Federal News

Obama Administration Names Final Round of Promise Zone Communities

Nine new Promise Zone communities have joined thirteen other high poverty areas in urban, rural and tribal communities. The federal government will work with local leaders to promote economic growth, improve educational opportunities and boost quality of life in these areas. Find the full list of Promise Zones here. 

House Speaker Ryan Set to Release Poverty Plan

Today, House Republicans, led by Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.), kicked off a three-week roll out of a six-point policy agenda, called A Better Way, that includes proposals for the economy, taxes, health care, national security, constitutional authority and poverty. House Republicans introduced their poverty proposal today at an event in Washington, D.C.’s Anacostia neighborhood, a historically black community with high poverty rates. The main ideas proposed in the agenda are: reward work; tailor benefits to people’s needs; improve skills and schools; plan and save for the future; and demand results. The plan suggests reforming many social safety net programs, such as Housing Choice Vouchers, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), unemployment insurance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Pell Grant program and more. Read the full plan here.

New CFPB Rule on Payday Lending

On June 2, the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB) released a new proposal that would contain regulations creating consumer protections for certain consumer credit products. The rule includes provisions that restrict the number of short-term rollover loans borrowers can take in succession and requires borrowers to be notified when a lender plans to deduct funds from their bank account. At the heart of the proposed rule is a full payment test that includes both income and expenses, thus requiring lenders to determine whether the borrower can afford the full amount of each payment when it is due and still meet "basic living expenses" and "major financial obligations" (both of which are specifically defined in the full report). Lenders would also have to go through another review of borrowers' finances if the borrower seeks to renew or extend the loan.

NACEDA News

Summit Scholarships for Emerging Leaders Supported by PNC Bank

NACEDA will award up to twenty $500 scholarships for emerging leaders to attend the 9th Annual Summit August 29-31 in Cleveland, Ohio.

The scholarships are available thanks to NACEDA's new Emerging Leaders Travel Fund supported by PNC Bank. Speaking on behalf of the PNC Foundation, PNC Executive Vice President and Managing Director Cathy Niederberger congratulated the emerging leaders. “PNC is committed to strengthening the communities where we do business,” she said. “We applaud NACEDA’s efforts to support community economic development organizations and believe the Emerging Leaders Development Fund is a positive step toward attracting and retaining outstanding professionals. We congratulate the first recipients of this award and wish each of them long and rewarding careers.”

The goal of the fund is to strengthen the community development field by developing strong relationships among peers from around the country and to provide opportunities for professional development and inspiration. 

Executive Director Frank Woodruff Chosen to Attend NeighborWorks Achieving Excellence Program

NACEDA Executive Director Frank Woodruff has been chosen to participate in this year's NeighborWorks Achieving Excellence Program cohort. The program is a performance-driven organizational investment opportunity for seasoned executive directors and senior staff of nonprofit organizations. NeighborWorks America will collaborate with Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and with lead program architect Douglas K. Smith, organizational performance and learning expert and author of Make Success Measurable! In the program, Frank will focus on NACEDA's goal to chart a vision and implementation strategy for a federal policy effort that benefits nonprofit CDCs and other community based nonprofit development organizations in the US, ultimately benefiting the neighborhoods those organizations serve.

Second Training in NDC Housing Development Finance Certification Series to Take Place in Philadelphia

The National Development Council (NDC) is the pre-eminent national provider of rental and home ownership finance training. NACEDA has contracted with NDC to provide their full, 17-day Housing Development Finance Certification series in the Mid-Atlantic region in 2016-2017. Course #2 in the Certification Program − HD420 will take place in Philadelphia, PA from September 26-30. The training will take a detailed look at the analysis, financing and development of affordable rental housing. This course is a prerequisite for future trainings, HD422 and HD430.

Member News

CBPP Releases Analysis of Federal Spending on Housing

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) details in a new report how the federal government directs more spending towards higher-income homeowners than lower-income, higher-need groups. On average, the federal government spends $1,450 per year on households earning less than $20,000, but spends $6,406 per year on those earning more than $200,000. The majority of expenditures on high-income households comes from the mortgage interest deduction, which costs the federal government more than $70 billion per year. Meanwhile more Americans than ever are severely housing cost burdened, meaning they spend more than half of their income on housing costs. Furthermore, rental assistance programs only reach a quarter of low-income households that qualify for housing assistance – a shortfall that has increased significantly in recent years. (CBPP, June 8)

New Executive Director of Oregon Opportunity Network Named

Jerome Brooks has served in positions ranging from grassroots community organizing to national roles, focusing on community relations, equity, and government affairs. Most recently, Brooks focused on program development, community outreach and contact management for the Portland Housing Bureau. His first day with the Network was June 1.

Philadelphia Association of CDC Urges Mayor to Enforce Zoning Deal

On June 6, the Philadelphia Association of CDC (PACDC) wrote a letter to Mayor Kenney of Philadelphia urging him to enforce the inclusionary housing deal that the developer of luxury apartment complex One Water Street, hired by PMC Property Group, signed with the city in 2014 before construction began. The deal gave the developer a 48-foot height bonus, allowing for 30 additional apartments that would start at $1,795 per month, in exchange for an agreement to incorporate below-market rentals into the building. After an attempt to renege on this original agreement, PMC Property Group agreed to a settlement upon Mayor Kenney's request requiring a payment to the Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund of $3.75 million. Read the full article here.

Arizona Housing Trust Fund Doubles Under AHA's Watch

As a result of the passage of HB 2666 the "Governor's Economic Opportunity Office; Consolidation Act," the Arizona state housing trust fund, one of the oldest in the nation, will double its funding through the re-direction of net revenue from single-family mortgage programs into the housing trust fund. The Arizona Housing Alliance (AHA) will monitor funding sources and continue the campaign to protect and expand the trust fund. Val Iverson, Executive Director of AHA, is thrilled by the news.

Network Awarded $258K for Housing Counseling Efforts

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey (the Network) $257,837 to support the housing counseling services of nine nonprofit subgrantee organizations. The funds will help families and individuals with their housing needs, will prevent future foreclosures, and will allow housing counselors to reach more residents and provide them with quality services. The Network will provide program funding as well as administrative oversight around excellence of services, technical assistance, reporting, and training to its network of qualified sub-grantee affiliate organizations. 

Partner News

LISC Names a New CEO

Maurice Jones was named president and CEO of The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) starting June 16, 2016. Jones previously served as Virginia's commerce secretary and a former HUD official. He succeeds Michael Rubinger, who will step down after 17 years as CEO. Jones brings to the leadership role a career’s worth of business, management and policy experience and an enduring personal commitment to improving communities and the lives of low-income Americans.

Job Opportunities

NeighborWorks America — Washington, DC
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Philadelphia Association of CDCs — Philadelphia, PA
Director of Resource Development

Funding Opportunities

Go to our website for current grant opportunities. They are updated throughout the month.