-top
House Financial Services Committee Chair Barney Frank (D-MA) and Housing and Community Opportunity Subcommittee Chair Maxine Waters (D-CA) wrote to HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan on June 15 asking that HUD issue a one-year moratorium on the demolition or disposition of public housing units.
In the letter, Mr. Frank and Ms. Waters note that 120,000 units of public housing have been lost within the last 10 years, and that public housing is being lost at a faster rate than it is being replaced. This loss effectively exacerbates the “affordable housing needs of our most vulnerable populations,” the letter states, and forces families to live in increasingly substandard living conditions.
Mr. Frank and Ms. Waters underscore the idea that preservation of pre-existing affordable housing units is essential because other affordable housing mechanisms, including housing vouchers, will not be useful if there is an overall shortage of housing. Public housing units represent a “crucial investment and significant asset,” they wrote, because of the relative permanence of these buildings.
The letter urges that until these units can be replaced on a one-for-one basis, HUD must take strides toward ensuring that families have access to “decent, safe, and affordable housing” by adopting a moratorium on demolition. Mr. Frank and Ms. Waters wrote a similar letter on in 2008 to then-HUD Secretary Steven Preston, requesting a cease in approval of demolition and disposition applications (see Memo, 8/15/08).
The letter is available by clicking here.
HUD Secretary Comments on Section 8, Other FY10 HUD Requests -top
HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan was the sole witness at a June 11 hearing on HUD’s FY10 budget held by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (T-HUD).
Subcommittee Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) opened the hearing by noting the importance of HUD programs, especially in the current economic downturn. “HUD’s many programs provide the resources and support to help working families achieve homeownership, maintain safe and decent housing, and access the services they need,” Senator Murray said. “HUD must demonstrate leadership in developing solutions to stem the current foreclosure crisis, strengthening the safety net for vulnerable families hit by the recession, and preventing future housing disasters,” she added.
Senator Murray also noted that it is “a welcome relief” to see a proposed budget from the Administration that does not cut programs that serve seniors and people with disabilities. “However, as Congress and the Administration work to address the housing crisis and turn the economy around, we need to do more than maintain the status quo,” she said.
Secretary Donovan began his testimony by thanking the Subcommittee for its role in securing almost $14 billion for HUD programs in the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that passed in February. He said that the FY10 HUD budget request will allow HUD to insure the mortgages of 2.25 million households within the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), provide rental assistance to 4.5 million households, and increase local capacity to serve people who are homeless by almost 15%.
The FY10 request will provide for a balanced housing policy, Secretary Donovan said, by asking for $1 billion to capitalize the National Housing Trust Fund, providing full funding for the public housing operating fund, renewing all project-based Section 8 contracts, increasing funding for homeless programs and preserving tenant-based voucher while allowing housing agencies to maximize voucher use.
Even though HUD must ask Congress for almost $800 million to offset losses to its Home Equity Conversion Mortgage /reverse mortgage product in FY10, overall the FHA is expected to generate $1 billion more than it’s expected to pay out in FY10, Secretary Donovan said.
Public housing agencies have taken issue with HUD’s position that the FY10 budget request would provide 100% of funds needed to operate public housing; the Public Housing Authority Directors Association, the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities and the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials estimate HUD’s request would fund operating costs at 92% – 94% of full funding. PHAs have been funded at levels below 100% levels for the past seven years.
Senator Murray asked Secretary Donovan whether the funding requested for tenant-based vouchers would be sufficient to renew all existing vouchers in FY10, and Secretary Donovan said HUD is confident that all vouchers will be renewed. He did, however, express concern that some housing agencies are having trouble renewing all of their vouchers now with available FY09 funding. The funding squeeze, being reported in media accounts by some housing agencies, appears to be due to both increased utilization rates for vouchers and increased rental costs, Secretary Donovan said. Increased demand for housing assistance and rising rents can both be attributed to the recession and foreclosure crisis.
Senator Murray expressed a desire to increase the number of vouchers, as long as there is a long-term plan in place to ensure their renewal. Secretary Donovan said that HUD needs better data systems to monitor the voucher program. The Section 8 Voucher Reform Act (SEVRA) should be enacted and the program needs a stable, predictable funding formula, he said. SEVRA, the passage of which is a high priority for National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), is expected to be introduced in the House shortly (see Memo, 6/5).
Subcommittee Ranking Member Senator Christopher Bond (R-MO) acknowledged Secretary Donovan’s efforts to “rebalance[e] federal housing policy to place greater focus on affordable rental housing.”
“As you know from your time in New York City,” Senator Bond said to Secretary Donovan, “there is a severe lack of decent and affordable rental housing in our nation.”
Senator Bond also expressed concern about the FHA. “FHA has been exhibiting troubling signs as default rates have risen to the highest rate in several years, capital reserves have substantially declined, and foreclosures have accelerated,” he said. “Further, FHA remains vulnerable to fraud. This has been a long-term problem that has been well-documented by the HUD Inspector General and has been an area of concern to this committee.”
Senator Bond praised Secretary Donovan’s acknowledgement of FHA’s problems and his taking steps to address them. “But despite your best efforts,” Senator Bond said, “I fear the agency may be swimming upstream as fraudulent activity in the mortgage industry is on the rise” as FHA’s business expands, and more demands are placed on FHA by Congress and HUD. “That is why I continue to believe that FHA is a powder keg,” he added.
Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) drew attention to the need to help both homeowners and renters. “More than 60,000 New Jersey homeowners could lose their homes this year,” he said, adding that many renters cannot find a place they can afford.
In response to a question raised by Senator Lautenberg on HUD’s proposals for the HOPE VI severely distressed public housing revitalization program, Secretary Donovan clarified that the FY10 HUD budget request asks for no funds for HOPE VI but instead for a new Choice Neighborhoods Initiative (CNI), which Secretary Donovan called a celebration of HOPE VI. “[HOPE VI has] worked so well, we should think about expanding HOPE VI,” Secretary Donovan said.
The Administration has requested $250 million for CNI in FY10, more than double HOPE VI’s FY09 funding level of $120 million. The program would be expanded to include assisted housing. However, Secretary Donovan said that because are three times more public housing units than assisted housing units that are both severely distressed and in high poverty neighborhoods, the large majority of CNI funding would go to public housing. In addition, because the neighborhoods surrounding these public housing developments are also in need of revitalization, HUD believes privately owned housing should also be eligible to participate in the CNI.
Senator Bond asked how HUD intends to address the needs of homeless veterans in light of the fact that HUD’s FY10 request does not seek new Veterans’ Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers. Secretary Donovan said that both he and President Obama strongly support the VASH program. In FY08, Congress appropriated funds for 10,000 new VASH vouchers; in FY09, Congress approved funds for another 10,000 that will be distributed to agencies later this year. Of the 10,000 VASH vouchers issued in FY08, Secretary Donovan said, only 40% have been leased up. Secretary Donovan said there have been some concerns with the lease-up rate but that there is also concern that, if there are multiple kinds of vouchers, there will be increased administrative complexities for housing agencies. Perhaps, Secretary Donovan said, the two years of VASH vouchers can be seen as a demonstration and the lessons learned from housing homeless veterans can be incorporated into the standard work of all voucher program administrators.
Secretary Donovan said that the Interagency Council on the Homeless will meet for the first time under the current Administration in the coming weeks and that VASH and veterans’ issues are the focus of the meeting.
Link to an archived webcast of the hearing here, and Secretary Donovan’s testimony here.
HUD Interprets Section 8 Provisions in Protecting Tenants Act -top
In a letter to regional public housing authorities, Donna Ayala, director of the Office of Public Housing in the Boston Hub of HUD, interpreted the provisions of the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act (PTFA) as they apply to the Section 8 program.
PTFA provides general protections for all tenants in a foreclosed property, and offers specific protections for tenants receiving Section 8 assistance (see Memo, 5/22). Generally, tenants must receive notice 90 days prior to being required to vacate the foreclosed property, and tenants with bona fide leases can, in most cases, remain for the term of their lease. When the tenant has Section 8 assistance, the law also requires that both the Section 8 lease and the housing assistance payment transfer to the new owner, or successor in interest, at foreclosure.
Ms. Ayala noted that the provisions of the PTFA were effective as of May 20 and require that the property’s immediate successor in interest “assume both the existing Section 8 lease and the existing Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract.” She also noted that these changes are applicable even if the foreclosure occurred prior to May 20. Ms. Ayala stressed that it is the responsibility of the Section 8 administrator to identify and work with the new owner to ensure that the rights and obligations under the HAP contract are understood and that the new owner acts in compliance with that contract.
A copy of the letter can be found here.
Census Funding, Affecting Housing Assistance, Will Not Be Reduced -top
The House Appropriations Committee on June 9 approved full funding for the U.S. Census Bureau for FY10, averting an effort to redirect funds for other projects.
The Obama Administration requested $7.38 billion for the Census Bureau in FY10, $4.24 billion more than in the current year, in order to conduct the decennial census. The 2010 census count, including the American Community Survey, would receive $6.9 billion under the request.
Representative Ken Calvert (R-CA) had sought an amendment to shift $100 million from the Census Bureau to the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) within the Department of Justice, currently slated for elimination in the President’s budget. The amendment was defeated by a vote of 21-30.
The census count is scheduled to take place April 1, 2010, and is vital to, among other things, determining the reapportionment of Congress, the composition of the Electoral College, and the distribution of almost $400 billion in federal funds annually, including housing assistance. Much of the increased funding in this year’s budget would go toward boosting the response rate among hard-to-reach populations, including people experiencing homelessness and those in small multifamily buildings and informal housing units.
The full House of Representatives is expected to consider the Commerce, Justice, and Science and Related Agencies spending bill early next week. The Census Bureau is part of the Department of Commerce.
In advance of the vote, on June 8, the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) joined with other members of the Census Project to send a letter to Appropriations Committee Chair Dave Obey (D-WI), requesting funding for the Census Bureau at the level requested by the Administration. “The Bureau’s FY10 request reflects the true cost of accomplishing all of [its 2010] activities successfully, with an emphasis on reaching hard-to-count populations. In addition, the Administration’s request will allow the agency to continue its other crucial operations, such as the American Community Survey, Economic Census and other surveys and population estimates programs,” the letter stated.
The Census Project is comprised of national organizations committed to a fair and accurate Census 2010. The text of the letter is available here.
Legislation Expands Resources for Native Americans, Women and Veterans -top
The House of Representatives passed legislation to overhaul entrepreneurial assistance programs for small businesses. The Job Creation through Entrepreneurship Act of 2009 (HR 2352) passed by an overwhelming 406-15.
Proponents say the measure will create jobs and pull the nation out of recession.
The bill:
- Establishes a microenterprise training center program to provide low-income and unemployed individuals with training and counseling with respect to starting a microenterprise.
- Establishes training and counseling programs for veterans. Authorized centers can receive up to $200,000 a year for five years from the $12 million appropriation authorized by the bill. Grants to businesses of up to $75,000 are authorized as well. A local match of 50% is required.
- Creates training and counseling programs for Native Americans, Alaska natives and native Hawaiians and establishes an Office of Native American Affairs within the SBA. It also authorizes $22 million in fiscal 2010 and $17 million in fiscal 2011 for the Tribal Business Information Center program and Small Business Development Center grants. Maximum grant size is $300,000.
- Updates and reauthorizes assistance geared to women-owned operations. Change funding allocations and establishes performance measures for Women’s Business Centers, authorizing $20 million in fiscal 2010 and $22 million in fiscal 2011 for grants to the centers.
- Authorizes $1 million per year for fiscal 2010 and 2011 for the National Women’s Business Council and requires the Council to produce a study on women’s entrepreneurship.
- Establishes a Rural Entrepreneurship Advisory Council.
- Establishes a distance-learning program and online networking forum for current and potential entrepreneurs.
- Provides $2.5 million for a green entrepreneurship training program.
- Establishes a grant program for Small Business Development Centers to assist local firms in securing capital and establish procurement training programs, authorizing $2.5 million for fiscal years 2010 and 2011.
No similar bill has been considered in the Senate. Senate Small Business Committee staff are said to be reviewing the legislation.
NACEDA Announces Pilot Locations for MNC Initiative -top
The National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations (NACEDA), has selected 3 pilot locations to launch its new Initiative “Managing Neighborhood Change,” (MNC) funded through a grant from the Surdna Foundation of New York and with supporting grants from NeighborWorks America, LISC, Enterprise Community Partners, Bank of America, and Washington Mutual (now Chase Bank).
The three pilot sites are located in Pennsylvania, California and Massachusetts, and have been awarded to the following groups:
• Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations representing a consortium of 4 CDCs in Philadelphia, PA; Rick Sauer, Executive Director
• Thai Community Development Center of Los Angeles, CA; Chanchanit Martorell, Executive Director
• Somerville Community Corporation of Somerville, MA in partnership with Asian Community Development Corporation of Boston MA; Danny LeBlanc, CEO SCC and Jeremy Liu, Executive Director ACDC
The Managing Neighborhood Change (MNC) initiative is a program to help Community Development Corporations take the lead in bringing about positive change in their neighborhoods by both building stronger, sustainable communities and ensuring that neighborhood residents benefit from the change. A market-oriented approach to change, MNC leads local organizations to analyze neighborhood conditions, collaborate with local government and other community partners, and develop data-driven, flexible, strategies for neighborhood change and for addressing the needs of lower-income residents in those neighborhoods.
NACEDA Chair, Diane Sterner, who is also Executive Director of the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey, said, “I am excited about the potential of the MNC program, and about seeing us launch this pilot testing phase. As neighborhoods around the country are being undermined by foreclosures and abandonment, the nation’s community development corporations need new tools that will bring a more strategic approach to their neighborhood work.”
NACEDA’s Executive Director, Jane DeMarines added, “We are enthused by the great response and looking forward to working with these groups of organizations as pilot testing sites before we proceed with the full-out launch next year. Neighborhoods, particularly low-income neighborhoods, where NACEDA’s members work, have been devastated by the foreclosure crisis and its aftermath. Our initiative couldn’t be more timely in developing partnerships with government and creating strategies to restore communities struggling with the aftermath of past foreclosures and the onslaught of continuing defaults on residents of their communities.”
The Managing Neighborhood Change program was devised by Alan Mallach, a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, and a resident of Roosevelt, New Jersey. Mallach’s 2008 paper, “Managing Neighborhood Change: A Framework for Sustainable and Equitable Revitalization”, provides the foundation for the implementation materials that will be developed during this pilot testing phase. “I hope that these tools will not only help neighborhoods fight the destabilization that is currently going on,” Mallach said, “but allow them to move forward, even in these difficult times.”
The three selected site locations will field test the implementation materials and proposed technical assistance approach being developed around the MNC framework before formally launching it nationwide to the country’s network of roughly 4,600 CDCs. Over the next eighteen months, project teams made up of individuals from both outside and within the community will work with the three pilot sites to assess their neighborhood housing market conditions, undertake a planning process leading to their implementing responsible market-building and revitalization strategies, and monitor change in the neighborhood over time.
NACEDA will begin site testing the MNC framework in June. While the pilot testing is taking place, a wider implementation strategy will be developed, building on the interest and information generated by our outreach and testing activities. Based on what we learn during the pilot phase, we will revise the implementation materials, and roll out a full-scale implementation effort, anticipated to take place in 2010.
Stadium Owner Withdraws Proposal for Lents -top
ROSE CDC Executive Director, Nick Sauvie shares the story:
“At 12:30 pm today [June 19th], prior to entering a meeting with Mayor Adams, I learned that Mr. Paulson had withdrawn his proposal to use urban renewal funds to build a minor league baseball stadium in Lents Park. The reason cited was non-support from the neighborhood. According to OPB, Commissioner [Randy] Leonard has withdrawn his support for MLS soccer in Portland and [Merritt] Paulson is not interested in alternative sites in Lents, [or] less reliance on Lents urban renewal funds. Thanks to everyone who worked so diligently on this campaign including allies at the Oregon Opportunity Network, Community Alliance of Tenants, Coalition for a Livable Future, League of Women Voters and the awesome Friends of Lents Park.
“I know that the many people who supported the stadium in Lents Park sincerely believed that the proposal would have been good for the neighborhood and are disappointed by this result. Hopefully everyone can move ahead from here toward our shared goals of building an even stronger community.”
From Dianne L. Riley, Equity Agenda Coordinator at Coalition for a Livable Future:
June 18 URAC Meeting Reveals Massive Neighborhood Opposition to Stadium Proposal
“Lents neighbors turned out en mass, spoke eloquently from their perspective as those-most-impacted by the stadium proposal and overwhelmingly, opposed the deal. Although there are Lents residents that passionately supported the stadium proposal for Lents, it was clear from testimony at the URAC meeting that public opinion in Lents was mixed at best and more likely against the deal. Colleagues who shared their impressions of the URAC meeting included Julie Massa of Oregon Opportunity Network and J. Free, a volunteer advocate for Community Alliance of Tenants. Both were deeply moved by the level of Lents Pride expressed during the proceedings and by the diversity of positions flowing together in the common direction of preserving Lents Park as a park, and the effort to ensure affordable housing for current residents and those of the future.
“As Equity Agenda Coordinator here at CLF, I am as proud of Lents residents, as Lents residents are proud of their neighborhood. They demonstrated for our region that all communities deserve access to greenspace and affordable housing. Coalition members can also be proud, having advocated the same set of values that were so clearly articulated at the URAC meeting on June 18 by members of the public.”
Multnomah Judge Rules Sit-lie Law Unconstitutional -top
Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Stephen K. Bushong has ruled that the city of Portland’s sidewalk-obstruction ordinance – commonly referred to as sit-lie, unconstitutionally exceeds the city’s authority. The ruling was released Monday, June 22, and grants the motion to dismiss a sit-lie case being defended by attorney Clayton Lance.
“This ordinances has been found unconstitutional on three separate and distinct ground,” Lance told Street Roots. “That’s a heck of a lot of unconstitutionality for one little ordinance out of the city. It just is not going to work and they just keep trying to make it fit, and it will never be able to fit in my opinion.”
The sit-lie law prohibits sitting or lying on downtown sidewalks between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. The city has maintained it is to keep the sidewalks free of obstructions. Records show that the majority of people cited under the law are homeless.
Judge Bushong ruled that the city’s law conflicts with and is preempted by state law, State v. Robison, which Lance says already allows the city to penalize people for obstructing sidewalks. “The (sit-lie) ordinance does not at all deal with obstruction. That’s a myth,” Lance said. “It was to move the transient and the homeless because the transient and homeless were sitting on the sidewalks in downtown Portland. Nothing else.”
A call to Portland City Deputy Attorney Ellen Osoinach was not immediately returned.
As Lance noted, this is the latest round in the city’s failed attempts to institute a sit-lie law. In 2004, Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Marilyn Litzenberger ruled that the city’s 2003 version of the ordinance was unconstitutionally vague and overbroad. The current version was a response to that ruling with more specific information on what was and was not prohibited. The Court of Appeals further ruled that the 2003 version was preempted by state law, the same as Bushong’s ruling.
“In the United States, we fundamentally respect the rights of individuals to meet, to assemble, to communicate and to use public property. And (the city’s) attempts at curtailing those fundamental rights have been unconstitutional every step of the way.”
It is altogether likely the city will revise its ordinance for another round. Lance says he is ready to defend any charges under the ordinance for free. “Because of social justice and compassion,” Lance said. “We need to have social justice and compassion. And this law lacks that completely.”
ROSE makes a park for Marysville School neighborhood -top
Marysville School in Outer SE Portland is about to get a new million-dollar park, thanks to an active school advisory committee and a boost from ROSE Community Development. When completed, the park will include new play structures, covered pavilions and a refurbished soccer field. Scott Sutton designed Native American artwork for the park.
The Marysville School Advisory Committee, consisting of Nancy Wilgenbush of Marysville University, Suzanne Washington of Northwest Impact, Matt Brown of Williams and Dame, Troy Slosser of Hoffman Construction and Bob Moreland and Renee Vanderweele of MCM Architects, began fundraising for the park several years ago, but was unable to get the project over the finish line. ROSE was asked to take on the project because of our expertise in construction project management and success working with multiple public and private funding sources.
Marysville School Principal Lana Penley says her students and faculty are excited about getting a new playground for the beginning of the 2009-10 school year. Marlys Mock and Doug Capps from Portland Public Schools have played key roles coordinating tasks within the school district.
“ROSE understands that schools and parks are vital to the livability of outer southeast neighborhoods and we’re happy to work with the Marysville community on their new park,” says ROSE Board President Roger Anthony. Ameera Saahir, operates her business across from the park in a home ROSE designed with child care in mind. “What a great thing for neighborhood kids,” she says.
ROSE Community Development combines affordable housing programs with supportive services and economic opportunities to Revitalize Outer South East.
FUNDING AND AWARD OPPORTUNITIES
National Phone Call to Report on $1 Billion for Housing Trust Fund -top
Endorsers and other supporters of the National Housing Trust Fund are invited to join National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) President Sheila Crowley on a national conference call to discuss latest developments in the budget status of the $1 billion proposed by the Administration for the National Housing Trust Fund.
As proposed, this money will be on the “mandatory” side of the federal budget, which means it will not be a part of, or compete with, existing HUD programs funded through appropriations on the “discretionary” side of the budget.
Also, an update on the status of HUD regulations to guide NHTF implementation will be provided. By statute, HUD must complete the distribution formula for the NHTF by July 30, 2009.
The call will be Friday, June 26, at 1 pm ET. To obtain the call-in information, click here.
HUD and APA Announce Criteria for Opportunity and Empowerment Award-top
The Department of Housing and Urban Development and the American Planning Association (APA) have announced the criteria for the 13th annual HUD Secretary’s Opportunity and Empowerment Award. The award is part of the APA’s 2010 National Awards Program, for which winners will be announced at APA’s National Planning Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana on April 10-14, 2010.
The award honors excellence in community planning that has led to measurable benefits in terms of increased economic employment, education, or housing choice or mobility for low- and moderate-income residents. The emphasis of the award is on how creative housing, economic development, and private investments have been used in or with a comprehensive community development plan to produce tangible results.
Entries must be submitted online through the American Planning Association website by clicking here. The online application form will be available beginning June 30, 2009; the deadline for completed submissions is September 9, 2009. The criteria, submission information, and requirements for this competition are currently available on HUD USER by clicking here. APA Public Affairs Associate Roberta Rewers can be contacted by phone at 312-786-6395 or via email for additional information.
The 2009 Opportunity and Empowerment Award was given to New York City’s Homebase program. Homebase, funded by the New York City Department of Homeless Services, is a network of neighborhood-based homelessness prevention centers that help shelter-seeking families find immediate housing alternatives, shorten the time they spend in shelter, and avoid repeated shelter stays. This highly effective program also assists families in preserving their current housing and developing a long-term plan for housing stability. Working with experienced community-based service providers, Homebase provides mediation with landlords, advocacy, or rapid housing relocation services, and arranges for benefits. More information about Homebase and the HUD Secretary’s Awards can be found by clicking here.
NOFA for Health & Human Services Administration for Children, Families -top
Notice of Funding Availability: The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS), has announced that applications will be accepted for new cooperative agreements to experienced organizations to provide nonprofit organizations serving as project partners, with capacity-building training, technical assistance, and competitive financial assistance.
The focus of this program is to build the capacity of funded projects’ nonprofit partners in order to address the broad economic recovery issues present in their communities, including helping low-income individuals secure and retain employment, earn higher wages, obtain better-quality jobs, and gain greater access to state and Federal benefits and tax credits. This funding opportunity is being made available under Section 1110 of the Social Security Act, and Title VIII of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, P.L. 111-5. For more info, click here.
NSP-1 Formula Grant Implementation Training, NSP-2 Correction Notice -top
HUD is sponsoring Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2008 Formula Grant Implementation Trainings to assist grantees as they start up their Neighborhood Stabilization Program. These regional trainings will address a variety of issues such as income rules, eligible uses, financing, land banking and demolition as well as program reporting and administration. For registration and further information on this training, click here. http://www.hcdi.com/NSP1/
HUD has also changed the Neighborhood Stabilization Program as follows, according to the NSP-2 Correction Notice:
Geographic Threshold Requirement. Allow NSP-2 applicants to use a combined index score based on the higher score for each census tract, rather than requiring applicants to choose between the two scores; there is concern that requiring applicants to choose one index or the other for their entire program would unnecessarily penalize application designs that work in diverse geographies, such as national, regional, and statewide applications. Clarify that HUD may take geographic scope of an application into account in the scoring process to promote variations in program design; this would allow for flexibility in the scoring process to take into account the program design and management variations that will be driven by the different geographic scopes that will be proposed by NSP-2 applicants.
Eligible Use (C) Errata: Make a technical correction to the eligible activities table to activity (C), adding the words “and operate”: “(C) Establish and operate land banks for homes and residential properties that have been foreclosed upon.” This is a technical correction in accordance with a Recovery Act amendment. The new language matches the statute.
Purchase Discount: Rescind the aggregate 5 percent purchase discount while leaving the 1 percent discount on individual purchases intact. The aggregate requirement creates an inflexibility that requires applicants to offset purchases below the average discount with higher-discounted properties. There are concerns that this may distract from the purposes of the program, and may in some cases affect home values in affected neighborhoods. This change was also recommended in Barney Frank’s letter of May 22, 2009.
US Dept of Agriculture Expands Rural Mortgages in Douglas County-top
This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will expand its rural development mortgage program, which doesn’t require a buyer to make a down payment, to include homes purchased inside the Roseburg city limits. It will also add the cities of Coos Bay, North Bend, Cornelius, Forest Grove, Wilsonville, Woodburn, Klamath Falls and nearby Altamont.
Previously, the program only covered homes in smaller cities and in unincorporated portions of Douglas County. Advocates for affordable housing have pushed the federal agency for several years to reconsider its qualification criteria so that Roseburg could be included. Read the full story in the News Review by clicking here.
Portland Town Hall on the Economic Crisis: June 30 -top
WHAT: With rising unemployment, foreclosures, and unsustainable health care costs, a neighborhood town hall will be held to discuss the cause of this huge economic crisis and the opportunities that exist for making a better life. In addition to finding available resources and services, neighbors will share ideas for new solutions that will help working people and low income families.
Speakers:
Robin Hahnel, economics professor at PSU and Alan Hipolito from the community group Verde will help us understand how this economic mess happened and will provide examples of an economy that works for ordinary people instead of corporate and bank CEOs. Break out groups will gather to discuss practical actions and solutions for the critical issues of jobs, foreclosures/renters’ rights, & health care.
WHEN: Tuesday, June 30, 2009, 7:00 – 8:30 pm. Doors open at 6:30 for refreshments and to browse resource tables on jobs programs/training, housing counseling, food banks, health clinics, and social services.
WHERE: St. Charles Church, 5310 NE 42nd Ave., Portland.
Call Jobs with Justice at 503-236-5573 to reserve free childcare or for information. Also see www.jwjpdx.org. Spanish translation available.
WHY: On January 31st Jobs with Justice, the Economic Justice Action Group of the First Unitarian Church, and over 55 other local organizations sponsored a Town Hall on the crisis, which drew over 800 people. A number of initiatives were started in part from the inspiration of that event. Taking the message to Portland neighborhoods that there is hope for more than a recovery, indeed, for a better life for everyone, is one such project.
Also endorsed by:
Coalition for a Livable Future, Concordia Neighborhood Association, Verde, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Oregon Tradeswomen, St. Andrew Church, ACORN, NE Emergency Food Program at Luther Memorial Church, Street Roots.
Habitat for Humanity, Church Embrace Portland Pride Build: June 27 -top
The Jimenez and Kibret families look forward to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the volunteers who will help raise the first walls of their homes. The Portland Pride Build, made up of members of the GLBT community and a group of Presbyterian churches, are sponsoring this duplex.
Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East is honored to be the second Habitat affiliate in the United States to partner with the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender community and friends to build a healthy and affordable home in partnership with a family in need. The Presbyterian churches of greater Portland, who are sponsoring their second home, specifically requested building the home adjacent to the Portland Pride Build.
On the lot at 6031 SE 97th Avenue, four duplexes and one single-family home will be built along with partner families who put in 500 hours of sweat equity before buying their homes with a 0% interest mortgage. Walsh Construction Co. is pouring foundations for this site and will soon begin construction on the next duplex. The kick-off celebration will be held Saturday, June 27 at 11 a.m. at the build site near the intersection of SE 97th and Woodstock.
Saturday’s kick-off is a great time to find out more about the Pride Build. While volunteer spots this weekend are filled, check Habitat’s website for information about future opportunities for construction site volunteers on the Pride Build and positions on the steering committee.
RESOURCES, TRAININGS AND CONFERENCES
Urban Institute Report Finds Rents Leave Working Families Behind -top
The Urban Institute has updated its summary of statistics on the work status, earnings, health care access, housing, and other characteristics of low income families, primarily defined as those earning less than twice the federal poverty level (FPL). The report notes that the FPL for a family with two adults and two children in 2006 was $40,888.
On housing, the factsheet indicates that average rents nationwide have been growing while the median renter’s monthly income dropped 7.3% between 2000 and 2008. As a result, average gross rents (monthly rent plus the estimated average cost of utilities) as a share of renter income increased from 26.5% to 30.3% over the period. The factsheet uses National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) data to indicate that finding decent affordable housing is a problem for these low income families.
The fact sheets also show that in 2006, one out of every three families with children had incomes below twice the FPL. Nearly half (48.6%) of these low income families had at least one parent who worked full-time year-round, and 89% of these families’ income came strictly from their earnings. Single-parent families were almost three times as likely to have low incomes compared to married-couple families with children. Related to this, 70% of single parents work, but only 40% work full time because of child care and other family responsibilities.
From 2000 to 2005, the share of non-elderly adults in low income households who lacked health insurance increased from 39% to 43%. For families below 100% of poverty, health insurance coverage dropped from 37% to 30% during this period. Similarly, for families with incomes between 100% and 200% of the FPL, private coverage dropped from 59% to 52%. While 15% of children remained uninsured, this is actually a decline from the beginning of the decade, due to an increase in public insurance programs focusing on children.
Although heads of low income working families are likely to be less educated than those of middle-income families, the report shows that a majority have at least a high school diploma. Thirty-five percent of the heads of low income working families have education beyond high school, while 73% have at least a high school diploma, according to the report.
Average Earnings and Income in Low Income Families by Work Status, 2006
All Single Married
Family income*
All $22,482 17,615 29,103
High-intensity 28,200 23,644 31,679
Medium-intensity 19,835 17,093 25,461
Low-intensity 14,793 14,395 17,774
Self-employed 25,897 19,149 28,975
No work 11,556 11,258 13,474
Wage rate** 10.63 10.08 11.19
Median 9.62 9.13 10.26
High work intensity includes families with at least one parent working full time, full year; medium intensity includes families working full time, part year and part time, full year; and low intensity includes families working part time, part year.
* Includes income of all parents and other adults in the family.
** Excludes those with no earnings.
The Urban Institute report, along with supporting graphs and charts, can be found by clicking here.
New Tools Available for Mixed-Income Transit Oriented Development -top
Low-income families spend a disproportionate amount of their income on transportation-related expenses, as they often trade shorter commutes for the reduced housing costs found in outlying areas. Creating affordable housing close to public transit facilities can increase overall housing affordability (and reduce the cost of living) for low- and moderate-income families. A report from the Center for Transit Oriented Development, Tools for Mixed-Income TOD, discusses resources and strategies that local governments can bring to bear when integrating mixed-income housing within transit-oriented developments (TOD).
To promote a range of housing options within TODs, the report suggests undertaking station area plans: area-specific land use plans that focus on transit corridors. For greater flexibility in planning for transit-oriented development, local governments can create floating or overlay TOD zoning districts. Communities can also adopt reduced parking requirements and provide incentives, such as density bonuses that encourage developers to include affordable housing units in TOD projects. Strategies such as public-private partnerships and tax-increment financing can be used to finance mixed-income transit-oriented housing development. Creating public-private partnerships between developers and local governmental units or transit agencies can lower some of the risks and costs involved in the development process.
In addition, the report provides examples of TOD best practices from across the nation, including the following three: Mission Bay Station Area Plan in San Francisco, California; expedited permitting in Austin, Texas; and inclusionary zoning in Montgomery County, Maryland.
For detailed descriptions of tools and best practices designed to promote mixed-income TOD, please view the report in its entirety by clicking here.
Shaun Donovan Speaks at Solutions Conference June 30 -top
Shaun Donovan, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, will provide remarks at the Solutions for Working Families: 2009 Learning Conference on State and Local Housing Policy Town Hall Plenary on June 30. To learn more about the agenda and the conference, click here. If you missed the June 22 registration deadline, you can register onsite in Chicago starting on June 27.
CPAH’s Watershed Housing Receives Silver LEED Rating, National Awards -top
The Watershed at Hillsdale received a Silver LEED Rating by the U.S. Green Building Council and has been honored with an Award of Merit and the Grand Award from the national 2009 Gold Nugget Competition. The project, designed by William Wilson Architects for Community Partners for Affordable Housing, Inc. (CPAH) was completed in February 2008. It is an affordable, mixed-use, senior development located in Portland’s Hillsdale Town Center. “This project is relevant in today’s economy,” said Bill Wilson, Principal of William Wilson Architects. “It provides affordable housing for seniors and formally homeless veterans is a design built around sustainability. Championed by our client [CPAH], the Watershed is a landmark and community gathering site that makes a difference socially, economically and environmentally,” said Wilson.
The mixed-use project located on a small triangular, 0.62 acre site, required the revitalization of a brownfield site. Its developer, CPAH was the first non-profit recipient of an EPA Clean-up grant in the state of Oregon. “We at CPAH were interested in engaging the development team in a rigorous process that would challenge us all to do our best work in addressing sustainability,” said Sheila Greenlaw-Fink, Executive Director of CPAH. “LEED provided an excellent framework,” she said. CPAH has moved its own offices into The Watershed. “We truly understand and appreciate the building’s benefits: savings on energy and water, access to transit, excellent indoor air quality and access to daylight and views,” said Greenlaw-Fink. “We are part of a vibrant town center that will continually explore ways to pursue sustainability goals—for instance a solar array is planned directly across the street. LEED certification provides third party verification that we achieved our goals. Now it is up to us and our residents to monitor and upgrade our sustainable practices in the building as we move forward,” she said.
Craig Kelley, a project manager for the Housing Development Center who played an active role in the development of The Watershed, had this to say on the project, “The Watershed is a very ambitious development on a very challenging site. It required innovative solutions from the design and construction team and it also required creativity from the funders, lenders and investors. The team was able to incorporate all aspects of sustainability: environmental, economic and social equity. The result is one of the first LEED Silver affordable housing projects developed by a non-profit in Oregon, he said.”
Key partners in achieving LEED certification include: Housing Development Center (Project Managers), William Wilson Architects (Project Architect), Walsh Construction Company (General Contractor), and Green Building Services (Sustainability Consultants).
Key funders include Oregon Housing and Community Services, Portland Development Commission, Enterprise Community Partners, Portland Office of Sustainable Development, Environmental Protection Agency, Metro and Wells Fargo Bank.
NHA Housing Director Wins Young Leaders Award -top
Affordable Housing Finance magazine honored Jonathan Trutt, Housing Director of Northwest Housing Alternatives in Milwaukie, Oregon with a 2009 Young Leaders Award.
The award honors “hardworking and dedicated individuals who are among the next generation of affordable housing and community development leaders. These outstanding individuals under 40 represent for-profit and nonprofit developers, financial providers, and policymakers in the affordable housing community.”
Eleven others from around the country received this year’s award. They were nominated by their colleagues and chosen by the editors of Affordable Housing Finance magazine. They will be featured in the September issue.
CDC Leader Named One of ‘100 Most Influential Leaders in World’ by Time -top
Time Magazine honored Sister Mary Scullion, Executive Director of Project Home and member of the Philadelphia CDC Association, by including her on the list. She began her work as an advocate for the homeless, driven by a personal conviction that “none of us are home until all of us are home.” By 2000, there were fewer than 200 people living on the streets of the City of Brotherly Love, thanks in large part to an extraordinarily well-run program, founded by Sister Mary and Joan McConnon. More than 95% of those who cycle through their Project H.O.M.E. (Housing, Opportunities for Employment, Medical Care, Education) have stayed off the streets–a success rate that has made the program a model for dozens of other U.S. cities.
