From housingminnesota@mhponline.org Fri Dec 5 17:55:33 2003 From: housingminnesota@mhponline.org (HousingMN Communications ) Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2003 11:55:33 -0600 Subject: [HousingMinnesota Bulletin] HousingMinnesota Bulletin Volume 2, Issue 23 12-5-3 Message-ID: <91CE81A8B5C57940AA99ECF1E2A160600A6AA0@mhpserver.mhponline.org> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------_=_NextPart_001_01C3BB58.FA8CF004 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable HousingMinnesota Homes for All by 2012! =20 The Bulletin December 5, 2003 Volume 2, Issue 23 Distributed bi-weekly, this bulletin contains news, announcements, legislative updates, publications, and upcoming events. We hope you'll find it helpful in keeping you abreast of important developments. Please don't hesitate to contact us with items you'd like included in future issues. The Bulletin is also available on MHP's website at http://www.mhponline.org/Bulletin/Bulletin.htm . =20 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * News/Announcements HousingMinnesota Co-sponsors Workforce Housing Conference with Gov. Tim Pawlenty as Keynote Speaker Nearly 200 participants from all over the state of Minnesota gathered on November 24 for "Getting it Done: Workforce Housing in Minnesota." The event was sponsored by HousingMinnesota's Committee on Workforce Housing and the Greater Twin Cities United Way Housing Connections program, and brought business leaders together to learn what they could do to be more active in meeting the housing needs of their employees and communities. The conference began with remarks from Conrad Egan, President and CEO of the National Housing Conference . After Mr. Egan provided background information on the state of workforce housing as a national concern, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Commissioner Tim Marx presented information linking the availability of housing to our economic performance as a state. Commissioner Marx also referenced the Next Decade of Housing report (available for download at the MHFA Web site) which indicates the need for workforce housing will continue to grow in the next ten years. Event emcee Missy Thompson of the Fannie Mae Partnership Office then introduced a panel focusing on a range of best practices in Minnesota. The panel, moderated by Warren Hanson of the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund , included Al DeBoer of the First Homes initiative in Rochester, Stan Dardis of Bremer Financial , and Steve Cramer of Project for Pride in Living who discussed employer efforts in the Phillips neighborhood in Minneapolis. The panel covered a range of options for employers of any size. Questions from the audience included accessing partner resources and availability of technical assistance for businesses starting new workforce housing initiatives to remain competitive. The conference concluded with an address by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, who urged individual businesses and business organizations to become active in housing "not just as a social justice issue, but as an economic vitality issue." Governor Pawlenty emphasized that business groups can have a tremendous impact at the local level, and can in fact have a positive impact against "NIMBYism" (Not In My Back Yard) in new housing developments. Participants also discussed the employer assisted housing resource guides distributed at the conference. Conference presentations and the employer assisted housing resource guide are available online at http://www.housingminnesota.org/pages.cfm?PageID=3D78 . Federal Policy Update: Housing Voucher Loss Averted in House-Senate Appropriations Bill A House and Senate conference committee has allocated nearly $1 billion above the President's request to the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program, making it likely that all housing vouchers currently in use will be able to be funded in FY04. The funding level is a relief to advocates and voucher holders, who spent months educating Members of Congress that the President's request would lead to the loss of tens of thousands of vouchers currently in use. Two million households currently use vouchers to make up the difference between what they can afford to pay for housing (30% of their income) and rent on a modest apartment. Millions of additional households are on local waiting lists for the program. Despite the recent legislative victory, the need for vouchers continues to greatly outstrip supply. Only a fraction of eligible households receive vouchers, and most families seeking assistance face a several year wait. In larger cities, waiting lists can be as long as eight to 10 years. This is the second year in a row in which no new (incremental) vouchers were included in the budget. Source: National Low Income Housing Coalition =20 November State Budget Forecast Projects a $185 million Deficit for 04-05 Biennium Minnesota's general fund budget is now forecast to show a deficit of $185 million at the end of the 2004-05 biennium according to a report issued Dec. 3rd by the state's Department of Finance. Projected biennial revenues have been lowered by $407 million (1.4 percent), from end-of-session estimates. That reduction to the revenue forecast was partially offset by a decline of $143 million in projected future expenditures and changes of $79 million to carry forwards and reserves. Lower income and sales tax forecasts were the source of the decline in projected revenues. The budget reserve is projected to be $631 million by the end of the biennium. The complete November Forecast can be found on the Department of Finance's website at www.finance.state.mn.us Source: Minnesota Dept. of Finance. ** The Dept. of Finance will provide a November Forecast Briefing Monday, December 8, 2003, 12:30 p.m. Minnesota Department of Revenue, Skjegstad Room 600 N Robert St, St. Paul =20 Support Homes for All with a Limited Edition Holiday Ornament! Thanks to the generosity of Wells Fargo and Department 56, HousingMinnesota is once again pleased to offer a limited edition Homes for All holiday ornament. The proceeds of the ornament sales benefit the work of HousingMinnesota! The ornaments are available in the original Department 56 packaging for $20 each. You can pay by check or money order to Minnesota Housing Partnership, 1821 University Avenue W, S-137, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55104. Please add $4.95 each for USPS Priority Mail delivery, or feel free to come to the office to pick up ornaments. For more information and to view the ornaments, visit http://www.housingminnesota.org/pages_detail.cfm?ContentID=3D245&PageID=3D= 1. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Reading/Resources The Next Decade of Housing Study Projects Minnesota's Housing Needs Through 2010 The Next Decade of Housing in Minnesota study calculates the number of low-income households in Minnesota living in unaffordable housing and forecasts the need for additional affordable housing units in the state in 2010. Sponsors of the study include the state's three major public and private funders of affordable housing, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, Family Housing Fund and Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, along with participant organization Metropolitan Council. The purpose of the project was to quantify the need for affordable housing in Minnesota from 2000 to 2010, and to inform decisions about housing investment throughout the state over the decade. The information enables the use of consistent data for policy discussions regarding future housing needs. According to the study results, nearly 300,000 low-income Minnesota households currently are not housed affordably, or are "cost-burdened" - a term used by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defined as those paying more than 30 percent of household income on housing costs. Among low-income households in the seven county Twin Cities metropolitan area, 171,000 or 46 percent are cost-burdened. In Greater Minnesota, 126,000 or 30 percent of low-income households are cost-burdened. Also, the study results forecast an unmet need for an additional 33,000 affordable housing units for low-income households in Minnesota by 2010. This number is over and above the projected 26,400 housing units the private market and public and philanthropic funding are expected to provide by 2010, assuming current funding levels continue. Of the 33,000 unit shortfall, approximately 22,300 units will be needed in the seven-county metropolitan area, and approximately 10,600 will be required in Greater Minnesota. The data underscore the necessity of continued participation in addressing the housing need from many partners and sectors of society including businesses, philanthropic and nonprofit organizations, local governments, builders, developers and others. The report is available online at www.mhfa.state.mn.us/about/about_reports.htm. Source: MHFA Energy Assistance Programs and Residential Utility Consumer Rights This new web resource from Legal Services Advocacy Project may be accessed by going their site at http://www.lsapmn.org/ and clicking on the Energy/Utility Consumer Rights Information button on the menu on the left side of the page. This resource provides a one-stop shop that compiles in one place information about: low-income energy assistance, weatherization, fuel funds, utility company CIP programs, residential utility customer rights under statute and rule, and utility rights and responsibilities particular to tenants and residents of manufactured home parks. It also contains phone numbers and web links to relevant government agencies, fuel funds, legal Aid/legal services programs, utility companies and tenant/manufactured home park/and low income energy advocate organizations. Source: Legal Service Advocacy Project =20 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Upcoming Events December 16 Working Group on Supportive Housing 9:30-11:30am, Mears Park Center, 230 E 5th St., St. Paul. Agenda: Plan and Timetable for Funding =20 MN Council of Nonprofits "Getting Ready for 2004: Public Policy Conference" December 16 This full-day event will focus on building skills and developing a deeper understanding of effective advocacy in Minnesota's new political and economic landscape. For more information and to register for this event, visit http://www.mncn.org/event_policy.htm. =20 =20 December 18 Simpson Housing Annual Homeless Memorial Service: Remembering Those Who Died While Homeless in 2003 5:00pm: Vigil & March from Project Offstreets/Youthlink, 41 S. 12th St., Minneapolis, 6:00pm: Memorial Service at Simpson United Methodist Church; 2740 1stAve. S., 7:30pm: Free community meal at Simpson Shelter. =20 January 20 & 21 Going to Scale on Single Family Development: Expanding Homeownership Opportunities Best Western Kelly Inn, St. Cloud. This training will expand on the basic concepts of single family development and provide attendees with the tools they need to increase their production levels. For more information and to register for this event, visit http://www.mhponline.org/Loans%20and%20Grants/housingdevtrainingscholar. htm . =20 =20 January 21 Working Group on Supportive Housing 9:30-11:30am, Mears Park Center, 230 E 5th St., St. Paul. Agenda: Review Draft Report * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *=20 Looking for something from the last Bulletin?? =20 Archived issues are available online at: http://www.mhponline.org/Bulletin/Bulletin.htm =20 For more information on affordable housing, the content of this document, or if you have news or events you would like included in future issues, please contact Rachel Callanan, Policy Director, (651) 649-1710 x107, email rcallanan@mhponline.org or see HousingMinnesota's website at www.housingminnesota.org .=20 ------_=_NextPart_001_01C3BB58.FA8CF004 Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Message

HousingMinnesota

Homes for All by=20 2012!

 

The=20 Bulletin
December 5, 2003
Volume 2, = Issue=20 23

Distributed = bi-weekly, this=20 bulletin contains news, announcements, legislative updates, = publications, and=20 upcoming events. We hope you'll find it helpful in keeping you abreast = of=20 important developments. Please don't hesitate to contact us with items = you'd=20 like included in future issues.  = The=20 Bulletin is also available on MHP's website at http://www.mhponline.org/Bulletin/Bulletin.htm.        =20

* * * * * * * * * = * * * * * *=20 * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
News/Announcements

HousingMinnesota=20 Co-sponsors Workforce Housing Conference with Gov. Tim Pawlenty as = Keynote=20 Speaker  Nearly 200 = participants=20 from all over the state of Minnesota gathered on November 24 for = "Getting it=20 Done: Workforce Housing in Minnesota." The event was sponsored by=20 HousingMinnesota's Committee on Workforce Housing and the Greater Twin = Cities=20 United Way Housing=20 Connections program, and brought business leaders together to = learn=20 what they could do to be more active in meeting the housing needs of = their=20 employees and communities.  = The=20 conference began with remarks from Conrad Egan, President and CEO of the = National=20 Housing Conference . After Mr. Egan provided background = information=20 on the state of workforce housing as a national concern, Minnesota=20 Housing Finance Agency Commissioner Tim Marx presented = information=20 linking the availability of housing to our economic performance as a = state.=20 Commissioner Marx also referenced the Next Decade of Housing report = (available=20 for download at the MHFA Web site) which indicates the need for = workforce housing will continue to grow in = the next=20 ten years.  Event emcee Missy Thompson of the Fannie=20 Mae Partnership Office then introduced a panel focusing on a = range of=20 best practices in Minnesota. The panel, moderated by Warren Hanson of = the Greater=20 Minnesota Housing Fund, =20 included Al DeBoer of the First=20 Homes initiative in Rochester, Stan Dardis of Bremer=20 Financial, and Steve Cramer of Project=20 for Pride in Living who discussed employer efforts in the = Phillips=20 neighborhood in Minneapolis. The panel covered a range of options for = employers=20 of any size. Questions from the audience included accessing partner = resources=20 and availability of technical assistance for businesses starting new = workforce=20 housing initiatives to remain competitive.   The conference concluded = with an=20 address by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, who urged individual = businesses and=20 business organizations to become active in housing "not just as a social = justice=20 issue, but as an economic vitality issue." Governor Pawlenty emphasized = that=20 business groups can have a tremendous impact at the local level, and can = in fact=20 have a positive impact against "NIMBYism" (Not In My Back Yard) in new = housing=20 developments. Participants also discussed the employer assisted housing = resource=20 guides distributed at the conference. Conference presentations and the = employer=20 assisted housing resource guide are available online at http://www= .housingminnesota.org/pages.cfm?PageID=3D78=20 .

Federal Policy=20 Update: Housing Voucher Loss Averted in House-Senate Appropriations=20 Bill  A House and = Senate=20 conference committee has allocated nearly $1 billion above the = President’s=20 request to the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program, making it = likely that=20 all housing vouchers currently in use will be able to be funded in=20 FY04.  The funding level = is a=20 relief to advocates and voucher holders, who spent months educating = Members of=20 Congress that the President’s request would lead to the loss of = tens of thousands of vouchers = currently in=20 use. =  Two million = households=20 currently use vouchers to make up the difference between what they can = afford to=20 pay for housing (30% of their income) and rent on a modest = apartment.  Millions of additional = households are on=20 local waiting lists for the program.  Despite the = recent=20 legislative victory, the need for vouchers continues to greatly outstrip = supply.  Only a fraction = of eligible=20 households receive vouchers, and most families seeking assistance face a = several=20 year wait.  In larger = cities,=20 waiting lists can be as long as eight to 10 years.  This is the second year in a = row in=20 which no new (incremental) vouchers were included in the=20 budget.  Source: National Low Income = Housing=20 Coalition

 

November State Budget Forecast = Projects a=20 $185 million Deficit for 04-05 Biennium Minnesota's general fund budget is now = forecast to show=20 a deficit of $185 million at the end of the 2004-05 biennium according = to a=20 report issued Dec. 3rd by the state's Department of Finance. Projected = biennial=20 revenues have been lowered by $407 million (1.4 percent), from = end-of-session=20 estimates. That reduction to the revenue forecast was partially offset = by a=20 decline of $143 million in projected future expenditures and changes of = $79=20 million to carry forwards and reserves. Lower income and sales tax = forecasts=20 were the source of the decline in projected revenues. The budget reserve = is=20 projected to be $631 million by the end of the biennium.  The = complete=20 November Forecast can be found on the Department of Finance's website at = www.finance.state.mn.us =  Source:  Minnesota = Dept. of=20 Finance. =20 ** The Dept. of =20 Finance will provide a November = Forecast=20 Briefing Monday, December 8, = 2003, 12:30=20 p.m. Minnesota Department of Revenue, Skjegstad Room 600 N Robert St, = St.=20 Paul  =

Support Homes = for All=20 with a Limited Edition Holiday Ornament!  Thanks to the = generosity=20 of Wells Fargo and Department 56, HousingMinnesota is once again pleased = to=20 offer a limited edition Homes for All holiday ornament. The proceeds of = the=20 ornament sales benefit the work of HousingMinnesota!  The ornaments are available in = the=20 original Department 56 packaging for $20 each. You can pay by check or = money=20 order to Minnesota Housing Partnership, 1821 University Avenue W, S-137, = Saint=20 Paul, Minnesota, 55104. Please add $4.95 each for USPS Priority Mail = delivery,=20 or feel free to come to the office to pick up ornaments.  For more information and to = view the=20 ornaments, visit http://www.housingminnesota.org/pages_detail.cfm?ContentI= D=3D245&PageID=3D1.=20

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Reading/Resources

The Next Decade of Housing Study Projects = Minnesota's=20 Housing Needs Through 2010 =20 The Next Decade of = Housing in=20 Minnesota study calculates the number of low-income households in = Minnesota=20 living in unaffordable housing and forecasts the need for additional = affordable=20 housing units in the state in 2010. Sponsors of the study include the = state's=20 three major public and private funders of affordable housing, the = Minnesota=20 Housing Finance Agency, Family Housing Fund and Greater Minnesota = Housing Fund,=20 along with participant organization Metropolitan Council.  The purpose of the project was = to=20 quantify the need for affordable housing in Minnesota from 2000 to 2010, = and to=20 inform decisions about housing investment throughout the state over the = decade.=20 The information enables the use of consistent data for policy = discussions=20 regarding future housing needs. =20 According to the study results, nearly 300,000 low-income = Minnesota=20 households currently are not housed affordably, or are "cost-burdened" - = a term=20 used by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defined as = those=20 paying more than 30 percent of household income on housing costs. Among=20 low-income households in the seven county Twin Cities metropolitan area, = 171,000=20 or 46 percent are cost-burdened. In Greater Minnesota, 126,000 or 30 = percent of=20 low-income households are cost-burdened.   Also, the study results = forecast=20 an unmet need for an additional 33,000 affordable housing units for = low-income=20 households in Minnesota by 2010. This number is over and above the = projected=20 26,400 housing units the private market and public and philanthropic = funding are=20 expected to provide by 2010, assuming current funding levels continue. = Of the=20 33,000 unit shortfall, approximately 22,300 units will be needed in the=20 seven-county metropolitan area, and approximately 10,600 will be = required in=20 Greater Minnesota. The = data=20 underscore the necessity of continued participation in addressing the = housing=20 need from many partners and sectors of society including businesses,=20 philanthropic and nonprofit organizations, local governments, builders,=20 developers and others.  = The report=20 is available online at www.mhfa.sta= te.mn.us/about/about_reports.htm.=20 Source: =20 MHFA

Energy = Assistance=20 Programs and Residential Utility Consumer Rights  This new = web=20 resource from Legal Services Advocacy Project may be accessed by going = their=20 site at http://www.lsapmn.org/  and clicking on the = Energy/Utility=20 Consumer Rights Information button on the menu on the left side of the=20 page.  This resource = provides a=20 one-stop shop that compiles in one place information about:  low-income energy assistance,=20 weatherization, fuel funds, utility company CIP programs, residential = utility=20 customer rights under statute and rule, and utility rights and = responsibilities=20 particular to tenants and residents of manufactured home parks. It also = contains=20 phone numbers and web links to relevant government agencies, fuel funds, = legal=20 Aid/legal services programs, utility companies and tenant/manufactured = home=20 park/and low income energy advocate organizations. Source:  Legal Service Advocacy=20 Project

 

 * * * * * * * * = * * * * * *=20 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Upcoming Events

December 16

Working Group on = Supportive=20 Housing 9:30-11:30am, = Mears Park Center, 230 E 5th St., St. = Paul.  Agenda: Plan and = Timetable=20 for Funding

 

MN = Council of=20 Nonprofits “Getting Ready for 2004: Public Policy=20 Conference” December 16 This = full-day=20 event will focus on building skills and developing a deeper = understanding of=20 effective advocacy in Minnesota's new political and economic = landscape.  For more information and to = register for=20 this event, visit http://www.mncn.org/event_p= olicy.htm. 

           &nbs= p;   =20

December = 18

Simpson Housing = Annual=20 Homeless Memorial Service: Remembering Those Who Died While Homeless in=20 2003=20 5:00pm: Vigil & March from = Project=20 Offstreets/Youthlink, 41 S. 12th St., Minneapolis, 6:00pm: = Memorial=20 Service at Simpson United Methodist Church; 2740 1stAve. S., = 7:30pm:=20 Free community meal at Simpson Shelter.

 

January 20 &=20 21

Going to Scale on = Single=20 Family Development:  = Expanding=20 Homeownership Opportunities  Best Western Kelly Inn, St. = Cloud.  This training will expand on = the basic=20 concepts of single family development and provide attendees with the = tools they=20 need to increase their production levels. =20 For more information and to register for this event, visit http://www.mhponline.org/Loans%20and%20Grants/housingdevtrain= ingscholar.htm=20 .  =

 

January = 21

Working Group on = Supportive=20 Housing 9:30-11:30am, = Mears Park Center, 230 E 5th St., St. = Paul.  Agenda: Review Draft=20 Report

* * * * * * * * * = * * * * * *=20 * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Looking for = something from=20 the last Bulletin?? 

Archived issues = are available=20 online at: http://www.mhponline.org/Bulletin/Bulletin.htm

For more = information on=20 affordable housing, the content of this document, or if you have news or = events=20 you would like included in future issues, please contact Rachel = Callanan, Policy=20 Director, (651) 649-1710 x107, email rcallanan@mhponline.org or see HousingMinnesota’s website at = www.housingminnesota.org.=20

=00 ------_=_NextPart_001_01C3BB58.FA8CF004-- From housingminnesota@mhponline.org Wed Dec 17 21:04:40 2003 From: housingminnesota@mhponline.org (HousingMN Communications ) Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 15:04:40 -0600 Subject: [HousingMinnesota Bulletin] Volume 2, Issue 24 12-17-3 Message-ID: <91CE81A8B5C57940AA99ECF1E2A160600A6351@mhpserver.mhponline.org> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------_=_NextPart_001_01C3C4E1.6354B5CC Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable HousingMinnesota Homes for All by 2012! =20 The Bulletin December 17, 2003 Volume 2, Issue 24 Distributed bi-weekly, this bulletin contains news, announcements, legislative updates, publications, and upcoming events. We hope you'll find it helpful in keeping you abreast of important developments. Please don't hesitate to contact us with items you'd like included in future issues. The Bulletin is also available on MHP's website at http://www.mhponline.org/Bulletin/Bulletin.htm . =20 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * News/Announcements HousingMinnesota 2004 Legislative Agenda Announced The Minnesota Legislature will convene for the second year of the biennial session on February 2, 2004. The second year of the session is traditionally the bonding year--the year the Legislature will take up the capital investment bill. The budget has been set for the 04-05 budget years, and is not likely to be broadly revisited unless there is a significant budget deficit. The November state budget forecast projects a $185 million deficit for the 04-05 budget. The budget is likely to be reopened to address this deficit, but budget reserves projected at $631 million could cover the deficit without further budget cuts or revenue increases.=20 =20 Governor Pawlenty will consider promoting a bonding request by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to seek at least $4 million in general obligation bonds to fund supportive housing developments. This initiative is part of the governor's goal to end long term homelessness and is a joint effort with the Dept. of Human Services and the Dept. of Corrections. As our primary legislative initiative, HousingMinnesota will support and possibly expand upon the governor's bonding proposal for housing.=20 =20 Since the budget is not likely to be opened up broadly for debate, tax increases or tax expenditures are not likely to be considered. However, tax policy is an area where incremental progress for affordable housing in a non-budget year may be achieved. HousingMinnesota will seek two tax policy changes to expand local resources for affordable housing and to preserve existing affordable housing. =20 =20 Finally, as economic conditions improve for the state, there may be opportunities during the session to remedy some of the particularly damaging budget cuts. If an opportunity does arise, emergency programs serving people experiencing homelessness or homeless prevention programs should be prioritized. To view the complete HousingMinnesota legislative agenda go to www.housingminnesota.org .=20 "Exit Tax Relief" Bill Introduced by Congressman Ramstad On November 12, 2003 Representatives Jim Ramstad (R-MN) and Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) introduced H.R. 3485, the Affordable Housing Preservation Tax Relief Act of 2003. For some time, advocates have been concerned that potential tax consequences have hampered opportunities to preserve federally assisted housing. Owners who might otherwise be willing to sell federally assisted housing to preservation purchasers have been discouraged because of the tax burden they would face upon the sale. H.R. 3485 would provide exit tax relief for the preservation of housing assisted with an insured mortgage under Section 236 or 221(d)(3); with project-based Section 8 assistance; with a loan insured by the U.S. Department of Agriculture; or with Low Income Housing Tax Credits. Under the bill, a housing credit agency-likely a state housing finance agency already allocating Low Income Housing Tax Credits-would award a tax credit in the event of a sale of an eligible multifamily property to a preservation purchaser. A preservation purchaser would be either a housing credit agency itself or an organization that a housing credit agency determines has sufficient capacity and commitment to make the preservation purchase a success. For more information go to http://www.nlihc.org/mtm/mtm8-45.html#3 Source: National Low Income Housing Coalition. Support Homes for All with a Limited Edition Holiday Ornament! Thanks to the generosity of Wells Fargo and Department 56, HousingMinnesota is once again pleased to offer a limited edition Homes for All holiday ornament. The proceeds of the ornament sales benefit the work of HousingMinnesota! The ornaments are available in the original Department 56 packaging for $20 each. You can pay by check or money order to Minnesota Housing Partnership, 1821 University Avenue W, S-137, Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55104. Please add $4.95 each for USPS Priority Mail delivery, or feel free to come to the office to pick up ornaments. For more information and to view the ornaments, visit http://www.housingminnesota.org/pages_detail.cfm?ContentID=3D245&PageID=3D= 1. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Reading/Resources HUD Study Shows Native Americans Face Housing Discrimination HUD released Discrimination in Metropolitan Housing Markets: Phase III - Native Americans on November 17, showing that more than one in four Native American renters faces discrimination. The report measured the incidence of discrimination in metropolitan housing markets of three states where substantial numbers of American Indians live in metropolitan areas-Minnesota, Montana, and New Mexico. The report is available at www.urban.org . (Source: NLIHC) =20 The HOMELine Section 8 Report: "Vouchers: Even in a Renter's Market, Most Units Still Off Limits" A survey of the acceptance of Section 8 vouchers in Anoka, Dakota, and suburban Hennepin Counties in Minnesota. Available online at http://www.homelinemn.org/downloads/2003_section8_report.pdf. =20 =20 Minneapolis Consortium of Community Developers Fact Sheets MCCD has published a series of fact sheets on housing needs in Minneapolis and the role of nonprofits in community development. Reports include "Equity and Affordable Housing Development", "About Developer Fees", "Nonprofits and Affordable Housing Development", "The 4d Tax Classification and Affordable Housing", "Vacancy Rates and Affordability in Minneapolis" and "Housing Options for Low Income Minneapolis Residents". The reports are available online at http://mccd.loading-zone.net/modules.php?name=3DContent&pa=3Dshowpage&pid= =3D18 . =20 =20 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Upcoming Events December 18 Simpson Housing Annual Homeless Memorial Service: Remembering Those Who Died While Homeless in 2003 5:00pm: Vigil & March from Project Offstreets/Youthlink, 41 S. 12th St., Minneapolis, 6:00pm: Memorial Service at Simpson United Methodist Church; 2740 1stAve. S., 7:30pm: Free community meal at Simpson Shelter. =20 January 20 & 21 Going to Scale on Single Family Development: Expanding Homeownership Opportunities Best Western Kelly Inn, St. Cloud. This training will expand on the basic concepts of single family development and provide attendees with the tools they need to increase their production levels. For more information and to register for this event, visit http://www.mhponline.org/Loans%20and%20Grants/housingdevtrainingscholar. htm . =20 =20 January 21 Working Group on Supportive Housing 9:30-11:30am, Mears Park Center, 230 E 5th St., St. Paul. Agenda: Review Draft Report =20 February 17 Building Minnesota One Home at a Time! 2004 Lobby Day and Rally Join HousingMinnesota and the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless in making housing and homeless prevention top issues for the upcoming legislative session. Help us to stop the trend of reducing resources in the state and to ensure that all Minnesota's workforce and those thousands with fixed incomes are adequately housed. When you register for Lobby Day, a meeting with your legislators will be scheduled for you. Don't worry! Training will be provided and a Team Captain will make sure the meetings go smoothly. To register online, visit http://www.housingminnesota.org/event_registration.cfm?EventID=3D19. =20 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *=20 Looking for something from the last Bulletin?? =20 Archived issues are available online at: http://www.mhponline.org/Bulletin/Bulletin.htm =20 For more information on affordable housing, the content of this document, or if you have news or events you would like included in future issues, please contact Rachel Callanan, Policy Director, (651) 649-1710 x107, email rcallanan@mhponline.org or see HousingMinnesota's website at www.housingminnesota.org .=20 ------_=_NextPart_001_01C3C4E1.6354B5CC Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Message

HousingMinnesota

Homes for All by=20 2012!

 

The=20 Bulletin
December 17, 2003
Volume 2, = Issue=20 24

Distributed = bi-weekly, this=20 bulletin contains news, announcements, legislative updates, = publications, and=20 upcoming events. We hope you'll find it helpful in keeping you abreast = of=20 important developments. Please don't hesitate to contact us with items = you'd=20 like included in future issues.  = The=20 Bulletin is also available on MHP's website at http://www.mhponline.org/Bulletin/Bulletin.htm.        =20

* * * * * * * * * = * * * * * *=20 * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
News/Announcements

HousingMinnesota = 2004=20 Legislative Agenda Announced

The Minnesota Legislature will convene for the = second year=20 of the biennial session on February 2, 2004.  The second year of the session = is=20 traditionally the bonding year--the year the Legislature will take up = the=20 capital investment bill.  = The budget=20 has been set for the 04-05 budget years, and is not likely to be broadly = revisited unless there is a significant budget deficit.  The November state budget = forecast=20 projects a $185 million deficit for the 04-05 budget.  The budget is likely to be = reopened to=20 address this deficit, but budget reserves projected at $631 million = could cover=20 the deficit without further budget cuts or revenue increases.=20

 

Governor Pawlenty will consider promoting a = bonding=20 request by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to seek at least $4 = million in=20 general obligation bonds to fund supportive housing developments.  This initiative is part of the = governor’s goal to end long term homelessness and is a joint = effort with the=20 Dept. of Human Services and the Dept. of Corrections.  As our primary legislative = initiative,=20 HousingMinnesota will support and possibly expand upon the = governor’s bonding=20 proposal for housing.

 

Since the budget is not likely to be opened up = broadly for=20 debate, tax increases or tax expenditures are not likely to be = considered.  However, tax policy is an area = where=20 incremental progress for affordable housing in a non-budget year may be=20 achieved.  = HousingMinnesota will=20 seek two tax policy changes to expand local resources for affordable = housing and=20 to preserve existing affordable housing. =20

 

Finally, as economic conditions improve for the = state,=20 there may be opportunities during the session to remedy some of the = particularly=20 damaging budget cuts.  If = an=20 opportunity does arise, emergency programs serving people experiencing=20 homelessness or homeless prevention programs should be prioritized.    To view the = complete=20 HousingMinnesota legislative agenda go to www.housingminnesota.org.

“Exit Tax Relief” = Bill=20 Introduced by Congressman = Ramstad  On November 12, = 2003=20 Representatives Jim Ramstad (R-MN) and Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) introduced = H.R.=20 3485, the Affordable Housing Preservation Tax Relief Act of 2003. For = some time,=20 advocates have been concerned that potential tax consequences have = hampered=20 opportunities to preserve federally assisted housing. Owners who might = otherwise=20 be willing to sell federally assisted housing to preservation purchasers = have=20 been discouraged because of the tax burden they would face upon the = sale.  H.R. 3485 would provide exit = tax relief=20 for the preservation of housing assisted with an insured mortgage under = Section=20 236 or 221(d)(3); with project-based Section 8 assistance; with a loan = insured=20 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture; or with Low Income Housing Tax = Credits.=20 Under the bill, a housing credit agency—likely a state housing = finance agency=20 already allocating Low Income Housing Tax Credits—would award a = tax credit in=20 the event of a sale of an eligible multifamily property to a = preservation=20 purchaser. A preservation purchaser would be either a housing credit = agency=20 itself or an organization that a housing credit agency determines has = sufficient=20 capacity and commitment to make the preservation purchase a = success.  For more information go to http://www.nlihc.org/mtm= /mtm8-45.html#3 =20 Source: National Low Income Housing Coalition.

Support Homes = for All=20 with a Limited Edition Holiday Ornament!  Thanks to the = generosity=20 of Wells Fargo and Department 56, HousingMinnesota is once again pleased = to=20 offer a limited edition Homes for All holiday ornament. The proceeds of = the=20 ornament sales benefit the work of HousingMinnesota!  The ornaments are available in = the=20 original Department 56 packaging for $20 each. You can pay by check or = money=20 order to Minnesota Housing Partnership, 1821 University Avenue W, S-137, = Saint=20 Paul, Minnesota, 55104. Please add $4.95 each for USPS Priority Mail = delivery,=20 or feel free to come to the office to pick up ornaments.  For more information and to = view the=20 ornaments, visit http://www.housingminnesota.org/pages_detail.cfm?ContentI= D=3D245&PageID=3D1.=20

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Reading/Resources

HUD = Study Shows=20 Native Americans Face Housing Discrimination=20 HUD=20 released Discrimination in Metropolitan Housing Markets: Phase III = — Native=20 Americans on November 17, showing that more than one in four Native = American=20 renters faces discrimination. The report measured the incidence of=20 discrimination in metropolitan housing markets of three states where = substantial=20 numbers of American Indians live in metropolitan areas—Minnesota, = Montana, and=20 New Mexico.  The report is available at www.urban.org. =20 (Source:  = NLIHC)

 

The HOMELine Section 8 = Report:  “Vouchers: Even in a = Renter’s Market,=20 Most Units Still Off Limits” =20 A=20 survey of the acceptance of Section 8 vouchers in Anoka, Dakota, and = suburban=20 Hennepin Counties in Minnesota. =20 Available online at htt= p://www.homelinemn.org/downloads/2003_section8_report.pdf. 

 

Minneapolis Consortium of = Community=20 Developers Fact Sheets =20 MCCD=20 has published a series of fact sheets on housing needs in Minneapolis = and the=20 role of nonprofits in community development.  Reports include “Equity = and Affordable=20 Housing Development”, “About Developer Fees”, = “Nonprofits and Affordable Housing=20 Development”, “The 4d Tax Classification and Affordable = Housing”, “Vacancy Rates=20 and Affordability in Minneapolis” and “Housing Options for = Low Income=20 Minneapolis Residents”.  = The reports=20 are available online at http://mccd.loading-zone.net/modules.php?name=3DCo= ntent&pa=3Dshowpage&pid=3D18. 

 

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Upcoming Events

December = 18

Simpson Housing = Annual=20 Homeless Memorial Service: Remembering Those Who Died While Homeless in=20 2003=20 5:00pm: Vigil & March from = Project=20 Offstreets/Youthlink, 41 S. 12th St., Minneapolis, 6:00pm: = Memorial=20 Service at Simpson United Methodist Church; 2740 1stAve. S., = 7:30pm:=20 Free community meal at Simpson Shelter.

 

January 20 &=20 21

Going to Scale on = Single=20 Family Development:  = Expanding=20 Homeownership Opportunities  Best Western Kelly Inn, St. = Cloud.  This training will expand on = the basic=20 concepts of single family development and provide attendees with the = tools they=20 need to increase their production levels. =20 For more information and to register for this event, visit http://www.mhponline.org/Loans%20and%20Grants/housingdevtrain= ingscholar.htm=20 .  =

 

January = 21

Working Group on = Supportive=20 Housing 9:30-11:30am, = Mears Park Center, 230 E 5th St., St. = Paul.  Agenda: Review Draft=20 Report

 

February=20 17

Building = Minnesota One Home=20 at a Time! 2004 Lobby Day and Rally  Join HousingMinnesota and the = Minnesota=20 Coalition for the Homeless in making housing and homeless prevention top = issues=20 for the upcoming legislative session. =20 Help us to stop the trend of reducing resources in the state and = to=20 ensure that all Minnesota’s workforce and those thousands with = fixed incomes are=20 adequately housed.  When = you=20 register for Lobby Day, a meeting with your legislators will be = scheduled for=20 you.  Don’t = worry!  Training will be provided and = a Team=20 Captain will make sure the meetings go smoothly.  To register online, visit http://www.housingminnesota.org/event_registration.cfm?EventID=3D19.

  

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Looking for = something from=20 the last Bulletin?? 

Archived issues = are available=20 online at: http://www.mhponline.org/Bulletin/Bulletin.htm

For more = information on=20 affordable housing, the content of this document, or if you have news or = events=20 you would like included in future issues, please contact Rachel = Callanan, Policy=20 Director, (651) 649-1710 x107, email rcallanan@mhponline.org or see HousingMinnesota’s website at = www.housingminnesota.org.=20

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