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HUD FY11 Budget Strengthens Community-Based Development and Streamlines Housing Programs. On February 1, President Obama released his Administration's FY11 budget proposal to Congress. HUD's overall budget is $48.5 billion. Although the President's budget calls for a $15 billion cut in discretionary programs across agencies, many community development programs remain at FY10 levels and provide incentives for local governments to collaborate with community-based organizations. The budget includes:
Treasury Announces $1 Billion for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). On February 3, the Treasury Department announced $1 billion in low-cost loans to banks with a focus on funding development in low-income communities in an effort to support communities hit hardest by the economic downturn. About 60 banks and 150 credit unions certified as CDFIs would be granted funds at interest rates of 2% or less. Homeowners Relief and Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2010 Introduced on January 28 by Senator Robert Casey, Jr. (D-PA). S. 2969 would provide $3 billion for emergency mortgage relief and $1 billion in grants for Neighborhood Stabilization Programs (NSP) used for assistance to States and local government for the redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed homes. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke Sworn In for Second Term. In his speech at the February 3 ceremony, Bernanke acknowledged past challenges in regulating financial institutions and financial markets and said he is committed to more transparency, responsiveness and accountability. Department of Energy Announces New Regulations To Improve Energy Efficiency and Livability for Subsidized Housing. The agency's new regulations minimize barriers to the participation in the Weather Assistance Program (WAP) for HUD, Low Income Housing Tax Credit, and USDA assisted apartments. |
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NACEDA Awards Open Indicators Consortium for New Software to Analyze Neighborhood Change -- Free to Nonprofits and Governments. The Diagnostic Tools for Managing Neighborhood Change Award was presented to the Open Indicators Consortium for developing a new, open source software system to improve access to data about communities and regions. The software system is called WEAVE: Web-based Analysis and Visualization Environment. WEAVE analyzes and visualizes economic, social, and environmental indicators at the neighborhood, municipal, county and regional levels. When completed in December 2010, the program will be made available for free to nonprofits and government users. NACEDA gave honorable mention to the Shimberg Center for Housing Studies at the University of Florida for its Florida Assisted Housing Inventory / Preservation Risk Assessment tool, which will help nonprofit organizations identify at-risk properties so that they can be preserved. View the submissions on the Managing Neighborhood Change interactive website. NACEDA Announces Next Collaborative Competition: "Building Markets for Managing Neighborhood Change." This is the third in a series of four collaborative competitions sponsored by NACEDA and Root Change. "Through these competitions, NACEDA will develop a tool kit that community development corporations can use to promote responsible revitalization that meets the needs of lower income communities," explains NACEDA Board Member and Capacity Committee Chair Pat Spring of the Connecticut Housing Coalition. We encourage you and your members to submit and comment on this current competition and to announce the competitions in your newsletters. Submissions will be accepted through February 28 on the Managing Neighborhood Change interactive website. Call for Nominations for 2010 Public Service Award. The NACEDA Policy Committee invites membership to submit nominations for the 2010 Public Service Award. Annually NACEDA has presents a public service award to an individual in local, state, or federal public service who has helped advance housing and community development in tangible ways for low-income Americans. Send your nominations by February 17 to Rachel Audi, Director of Government Relations, at raudi@naceda.org or call (202) 659-7701. NACEDA Announces New Summit Dates: May 24-26 in Washington, DC. The Summit will focus on practitioner-led solutions and community economic development innovations in a changing landscape. A Practitioners Day will feature sessions on rebuilding local economies, alternative financing tools, and new economic priorities for foundations. Registration opens next week on the NACEDA website. Reduced rates for purchase by April 9: $155 full conference; $95 practitioner day only. Regular rate after April 9: $200 full conference; $110 practitioner day only. Enterprise Live Online Event Will Demonstrate Cost-Effectiveness of Green Communities Criteria. In Incremental Cost, Measurable Savings: Proving the Cost-Effectiveness of the Green Communities Criteria, February 18, 2:00-3:30 p.m. EST, Enterprise will review findings of a new report and lessons learned from properties designed and built to the Enterprise Green Communities Criteria. Enterprise invested more than $700 million in green affordable housing developments across the country and, from the onset of the program, measured the effectiveness of the Green Communities Criteria in delivering health, economic and environmental benefits. Visit http://www.greencommunitiesonline.org/ for more information and to request the free report, Incremental Cost, Measurable Savings: Enterprise Green Communities Criteria. Baker Tilly To Present NMTC Community Impact Workshop: March 4 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Washington DC. Learn how to better measure and articulate your project's economic impact to the community in the upcoming New Markets Tax Credit allocation application. Cost: $125. (Register) HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan To Address NLIHC Annual Housing Policy Conference. The National Low Income Housing Coalition Conference and Lobby Day will be held April 11-14 in Washington, DC. (Conference information) Community Development Financial Institutions To Present "2010 CDFI Institute": March 2-3 in Washington, DC. (Registration and information) |
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Share Your News With NACEDA Network. Let fellow NACEDA members, CDCs and partners know your success stories, best practices and other news. NACEDA will report on it in the NACEDA Policy Update. Send press releases and other information to info@naceda.org or call (202) 659-7701. |
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NACEDA Policy Update seeks your state/local news. Please send to news@naceda.org. Our thanks to Housing Assistance Council, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, NLIHC, CD Digest, Associated Press, National Council on State Housing Agencies, The Washington Post and Opportunity Finance Network. Copyright © 2010 by NACEDA. All rights reserved. Any republication must be credited to NACEDA. |
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