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Ohio
Community Development News
January 2015
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Volume 6, Issue 1 | January 30, 2015
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Below is an update with a collection of news items that are relevant to Community Development in Ohio and the Ohio CDC Association.
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Apply for an AmeriCorps VISTA for your Organization
The Ohio CDC Association (OCDCA) welcomes members to submit an application to become an OCDCA VISTA Project sub-site for the 2015 - 2016 service year, beginning summer 2015. Funding for the OCDCA VISTA Project is provided by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the Ohio Development Services Agency (ODSA) through the Ohio Housing Trust Fund (OHTF). Limited slots are available; therefore, this is a competitive process and some slots will be reserved for housing-only initiatives. Please note, this will be your only opportunity in 2015 to apply for OCDCA VISTA support.
If your organization is interested in becoming a sub-site of the OCDCA VISTA Project, please complete the RFP and return to Lisa Much, Program and Development Manager, at [email protected] by 5pm Wednesday, February 18, 2015. For questions, technical assistance, or information regarding OCDCA membership, please contact Melissa Miller, Director of Member Capacity, at [email protected] or by phone at 614-461-6392 ext. 209.
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Limited Registration Scholarships Available for People and Places Conference 2015
Ohio CDC Association, with NACEDA support, is pleased to award a limited number of early bird conference registration scholarships (equal to $225) for the People and Places 2015 Community Conference, which will be randomly selected from interested members.
To be considered for a registration scholarship, please reply to this email or email Lisa Much [email protected], expressing your interest, by Tuesday, February 3 at 12:00 pm.
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Save the Date!
Ohio CDC Association's Annual Conference
October 1 & 2
Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center
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People & Places 2015 Community Conference
Plan to attend this pivotal event for the community development movement March 4-6 in Washington, DC. Community-based organizations from every corner of the country will showcase the effectiveness, resolve, and passion of those working daily to improve lives in America's most challenged neighborhoods. We'll inspire each other, strengthen our skills, unite our networks, and raise our voices on behalf of the communities we serve. This conference is being hosted by NACEDA, NALCAB, the National Urban League, and National CAPACD in partnership with state and regional associations across the United States. Learn more.
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Slavic Village Recovery Project Positions Neighborhood for Long-term Stability
In Cleveland's Slavic Village neighborhood, an innovative model for neighborhood recovery is providing long-term recovery and stability and, according to a Greater Ohio Policy Center (GOPC) study, could be duplicated in other cities. Slavic Village Recovery, LLC (SVR) has taken up its revitalization project one block at a time. SVR acquires, renovates and then sells vacant properties located in a target area. A rent-to-own program has been employed as an option in certain circumstances. Early results suggest that this "block-by-block" approach is yielding improved return on neighborhood investments.
Documenting the Slavic Village Recovery Project: An Early Review of a Model for Neighborhood Revitalization in Cleveland, examines initial results and successes of SVR. One of the report's key findings is the potential to replicate the model. Early indicators suggest that other Cleveland neighborhoods, as well as other U.S. cities, can benefit from similar revitalization projects. SVR has learned that direct interface with the local community development corporation, support from all levels of city and county government, including the land bank, a strong partnership with area financial institutions, and a skilled professional team in-house are essential to success. The full report by GOPC is available for download here.
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Registration is Now Open for Housing Ohio 2015
Join the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing (COHHIO) for Housing Ohio 2015: The Steps Home at the Sheraton Columbus Hotel at Capitol Square. They've planned 30 timely, relevant workshops for April 13 & 14 as well as a one-day Housing Institute on April 15 that allows you to explore in depth your choice of three topics: Understanding the Traumatized Brain, Avoiding Youth Homelessness and Assimilating the Housing First Model. The one-day Institute offers additional social work CEUs for the bargain price of $100 for members or $150 for non-members. Click to read all about Housing Ohio 2015 in the conference brochure. For more information and to register visit the conference page of their website.
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Starting at Home: Using Philanthropy, Research, and Practice to Build a Better Ohio
Join the Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing (OCCH) and the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) April 29-30, 2015 at the Renaissance Columbus, as they explore the role of affordable housing in strengthening Ohio's families and neighborhoods. This two-day conference will bring together philanthropists, researchers, and policymakers to begin a dialogue about how the development of affordable housing can improve the lives of low- and moderate-income Ohioans. Panels and sessions will focus on the intersection of affordable housing policy and health, education, financial stability, neighborhood revitalization, and local government. Register online here.
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Ohio Capital Impact Corporation Funds More Than $1 Million for Resident Programs and Community Initiatives
The Ohio Capital Impact Corporation (OCIC), OCCH's new 501(c)3 nonprofit affiliate, recently awarded more than $1 million in grants specifically targeted to benefit neighborhoods and residents where OCCH has investments in affordable housing. Read more.
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Welcome New Members!
LakewoodAlive, serving Lakewood, Ohio, and Northern Ohio Affordable Housing based in Cleveland Heights join OCDCA as our newest 2015 members. Welcome!
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Northeast Shores a Finalist in National ArtPlace Opportunity
Cleveland-based, Northeast Shores is a finalist in the recent cycle of national ArtPlace funding for their Collinwood Rising project.
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"Pocket neighborhood a new concept for Springfield"
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Homes on the Hill tenant/landlord program
Homes on the Hill was recently featured in the Columbus Dispatch on their program that educates tenants and landlords.
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AmeriCorps VISTA Spotlight
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Tremont West's Healthy Corner Store Initiative a VISTA Project
Lindsay Smetana, a VISTA Alum who moved on to become Tremont West's Community Organizer and Program Manager, planned the Tremont Healthy Corner Store Initiative (HCSI). The HCSI aims to increase access to healthy foods for families living in Tremont, which - despite the revitalization it has seen over the past few years - still struggles with a poverty rate of nearly 37% and median household incomes well below the national average. Current VISTA, Cally Byrne, has helped implement the program. The HCSI is a community-based approach focused on encouraging healthy living in Tremont by improving the neighborhood's food environment and increasing community members' food knowledge. Read press about the initiative here and here.
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Compassionate Impact Grant Program Supports Nonprofit Capacity-Building
Foundation Beyond Belief will support the capacity of organizations working to develop or broaden potentially transformative, evidence-informed social innovations that solve critical community problems. One grant between $50,000 and $65,000 will be awarded to a United States nonprofit for the purpose of increasing its capacity to serve those in need and create solutions for doing so. Applicants will be assessed on their ability to provide evidence-driven, novel solutions that reach different or larger numbers of constituents.
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HUD Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grants
$76 million available for a February 9 deadline. View the NOFA.
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Community Financial Empowerment Learning Partnership
With support from JPMorgan Chase, CFED is accepting applications from organizations and partnerships of organizations interested in joining an 18-month Community Financial Empowerment Learning Partnership to improve and expand financial capability service delivery within their organizations and to align and coordinate service delivery within their communities. This Learning Partnership, which runs from April 2015-September 2016, will utilize three approaches in helping organizations build capacity: technical assistance, convening and peer learning. Organizations selected to participate will receive $20,000 in grant funds to support their participation in the Learning Partnership. Interested applicants should download and review the full Request for Proposals. All proposals should be submitted to CFED via email to [email protected] no later than February 18, 2015 at 5:00 pm PT. |
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Bank of America Charitable Foundation
The Bank of America grants can be used for workforce development and education in low to moderate income communities; some examples include financial education, skill development, and technical assistance for small businesses. The grant can also be used for youth training and mentoring to prepare them for the workforce. The deadline is February 13, 2015. For more information, see here, and to apply, go here.
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USDA Rural Development Community Connect Grants
The Community Connect program serves rural communities where broadband service is least likely to be available, but where it can make a tremendous difference in the quality of life for citizens. More information is available here. The deadline is February 17.
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Community Connectors
Community Connectors is one of the key education initiatives announced by Ohio Governor John R. Kasich at his 2014 State of the State address to support Ohio's schools by fostering increased student mentorship with community organizations. The program recently lifted the mandate of faith-based organizational involvement. Due to this change, applications are now accepted until March 6.
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Community Economic Development Healthy Food Financing Initiative Projects
This highly competitive federal funding opportunity is officially open. The CED-HHFI program's objectives are to support businesses and commercial activities that improve access to healthy foods and the overall health of community residents while creating long-term jobs. The deadline is April 24. View the RFP.
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Community Economic Development Projects
This highly competitive federal funding opportunity is officially open. The CED program provides funding for projects aimed at business development opportunities and creating employment for individuals with low-income located in geographic areas with a demonstrated need for the proposed project. The deadline is April 24. View the RFP. |
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Efficiency Crafted Homes Provide Incentives
Efficiency Crafted Homes provides financial incentives for new home construction or gut rehabs in Columbia Gas of Ohio or AEP Ohio territory. For more information in becoming an Efficiency Crafted builder, contact 1-877-771-5506 or [email protected].
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For current postings Click Here.
Organizations with employment opportunities in the housing and community development field, please send your employment notices to Lisa Much at [email protected]. |
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Kasich Reveals Some Budget Plans at OACAA Conference
Gov. John Kasich on Thursday afternoon previewed portions of his executive budget, which he said will focus on assisting low-income Ohioans in part by doubling income tax exemptions for individuals. He also will propose to nearly eliminate income taxes for small businesses and increase free childcare income thresholds when his budget is introduced next week, he said. In addressing members of the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies (OACAA) at their winter conference, Gov. Kasich also said the administration will continue to emphasize collaboration between social service agencies and better outcomes. However, this time he's thrown in a caveat - those county agencies that don't make enough of an effort will lose their state Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Opportunity Act of 2014 funding. Gov. Kasich said the state will instead give the funding to another local agency that will exceed standards or may even spend the money to privatize the agency's work. County commissioners will be required to designate a lead county agency that will steer people toward and provide available social services, he added. Gov. Kasich has proposed allocating $310 million in existing federal and state funding to create the aforementioned network for comprehensive case management and employment assistance.
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OHFA Seeks 2016-2017 QAP Input
OHFA is seeking input on proposed changes to the 2016-2017 Qualified Allocation Plan. For information on the 2016-2017 click here. A formal written comment period will be observed through Thursday, April 30, 2015. Comments may be directed to [email protected]. For any questions, please contact Myia Batie, OHFA Program and Policy Manager at [email protected].
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New Chair of Ohio House Finance Committee Plans to Look at Impact of Poverty
The new Chair of the House Finance Committee, Representative Ryan Smith (R - Bidwell), represents one of the lowest income districts in the state. The Columbus Dispatch reports that this will give him "a different perspective" as he approaches the work of the committee, especially as it relates to education, health and human services, taxes and poverty. |
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Map of Ohio's Free Tax Services to Aid Working Families
A new interactive map will help families connect to free tax-preparation assistance around Ohio, avoid the unnecessary expense of paid preparers, and keep more of their tax refunds. The map was created by Ohio CASH, the state's asset-building coalition. The map features more than 330 free tax sites, and includes information about making appointments, hours of operation, household income limits and more. Ohioans not claiming the EITC are encouraged to contact sites about available services. Most sites will complete and file taxes returns for families with incomes below $53,000; others have higher household income limits.
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2015 Assets & Opportunity Scorecard Released
The 2015 Assets & Opportunity Scorecard was released this week. View how Ohio ranks in outcomes and policies compared to the rest of the U.S.
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President to Release FY 2016 Budget Request
On February 2, President Obama will release his fiscal year 2016 budget request. It is comprised of the administration's proposed spending levels and policy changes for the federal government, including affordable housing and community development programs benefiting low- and moderate-income families. Then, the focus will turn to Congress as they determine how much funding to allocate to the 12 appropriations committees, including the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) subcommittee.
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Obama Housing Plan
In an analysis of President Obama's housing speech and new housing plan, Enterprise Community Partners highlights three key takeaways. First, government-insured mortgages will soon be more affordable, which should encourage more first-time homebuyers to enter the market. The FHA is planning to soon reduce its annual insurance premiums by 0.5 percent. Second, this fee reduction is expected to help thousands of families without putting taxpayers at additional risk. And third, as we continue to expand homeownership opportunities, we also need to address America's growing rental affordability crisis. Read more about the President's speech and new housing plan in Enterprise's blog post.
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National Housing Trust Fund Estimated State Allocations
For the first time in decades, a new federal housing program will expand the supply of affordable homes for people with extremely low incomes. The National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) led the advocacy campaign to establish the National Housing Trust Fund and secure a sustainable funding source. For updated state-by-state estimated allocation amounts click here. |
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THUD Appropriations Subcommittee Leadership Announced
Leaders were announced for the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) subcommittees, which oversees Federal appropriations. In the House, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) will chair the House THUD subcommittee and Rep. David Price (D-NC) will become the ranking member. In the Senate, Susan Collins (R-ME) will continue to serve as chair and Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) will serve as the ranking member.
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Do microbusinesses create "good" jobs?
FIELD of the Aspen Institute explored this question in their report and companion microsite, "Microbusinesses, Gainful Jobs." During an economic recovery in which many families still struggle to make ends meet, we need to do more than create jobs - we need to create good jobs. Microbusinesses create jobs, but what are those jobs really like? Their interviews go beyond the most common measures of a "good" job - wages and benefits - to explore other critical components of job quality, such as scheduling stability and flexibility, and opportunities to develop skills and to advance.
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Link Between Financial Security and Political Engagement
According to new data from the Pew Research Center, Americans who are financially secure are more likely to know about the political system and participate by voting and contacting their elected officials than those who are less financially secure. For more information, and to read the whole report, see "The Politics of Financial Insecurity," accessible here.
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HUD Report Shows National Data on LIHTC Tenant Characteristics
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Thanks for subscribing and reading! Please feel free to email us with any comments or suggestions!
Sincerely,
Lisa Much
Program and Development Manager
Ohio CDC Association
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