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E-Newsletter
September 2006

In this issue

A major grant comes to the Chicago Rehab Network

HOT STUFF: Membership meeting, new DOH analysis

Sun-Times: Lack of Affordable Housing is Costly

Building on success of the southside affordable housing summit

Legislative update

Takin' note

Upcoming events to keep you in the mix


 

A major grant comes to the Chicago Rehab Network

When the MacArthur Foundation decided to honor nine organizations with its new "Creative and Effective Institutions" awards, only two U.S.-based groups were chosen.

The Chicago Rehab Network was one of those groups and will be honored with the other grantees at an Oct. 5 awards ceremony in the Windy City. "In conjunction with the ceremony, the foundation will organize a series of seminars on the work of these organizations that will be open to other non-profit institutions, providing an important opportunity for mutual learning," said the MacArthur Foundation.

"Building and strengthening non-profit organizations has never been more important," said MacArthur President John Fanton. "As the challenges facing our country and world grow even more complex, we look to trusted institutions to help us think about public issues and to galvanize action."

"We are proud to have been chosen by the MacArthur Foundation and we feel this investment shows the importance of our work. The funds given by the foundation will help us provide for the long-term stability of the Chicago Rehab Network," said executive director Kevin Jackson. "That means our ability to partner with and serve community development corporations and others is greatly enhanced. We love the work that we do and this contribution will help us to do it better."

Read some of the press coverage....



Greetings!

For 25 years, the Chicago Rehab Network (CRN) has worked to further the development and preservation of safe affordable housing in Chicago, and throughout the state of Illinois.


  • HOT STUFF: Membership meeting, new DOH analysis
  • CRN training

    The Chicago Rehab Network’s Annual Membership Meeting will be held Sept. 28, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Little Black Pearl, located at 1060 E. 47th Street (between Ellis and Greenwood). Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Please call 312-663-3936 to RSVP, if you have any questions.

    The new CRN analysis of the city Department of Housing’s Second Quarterly Report is out. The analysis was released Sept. 19 and is available via fax, or on-line.

    Go to the CRN website for more information
  • Sun-Times: Lack of Affordable Housing is Costly
  • (Chicago Rehab Network letter published Aug. 23, 2006) News that growing numbers of children attending Chicago Public Schools are homeless [''Ranks of homeless CPS students soar,'' Aug. 14] is another reminder that safe, affordable housing isn't a luxury; it's a necessity for a thriving city. And, while appealing for public donations for school supplies is a good idea and noble request, the real appeal should be to the mayor and aldermen to increase the money the city allots to promote and protect affordable housing. Charity is good, but it's no substitute for sound public policy.

    Read the full letter
  • Building on success of the southside affordable housing summit
  • South Side convenors

    The south side of Chicago stands to lose over 9,000 apartments tied to affordable rental housing programs, unless residents, community leaders, public officials and owners get involved, warned the Chicago Rehab Network, before an early June affordable housing summit on the south side. CRN is doing more than handing out warnings. With help from member organizations and leaders, like Mattie Butler of Woodlawn East Community And Neighbors (WECAN), a south side "cohort" has developed.

    Read the full story
  • Legislative update
  • Congress is focused on a short schedule before fall elections. For the priority issues for September check out the NLIHC Action Alert. See the section that refers to HUD appropriations contained in the Senate bill, but not in the House version. Ask your congressmen and senators to accept the Senate version. It strengthens the Schumer Amendment and extends M2M, plus improvements to Section 8 voucher formulas and mandates that HUD fund all vouchers for all units, not just those "under lease" at the time of opt out.

    The Illinois State legislature veto session is coming up in November. Make sure to contact your state elected officials and share stories of the success of affordable housing.

    HousingMatter s.Net is a site developed as a tool to keep us connected to major policy issues that impact our work. It also has legislatives updates. Sign up today! For infomation, contact Gene Moreno, at 312-663- 3936, or e-mail [email protected].

  • Takin' note
  • Small Version notepad

    Congratulations to Bethel New Life on receiving the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Award for Outstanding Non-Profit Real Estate Project for its Bethel Center, a 23,000 square foot, two story, green-roofed building sitting on a former brownfield site in the heart of Garfield Park which provides both physical and social sustainability to the neighborhood. The award was presented in August. Good luck to Joyce Probst, who has left her job on the governor’s housing staff, married and moved to Ohio. Welcome aboard to the Cindy Holler, the new president of Mercy Housing Lakefront. Holler will be responsible for leading MHL’s operations in Illinois, Wisconsin and Ohio including oversight of affordable housing development, fund raising and resident services. Fond farewell to Richard Townsell as executive director of the Lawndale Christian Development Corp. Richard has joined Fannie Mae. The interim executive director for Lawndale Christian Development Corp. is Marcus Thorne.Congratulations to the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council on winning the Chicago Community Organizing Award for 2006. The award recognizes excellence in leadership development, networking and relationship building, winning real social change, and building a clear long- term community vision. The award is sponsored by the Chicago Community Trust, the Mayer and Morris Kaplan Family Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the Woods Fund of Chicago.

  • Upcoming events to keep you in the mix
  • Stay tuned for a 10-year anniversary celebration of the HDTI and the Urban Developers Programs and a celebration sponsored by the Chicago Rehab Network. If are a program graduate let us know, if you know other program grads, tell them to get in touch. Others events:The Campaign for Affordable Housing "Housing, Communication & Crisis: Framing Messages to Build Public Support," Sheraton Suites Houston near the Galleria, Houston, TX, September 27-28, 2006 The Campaign for Affordable Housing national conference NHC National Policy Summit "Fulfilling the Dream: Shaping Housing Policy for Future Generations," The Palmer House Hilton, Chicago, IL, October 11-12, 2006 NHC National Policy Summit First Annual Governor’s Conference on Affordable Housing Chicago History Museum, Chicago, IL October 17-18, 20061st Annual Governor's Conference on Affordable Housing

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