With One Voice: AOCDO, CDN Vote to Merge

The Voting Members of the Community Development Network and the Association of Oregon Community Development Organizations voted to merge organizations on September 20.  The merger, which will become official on July 1, 2008, is intended to strengthen the influence of Oregon CDCs and increase capacity to meet the industry support needs of members statewide.

“The merger represents an opportunity for Oregon CDC’s to speak with a single voice, as well as an opportunity for the synergy that comes when diverse points of view look at the same subject,” said AOCDO Board Chair Jim Tierney. 

In addition to increasing efficiency in operations, CDN and AOCDO hope to expand successful programs and practices that each of the respective organizations have developed with their members.

“After many hours working with AOCDO and CDN members over almost two years on the question of how we can most effectively and efficiently work together, I have great confidence that this merger will be of great benefit to CDC’s throughout the state,” said CDN Board President Martha McLennan.  “Our industry will be stronger in our work at the legislature, in our relationship with OHCS and our intermediary partners, and at our day-to-day work in our individual organizations.”

The boards of AOCDO and CDN will work together over the next 9 months to address merger related details. Starting on October 1, AOCDO and CDN moved into a shared office space at 847 NE 19^th, Ste 150, in Portland.

METRO Allocates $1 Million to Create Regional Housing Fund

The METRO Council unanimously approved the allocation of $1 million to establish a regional affordable housing fund last Thursday, September 27.  Championed by METRO Councilor Robert Liberty, the Regional Housing Choice Revolving Fund would help implement the 2040 Growth Concept by catalyzing mixed-use, mixed-income patterns of development in regional centers and town centers, in light rail station communities, and along main streets and corridors.

“If we want the communities in the Metro region to thrive, we need to help address the challenge of housing affordability,” said Councilor Liberty.  “The Regional Housing Choice Revolving Fund provides a much needed new tool to provide housing opportunity in key growth areas, as well as providing relief to families, seniors and others from Gresham to Forest Grove.”

In their vote September 27, METRO set aside $1 million to be used as seed money toward the creation of the Regional Housing Choice Revolving Fund. Working in partnership with Enterprise Community Partners and others, the fund would help finance the construction and preservation of modestly priced housing in 2040 growth areas (centers, station areas and corridors.)  Metro's $1 million seed contribution is expected to leverage $9-$19 million in matching contributions from public, private, and charitable partners to be used to create a new resource, the Regional Housing Choice Revolving Fund, to be governed by a new board and administered by an experienced non-profit community based fund administrator. 

“Enterprise is thrilled to partner with METRO to grow the Regional Housing Choice Revolving Fund,” said Kate Allen, director of Enterprise’s Portland office.  “This fund is a direct response by Metro to the recommendations made by the Housing Choice Task Force that Metro ‘direct effort towards development of a new, permanent regional resource for affordable housing’.  The Fund will is a critically needed tool for expanding housing opportunity for working families and others throughout the region who are at risk of being priced out their communities, and benefit most from housing that is located at or close to high capacity public transit and other services.”

Drawing on this $10-$20 million principal, the fund would extend low-interest loans to catalyze the development and preservation of affordable housing in the Metro area. The loan funds are expected to come from three sources; (1) permanent contributions of capital from government agencies and charitable foundations, (2) program related investments of foundation funds, and (3) bank capital.

“The establishment of the Regional Housing Choice Revolving Fund is a watershed moment for communities across the region,” said Sam Chase, Executive Director of the Community Development Network. “CDN and fellow housing advocates have been working to establish some type of region wide funding resource for near a decade. The entire METRO Council should be very proud of this historic action.”

The Fund will be the first tool of its kind to directly encourage development of for-sale and rental housing affordable to hard-working families in 2040 centers.  In keeping with the 2040 Growth Concept, the fund would also promote best practices in green and sustainable design.

METRO's Natural Areas Neighborhood Capital Grant Program Accepting Apps

Metro is now accepting applications for the Natural Areas Neighborhood Capital Grant Program.  This new grant program is funded by the 2006 natural areas bond measure.  This program looks to inspire innovative ways to enhance ecological functions, and increase the presence of nature where people live, work and play.  General information about the program, including the handbook and application information can be found at:

http://www.metro-region.org/article.cfm?articleid=18203

If you have questions about this grant program, please contact Mary Rose Navarro, Natural Areas Grants Coordinator, via email or call 503-797-1781.

Maxwell Awards of Excellence to Recognize Outstanding Supportive Housing

The Fannie Mae Foundation, in collaboration with the Partnership to End Long Term Homelessness, seeks applicants for the seventeenth annual Maxwell Awards of Excellence Program.

The program seeks to identify, recognize, and showcase the outstanding work of nonprofit and for-profit organizations in developing and maintaining affordable housing. The program also encourages other corporations and foundations to become funding or investment partners in these endeavors.

The program will make four awards to nonprofit and for-profit organizations to recognize outstanding development of supportive and affordable housing for homeless individuals and families. Each 2007 Maxwell Award recipient will receive a $75,000 grant to continue its work in the field of supportive and affordable housing for homeless individuals and families.

On October 9 the Clackamas Housing Action Network (CHAN) will host a free half-day session on “Local Government Strategies to Promote Affordable Housing.”  The event is intended to provide information and resources to local government officials in Clackamas County concerned with meeting their community’s housing needs. Presentations will answer questions like, What does my community need? How is affordable housing financed?  What is the role of my government?  What can I do to help?
The event will be at the Willamette Falls Education Center, 519 15^th Street in Oregon City.

The Clackamas Housing Action Network (CHAN) is sponsoring this event in partnership with the Housing Authority of Clackamas County, Clackamas County Community Development Department, Enterprise Community Partners, Metro Regional Government, the Coalition for a Livable Future, Community Development Law Center, Fair Housing Council of Oregon, and Oregon Alliance for Land Use and Affordable Housing (OALUAH).

Morning refreshments and lunch will be provided.  The session is free but please RVSP to Joe Gillock at Northwest Housing Alternatives 503.654.1007x100 or via email.

The Clackamas Housing Action Network (CHAN) is a coalition of activists, service providers, faith groups, community organizations and interested people working collectively to support adequate housing opportunities for all community members.

Peter Brinckerhoff, Internationally Renowned Trainer, Author, and Consultant to Nonprofit Organizations will be speaking about: Generations: The Challenge of A Lifetime for Your Nonprofit.   Long recognized for his work on sustainability and strategic thinking for nonprofits, Peter provides practical strategies to cope with the crucial challenge of generational shift in leadership throughout the nonprofit sector.

This workshop is scheduled for: October 9, 2007 from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

A full description of the workshop and registration information can be seen at http://www.tacs.org/training/event.asp?evID=558

Celebrate Quarter Century of Community: REACH 25^th Anniversary Lunch Oct 17

Help REACH celebrate 25 years of building a better community!   REACH’s mission is to develop and maintain a permanent resource of affordable housing, promote healthy neighborhoods, and provide opportunities for low income people through partnerships and community involvement. REACH’S 25th Anniversary Lunch is being held on Wednesday, October 17^th, 2007 at the Heritage Ballroom in the Governor Hotel, located at 614 SW 11^th Avenue.  The keynote speaker will be former Governor Barbara Roberts.   Registration is at 11:30 and the Lunch and Program: 12 noon -1:00 pm.   Lunch is free but reservations are required.  If you are interested in sponsoring or have other questions please contact Laura Koch at (503) 231-0682 x131 or via email.

2007 Oregon Land Use and Housing Affordability Conference Oct 26

The Oregon Alliance for Land Use and Affordable Housing presents the 2007 Oregon Land Use and Housing Affordability Conference on Friday, October 26th, 8:30am – 4:00pm, at Clackamas Community College (Gregory Forum Building), 19600 S. Molalla Avenue, Oregon City.

For children to succeed in school, adults to succeed at work, and seniors to live with dignity, they all must have a place to call home. Land use planning is a powerful tool for meeting this core need.  The 2007 Land Use and Housing Affordability Conference will equip planners, local elected officials, community activists and nonprofits with the knowledge and ideas to create communities where everyone has a safe, decent place to live.  The conference will address:

Ø     Financing affordable housing at a range of income levels

Ø     How planning and community design can create inclusive communities in growing rural and suburban “fringe” areas

Ø     Results of the 2007 Oregon Legislative session

Ø     An update on CASA’s I’m HOME Program, a pilot program for residents affected by manufactured home park closures

To register for the please contact OALUAH at (503) 452-3997 or via email. For more information about OALUAH, please visit our website at www.oaluah.org.

Portland African American Home-Buying Fair Oct 27

What: African American Alliance for Homeownership (AAAH) present - 8th Annual African American Home-Buying Fair

When: Saturday, October 27, 200710am - 2:30pm

Where: Emanuel Hospital Atrium, 501 North Graham , Portland

Cost: Free to the Public!

*Enter to Win a $2500 Home Buying Grant and other Prizes (Rules will Apply. Drawing will be held @ 1:30 pm)

*Visit With Home Buying Professionals

*Attend Free Home Buyer Workshops

Check website for schedule of workshops: www.aaah.org

Free Lunch by NW Natural to the first 300 Attendees, Activities for Youth

For more information call 503-595-3517

Sponsors: Portland Development Commission, Bureau of Housing and Community Development, The Skanner News Group, Oregon Department of Veteran Affairs, Safeway Food and Drugs, Washington Mutual, NW Natural, Home Builders Association