Rebuilding Indiana Monthly

A Publication for the Membership of the Indiana Association for Community Economic Development (IACED).

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Member Only Content

Training and TA

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Members-Only Content

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Greetings!

During the last week of May, Deputy Director David Fredricks and I were in Washington, DC attending the National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations' (NACEDA) 4th Annual Summit. NACEDA is a national organization created to support the work of community economic development (CED) associations, community-based organizations, and practitioners nationwide. During our time in Washington, DC, we discussed the future of the community development movement, learned about pressing issues, and visited staff working for Indiana members of Congress as well as staff from key Congressional committees. The Summit's panels and visits to Capitol Hill were invaluable for sharing the work of members, discussing sustainable communities, and championing economic opportunity for all Hoosiers. See below for an opportunity to share your opinion about IACED's policy priorities.

The opening panel at the NACEDA Summit discussed the state of the community development industry. Joe McNeeley led an informative discussion that highlighted a central tenet in the current state of the industry: sustainable communities, or also known as comprehensive community development. His message provided a binding tie for all facets of community economic development from ending homelessness to community regeneration.

I had the good fortune to moderate the opening plenary panel for day two. This session picked up where Joe McNeeley's session ended and explored tactics that integrate neighborhood and community work with discussions about regional planning. The panel included:

Shelley Poticha, Director of the Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD);
Beth Cooper, staff from the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs;
Mariia Zimmerman, Vice President for Policy, Reconnecting America; and
Tyson Domer, Principal, Hundred Year Consulting

The panelists explored sustainable communities (comprehensive community development) policy at the federal level. Much of this conversation at the federal level has focused on the integration of housing, transportation, and environmental policies around the built environment. Six principles of livability - principles that include transportation, housing, economic competitiveness, support for existing places, coordination and leverage, and valuing communities - are the framework for federal agencies working together.

Following the Summit, the IACED staff visited with staff from the Indiana members of Congress and staff from several Congressional committees. David Fredricks met with staff from the following Indiana offices:

Senator Richard Lugar (R)
Senator Evan Bayh (D)
Representative Dan Burton (R)
Representative Andre Carson (D)
Representative Joe Donnelly (D)
Representative Brad Ellsworth (D)
Representative Mike Pence (R)

Andy Fraizer met with staff from the following members of Congress representing key Congressional committees.

Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs - Sub-committee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development - Senator Menendez (D-NJ)
Senate Committee on Appropriations - Sub-committee on Transportation and Housing and Urban Development - Committee Staff
House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services - Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA)
House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services - Sub-committee on Housing - Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)
House Committee on Ways and Means - Sub-committee on Select Revenue Measures - Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA)

The IACED team's key advocacy messages with the Congressional staff were:

Adopt H.R. 4213, commonly referred to as the "Tax Extenders Bill." The legislation provides $1 billion for the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF). The legislation also includes $2.5 billion for the TANF Emergency Contingency Fund (ECF).

Provide $2.4 billion in FY 2011 for HUD's Homeless Assistance Grants Program.

Adopt the Livable Communities Act S. 1619 and encourage Senator Lugar to join the bill as a co-author. The Livable Communities Act (S. 1619 and H.R. 4690) provides a multi-year authorization for federal sustainability initiatives. The bill authorizes $4 billion over four years for regional planning and challenge grants to make communities more livable and eliminates federal barriers to sustainable development.

Support HUD's Choice Neighborhoods program. Choice Neighborhoods is an expansion of the HOPE VI public housing revitalization program.

Support proposals that stimulate private investment and ensure the continued production of affordable housing. These proposals include extension of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) 9% Exchange Program, expansion of the LIHTC Exchange Program to the 4% tax credit program, increase the carryback period for LIHTC investors to 5 years, and expansion of eligible investors to include closely-held corporations, e.g. S corps., LLCs, etc.

Support additional funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Section 502, Section 504, Section 515, Section 523, and Section 521 programs. Also, support the Rural Innovation Initiative, a proposal to promote economic opportunity and job creation in rural communities.

During the Washington DC visit, IACED championed issues which members identify as priorities. One means to gather priorities is the annual Member Needs and Satisfaction Survey. Your feedback on the survey will help us craft our 2011 public policy priorities. Complete the survey at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KQYXTY6.

Regards,

Andy Fraizer

Executive Director

Link to a blog post on the IACED web site with more details about the NACEDA Summit and the Capitol Hill visits.

Association News

IACED to Host Regional Member Meetings

IACED will be hosting a series of regional membership meetings in the coming months. The purpose of these meetings is for IACED to provide our members with updated information regarding IACED and its work over the past year. These meetings will also allow our staff to gain insight from you about issues you are currently facing in the communities you serve. Lunch or dinner will be provided at all meetings.

Click here for more information.

Homeward Bound Approaches $240,000!

With seven walks complete as of May 21 and four more still scheduled to take place, the 2010 Homeward Bound campaign has raised nearly $240,000 statewide. Please support the more than 90 IACED members that benefit from Homeward Bound by donating to a Homeward Bound event near you. Spring and Summer walks are accepting donations online at www.homewardboundindiana.org. Fall walks will begin accepting donations over the next few months.

Indiana Property Tax Survey

Government has long recognized the importance of the work of nonprofit charitable organizations and the provision of affordable housing by providing exemptions and lower property tax assessments for certain public purposes.

The Internal Revenue Code defines organizations and their activities that are exempt from income taxes and those organizations that are eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions. Indiana law recognizes federal law for the purpose of granting exemptions for Indiana sales and income taxes, but sets different albeit similar criteria for property tax exemptions. Under Indiana law, property must be owned, occupied and predominately used for a charitable purpose to be exempt from property tax.

In the face of declining tax revenues, challenges are surfacing to the definitions of which organizations and which properties should be exempt from property taxation or receive benefit for a public purpose.

The Indiana Association for Community Economic Development (IACED) is conducting a survey to understand how several kinds of property tax issues are impacting members. This brief survey will help IACED understand the issues impacting its members, advocate for more effective public policy solutions, and deliver valuable training and technical assistance.

Click http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/inpropertytax to complete the survey.

Calling All IACED Friends and Fans

IACED is looking for friends and fans! Help us reach our goal of 1,000 Facebook fans by the IACED annual meeting, September 21, 2010! Click on the following link to visit our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/inaced.

If you are already a fan of IACED, please share this link with three of your friends who would benefit from information about building assets for Hoosier families or improving the quality of life in Indiana communities! Thank you for your support of IACED.

Member Only Content

Available Funding

IACED makes funding information available to members in good standing. Click here to acces the member only area on the IACED web site and find funding today.

Remember to login each time you visit the IACED web site, as available funding and other member only content is posted regularly to the IACED blog.

Employment Opportunities

IACED lists employment opportunities currently available within our membership. This is a service offered free of charge to IACED members. IACED members may contact us with any open positions. Link to employment opportunities by clicking here.

Trainings, Events, and Technical Assistance

Registration Now Open!

This year's conference will take place September 21-22 at the Scottish Rite Cathedral Event Center, located in downtown Indianapolis. Day one of the conference will offer off-site learning labs, an interactive experience designed for the peer-to-peer exchange of technical and innovative solutions. The day will conclude with an evening reception back at the conference hotel. Day two will feature a series of plenary discussions with a variety of national, regional, and local experts who will challenge our conceptions of the status quo and the annual awards luncheon.

Please visit the conference website for more information or to register: http://www.instatewideconference.net.

Conference Awards Nominations Being Sought

IACED would like to encourage our members, supporters, and other stakeholders in the housing and community economic development field to honor yourselves and your colleagues by submitting well-documented nominations for awards in the following categories:

Michael Carroll Community Economic Development Leadership
Robert O. Zdenek Staff Member of the Year
Governer's Awards for Excellence in Housing and Community Development - Urban and Rural
Key Award for Services Program of the Year

Each award recipient will receive a $1,000 contribution to the non-profit organization of their choice. The Michael Carroll Community Economic Development Leadership Award comes with a $2,500 contribution to the non-profit organization of the winner's choice. All recipients will also be presented with a personalized award plaque or trophy.

Winners will be announced on Wednesday, September 22, 2010, at a special Awards Luncheon to be held during the 2010 Statewide Conference on Housing & Community Economic Development. The luncheon will take place from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm at the Scottish Rite Cathedral Event Center.

For more information or to complete the nomination process online, please visit the conference website at http://www.instatewideconference.net and click on the "Awards" tab.

IACED Trainings

You need current and reliable information to set strategy. You need expertise to ensurethe strategy is executed at the highest level. IACED can help you get both. We offer a wide variety of training and professional development services that are designed to help our members get what they need to make the most of their organization's talent and resources. Click here for the latest information about IACED's trainings.

Partner Trainings

Please check IACED's blog for a current list of trainings that are being conducted by various IACED partner organizations. Please remember that IACED is NOT involved in the organization or delivery of these trainings. Questions regarding these trainings should be directed to the specific partner listed.

IACED Offers Quality Technical Assistance

Whether you are running an organization or trying to design a new program or project, it can feel like a considerable weight. Our job is to help share the load!

Toward this end, we provide members with a wide range of direct technical assistance. This includes organizational and administrative development, board training, strategic thinking, capacity building, project and program design, and resource development.

We have a history of securing resources to support members' efforts. If additional funding can't be found, IACED's technical assistance services are provided to members on a low-cost, fee-for-service basis.

There are numerous examples of ways we have helped members achieve tangible results. Here are a few examples of ways we can help meet your community and program needs:

Develop comprehensive strategic plans for member
Develop consolidated plans for units of local governmen
Conceive and develop revitalization area plans using housing and commercial development strategies
Provide housing needs assessments, offering information on the quality and affordability of a community's local housing stock
Create and administer the state certification systems for housing counseling
Provide administrative support to community-based organizations such as Indianapolis Coalition for Neighborhood Development (ICND)
Serve as interim executive director for member organizations during periods of transition