From housingminnesota at mhponline.org Fri Nov 5 15:06:53 2004 From: housingminnesota at mhponline.org (HousingMN Communications ) Date: Fri Nov 5 15:08:10 2004 Subject: HousingMinnesota Bulletin - Volume 3, Issue 21 11-05-04 Message-ID: <91CE81A8B5C57940AA99ECF1E2A1606063EC40@mhpserver.mhponline.org> HousingMinnesota Homes for All by 2012! The Bulletin November 5, 2004 Volume 3, Issue 21 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 . * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * News/Announcements. Homeless voter turnout considered a tremendous victory! Nonpartisan voter turnout efforts in low-income communities were a resounding success this election year. None was more monumental than the collaborative effort by homeless shelters and service providers to turn out homeless voters. Over 1,300 people experiencing homelessness were registered and voted on Nov. 2nd in the Twin Cities with the assistance of many dedicated organizations and volunteers. Congratulations to those experiencing homelessness who took the time and effort to go vote. And congratulations to all the organizations that made it happen: Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless, Our Saviors Shelter, People Serving People, Simpson Housing Services, St. Stephen's Shelter, Catholic Charities Branch III, Dorothy Day Center, Listening House, Union Gospel Mission, Salvation Army, X-Committee, and many other organizations and volunteers. Nick Coleman highlighted the effort in his recent article in the Star Tribune. He interviewed Michael Dahl, Executive Director of the Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless: "During the last election, we learned that a small number of organized people really make a difference," Dahl said. "The people from the streets have issues that rarely hit the radar screen. But this time, the homeless people organized themselves. They did it themselves, and they said, 'I'm low income, but my vote counts as much as anybody else's.' " (The full article is at: http://www.startribune.com/stories/357/5065800.html ) State requests the public's feedback and comments on the federally required Action Plan to meet Minnesota's current and future housing needs. Deadline Dec. 1st! "The Consolidated Plan is a report that the state submits annually to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in order to receive federal housing and community development funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships, Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) programs. The Consolidated Plan examines the housing and community development needs of the state, sets priorities for allocation of the HUD funds, and establishes an Action Plan for meeting current and future needs in the coming year. The state submits its CAPER to HUD, annually, as one of the conditions of receiving federal funds under the programs listed above. The CAPER provides information to measure the state's progress during the past year in meeting assistance goals and priorities identified in the Consolidated Plan. The CAPER includes a summary and analysis of updates to the state's Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing, reporting on progress made on identified actions that state agencies have elected to undertake to affirmatively further fair housing and overcome impediments to fair housing. The first public hearing took place on Oct. 13, 2004. A second public hearing on the 2005 Action Plan of the 2002-2006 Consolidated Plan will be held on Wednesday, November 17, 2004. This public hearing will be for review and comment on the Action Plan draft and will be held at 4:30 p.m. at the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, 400 Sibley Street, 1st floor conference room, St. Paul. Call 1-800-657-3858 for more information about this second hearing. A draft of the 2005 Action Plan of the 2002-2006 Consolidated Plan, the CAPER for 2004 and A/I Summary will be available for public review and comment for 30 days between November 1, 2004 and close of business December 1, 2004. A copy of the draft Action Plan, CAPER and A/I Summary will be available on the Internet at www.mhfa.state.mn.us or www.deed.state.mn.us and in state depositories identified in the Citizen Participation Plan, which may be viewed at the same internet locations." For more information on how to submit comments, see MHFA's web site at: http://www.mhfa.state.mn.us/about/Public_hearing.htm (Source: MHFA) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Reading "Less Cash in Their Pockets" From: ECONOMIC POLICY INSTITUTE Less Cash in Their Pockets: Trends in Incomes, Wages, Taxes, and Health Spending of Middle-Income Families, 2000-03, offers new detail on the middle-class squeeze that has been reported in the media. For the full report see: http://www.epinet.org/content.cfm/bp154 (Source: Moving Ideas News) "Pulling Apart: Economic Segregation among Suburbs and Central Cities in Major Metropolitan Areas," Brookings Institution (October 2004) An analysis of census income data for cities and suburbs in the nation's 50 largest metropolitan areas between 1980 and 2000 shows that: The overall per capita income gap between central cities and suburbs remained unchanged between 1990 and 2000, in stark contrast to the widening gaps in the previous two decades. However, the city and suburban income gaps in the Northeast and Midwest are still wide and growing while smaller gaps in the South and West are narrowing. http://www.brookings.edu/metro/pubs/20041018_econsegregation.htm * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Upcoming Events November 16-17 5th Bi-annual MN Affordable Homes Congress 2004 Radisson Suite Hotel, St Cloud. The theme will be: Emerging Markets: Building Your Business and Expanding Your Dream. Learn how to expand your business by effectively working with and reaching traditionally underserved Minnesota populations. Expert national and local speakers will discuss issues and trends in minority homeownership, gaining cultural competency, effective marketing, and promotions to underserved groups, best practices in increasing minority homeownership, available community resources, and much more. Registration fee:$200 for-profits, $150 for gov't agencies and $100 for nonprofits. For more information call 651-222-8319. For more information contact event coordinator Alan Halm at 651-222-8319 or Multimac1@aol.com . November 18 Get Ready for the Start of the 2005 Legislative Session at MCN's Policy Day on November 18th! Thursday, November 18, from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Radisson Riverfront Hotel, 11 East Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul At "Getting Ready for 2005," MCN will address strategies for nonprofit advocacy in the upcoming legislative session. They'll examine the economic forecast and budget debates. And in plenary sessions and interactive breakout sessions, they'll engage in dialogue with the state economist, experts in election cycle activities, scholars, media, and experienced advocates and organizers. Fee $80 per person for MCN members/ $120 per person for nonmembers. For a more detailed description of the opening plenary and breakout sessions, please visit Minnesota Council of Nonprofits: Public Policy Events Questions? Please contact Christine Durand at 651-642-1904 ext. 226, or cdurand@mncn.org. You can also Register Online . December 16 20th Annual Homeless Memorial March and Service 5 p.m., March, Location To Be Determined. 6:30 p.m., Service of Remembrance, Simpson United Methodist Church, 2740 First Avenue South, Minneapolis, 7:30 p.m. Community Meal, Simpson Shelter. "On February 10, 2004, Robin Sam died when the tent he called home went up in flames. Robin's death drew the public's attention and heartfelt sympathy, but the memory fades, and with it, the conviction that homelessness is a scandal. It is time to remember Robin and the scores of other people who died while homeless in Minnesota in 2004." Please invite co-workers, clients, shelter guests, friends and especially your public officials to attend this event. For more information, to report deaths of people who were homeless from your community, or if you would like to help with preparations, contact Jim Smith at Simpson Housing Services at (612) 874-8683 or jsmith@simpsonhousing.org. (Source: Simpson Housing Services) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Looking for something from the last Bulletin?? Archived issues are available online at: http://www.mhponline.org/Bulletin/Bulletin.htm 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 HousingMinnesota via our website at www.housingminnesota.org . -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mapnp.Geeks.ORG/pipermail/mhp-bulletin/attachments/20041105/209833c3/attachment.html From housingminnesota at mhponline.org Fri Nov 12 20:40:22 2004 From: housingminnesota at mhponline.org (Housingminnesota) Date: Fri Nov 12 20:41:16 2004 Subject: Hi Message-ID: An HTML attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: Price.cpl Type: application/octet-stream Size: 27219 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://mapnp.Geeks.ORG/pipermail/mhp-bulletin/attachments/20041113/de135701/Price.exe From housingminnesota at mhponline.org Sun Nov 14 07:42:22 2004 From: housingminnesota at mhponline.org (Housingminnesota) Date: Sun Nov 14 07:43:13 2004 Subject: Hello Message-ID: An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mapnp.Geeks.ORG/pipermail/mhp-bulletin/attachments/20041114/7659b4d7/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Joke.cpl Type: application/octet-stream Size: 27070 bytes Desc: not available Url : http://mapnp.Geeks.ORG/pipermail/mhp-bulletin/attachments/20041114/7659b4d7/Joke.exe From housingminnesota at mhponline.org Wed Nov 17 08:52:10 2004 From: housingminnesota at mhponline.org (HousingMN Communications ) Date: Wed Nov 17 08:53:48 2004 Subject: HousingMinnesota Bulletin - Volume 3, Issue 22 11-17-04 Message-ID: <91CE81A8B5C57940AA99ECF1E2A1606063EC47@mhpserver.mhponline.org> HousingMinnesota Homes for All by 2012! The Bulletin November 16, 2004 Volume 3, Issue 22 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. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * News/Announcements. National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week November 14-18 Each year, the week before Thanksgiving is designated National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. During this week schools, communities and cities take part in a nationwide effort to bring greater awareness to the problems of hunger and homelessness. See events listed below. HousingMinnesota?s County Profiles Updated Check out HousingMinnesota's newly updated fact sheets on each of the 87 Minnesota counties, and the State of Minnesota as a whole. Profiles include data on incomes compared to housing costs, homelessness, and the percentage of population spending more than 30 percent of their income on housing (rental and ownership). To download the new county profiles click here: http://www.housingminnesota.org/pages_detail.cfm?ContentID=73&PageID=32. Contact your Senator and Representative today to Save Housing Programs in 2005 HUD Spending Bill The HUD spending bill that is being discussed in Congress will make critical decisions about housing program funding. Urge your Representative and Senator to: ? Support increases to the HUD budget at least equal to those in the Senate bill for public housing, homeless assistance, fair housing, CDBG, HOME, Section 202 for the elderly and Section 811 for persons with disabilities. ? Support adequate funding to renew all project- and tenant-based Section 8 Vouchers. ? Remove Section 224 from the Senate bill that would prohibit public housing authorities from using federal funds to do a range of voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities. Go to http://capwiz.com/housingmn/mail/oneclick_compose/?alertid=6637481 to contact your legislators. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Reading "Illegal to be Homeless: The Criminalization of Homelessness in the United States" From: NATIONAL COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS. The report is a comprehensive study of homeless civil rights violations. This study is also a survey of current laws that criminalize homeless people and ranks the top ?meanest? cities and states in the country. This report examines legislated ordinances and statutes, as well as law enforcement and community practices since August of 2003. St. Paul was listed as the 19th ?meanest? city in the United States. Minneapolis was listed as a ?model? community. For a complete copy of the report go to: www.nationalhomeless.org/crimreport/index.html ?The American Dream in 2004? From: NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES. ?The National League of Cities surveyed 1,002 people to discover their definition of the American Dream and whether or not they were living it. The survey found that 34% of adults feel that they are not living the American Dream; respondents cited poor public education (27%), not being financially secure (22%), and lack of affordable housing (9%) as some of the barriers to achieving this goal. Additionally, 56% of those earning below $20,000 a year felt that they were not living the American Dream.? For a complete copy of the report go to: http://www.nlc.org/nlc_org/site/files/pdf/Amercian%20Dream_Report.pdf. (Source: NLIHC) ?The State of America?s Cities 2004,? From: NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES. ?In this report, a random sample of municipal elected officials is surveyed to gather opinions on issues facing cities and towns. Officials named fiscal and overall economic conditions to have a negative impact on their cities and claimed that these have declined in the last five years. Priorities for federal action included availability of both quality affordable housing and health services. Officials did note that working with other municipalities in some cases helped housing affordability, with 18% saying it was a very positive experience and 39% recording it as a positive experience. They saw working with other levels of government as well as working with other local governments as key to increasing community and quality of life.? For a complete copy of the report go to: http://www.nlc.org/nlc_org/site/files/pdf/2004_StofAmCities.pdf. (Source: NLIHC) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Upcoming Events November 17 Skip a Meal Day In recognition of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, Dakota Woodlands, an Eagan shelter for women and children, ?is asking you to skip a meal to experience the challenges that families face while being homeless. Then, donate the money you would have spent on lunch to Dakota Woodlands. This challenge could take place within your family or group of friends, or at work.? For more information contact Jennifer Foth at (651) 456-9110 ext. 15 or volcoorwoodlands@qwest.net. (Source: Dakota Digest) November 18 Summit on Homelessness 5:30 p.m., St. Luke?s Church, 1079 Summit Avenue, St. Paul. 7:30 p.m., March to Governor?s Mansion, 1006 Summit Avenue, St. Paul. Minnesota Senator Ellen Anderson, Minnesota Representative Alice Hausman, former St. Paul Mayor Jim Scheibel, students and people who have experienced homelessness will gather Thursday to call on Governor Pawlenty to lead a legislative agenda to truly end homelessness. Attendees will participate in a roundtable discussion about the Governor?s plan to end long-term homelessness over dinner and then walk to the Governor?s Mansion to raise awareness about homelessness in Minnesota. This event is in recognition of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. For more information contact Hamline University?s Office of Service Learning at (651) 523-2483. December 16 20th Annual Homeless Memorial March and Service 5 p.m., March, North Plaza ? Hennepin County Government Center, 3rd Avenue South and 5th Street South. 6:30 p.m., Service of Remembrance, Simpson United Methodist Church, 2740 First Avenue South, Minneapolis, 7:30 p.m. Community Meal, Simpson Shelter. ?On February 10, 2004, Robin Sam died when the tent he called home went up in flames. Robin?s death drew the public?s attention and heartfelt sympathy, but the memory fades, and with it, the conviction that homelessness is a scandal. It is time to remember Robin and the scores of other people who died while homeless in Minnesota in 2004.? Please invite co-workers, clients, shelter guests, friends and especially your public officials to attend this event. For more information, to report deaths of people who were homeless from your community, or if you would like to help with preparations, contact Jim Smith at Simpson Housing Services at (612) 874-8683 or jsmith@simpsonhousing.org. (Source: Simpson Housing Services) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Looking for something from the last Bulletin?? Archived issues are available online at: http://www.mhponline.org/Bulletin/Bulletin.htm 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 HousingMinnesota at (651) 649-1710, email info@mhponline.org or see HousingMinnesota's website at www.housingminnesota.org . -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://mapnp.Geeks.ORG/pipermail/mhp-bulletin/attachments/20041117/caeca1eb/attachment.html