From housingminnesota at mhponline.org Fri Sep 10 13:08:32 2004 From: housingminnesota at mhponline.org (HousingMN Communications ) Date: Fri Sep 10 14:08:09 2004 Subject: HousingMinnesota Bulletin - Volume 3, Issue 17 09-10-04 Message-ID: <91CE81A8B5C57940AA99ECF1E2A1606063EC2C@mhpserver.mhponline.org> HousingMinnesota Homes for All by 2012! The Bulletin September 10, 2004 Volume 3, Issue 17 Distributed bi-weekly, this bulletin contains news, announcements, 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. Section 8 Voucher Crisis Update: HUD Responds to Agencies' Appeals "HUD has begun to distribute $156 million to public housing authorities, the result of agencies' appeals to the voucher program funding changes announced by HUD on April 22. The funds are needed to meet FY04 Section 8 voucher costs, since HUD's April 22 notice cut funding to local voucher programs and brought hardship and fear to many voucher holders. The money will be distributed to 379 of the 398 housing authorities that filed appeals. The reports available thus far suggest that housing authorities' appeals were met with mixed results. Still to be learned is whether the additional funds being distributed will be enough to help agencies that have indicated they will have to terminate vouchers because of the shortfall in FY04 funding. Another unknown is how the many agencies that did not file appeals will fare." For more information on the Section 8 Voucher crisis, visit the National Low Income Housing Coalition web site at www.nlihc.org . (Source: NLIHC "Memo to Members") Community Reinvestment Act Investments at Risk--Take Action: Comment Today "CRA was enacted to encourage federally insured financial institutions t meet the credit needs of their communities, including [low and moderate-income) persons. Communities and nonprofit corporations partner with banks to leverage limited federal subsidies with private capital for meeting communities' needs." (National Assoc. of Affordable Housing Lenders) "On August 20, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) proposed raising the asset threshold for "small banks," which are exempt from the Community Reinvestment Act's more stringent exams. The proposed rule would raise the small bank threshold from $250 million to $1 billion, which could significantly reduce investments in low and moderate income communities. A small bank threshold change from the FDIC would mean approximately 2,000 FDIC-insured institutions would have to meet a much less rigorous CRA standard that does not require investments and services in low and moderate income areas." (NLIHC) In Minnesota, it is anticipated that the 36 Minnesota banks currently under the CRA requirements would be reduced to just four banks, thereby potentially reducing the community reinvestment taking place. For more information visit the National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders web site at http://www.naahl.org/jsps/news/whats_hot_detail.jsp?nid=9578. Take Action! Comments are due to FDIC no later than September 20. To comment, go to http://www.fdic.gov/regulations/laws/federal/propose.html and look for the 8/20/04 Community Reinvestment proposed rule. At the far right column, you can click on "Comments" to submit yours electronically. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Reading/Resources New State and Community Data Released "The American Community Survey has just released its 2003 Data Profiles. The housing characteristics include aggregate estimates of types of units, number of structures built during certain years, occupants per room, percentage of income spent on housing, and even numbers of units lacking plumbing facilities, kitchen facilities, or phone services. There are information sets for Minnesota as a whole and individual sets of information for more specific areas. Currently, these areas are Dakota County, Hennepin County, Ramsey County, Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Congressional Districts 3, 4, 5, and 6." The American Community Survey is released by the Census Bureau. To view the data go to http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/Profiles/Single/2003/ACS/MN.htm (Source: HousingLink's HousingNews) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Upcoming Events Various Dates, Times & Locations through September and October HousingMinnesota Candidate Forums Across Minnesota! HousingMinnesota and many of our partner organizations are sponsoring opportunities to meet with candidates for the Minnesota House of Representatives. Please visit our Events Page to learn about partner locations and opportunities near you! Events cosponsored by HousingMinnesota include: * South Metro Candidate Forum - September 28, Mary Mother of the Church in Burnsville * Woodbury/Lake Elmo Area Candidate Forum - September 29, Central Park in Woodbury * South Central Minnesota Candidate Forum - September 30, Public Library in Saint James * Rochester Area Candidate Forum - October 6, Public Library in Rochester * Eden Prairie/Minnetonka Candidate Forum - October 7, Eden Prairie City Center in Eden Prairie * Owatonna/Faribault Area Candidate Forum - October 7, Cabela's in Owatonna * Redwood Falls/Marshal/New Ulm Area Candidate Forum - October 7, Public Library in Redwood Falls Please plan to attend candidate events in your community and be prepared to ask candidates the housing questions we've posted on our web site at http://www.housingminnesota.org/pages.cfm?PageID=84 .) Various Dates, Times & Locations through November 3 Central Community Housing Trust's "Building Dreams" Presentation In an effort to increase awareness of their organization, Central Community Housing Trust has developed a program about the shortage of affordable housing and the ways in which their organization is responding to this community need. This short presentation is a way for us to tell our story and build a foundation of support. This is not a fundraising event. Please visit http://ccht.extranet.urbanplanet.com/index.asp?SEC=%7b4F2008BE-3981-4EFB -A536-9285484F3F95%7d&Type=B_BASIC for more information and to register. Various Dates Get to Know Us Tours 2004: More Than Housing September 14, October 12, November 9 and December 14, 4:00-5:00pm, Jackson Street Village, 1497 Jackson Street North, St. Paul. Discover what Amherst H. Wilder Foundation is doing to provide supportive housing for families, single adults and the elderly. For more information about the tours or to register, call Marni Harper at (651) 642-2099 or email her at mkh@wilder.org. Space is limited. September 27-28 Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless Annual Conference "The Long Road Home...Are We There Yet?" Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge, Brainerd. This year marks MCH's 20th anniversary. While remembering the many thousands of people who have experienced homelessness during the past 20 years and the dedicated advocates working on their behalf, they will reflect on past accomplishments and future direction. The conference also highlights best practices, including program models, state and local policies, and advocacy efforts that service providers are taking to end homelessness. For more information go to http://www.mnhomelesscoalition.org or contact MCH at (612) 870-7073 or info@mnhomelesscoalition.org. October 14-15 Minnesota Council of Nonprofits' 18th Annual Conference "Participation! Creating and Sustaining Engaged Communities" RiverCentre, 175 Kellogg Boulevard West, St. Paul. "The theme, "Participation! Creating and Sustaining Engaged Communities" highlights how nonprofits must continually bring people into their organizations to serve in multiple roles --volunteers, board and staff members, donors, advocates and voters -- to be successful and effective." For more information go to www.mncn.org or contact MCN at (651) 642-1904 / (800) 289-1904 or info@mncn.org October 16-19 National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth 16th Annual Conference Radisson Riverfront Hotel, St. Paul, Minnesota. NAEHCY, a national grassroots membership association, serves as the voice and the social conscience for the education of children and youth in homeless situations. The conference theme this year is "Moving Every Child Ahead". To register visit their web site at www.naehcy.org . * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 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 Rachel Callanan, Policy Director, (651) 649-1710 x107, email rcallanan@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/20040910/3e015ce2/attachment.html From housingminnesota at mhponline.org Thu Sep 23 08:30:21 2004 From: housingminnesota at mhponline.org (HousingMN Communications ) Date: Thu Sep 23 09:29:59 2004 Subject: HousingMinnesota Bulletin - Volume 3, Issue 18 09-23-04 Message-ID: <91CE81A8B5C57940AA99ECF1E2A1606063EC2D@mhpserver.mhponline.org> HousingMinnesota Homes for All by 2012! The Bulletin September 23, 2004 Volume 3, Issue 18 Distributed bi-weekly, this bulletin contains news, announcements, 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. HousingMinnesota in the News Minnesota Housing Partnership/HousingMinnesota executive director, Chip Halbach, was interviewed by a St. Paul Pioneer Press reporter for a September article titled: "Room for less." Halbach said, "This is a market that has priced out many families. People need to understand the significant social challenge here, to ensure that it's not just those at the very top who can afford housing, but that there are housing options for day-care workers, bus drivers ... unless people get tuned in to that, it could get worse." The article also quoted information from HousingMinnesota's affordable housing county profiles. To read the entire article go to http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/living/9624369.htm . Candidate events picking up speed! HousingMinnesota and many other nonprofit organizations across Minnesota will be hosting nonpartisan candidate forums and debates in the final weeks before the November 2nd election. This is your opportunity to "interview" the candidates vying for your support. Plan to attend one of these events and be prepared to ask the candidates their stance on ensuring adequate housing opportunities for all Minnesotans. Draft candidate questions are posted on our web site at http://www.housingminnesota.org/pages.cfm?PageID=84. The draft questions are geared for local, state, and congressional candidates. Please visit our Events Page to learn about HousingMinnesota's candidate events and see the calendar below. The Minnesota Participation Project is tracking events across the state. Please visit the MPP web site to find an opportunity near you! Community Reinvestment Act Update: Comment Period Extended to Oct. 20 "The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has extended the public comment period on its proposed changes to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) from September 20 to October 20. Many had criticized FDIC's damaging and far-reaching proposal for not allowing sufficient time for public comment. The proposal would raise the asset threshold for "small banks," making more banks exempt from the CRA's more stringent exams. The time extension will allow for more comments to be submitted on the CRA proposed rule change and, potentially, could delay a final decision by the FDIC until after the November 2 elections." (Source: NLIHC Memo to Members) NLIHC's call to action on the CRA changes can be found at www.nlihc.org/news/082004.html. Comments can be submitted at www.fdic.gov/regulations/laws/federal/propose.html. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Reading/Resources Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Profile In preparation for setting the 2006-2007 biennial state budget, the Minnesota Department of Finance collects profiles of every state agency which include background narratives on the operating budgets for state agencies, boards, and constitutional offices. MHFA's agency profile is on the Dept. of Finance web site at: http://www.budget.state.mn.us/budget/operating/200607/background/249602. pdf. Governor Pawlenty will release his 06-07 budget on or before January 25th, 2005. Pawlenty Administration 2006-2007 Budget Guidelines and Timeline The Minnesota Dept. of Finance released a letter to all state agency heads setting forth the Pawlenty administration's budget process. The letter provides a glimpse into the administration's thinking on the state budget. For a copy of the letter go to: http://www.budget.state.mn.us/budget/operating/200607/instructions/04080 5_%20schowalter_letter.pdf. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Upcoming Events Various Dates, Times & Locations through September and October HousingMinnesota Candidate Forums Across Minnesota! HousingMinnesota and many of our partner organizations are sponsoring opportunities to meet with candidates for the Minnesota House of Representatives. Please visit our Events Page to learn about partner locations and opportunities near you! Events cosponsored by HousingMinnesota include: * South Metro Candidate Forum - September 28, Mary Mother of the Church in Burnsville * Woodbury/Lake Elmo Area Candidate Forum - September 29, Central Park in Woodbury * South Central Minnesota Candidate Forum - September 30, Public Library in Saint James * Rochester Area Candidate Forum - October 6, Public Library in Rochester * Eden Prairie/Minnetonka Candidate Forum - October 7, Eden Prairie City Center in Eden Prairie * Owatonna/Faribault Area Candidate Forum - October 7, Cabela's in Owatonna * Redwood Falls/Marshal/New Ulm Area Candidate Forum - October 7, Public Library in Redwood Falls Please plan to attend candidate events in your community and be prepared to ask candidates the housing questions we've posted on our web site at http://www.housingminnesota.org/pages.cfm?PageID=84. September 27-28 Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless Annual Conference "The Long Road Home...Are We There Yet?" Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge, Brainerd. This year marks MCH's 20th anniversary. While remembering the many thousands of people who have experienced homelessness during the past 20 years and the dedicated advocates working on their behalf, they will reflect on past accomplishments and future direction. The conference also highlights best practices, including program models, state and local policies, and advocacy efforts that service providers are taking to end homelessness. For more information go to http://www.mnhomelesscoalition.org or contact MCH at (612) 870-7073 or info@mnhomelesscoalition.org. October 14-15 Minnesota Council of Nonprofits' 18th Annual Conference "Participation! Creating and Sustaining Engaged Communities" RiverCentre, 175 Kellogg Boulevard West, St. Paul. "The theme, "Participation! Creating and Sustaining Engaged Communities" highlights how nonprofits must continually bring people into their organizations to serve in multiple roles --volunteers, board and staff members, donors, advocates, and voters -- to be successful and effective." For more information go to www.mncn.org or contact MCN at (651) 642-1904 / (800) 289-1904 or info@mncn.org . October 16-19 National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth 16th Annual Conference Radisson Riverfront Hotel, St. Paul, Minnesota. NAEHCY, a national grassroots membership association, serves as the voice and the social conscience for the education of children and youth in homeless situations. The conference theme this year is "Moving Every Child Ahead". To register visit NAEHCY's web site at www.naehcy.org . * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 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 Rachel Callanan, Policy Director, (651) 649-1710 x107, email rcallanan@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/20040923/596b5074/attachment.html