chcCalifornia Housing Consortium


A United Voice for Affordable Housing

October 2010, Volume 5 - Issue 5
In this issue...
CHC Heads To D.C.
November Ballot Propositions
SDHF New Executive Director
USC Ross Program in Real Estate
2010 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Terry Freeman Chairperson-
Principal, Terry Freeman & Associates 

Geoff Brown Vice Chair - 

President, USA Properties Fund

 

Jeanne Peterson Secretary-

Principal, The Reznick Group

 

Jim Kroger Treasurer-

Partner, Novogradac & Company LLP

 

Linda Mandolini          Policy Chair -

Executive Director, Eden Housing

 

Ken Sauder   Membership Chair-

President/CEO, Wakeland Housing

 

Elizabeth Bluhm Immediate Past Chair-
E. Bluhm Consulting

 

Laura Archuleta

President, Jamboree Housing

 

Orlando Cabrera

CEO, National CORE

 

Rebecca Clark

President/CEO, Clark Laird Advisors

 

Matt Franklin

President, Mid-Peninsula Housing

 

Jack Gardner

President/CEO, The John Stewart Co.

 

Mary Kaiser

Executive Director, California Community Reinvestment Corp.

 

Mary Ellen Shay

President, ME Shay Co.

 

John Shirey

Executive Director, California Redevelopment Association

 

Jim Silverwood

President, Affirmed Housing

 

Dianne Spaulding

Executive Director, Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern Cal.

 

Ronne Thielen

Managing Director, Centerline Capital Group

 

Percival Vaz

President/CEO, AMCAL Multi-Housing Inc.

 

Bill Witte

President, Related California

 

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS


Lynn Jacobs

Director, California Department of

Housing and Community Development

 

Sean Spear

Executive Director, California Debt Limit Allocation Committee

 

L. Steven Spears

Executive Director, California Housing Finance Agency

 

William Pavao

Executive Director, California Tax Credit Allocation Committee

STAFF

Ray Pearl

Executive Director


Nancy Martin

Program Manager


CHC Leadership Heads to Washington D.C.; Meets with Senator Feinstein, Housing Secretary Donovan and Deputy Assistant Secretary Galante

Members of the California Housing Consortium's Board of Directors and Board of Governors headed to Washington D.C. for two full days of meetings on September 14th and 15th.  The trip was highlighted by meetings with Senator Dianne Feinstein and Secretary Donovan and Deputy Assistant Secretary Galante.  Additionally, we met with numerous Congressional offices and an official with the Office of the Comptroller of Currency (OCC) to discuss Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) reforms.
 
Our agenda in Washington included a detailed discussion in separate meetings with Secretary Donovan, Senator Feinstein and Congresswoman Waters' staff on CHC's support position for the HUD proposed Preservation, Enhancement and Transformation of Rental Assistance (PETRA) Act.  While we all agreed that the status quo is not good enough, congressional concerns include issues surrounding key components such as mobility and the worry that the foreclosure risk is too high.  There is hope, however, that the perfect will not end up being the enemy of the good and that this initiative will move forward in the weeks and months ahead.  HUD continues to meet with groups like ours to gather as much input as possible before issuing a revised proposal. 
 
We also, unfortunately, heard a lot from both sides of the aisle about just how pessimistic everyone is about the current state of Congress.  With mid-term elections a month away and partisan politics ruling the day, there is concern that some of our key issues will face a difficult road ahead and may only see the light of day in a lame duck, post-election session of Congress.  Those issues include tax extender legislation, the exchange program, carryback and the National Housing Trust Fund. 
 
LIST OF CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES VISITED
Senator Feinstein
Senator Boxer
Speaker Pelosi
Congressmembers:
Baca
Becerra
Davis
Eshoo
Filner
Honda
Lewis
Lofgren
Miller
Nunes
Schiff
Speier
Stark
Thompson
Waters

Finally, thanks must go to the Russ Reid Group for their immense help setting up this extensive list of meetings. 
November Ballot Propositions

Election day is Tuesday, November 2nd. There are a number of ballot propositions to consider.  The CHC Board, at the recommendation of our Policy Committee, has adopted the following recommendations.  Regardless of how you vote, please take the time to have your voice heard on election day!
 
Proposition 22 (Save our Local Services) - SUPPORT
 
Proposition 23 (Suspend AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act until unemployment falls below 5.5%) - NEUTRAL
 
Proposition 25 (State Budget can be passed with majority vote instead of current 2/3 vote requirement) - SUPPORT
 
Proposition 26 (Increases legislative vote requirement to 2/3 for state fees, levies, charges and tax revenue allocations) - OPPOSE 
New Executive Director Named at San Diego Housing Federation

Susan Riggs Tinsky has been selected by the San Diego Housing Federation Board of Directors as the organization's new Executive Director. She replaces Tom Scott who is retiring October 31.

"I am thrilled to be provided the opportunity to serve the Federation's members and the affordable housing community at large," Tinsky said. "Building on Tom Scott's excellent work, I am optimistic that the Federation will continue to strengthen its voice in making affordable housing a priority in the San Diego region."

Tinsky has been an attorney with the San Diego law firm of Best, Best & Kreiger, LLP since 2008. She specializes in affordable housing and redevelopment law. She worked for the San Diego Housing Commission from 2001-2004.
 
On behalf of CHC, we welcome Susan to the Federation and look forward to working closely with her in the future.  Congratulations to Tom Scott on his many accomplishments and, of course, his retirement. 
 
The USC Ross Program In Real Estate

The USC Ross Program in Real Estate, presented by the Bay Area Council, is a comprehensive educational program designed to help participants gain technical expertise and expand their understanding of real estate development and investment, while building the networks necessary to succeed in urban renewal. There is one remaining information session on October 5th from 11:00am to 12:30pm at the Bay Area Council's offices in San Francisco. 

Click here for more information.
Or contact Scott Zengel by email at szengel@bayareacouncil.org
or by phone at 415-946-8716



Membership Renewal

Don't forget to renew your CHC membership for 2010!
Applications are available online at: www.calhsng.org or  contact us at  818.735.9551 or info@calhsng.org


 
California Housing Consortium

30141 Agoura Road, Suite 205
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
Phone: 818.735.9551
Fax: 818.735.7348
www.calhsng.org