NACEDA News

National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations                        February 15, 2022

Federal News
Infrastructure Funding Opportunities for Underserved Communities Highlighted

The White House released a Guidebook to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make it easier for underserved communities to navigate available funding and help launch local planning efforts. All programs in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are subject to the President’s Justice40 Initiative, which provides that 40% of the benefits of relevant climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, clean water, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities.


The “Supporting Underserved Communities” section of the guidebook (pages 456–458) highlights ten key programs, including the Affordable Connectivity Program which is currently accepting applications from households seeking assistance with internet bills and computer purchases. Reconnecting Communities — a new program to reconnect communities divided by highways and other transportation infrastructure by providing funding for planning, design, demolition, and reconstruction of street grids, parks, and more — will open in the second quarter of 2022. 


NACEDA News 
Frank Woodruff Briefs Georgia ACT Members on the DC State of Play 

Frank Woodruff presenting

NACEDA Executive Director Frank Woodruff provided updates on the DC State of Play at the 2022 Pre-Housing Day Webinar hosted by Georgia Advancing Communities Together (Georgia ACT) on February 9. Woodruff discussed key programs in the Build Back Better Bill including the HOME Investment Partnerships Program and the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act. He also gave an update on Congress’s Annual Spending Bills and reforms to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). A Notice of Public Rulemaking on CRA is expected to be released within the next few months with a comment period. NACEDA will keep you posted on opportunities to comment on proposed CRA regulations that impact the flow of billions of dollars to low- and moderate-income communities and organizations that serve them. Contact NACEDA if you are interested in offering this briefing to your network, or become a member so your organization can take advantage of opportunities like this.


Member News 
DC Member's Initiative Supports Smaller Properties & Resident Ownership 

The Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED) is partnering with the Center for Community Investment to launch a three-year, multi-sector initiative to advance equitable housing for low- to moderate-income BIPOC people in Washington, D.C. The Connecting Capital and Community (3C) initiative aims to increase the supply of 5-49 unit affordable housing properties and build pathways for tenants to become resident owners of 2-4 unit properties. “The District’s current affordable housing goals have focused on the production and preservation of units in large properties of 50+ units”, remarked Stephen Glaude, President and CEO of CNHED. “The 3C initiative complements the District’s response by focusing on smaller properties to provide a more comprehensive approach to addressing the affordable housing crisis.” CNHED will work with a set of local partners as a core team and build out a broader team of collaborators as the work continues over the next three years. Glaude also chairs NACEDA’s board of directors.


Funding & Job Opportunities
Featured Funding Opportunity for BIPOC-led CDCs

Build Healthy Places Network (BHPN) launched the Community Innovations for Racial Equity initiative, a program available for up to ten eligible BIPOC-led CDCs motivated to engage healthcare partners to advance racial equity. BHPN will award $40,000 over an 18-month period to each organization and provide tailored technical support, which includes specialized training, resources and tools, and capacity building for building sustainable partnerships. A webinar for prospective applicants is on February 17; applications are due March 18. To inform the initiative, BHPN asks BIPOC-led CDCs to complete this survey by February 28.

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