Rebuilding Indiana Monthly: April 2009 Edition

In late March, IACED mailed a letter to all of the former members of the Indiana Coalition on Housing and Homeless Issues (ICHHI), who were not previously affiliated with the Indiana Association for Community Economic Development (IACED). This letter officially offered a no-cost IACED 2009 membership consistent with the recent IACED Board of Directors action. This no-cost membership will be valid until January 1, 2010. This arrangement allows ICHHI's members to gain familiarity with IACED and our valuable services-training, technical assistance, advocacy, and networking. As of April 13, thirty-eight (38) new members have joined because of this offer. If your agency received this letter and have not returned the membership form, please do so today.

Beyond Indiana, the cherry blossoms on the Tidal Basin and around the District of Columbia are beautiful this time of year. David Fredricks, Deputy Director, and I were recently in Washington, D.C. for the third annual National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations (NACEDA) Policy and Capacity Building Summit. The Summit program introduced attendees to some of the new Obama Administration policy makers and provided an opportunity to network with peer associations from across the country.

The Summit provided an opportunity for IACED to collaborate with the seven other associations, which have completed an Organizational Capacity Assessment (OCA) since 2007. OCA is a tool for associations to assess themselves in 12 key capacity areas:

Policy and Advocacy
Financial Sustainability
Internal Management
Organizational Leadership
Movement Building
Marketing and Branding
Research
Partnership
Capacity Building
Impact Measurement
Membership
Association to Association Networking

From this opportuntiy, IACED is exploring partnerships and learning lessons from associations in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and South Carolina to improve our capacity.

During the Summit, Obama Administration officials, Congressional leaders, industry and partner representatives, and local non-profit leaders addressed attendees. Attendees addressed topics including foreclosure response, green building, transit-oriented development, rural development, trends in philanthropic support for community economic development, and strategies for advocacy.

Highlights of the Summit included addresses from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack, Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), William Apgar, Senior Advisor to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan, and Xavier de Sousa Briggs, OMB Associate Director for General Government Programs.

NACEDA presented Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) with the first annual Stephanie Tubbs Jones Legislator Recognition Award for her steadfast commitment to community economic development throughout her career and in her role as Chair of the House Financial Services Committee's Housing and Community Opportunity Subcommittee. Rep. Waters, upon receiving her award named for the late Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, shared several anecdotes about Rep. Tubbs-Jones legacy. Waters also highlighted a few of her priorities as Chair of the House Financial Services Committee's Housing and Community Opportunity Subcommittee.

Attendees representing communities of all sizes across the country reported difficult conditions created by the economic downturn. There was also a sense of optimism thanks to resources provided in the economic stimulus legislation and the engagement of the Obama Administration and Congress on issues important to community economic development. There was a strong showing of Administration officials.

Xavier de Souza Briggs highlighted the role of nonprofits and grassroots organizations during difficult times. He encouraged attendees to explore more comprehensive and holistic solutions, which build on community assets. Specifically, he cited the need for better linking of housing, services and job development. Mr. Briggs also challenged attendees to demonstrate how the community economic development system is integral to healthy communities.

Tom Vilsack, USDA Secretary emphasized the link between community developers and farmers to keep rural communities stable. Sec. Vilsack also encouraged members to work closely with their USDA Rural Development offices. Finally, Sec. Vilsack discussed President Obama's USDA priorities including nutrition programs and broadband access.

Bill Apgar, Senior Advisor to HUD Secretary Donovan provided an overview of the current climate for housing and community development programs including insights on Secretary Donovan's priorities. He emphasized a need for counseling agencies to triage cases to deal with the ongoing influx of families in need. He also cited the important role of community-based non-profits in achieving HUD's goals.

During an evening reception on March 31, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation's (LISC) CEO Michael Rubinger and NeighborWorks� America's Ken Wade both discussed NACEDA's important and unique role as a voice for the community economic development industry. Mr. Rubinger talked about comprehensive approaches to community development and how these holistic approaches are influencing LISC's work. Ken Wade, spoke of NeighborWorks� America's partnership with NACEDA.

On the morning of April 1, Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), a member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, made opening remarks to the NACEDA delegates before we started visiting Congressional offices. NACEDA members made more than 60 visits to their representatives on Capitol Hill. David Fredricks and I visited the offices of all Indiana members of Congress. Below is a quick summary of these visits.

Rep. Peter Visclosky (D-1st) - met with staff member Seren Orgel
Rep. Joe Donnelly (D-2nd) - left information for staff member Lauren Cialone
Rep. Mark Souder (R-3rd) - left information for staff member, Brett Swearingen
Rep. Steve Buyer and (R-4th) - left information with staff member Lauren Tuthill
Rep. Dan Burton (R-5th) - left information for staff member Bethany Eyre
Rep. Mike Pence (R-6th) - left information for staff member Lindsey Craig
Rep. Andre Carson (D-7th) - spoke with Kathleen Taylor (financial institutions staffer), and left information for Erin Rosenburg (housing staffer)
Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-8th) - met with staff member Brian Connell
Rep. Baron Hill (D-9th) - left information for staff member David Bond
Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) - spoke with staff member Justin Friedman
Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) - left information for environment staffer Aaron Whitesel

If you have any questions about IACED's work or if we can assist you, do not hesitate to contact us at 317-920-2300.

Sincerely,

Andy Fraizer

IACED TA: HOME & CDBG Applications

IACED will offer members one (1) hour of free technical assistance in reviewing HOME & CDBG applications for 2009. Any assistance needed above one hour can be contracted/billed at the discounted member rate. For more information or questions, please contact David Fredricks at dfredricks@iaced.org or 317-920-2300, Ext 13.

Training Updates

Effective Practices and Techniques of Foreclosure Training (HomeEC Foreclosure Certification Training)

Where: IHCDA, 30 South Meridian Street, Suite 1000, Indianapolis, IN, 46204

When: Monday, April 20, 2009 and Tuesday, April 21, 2009, 9:00am - 4:30pm Eastern Time Zone

Fee: $40.00 - IFPN, HomeEC or IACED members; $100.00 - All other Not-for-Profit Organizations; $195.00 - For Profit Organizations.

Contact: Lynn Kirkland, IACED, 317-920-2300, ext. 18 or lkirkland@iaced.org

HO109 or HO109el is a pre-requisite to this course. This is a required course for state foreclosure certification. CEUs are not available for this course.

Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network (IFPN)
Central Indiana Regional Training

Where: IHCDA, 30 South Meridian Street, Suite 1000, Indianapolis, IN, 46204

When: Wednesday, April 22, 2009, 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

Fee: Free

Contact: Lynn Kirkland, IACED, 317-920-2300 ext. 18 or lkirkland@iaced.org

A training announcement with additional information will be provided in April.

Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network (IFPN)
Northern Indiana Regional Training

Where: Michigan City Housing Authority, 621 East Michigan Blvd., Michigan City, IN, 46360

When: Friday, April 24, 2009, 1:00pm - 4:00pm CDT

Fee: Free

Contact: Lynn Kirkland, IACED, 317-920-2300 ext. 18 or lkirkland@iaced.org

A training announcement with additional information will be provided in April.

Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network (IFPN)
Southern Indiana Regional Training

Where: Fifth Third Bank, 20 NW Third Street, 5th Floor Presidents Room, Indianapolis, IN 47708

When: Tuesday, April 28, 2009, 1:00pm - 4:00pm CDT

Fee: Free

Contact: Lynn Kirkland, IACED, 317-920-2300 ext. 18 or lkirkland@iaced.org

A training announcement with additional information will be provided in April.

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Redevelopment Strategies for Indiana

Where: Shelby Suites, 1105 Prospect St., Indianapolis, IN, 46203

When: Friday, May 15, 2009, 8:30am - 5:00pm EDT

Fee: $20

Contact: Naila Carnagua, IACED, 317-920-2300 ext. 17 or ncarnagua@iaced.org

Sustainable Development Training: LEED-ND, New Urbanism, and Smart Growth for the Non-profit Developer

Where: Indiana State Teacher's Association (ISTA), 150 W. Market Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46204

When: May 26-27, 2009, 9:00am - 5:00pm EDT

Fee: $35

Contact: Naila Carnagua, IACED, 317-920-2300 ext. 17 or ncarnagua@iaced.org

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Internal Controls, Cost Allocation, and Grant Management Training

Where: INCAA, 1845 W. 18th St, Indianapolis, IN 46202

When: May 4, 2009, 10:00am - 4:00pm (EDT) and May 5, 2009, 9:00am - 4:00pm.

Fee: Free for Community Action Agencies. $20 for all others.

Contact: Lisa Travis, INCAA, 1-800-382-9895 or ltravis@incap.org

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Powerful Boards, Purposeful Fundraising

Where: INCAA, 1845 W. 18th St, Indianapolis, IN 46202

When: June 4, 2009, 8:30am - 5:00pm (EDT)

Fee: Free for Community Action Agencies. $100 for all others.

Contact: Lisa Travis, INCAA, 1-800-382-9895 or ltravis@incap.org

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Motivational Counseling

Where: INCAA, 1845 W. 18th St, Indianapolis, IN 46202

When: June 11, 2009, 10:00am - 4:00pm (EDT) and June 12, 2009, 9:00am - 4:00pm (EDT)

Fee: Free for Community Action Agencies. $20 for all others.

Contact: Lisa Travis, INCAA, 1-800-382-9895 or ltravis@incap.org

Cultures at a Crossroads

It's time to take the next step toward building a truly multiethnic Indiana. Join the Indiana Humanities Council and the Indiana Multiethnic Committee for Cultures at the Crossroads, a one-day facilitated workshop to exchange ideas and explore strategies for creating and sustaining welcoming, thriving Hoosier communities for people from all over the globe.

Cultures at the Crossroads serves as the mid-term event in anticipation of the 2010 Indiana MultiEthnic Conference scheduled for spring, 2010.

For more information click here, or contact Catherine O'Connor at 1.800.675.8897 or 317.638.1500, ext. 116.

When: April 22, 2009, 8:00am - 4:00pm
Where: Gene B. Glick Junior Achievement Education Center, 7453 N. Keystone Ave., Indianapolis
Cost: $20; includes breakfast and lunch

Survivor: Nonprofits in a Changing World

The Nonprofit Training Center is partnering with SAVI and the Nonprofit Solutions Initiative to offer a practical and affordable two day capacity-building conference on April 22 and 23 at the University Place Conference Center on the campus of IUPUI. Registration is now open for the 2009 Capacity Building Conference with the theme, "Survivor Organizations: Managing Change, Maximizing Impact."

The keynotes will address organizational change and change management. The workshops will provide best practices in the areas of governance, management, finance, technology and sustainability for nonprofits. On March 20, 2009 Governor Mitch Daniels outlined the state's stimulus energy conservation plan. The state plans to use nearly $132 million in federal stimulus funding for energy conservation efforts which are 11 times the current annual program.

When: Wednesday, April 22 and Thursday, April 23 2009, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Where: University Place Conference Center and Hotel, 850 West Michigan Street, Indianapolis

Registration: $150. The cost includes the two-day registration fee, parking, lunch, snacks, and beverages for both days.

Neighborhoods, Inc. Celebrates 10 Years

Nearly 80 supporters of Neighborhoods Inc. (NI) and its community development efforts marked its 10-year anniversary during the "Decade of Daring" celebration on March 18th at the Towle Community Theater in downtown Hammond. The mood was joyous and uplifting as attendees, including elected officials, business leaders, event and special project supporters, neighbors and friends mingled and enjoyed refreshments during the social hour on the theater's main floor. NI staff welcomed and served guests until 6PM when attendees walked upstairs to the Black Box Theater and were greeted by Towle's Managing Director Jeff Casey, who in turn introduced NI Board President Ardell Young.

Young welcomed supporters and began by presenting his own generous financial contribution to NI for the third consecutive year. Young introduced NI Executive Director Keith Speaks, who accepted the donation and added it to two others he had received that evening.

Speaks awarded former board director Dave Ryan a commemorative plaque for Ryan's years of service from 2000-2007. Ryan and Speaks exchanged playful banter regarding some of the projects on which they collaborated. Speaks also asked Michael Suggs, Communications and Community Relations Manager of NIPSCO, and Bradley Vosberg, Regional Retail Sales Manager of First Midwest Bank, to come to the podium to say a few words.

Vosberg offered his congratulations on NI's successful 10 years of operation and renewed his bank's commitment to upcoming NI projects. First Midwest Bank is one of two organizations that has contributed to NI for all ten years of its existence.

Suggs stated that his company was honored to support NI over the past 9 years and hopes to continue their support in the future.

Afterward, NI staff handed out the 2008 annual report to guests as Speaks offered a snapshot of the organization's history and notable breakthroughs NI has made in the Calumet Region over the years, which included:

Improving over 1,100 homes in the Calumet Region through its Healthy Neighborhoods Loan Program, Operation.
Restoration and Best House on the Block Contest�.
Distributing over $1.9 million in loan funds.
Bringing over 5,000 people into downtown Hammond to attend positive events.
Graduating over 300 people from its homebuyer education course.
Raising over $975,000 through contributions made by hundreds of companies, institutions, municipalities and individuals to carry out its mission.
Handling 52,636 customer contacts from 12.01.02 to 12.01.08

Congratulations on a great 10 years, Neighborhoods, Inc.!

Commercial Corridor Revitalization

In an article titled "Love at First Site: Public-Private Partnerships are Helping Disenfranchised Neighborhoods Restore their Beauty and Attract a New Generation of Investors and Residents," American City and County magazine describes successful partnerships for commercial revitalization. The article discusses Indianapolis' successful Fostering Urban Commerical Strategies (FOCUS) program. You can link to the article here.

The National Housing Trust Fund: Campaign Takes on New Urgency

With the unemployment rate reaching 8.5% in March, 10% of the U.S. population now on food stamps, foreclosures continuing unabated, growing demands for housing assistance, and tent cities springing up, the need for a full scale response to prevent the largest increase in homelessness in 25 years is more urgent than ever.

The National Housing Trust Fund Campaign will now focus on at least $5 billion in funding for the National Housing Trust Fund and funding for 200,000 new vouchers in 2009.

The campaign has revised an open letter to the Administration and Congress which was used to argue for funding for low income housing in the recent stimulus bill. 547 organizations signed-on to this letter in just three days. All organizations which signed the earlier letter are invited to do so again, as well as forward the letter to your networks.

In the letter, the signatories "call attention to what we mean by housing. We mean enough homes renting at affordable prices so our nation's lowest income families and individuals are assured of safe and decent places to live."

To read the letter with instructions about how to sign on, go here.

Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference

Courtesy of NACEDA

Reclaiming Vacant Properties: Building Leadership to Restore Communities is the only national conference focusing on building the knowledge, leadership, and momentum to reclaim vacant and abandoned properties for thriving neighborhoods. The conference is June 1-3 in Louisville, Kentucky. Early bird registration ends April 17.

House and Senate Adopt Budget Resolutions including the National Housing Trust Fund
Courtesy of The National Low Income Housing Coalition

On April 2, after lengthy debates, both the House and Senate adopted FY10 budget resolutions, each of which provides for funding for the National Housing Trust Fund. The House Budget Resolution, H. Con. Res. 85, would provide about $3.5 trillion for the FY10 fiscal year which begins October 1, 2009. The Senate Budget Resolution, S. Con. Res. 13, also would provide about $3.5 trillion for the 2010 fiscal year.

Budget resolutions provide the framework for the appropriations process by setting overall spending levels, including a cap on the amount that can be spent on discretionary domestic programs such as housing. In good news for advocates, funding for the National Housing Trust Fund is not included within the discretionary cap, but is instead on the mandatory side of the budget.

The next step will be a conference where the differences between the House and Senate bills will be resolved. Budget resolutions do not have to be signed by the President.

HUD Launches New Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program

Courtesy of NACEDA

HUD announced a notice on March 19 detailing the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP). The HPRP is funded with the $1.5 billion for homelessness prevention included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (AARA) for homeless prevention. The funds will be allocated according to the formula used for the HUD Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) Program.

HPRP is to assist homeless families or families that are at-risk of homelessness. Eligible uses for the assistance include covering first and last months' rent, deposits, utility bills, rental assistance for a final month at a location, moving or transitional costs assistance, or other activities that will help tenants remain in their homes. The funding may also be used for hotel or motel vouchers.

On an individual basis, grants will average approximately $1,500 depending on the need and the amount allocated to each community. Rental assistance can be available for up to 18 months, again based on the circumstances and needs of the household. Assistance may also be used to pay for case managers and housing counseling.

Communities seeking funds must submit a substantial amendment to their 2008 Consolidated Plan Action Plans. Interested communities have until May 18 to submit their amendment to HUD. By July 2, 2009, HUD will have completed its review of all correctly completed substantial amendments, and intends to execute all grant agreements no later than September 1, 2009. Grantees will then have 30 days to obligate funds to their sub-grantees.

The HUD notice on HPRP is available here courtesy of the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

Contact Ann Marie Oliva, HUD, (800) 998-9999, or submit a question online.

Legislation to Reauthorize McKinney-Vento Introduced in House and Senate

Courtesy of the National Low Income Housing Coalition

Bills to reauthorize and amend the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act were introduced in both the House and the Senate on April 2. H.R 1877 and S. 808, both titled the "Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act of 2009," were introduced in the House by Representative Gwen Moore (D-WI) and by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) in the Senate. The bills are identical, and are very similar to legislation that passed the House overwhelmingly last October.

Among the bills' numerous provisions are:

Consolidation of the separate McKinney-Vento homeless assistance programs (the Supportive Housing Program, Shelter Plus Care, Moderate Rehabilitation/Single Room Occupancy) into a single Continuum of Care Program and codifying the continuum of care planning process.
Creation of Emergency Solutions Grants (formerly Emergency Shelter Grants) with new emphasis on prevention and rehousing similar to the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP) just enacted as part of the economic recovery package.
Expansion of the definition of homelessness to include unaccompanied youth and homeless families with children who: have experienced a long-term period without living independently in permanent housing; have experienced persistent instability measured by frequent moves over a period of time; can be expected to continue in such a status for an extended period of time because of chronic disabilities, chronic physical health, or mental health conditions, substance addiction, histories of domestic violence, or childhood abuse, the presence of a child or youth with a disability, or multiple barriers to employment.
Requirement that HUD provide incentives for strategies that are known to reduce homelessness.
Establishment of specific criteria for programs in rural states that respond to the unique nature of rural homelessness.
Establishment of a nationwide goal of ensuring that individuals and families who become homeless return to permanent housing within 30 days.
Authorization of increased appropriations, calling for an additional $2.2 billion in funding for the programs over the next two years.

Tenant Protection Language Included in Anti-Predatory Lending Bill

Courtesy of the National Low Income Housing Coalition

Representative Brad Miller (D-NC) introduced H.R. 1728, the ''Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act" on March 25 with co-sponsors Representatives Mel Watt (D-NC), Barney Frank (D-MA), Paul Kanjorski (D-PA), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Melissa Bean (D-IL), and Walt Minnick (D-ID).

This bill aims to eliminate predatory lending practices, but it contains a provision to protect renters in foreclosed properties, protections long sought by NLIHC and low income advocates.

The renter protection provision, which is based on H.R. 1247 introduced earlier by Representative Keith Ellison (D-MN), would provide tenants who have leases who are living in properties that have been foreclosed upon the right to remain in their homes until the end of the existing leases, unless a purchaser intend to use a property as a primary residence. In that case, the lease may be terminated, but the tenant must receive at least 90 days notice to vacate. Tenants without leases or with a lease terminable at will under state law must also receive 90 days notice to vacate. The bill also includes protections for tenants in foreclosed properties who are receiving Section 8 housing assistance. These Section 8 contracts must be transferred to new owners to assure that tenants can remain in place for the remainder of their leases with their assistance intact. These renter protections would apply only to foreclosures that occur after the date of enactment of the legislation.

Under its anti-predatory lending provisions, the bill would establish a federal duty of care that requires mortgage originators to: (1) be licensed and registered, (2) present consumers with appropriate mortgage loans that do not have predatory characteristics, (3) make full disclosures to consumers, (4) certify to lenders compliance with mortgage origination requirements, and (5) include a mortgage originator's unique identifier in loan documents.

The bill would eliminate yield spread premiums and other compensation to mortgage originators that would motivate them to "steer" applicants toward more costly mortgages. The bill requires minimum standards for all mortgages that ensure that the borrower has the ability to repay the mortgage and that the mortgage provides a tangible benefit to the borrower.

H.R. 1728 would direct HUD to make grants on a competitive basis to state and local legal organizations to provide a full range of foreclosure related legal services to low and moderate income homeowners and tenants. The bill also establishes an Office of Housing Counseling at HUD, provides additional protections for borrowers with respect to escrow accounts, and establishes stronger appraisal standards.

The bill is scheduled to be marked up by the House Committee on Financial Services Committee on March 31 at 10 a.m. in room 2128 of the Rayburn House office building.