Housing Alliance Update: Make a Call to Support the Doc Fee

The Housing Alliance needs you to contact your Senator and Representative and ask for their support of a document recording fee increase for housing. The legislation establishing the document recording fee increase, Senate Bill 38, has hit some snags and will likely resurface with a new bill number.  We are encouraged by the level of commitment by legislative leaders in both chambers and from both parties who are determined to begin to adequately fund housing needs in Oregon. We remain in the Ways and Means co-chairs budgets and on everyone's radar.

HERE IS WHY WE LOVE THE DOC FEE: With a modest increase of just $15 per document, the state will secure a dedicated revenue source that will provide tens of millions for increasing housing opportunity for first time home-buyers, and provide decent, safe, affordable rental options for working families, seniors, people with disabilities and veterans.

To find out more about the document recording fee and the whole $100 Million for Homes platform, click here.

HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY:  We need our Senators and Representatives to hear local support for the doc fee increase. Even if you have already contacted your Senator and Representative on this issue, it is very important that you do it again. .  . and again. We have a real chance to win crucial resources for housing.  But it will ONLY happen if we all participate and push.

To find out how to contact you Senator and Representative, go to: http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/

Your e-mail to your Senator and Representative should include the following:

·       Housing provides people the opportunity to build better lives.

·       Give an example of the pressing housing needs in your community.

·       Remind them that we need a dedicated funding source in order to adequately meet the many housing needs in the community.

·       Ask them to do all that they can to support housing in the budget, including increasing the document recording fee for housing.

Know someone else who supports housing opportunity?  Pass this information along and get others to email in their support.

For more information about the progress of the Housing Alliance Housing Opportunity Agenda, including news on the condo conversion bill, the inclusionary zoning bill, and more go to: http://www.oregonhousingalliance.org/updates.html

The Housing Alliance brings together advocates, local governments, housing authorities, community development corporations, environmentalists, service providers, business interests and all others dedicated to increasing the resources available to meet our housing needs to support a common statewide legislative and policy agenda. To find out more about the Housing Alliance, go to: http://www.oregonhousingalliance.org/

Reminder: No CDN Public Forum in April

We will not be convening our Public Forum as regularly scheduled (tomorrow April 19). Instead, we hope that you and others will be able to attend the Coalition for a Livable Future’s Regional Livability Summit.  Information is provided below:

Coalition for a Livable Future 5th Annual Regional Livability Summit

Leading Sustainable and Equitable Development in the21st Century - Creating Collaborations for Action

Where: Portland State University Smith Center Ballroom

When: April 19th, 2007, 8 am - 4 pm

Cost: $45 for non-CLF members; $35 for CLF members; Living option (you pick a price that meets your budget)

CLF is delighted to feature Denis Hayes at this year's Summit during Earth Week 2007. National Coordinator of the first Earth Day, Hayes has been at the core of the modern environmental movement since its launch. Hayes has served in top positions with numerous prominent academic institutions, non-profits and government agencies. As the current President of the Bullitt Foundation, he aspires to make the Pacific Northwest - the best-educated,most environmentally aware, most progressive corner of America - a global model for sustainable development

After the keynote, the program will engage participants in developing collaborative strategies-for-action that focus on how we can take sustainability to the next level in our region:

* What trends are emerging?

* What opportunities for leverage do we see in these trends?

* What can we accomplish or set in motion by working together that we cannot achieve by ourselves?

In addition, the program features a response panel of regional leaders. They include:

*Mark Edlen, Gerding Edlen Development

*Emily Gottfried, American Jewish Committee and Inter-Religious Action Network

*Victor Merced, Oregon Housing and Community Services

*Lynn Peterson, Clackamas County Commission

*Dilafruz Williams, Portland State University

To learn more about it or to register, go to http://clfuture.org/events/Summit07/ 

Fed Update: House Financial Services Passes GSE Reform, New Housing Funds;
Smith Circulating Letter in Support of Section 202 and 811 Funding

The US House of Representatives Financial Services Committee on March 29 passed H.R. 1427, the Federal Housing Finance Reform Act of 2007.  The bill will overhaul the regulatory oversight of the government sponsored enterprises (GSE) of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the Federal Home Loan Banks, and create a new, independent regulator with broad powers analogous to current banking regulators.  In addition, the bill creates an off budget and non-taxpayer financed affordable housing fund, which will dedicate hundreds of millions of dollars for the construction, maintenance and preservation of affordable housing with the first year of the fund to be dedicated to the hurricane stricken areas of the Gulf Coast, and billions of dollars over the next five years for affordable housing nationwide. The bill, as amended, passed on a bipartisan majority of 45 to 19.

The Federal Housing Finance Reform Act of 2007 is the product of both bipartisan legislation in the 109th Congress and careful discussions and compromise with the Department of Treasury.  The bill also comes after a series of legislative hearings on GSE reforms and proposals, where regulators and expert witnesses testified before both the Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance and Government Sponsored Enterprises, and the full Financial Services Committee.

In addition, the Committee adopted amendments concerning the composition of the boards of the enterprises and of the FHLB’s, use of the Affordable Housing Fund and the Affordable Housing Goals, provisions to promote diversity at the agency and at the regulated entities, and clarifying authorities of the agency in determining capital and supervising the operations of the regulated entities.

To read more, go to: http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/financialsvcs_dem/press032907.shtml

GSE Bill Introduced in Senate

Senators Chuck Hagel (R-NE) introduced S. 1100, “a bill to address the regulation of secondary mortgage market enterprises, and for other purposes” on April 12. Original cosponsors are John Sununu (R-NH), Elizabeth Dole (R-NC), and Mel Martinez (R-FL), all members of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. The text of the bill was not available at press time, but the bill reportedly does not include an Affordable Housing Fund and otherwise closely resembles the bill that Senate considered in the 109^th Congress.

S. 1100 has been referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.  No action has been scheduled.

Senate Letter in Support of Section 202 and 811 Funding

Senators Gordon Smith, Herb Kohl (D-WI) and the ranking member and chair, respectively, of the Senate Select Committee on Aging, are circulating a letter to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary, and HUD Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Ranking Member Christopher Bond (R-MO).

The letter urges appropriators to reject the President’s proposed FY08 cuts to HUD’s Section 202 elderly housing and Section 811 housing for persons with disabilities programs. The letter asks appropriators to fund the Section 202 at $750 million and the Section 811 program at $240 million in FY08. The Section 202 and 811 programs were funded at $735 million and $237 million, respectively, in FY07.

The letter is available at www.nlihc.org/doc/040607senateletter.pdf.

GAO Issues Report on Project-Based Section 8 Opt Outs

From the National Low Income Housing Coalition: On April 12, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) published Project-Based Rental Assistance: HUD Should Update Its Policies and Procedures to Keep Pace with the Changing Housing Market. There are approximately 24,000 project-based Section 8 contracts covering 1.4 million units. GAO studied the 14,373 contracts (covering 982,701 units) eligible for renewal between 2001 and 2005, and found that 92% of the contracts (covering 95% of the units) were renewed by the properties’ private owners.

For 6% of the expiring contracts, owners decided to not renew, but chose instead to “opt out” of the project-based Section 8 program. The remaining 2% of the contracts were “terminated” due to foreclosure or other HUD enforcement action.

Only 1% of the properties with a Section 202 mortgage serving elderly or disabled people opted out, and only 3% of the properties with a USDA Section 515 mortgage opted out. However, 10% of the properties in HUD’s Property Disposition Program (“troubled properties”) opted out.

The total number of opt outs declined from 240 in 2001 to 120 in 2003, only to increase to 160 in 2005. The total number of foreclosures and enforcements declined slightly from 67 in 2001 to 44 in 2005.

Thirteen percent of the properties with fewer than half of their units under a Section 8 contract opted out, compared to a 3% opt out rate for properties with 50% to 97% of their units under a Section 8 contract.

Assisted properties receive physical inspections that result in an assessment called a Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) score. A “substandard” REAC score is one below 60 but above 30, and a “severe” score is one below 30. Only 67% of the substandard properties renewed, and only 41% of the properties with a severe REAC score renewed.

In interviews with property owners, GAO learned that opt outs were more likely to occur in neighborhoods with higher incomes and rents where owners can receive greater rental income or sell the units as condominiums. Owners decided to remain in the Section 8 program primarily for the guaranteed rental income it provides, especially in areas with depressed rental markets.

Owners described a variety of HUD policies and practices which they characterized as frustrating, but seldom irritating enough to lead to an opt out. One HUD practice in particular was the focus of owner dissatisfaction: a “one-for-one replacement policy.” This informal policy (not based in statute, regulation, or other written policy) requires a renewed contract to have the same number of units as the expiring contract. Some owners, especially of projects with efficiency units serving elderly people, claim that there is no longer a strong demand for efficiency units. Therefore, owners sometimes want to reconfigure their properties by converting some or all units to one-bedroom units. Interestingly, HUD bases this informal one-for-one policy on an old one-for-one public housing policy that has been inoperative since 1995.

Another complaint lodged by owners is that HUD’s Limited English Proficiency (LEP) guidance is unclear and places most of the cost of compliance on owners.

The GAO report is available at www.gao.gov/new.items/d07290.pdf.

The City of Portland, Bureau of Housing and Community Development is excited to announce the availability of funding for financial assistance to homebuyers.  BHCD is requesting proposals from qualified partners to provide affordable homeownership opportunities and meet citywide homeownership goals. 

For the RFP and application, please go to www.portlandonline.com/bhcd.  I am available throughout the RFP process to answer questions and provide information.  I can be reached at the contact information provided below.  Additionally, an information session at BHCD will be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at BHCD from 9:00 am - 10:30 am. 

Proposals are due no later than Friday, May 18, 2007 at 12:00 pm.

The Neighborhood Partnership Fund is pleased to announce the availability of operating support and capacity building funds for Community Development Corporations working in the City of Portland. 

The Portland Neighborhood Development Support Collaborative (PNDSC), a program of the City of Portland Bureau of Housing and Community Development (BHCD), Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. (Enterprise) and The Neighborhood Partnership Fund (NPF), is please to offer competitive program support grants to eligible nonprofit housing development organizations that deliver the highest community impact in Portland. 

This fiscal year, PNDSC is offering access to three separate funding sources with different programmatic rules and regulations that correspondingly govern eligible activities, evaluation and selection criteria.  The funding sources available in FY 2007-2008 are as follows:

·      Enterprise Community Partners Capacity Building Grants

·      Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to support work on CDBD-eligible projects

·      HOME Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) Operating Support to support development and asset management of HOME funded projects

Contact Amy Fauver fort the 2007-2008 application for funding from the Portland Neighborhood Development Support Collaborative (PNDSC). The application will also be available on NPF’s website shortly at www.tnpf.org.

Applications must be received by 5:00 PM Monday, May 21, 2007.  Please contact Amy Fauver at 503-226-3001 x102 or via email with any questions.

PSU Community Development Fair April 24

Come to the Community Development Fair on April 24, 2007. Sponsored by the PSU Community Development Student Group, this fair is intended to connect future community development professionals with information and opportunities with local CDCs.

Date: Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Time: Noon – 3pm (Setup at 10:30, Lunch at 11:00)

Description: What better way to build relationships, get the word out about your organization and network with potential volunteers and interns than to attend the Community Development Fair?  Come enjoy delicious refreshments and take part in an amazing opportunity to meet face-to-face with community members from throughout the Portland area and Portland State University. Lunch will be provided for organizations that table at the event. Space is limited, so please RSVP by contacting Melissa Lindsey at the email listed below or call (503) 432-0486

Location: Portland State University / Smith Memorial Union Rooms 296/298

Contact: Melissa Lindsey, CDSG Event Coordinator
E-mail

Web Site: www.community.pdx.edu

Sabin Green Opening: Learn about New Infill, Co-Housing Model April 27

Curious to tour a new model of infill, community-oriented housing here in Portland?

Wondering how 4 detached homes, a central courtyard and a common building can fit cozily on a 75 'x 100' lot?

Interested in viewing and learning about some nifty green construction materials and techniques?

Want to see interior trim made from salvaged framing lumber, a house on a 20' x 20' footprint, swirly circular salvage brick patios, and how cedar trellises and a little stained glass can liven up a building fascade?

Looking to meet some great subcontractors and get their contact info for your next project?

Or more to the point...

Would you like to ditch work early on Friday, April 27th and eat a bunch of free, home-made ice cream?

Then please join us for the grand opening of Sabin Green, a new little cohousing community in the Sabin neighborhood.

The details

Date: Friday, April 27th

Time: 4 - 6 pm

Location: 4516 - 4522 NE 19th Ave. (just N. of Prescott and a couple big water towers)

More info: (503) 422-2607 or via email.

Hacienda CDC Hosts the 9th Annual Latino Home Buyers Fair April 29

Hacienda CDC will be hosting a free Latino Home Buyers Fair on April 29, 2007 at the Oregon Zoo, Cascade Crest Banquet Room, 4001 SW Canyon Road,  Portland, OR from 10 am to 5 pm to promote homeownership opportunities for Latino families in the Portland metropolitan area.

The Home Buyers Fair will feature 30 exhibitors including lenders, real estate companies, non-profit housing agencies, title companies, as well as state and federal agencies. The theme for the 2007 fair is “Camino a Casa” – a pathway to home – which captures the intent to provide the relevant information and resources for minority first time homebuyers to start the home buying process and succeed.

The fair is designed to provide the Latino community the education, informational resources and practical guidance in the home buying process. Industry experts will be offering free home buying seminars hourly in English and Spanish. Individuals wishing to register for a seminar may do so the day of the event. The public is welcome and admission is free. There will be free zoo admission the day of the fair for all children age 11 and under who attend and raffles for 3 home computers. Past year’s fair was attended by over 600 people from the tri-county region, the Willamette Valley and Salem. “We are excited to offer this family-centered opportunity to the Latino community to make connections and obtain relevant information to start the path towards homeownership” – said Pietro Ferrari, Executive Director with Hacienda CDC. The fair aims to address the City of Portland’s goal to increase minority homeownership.

Hacienda CDC is an Oregon non-profit corporation serving over 1,200 low-income Latinos and others living within Hacienda’s 325 affordable housing units. Hacienda CDC builds community and promotes healthy living through an array of culturally specific programs for all ages.

Seven Revolutions Workshop Promotes Future Strategic Thinking May 9th

Seven Revolutions identifies and analyzes the distinct and driving forces of change that will transform the planet and govern our interaction in the year 2025.  The goal of this project is to promote strategic, forward-thinking among current and future leaders by considering what these changes will mean for decision makers worldwide.

Seven Revolutions is an initiative of the Global Strategy Institute at the Center for Strategic and International Studies that identifies and analyzes the key policy challenges that government officials, business figures and nonprofit leaders will face out to the year 2025.  Please click here for an overview of the Seven Revolutions initiative.

Seven Revolutions will help us look at the world 20 years into the future and encounter several profound questions along the way - Which global forces will drive change the most?  How well will organizations adapt?  Is leadership prepared to address new challenges?  What can we do to improve the world tomorrow?

Will you be ready? 

Please join us for this dynamic presentation and stimulating conversation!

Wednesday, May 9th

3:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Wieden+Kennedy

224 NW 13th

Portland OR 97209

Tickets are $30 each and must be purchased in advance.

Click here for registration form.

Questions? Contact Ann Warnock at NPF at 503-226-3001 x 100 or via email

This will be the only presentation of 7 Revolutions in the Pacific Northwest in 2007.

Don't miss out!

Oregon Symposium for Entrepreneurial Nonprofits Scheduled for June 18-22

The Oregon Symposium for Entrepreneurial Nonprofits (OSEN) is a five-day training for organizations interested in started social enterprises (also called earned income ventures) and learning new business skills.  We hope you will join us for this valuable course.  

Highlights of the Symposium include:

**Presentations by guest speakers from the University of Oregon will share their knowledge of skills necessary to start a social enterprise, including writing business plans, developing accurate financial projections, and understanding legal issues. 

**Tours of up to eight successful social enterprises let you see how social enterprise is successful in the real world. For a sampling of tour options, check out the Recycling Programs page of the OSEN website

**We provide plenty of opportunities for you to network and build relationships with others interested in starting similar business ventures, so you have a support network even after you leave the Symposium.  

OSEN is open to staff at nonprofit and government organizations, and to students. Applications are now being accepted for the 2007 Symposium, which will take place on on June 18-22 in Eugene, Oregon. Check out the Symposium's website for more information and for a copy of the application.

The registration fee for this event is only $100 - a great deal for five days worth of one-of-a-kind training!

For more information, contact Sophia McDonald at (503) 452-3997 or via email.  Please share this message with others who might be interested in attending this event.

Upcoming Book Release: Voices from the Street Truths about Homelessness from Sisters Of The Road

Sisters of the Road is publishing a book based on 600 one-to-one interviews with Sisters' customers!  Read more or purchase advanced copies of Voices from the Street: Truths about Homelessness from Sisters Of The Road at  http://www.graysunshine.com/

To learn more about this book or to learn more about Sisters of the Road please visit: www.sistersoftheroad.org

Here are some compelling quotes from and good reasons to purchase this book:

"Read this beautiful  chronicle of Sisters Of The Road customers -  the crossroads of transient Portland street life for three decades.”

 -Gus Van Sant

"Both depressing and inspirational--all my colleagues in Congress and other public policy makers should read it!"

-Peter DeFazio  U.S. Representative, 4th District Oregon

“VOICES FROM THE STREET is an extraordinary and very moving book. There is not one word of hokum in it.  It will break your heart, yet it offers solid hope. Just look at the "maps" drawn by homeless people of their family, their human relationships -- you'll have, in ten minutes, a great, unforgettable picture of human pride, fear, loneliness, and longing.”

-Ursula K. Le Guin