National Alliance of Community 
Economic Development Associations
August 28, 2014
Federal News

Congress Expected to Pass Continuing Resolution To Fund Government 

Congress is considered highly unlikely to enact FY 2015 appropriations bills by October 1 when the new budget year begins. To avoid a government shutdown, Congress is likely to pass a Continuing Resolution to keep government agencies operating at current FY 2014 spending levels. The Continuing Resolution would defer budget decisions until after the November mid-term elections, leaving any further action on FY 2015 appropriations to a lame-duck Congress.

Department of Justice Announces Large Settlements With Major U.S. Banks

Settlements with Bank of America and Citigroup made headlines this summer. On August 21, Bank of America agreed to a $16.65 billion settlement deal with the Department of Justice (DOJ), six states, and other federal agencies, including $7 billion to help struggling homeowners and communities. On July 14, Citigroup agreed to a $7 billion settlement deal with the federal government and five states, including $2.5 billion in consumer relief. Both agreements settle all civil claims brought by these agencies regarding residential mortgage-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations for the years leading to the financial crisis. 

As part of the settlements, the banks agreed to help struggling homeowners and communities, including lowering the mortgage balances of certain borrowers who owe more than their homes are worth. However, the law adopted by Congress to spare homeowners from being taxed on the amount of the loan that was written off expired in December, so some of these "underwater" borrowers might have to pay significant taxes on the debt that's forgiven unless Congress actsRead Enterprise's analysis of the Bank of America settlement and the Citigroup settlement

CDFI Fund Accepting Applications for New Market Tax Credit Program

The Treasury Department's Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund is accepting applications for the calendar year 2014 allocation round of the New Markets Tax Credit Program.

Applications must be received by October 1. 

CDFI Fund Releases 10 Years of Data on New Market Tax Credits

The new report finds that in the last decade, over $31.1 billion in New Market Tax Credit investments have been used to revitalize low-income communities, 73 percent of which were in areas considered "severely distressed." Some 58 percent of these investments were in real estate development and leasing activities; 40 percent were in operating businesses. 

NACEDA News

Sessions Announced for NACEDA Summit - Nov 12-14 in San Antonio, TX

Check out the agenda of this dynamic summit for community development association professionals and board members.

This year's summit features a professional development track for association staffers. Sessions include: Developing Engaging Distance Learning Programs, Telling Your Story to Foundations, Social Media in Less Than 30 Minutes a Day, and Customer Relationship Management Software. There's also an association management and advocacy track with sessions on Managing Your Board of Directors, State and Local Advocacy, HUD's Home Program, and a Federal Update. 

Find out how the Affordable Care Act has created new incentives for the healthcare industry to support community development. Learn about new opportunities in Creative Placemaking from ArtPlace America, which provides grants to connect the arts and community development. And, hear about Texas's innovative new Small Dollar Loan Program.

Take the community development tour of San Antonio to learn about the exceptional collaboration between city officials, philanthropy, and community development organizations. San Antonio is the only city in the country to have a Promise Zone, Choice Neighborhood, and Bloomberg Philanthropies and Living Cities' grant to develop a Financial Empowerment Center. San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor is our invited keynote speaker.

The Summit is co-hosted by the Texas Association of Community Development Associations. Early-bird and group discounts apply. Citi Community Development and LISC are sponsors; ArtPlace America is a partner. Take advantage of discounted rates at the historic Menger Hotel, next to the Alamo and a block away from River Walk. Register now!

NACEDA Seeks Nominations for Diane Sterner Award for Exceptional Association Leaders

Do you know a community development association leader who displays exceptional leadership and commitment? Nominate him or her for the Diane Sterner Award for Community Development Association Leadership. The selection committee considers each nominees' body of work and consistent commitment over time, resulting not only in benefits to an organization but to the field and industry on a wider basis. The award is named for NACEDA co-founder Diane Sterner, who led the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey for 23 years. If a winner is selected, the award will be presented at the Eighth Annual NACEDA Summit, held November 12-14 in San Antonio, Texas. Nominations are due by September 15. 

Meet NACEDA's New Intern - Rachid Erekaini

Rachid Erekaini is a sophomore at The George Washington University studying political science and history. Originally from suburban Seattle, Rachid gained valuable political experience interning in both houses of Congress and saw firsthand how policy dialogue on the federal level could positively impact the lives of everyday citizens on the local level. In Sen. Chris Coons' office, Rachid functioned primarily as a social policy intern, which included working closely with the Senator's health and education legislative team. 

During his time on the Hill, Rachid developed a strong interest in community development and housing policy, and hopes to expand his understanding of these key fields through his internship with NACEDA. Rachid is passionate about helping struggling communities acquire the tools they need to achieve long-lasting growth and prosperity. For Rachid, "meaningful economic recovery begins with organizations like NACEDA that are working every day to revitalize American low- and moderate-income neighborhoods." Rachid is very excited for the unique networking opportunities and array of different project assignments that come with the NACEDA internship experience. 

Member News

Introducing the South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development

 

Frank Woodruff congratulates Bernie Mazyck on receiving South Carolina's highest civilian honor.

The South Carolina Association of CDCs celebrated the organization's 20th anniversary with a conference and gala August 20-22 in Charleston, SC. The event celebrated 20 years of accomplishments while simultaneously offering a platform for the future. The organization unveiled its new name at the gala -the South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development. The new name and brand is intended to improve the organization's positioning within the CED field and industry in South Carolina. Event highlights included a keynote speech from Congressman James Clyburn. Gov. Nikki Haley made a surprise stop to present SCACED President Bernie Mazyck with the Order of the Palmetto, the state's highest civilian honor awarded for extraordinary lifetime achievement and service to the state and nation.

 

Meet South Florida Community Development Coalition's New Executive Director

Shekeria Brown has more than 14 years of experience in the community and economic development field. Over the past decade, she served South Florida community as a practitioner and consultant focused on designing, implementing and assessing affordable housing, community and economic development initiatives. Her career in both the public and private sectors has provided her with extensive knowledge in the administration of federal and state grant programs awarded to local government. She has expertise in compliance monitoring, drafting program policies, developing implementation procedures, and coordinating planning and citizen participation efforts.

Shekeria holds a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Florida Atlantic University, where her concentration was in community and economic development. She holds a bachelors degrees in Mass Communication and Interpersonal Speech Communication from the University of South Florida and is a graduate of the 2012 USF Community Real Estate Development program. A member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, American Planning Association, and the University of South Florida Alumni Association, Shekeria has held leadership roles in these organizations.

Put the NACEDA Newsletter On Your Press List

Share your news with community economic developers around the country. Send press releases to Suzanne Gunther at sgunther@naceda.org.
Partner News

Home Matters Selected For 2015 Bateman Case Study Competition 

Home Matters' 225+ housing non-profit supporters will be eligible for Pro Bono public relations counsel and campaign support from the Public Relations Student Society of America. The society selected the Home Matters movement as its 2015 Bateman Case Study Competition. The goals of this year's competition are to increase awareness among the American public and educate them about the serious consequences of poor housing, as well as inform and engage communities in steps they can take to help Home Matters take action now. Students will implement a campaign that aligns with the mission of the client's national movement or work with a local Home Matters non-profit member. 

Events and Educational Opportunities

CFED 2014 Assets and Learning Conference - Sep 17-19 in Washington, DC. Headliners: Gloria Steinem and Eldar Shafir, co-author of Why Having Too Little Means So Much. Learn more.

Community Development Academy - Sep 22-26 in Excelsior Springs, MO. University of Missouri Extension's Community Development Academy's intensive five-day course on collective action. Learn more.

NHC Solution 2014 Conference Nov 18-20 in Oakland, CA. National conference on state and local housing policy shares best practices from around the country. Learn more.

People & Places Community Conference - Mar 4-6 in Washington, DC. Mark your calendar for the most diverse and inclusive practitioner-led conference in a decade! Presented by NACEDA, the National Urban League, the National Association for Latino Asset Builders, and the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development, the event will be held at the the Washington Marriott Wardman Hotel.

List Your Major Events In the NACEDA Newsletter 
- Members and partners: contact Suzanne Gunther at sgunther@naceda.org to list events. A $25 donation is suggested.

Funding Opportunities & Resources

HUD FY 2014 Self-Help Homeownership Program
 - Sep 4 deadline. FR-5800-N-14.
NOFA

The Fund for Southern Communities 2014 Grants - Sep 5 deadline.  Learn more.

Corporation for National Service 2015 RSVP Competition - Senior volunteer program. Sep 9 deadline. CNCS-06-05-2014. NOFA

EPA Brownfields Area-Wide Planning Grant Program - Sep 22 deadline. Synopsis 

Department of Commerce FY 2014 Economic Development Assistance Programs - Oct deadline for funding cycle 1 of FY 2015. EDAP2014. Go to grants.gov.

Economic Development Administration Planning Program and Local Technical Assistance - Department of Commerce. Applications accepted on a continuing basis. EDAPLANNING2012. Go to grants.gov

Fitch Foundation Preservation Grants for Mid-Career Professionals - Oct 15 deadline. Application

Office Depot Foundation Funding - Oct 31 deadline for "Building Capacity to Serve Communities" and "Giving Children Tools for Success" applications. No deadline for "Disaster Preparedness, Relief, Recovery and Rebuilding" grants. Announcement

USDA Rural Community Development Initiative Grants - Nov 12 deadline. Announcement

USDA Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing Program - Dec 2015 deadline. NOFA

Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation Grants to Address Poverty in the Southeast - Grants for statewide and regional associations. Learn more.

Looking for Additional Grant Opportunities? Get GrantStation for just $75 per year if you belong to a NACEDA member association (reg. $699 per year). This web-based resource helps you identify the right funding opportunities for your organiziaion and improve your grant writing skills. Click here to register for $75. NACEDA members can access GrantStation for free. Sign in if you are a NACEDA member or have already paid.

Publications & Resources

Spatial Analysis of Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Planning Grant Applicants and Neighborhoods,
HUD. Report summarizes the findings of research on the first three years of the Choice Neighborhoods Initiative.

The Growth and Spread of Concentrated Poverty, 2000 to 2008-2012,
The 
Brookings Institution. Report reveals the extent to which concentrated disadvantage has grown since 2000 in the 100 largest U.S. metro areas, and how these trends have played out across city and suburban lines. Author Elizabeth Kneebone also published a blog on Paul Ryan's Poverty Plan.

Increasing Economic Opportunity in Distressed Urban Communities Using EB-5, Initiative for a Competitive Inner City. Report offers recommendations for how the EB-5 program can be leverage as a tool to maximize economic opportunity in distressed urban areas. 

KIDS COUNT Data Book, Annie E. Casey Foundation. Report finds that between 1990 and 2012, the national child poverty rate increased from 18 to 22 percent. 

2014 State of the Nation's Housing, The Joint Center for Housing Studies. Report documents a growing "crisis of affordability" as greater number of Americans, especially low-income families, pay large portions of their income toward housing costs. 

Employment Opportunities

Policy Advocate, Hmong National Development, Inc.Washington, DC. Oversees and supports all aspects of Hmong National Development's efforts in advocating on behalf of issues impacting the Hmong community at the federal level. Job posting.

Project Manager, Thunder Valley Community Development Corp.Porcupine, SD. Manages and oversees the launching of a Native American-owned, scalable construction company on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Job posting

National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations
phone: (202) 518-2660
web: http://www.naceda.org