Policy Update
House Passes COVID Relief Bill for Renters, Homeowners
Senate leadership continues to delay negotiations over the next coronavirus relief package. To pressure the Senate to act, the House passed “Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020” (H.R. 7301) on June 29. Introduced by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), the bill contains critically-needed housing resources and protections that were already included in the recently House-passed HEROES Act: a national, uniform moratorium on evictions and foreclosures; $100 billion in emergency rental assistance; $11.5 billion to prevent and respond to outbreaks among people experiencing homelessness; and additional resources needed to ensure housing stability for those most in need.
House of Representatives Disapproves of New CRA rule
The House formally voted on June 29 to disapprove of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s final Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) rule released in May. The effort was led by House Financial Services Committee Chair Maxine Waters (D-CA). She sponsored a resolution ((H.J. Res. 90) using a mechanism called the Congressional Review Act that allows Congress to overturn regulations developed by federal agencies. In order for the new CRA rule to be overturned using this mechanism, the resolution would have to be approved in the Senate and signed by the President. While this House move is likely symbolic, it is very important over the long term to have members of the House and Senate on record disapproving of the new rule. NACEDA will continue to alert its members and partners as opportunities for CRA advocacy arise. The next opportunity will come soon when the Senate considers the Congressional Review Act Resolution.
In related CRA news, the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) and the California Reinvestment Coalition, represented by Democracy Forward and Farella Braun + Martel, filed suit against the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for unlawfully changing rules related to the CRA. Read CRC's news release.
Neighborhood Homes Investment Act Legislation Introduced
Bipartisan legislation introduced in the Senate on June 25 would create a new federal tax credit to fuel development and rehabilitation of single-family homes and attract $100 billion in development activity to underserved rural and urban communities across the country. The Neighborhood Homes Investment Act (NHIA), introduced by Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Rob Portman (R-OH), and co-sponsored by Senators Tim Scott (R-SC), Todd Young (R-IN), Chris Coons (D-DE) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH), would encourage private investment in an estimated 500,000 homes that currently cannot be developed or rehabilitated because the costs to do so exceed the value of the home. The tax credit supports development of homes in rural communities struggling with the costs of new construction, as well as rehabilitation of homes in blighted urban communities, where vacant homes depress property values and thwart broader revitalization efforts. NACEDA and several of our members supported this legislation through the NHIA Coalition.
Emergency Appropriation Considered for Community Economic Development Program
NACEDA and its members urgently support Congressman Ron Kind’s (D-WI) request for a $50 million emergency appropriation for the Community Economic Development Program, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. With unemployment still too high and businesses in low-income communities still reeling, CED grants can play an important role in promoting job creation and business revitalization. Representative Kind’s Dear Colleague letter supporting the request closed last week with support from the NACEDA network.
In news related to the CED program, reviewers are needed for the program’s grant application review committee. Visit the Reviewer Recruitment website and contact [email protected]. CED grant applications are due July 17.
Payroll Protection Program and CDFIs
Congress and Treasury made critical updates to the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) in May that are in significant alignment with the advocacy of NACEDA and its coalition partners. Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) were provided a set-aside. Small businesses were given 24 weeks rather than 8 weeks to use the funds, can spend 60% instead of 75% on payroll, and the 2-year loan period at 1% has been extended to up to five years. Legislation did not reduce the paperwork for small loans. View the letter from NACEDA and partners on how PPP can better serve the small, minority-owned businesses. A lot of progress has been made. More work is needed to push these changes through on behalf of our communities.
Thriving Networks
NACEDA Network News Advances an Equitable Recovery
The NACEDA network is dedicated to ensuring that low-income communities and communities of color have access to the resources they need to survive and recover from the pandemic. Our members across the country are advocating for equitable resources, disseminating information to community-based nonprofits, and conducting surveys to assess needs. View members' policy platforms and resource pages as well as NACEDA's COVID-19 Resources for Community Developers webpage. NACEDA held a series of 14 peer conversations among state and regional community development associations so they could better serve nonprofits working in communities disproportionately hard hit by the pandemic. Topics ranged from supporting morale within their memberships to conducting virtual advocacy days.
Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania Launches "PA Votes"
NACEDA played matchmaker between the Nonprofit VOTE and the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, resulting in the launching of a civic engagement initiative — PA Votes. This new initiative will support and train more than 30 nonprofits across Pennsylvania in making 4,000 voter contacts by the Election Day in November. PA Votes will support these nonprofit partners in registering new voters, updating existing voter registrations, and encouraging people to make a pledge and plan to vote. As Kate Kelly, Associate Director, Outreach & Engagement of the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania states, “Voter engagement is a critical first step to helping individuals from underrepresented communities take action to impact and improve their opportunity to have a place to call home in the community they choose." Local nonprofit partners receive a civic engagement grant, tools, training, technical assistance, peer learning, networking opportunities, and evaluation and analysis of their 2020 voter engagement work.
NACEDA is a Nonprofit VOTE National Partner. They're currently seeking community partners for National Voter Registration Day. Register for their July 9 webinar, Staying Nonpartisan as a Nonprofit Organization.
NACEDA Members Get Explicit About Racial Justice Goals
In the wake of the murder of George Floyd, many NACEDA members are being more explicit about their racial justice goals as they express solidarity, advocate for equitable policies, and examine their organizational practices. The South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development released a statement in which they call to establish a "New Normal" and identify actionable steps which challenge us all to push beyond what is comfortable, be proactive in ensuring equity for those most marginalized, and vote for systemic change. Similarly, Housing Action Illinois renewed their own commitment to advancing racial justice by expanding access to good, affordable homes, reevaluating organizational policies and practices, and drawing expertise from communities of color.
Akua Hill of Community Development Advocates of Detroit and NACEDA Membership Director Jeremy Brownlee facilitated a June 10 discussion among members about racial justice, building off the racial equity chapter from NACEDA's Talking Values publication that features an essay on racial equity by Pam Bridgeforth. As Pam writes in a new blog post, “Mere caring isn’t enough and it hasn’t been enough for a long time. You know that. Actions and deeds matter.” NACEDA recognizes the importance of our members’ leadership during these times. Executive Director Frank Woodruff pledges to “stand with you every step of the way.” Read his statement, Broken Hearts, Bold Resolve.
Healthy Places
Partnership Connects NACEDA Members to State Public Health Departments
NACEDA and the National Alliance of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) are working to facilitate partnerships between state and regional community development associations (NACEDA members) and chronic disease divisions at state public health department across the country (NACDD members). As part of their prevention efforts, chronic disease divisions seek to reduce "upstream" causes of chronic conditions.
Through webinars and "Partner Finder" webpages, we are connecting our members and educating them about each other's work and the potential for partnership. View the "Partner Finder" webpages on the NACEDA website and the NACDD website. Watch the June 25 webinar we developed NACDD members: Understanding Public Health and Community Development Partnerships. Dr. Doug Jutte of Build Healthy Places Network did a Community Development 101 presentation. Joe Kriesberg of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations discussed their partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. NACEDA is also coordinating an August 6 webinar that gives Chronic Disease Directors a deeper dive into community development and how it's funded. It features Frank Woodruff, Executive Director of NACEDA; Bernie Mazyck, President & CEO of the South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development; Charlotte Woods, Chronic Disease Director at the Tennessee Department of Public Health; and Dr. Terry O’Toole, Chief of the Program Development and Evaluation Branch with the CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity. Members of NACEDA's Healthy Communities Cohort will be invited to participate.
NACEDA members: Mark your calendars for webinar on August 4 at 3:00 pm Eastern. NACDD is developing a webinar to introduce you to their network and opportunities for partnership.
NACEDA presented this poster at NACDD's Annual Program Showcase to show how community development investments reduce upstream causes of chronic disease.
NACEDA Hosts Webinar on Demonstrating ROI to Health Providers
Kendra Smith, Vice President of Community Health for Bon Secours Mercy Health, presented a May 8 webinar for NACEDA members, Demonstrating Return on Investment to Health Providers. The webinar was developed by NACEDA's Healthy Communities Cohort and facilitated by Elana Brohin, Health Equity Program Director for the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations. Kendra discussed the what types of projects attract healthcare investment, opportunities for alignment to address community need, and how to define partnerships and manage expectations. Access the PowerPoint and comprehensive notes.
Creative Places
NACEDA to Advise GrantMakers In the Arts on Creative Placemaking
NACEDA has been selected as one of three consultants to Grantmakers in the Arts (GIA). NACEDA’s part of the project will advise GIA on how it can integrate the arts into community development policy, financing, and funding. The project is estimated to conclude by the end of 2020. NACEDA’s role significantly aligns with the goals of its State Enabling Environment project in which three NACEDA members are defining the enabling environment for creative placemaking that advances racial equity at the state level.
Grantmakers in the Arts is a national association of arts and culture funders across the U.S. and in Canada, including independent and family foundations, public agencies, community foundations, corporate philanthropies, nonprofit re-grantors, and national service organizations.
Job Postings
Chief Executive Officer / Publisher
Shelterforce
Flexible location; Montclair, NJ region preferred
To post a job opportunity, contact Suzanne Gunther. A $25 donation is suggested.
Funding Opportunities
The 2020 TD Ready Challenge will provide financial support to organizations that have designed innovative, scalable and/or replicable solutions to help address the pandemic-caused issues faced by communities that are experiencing disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 across North America. Solutions must address at least one of the four interconnected drivers of change of the TD Ready Commitment: Connected Communities, Financial Security, Vibrant Planet, and/or Better Health.
Go to the NACEDA website for additional funding opportunities. They're updated throughout the month.
|
