HUD AND OMB REACH AGREEMENT ON FY 2000 BUDGET REQUEST

Just when grantees began to feel secure in their FY 1999 CPD allocations, Washingtonians are heavily engrossed in the FY 2000 budget battle. As reported in the December 21, 1999 issue of the Washington Report the budget that Secretary Cuomo and the President submitted to OMB received a less than stellar response. This is the time of year when letters to OMB and the President fly across the city from various lobbyists and advocates, including those in the community development and housing arena. This year is no exception. HUD proposed a budget that included increases from FY 1999 of approximately $9 billion. OMB was not impressed. Since the "passback" was received, HUD and OMB have met to come to an agreement without the President's intervention. Nothing concrete is known at this time except that Secretary Cuomo may have convinced OMB to increase key programs. NCDA's best guess is that the Section 8 renewals increase will likely happen, as will increases to CDBG and HOME. Other increases to less-known programs and initiatives will more than likely meet with resistence. As the President is scheduled to release his budget to Congress on February 1^st we should know more by the next printing of the Washington Report.

FY 1999 HOME ALLOCATION FIGURES REVISED

NCDA, along with the other interest groups and grantees, received their FY 1999 CDBG, HOME, ESG/Homeless and HOPWA allocations just before Christmas. Unfortunately, there was an error made in the HOME calculations, and these numbers had to be revised. For NCDA members, the original set of numbers is incorrect, but only for the HOME program. According to HUD, another community became an entitlement community for the HOME program and was left out of the original calculation, consequently the allocations for the HOME program were revised. Except for larger grantees, most grantees won't notice much of a change. By the time you receive this newsletter NCDA will have the revised numbers on its website, NCDAonline. We have attached a revised copy of the allocation figures with this newsletter.

COMMENT PERIOD ON PROPOSED FAIR HOUSING RULE EXTENDED UNTIL FEBRUARY 26, 1999

On October 28, 1998 HUD's CPD division issued a proposed rule requesting comment on how the Department would be assessing grantees' performance in ameliorating identified impediments to fair housing. HUD is concerned that some grantees have not identified and or carried out methods to eliminate impediments to fair housing choice. This rule is designed to inform grantees what HUD will be looking for in its performance review of a grantee's analysis of impediments to fair housing (AI).

NCDA asked Assistant Secretary Cooper to extend the comment period on the proposed rule to allow for an open dialogue between HUD, grantees, practitioners and their Washington representatives. This was done because the proposed rule was issue on October 28 with only a 60-day comment period ending just after Christmas, and because many practitioner groups were strongly opposed to the rule's perceived over zealous intent. Assistant Secretary Cooper agreed to extend the comment period to February 28, which he felt was a better alternative than the complete withdrawal of the proposed rule. NCDA has scheduled a session on this rule at the Winter Meeting in January. NCDA will hold a conference call on January 19, 1999, at 2:00 p.m. EST with members to discuss this regulation. At this writing, we have a sufficient number of participants. However, if you are interested in providing your comments on the regulation, fax them to Chandra Western or Vicki Watson.

NCDA provided members with a copy of the proposed rule and invited comments and questions. If you don't have a copy of the proposed rule, check the Federal Register, October 28, 1998, or call NCDA and we will fax you a copy.

THE 106^th CONGRESS RELEASES ITS 1999 WORK CALENDAR

The following is the 1999 work schedule for the House of Representatives:

1999 House of Representatives Calendar
January 6	House Convenes
January 8-18	Winter District Work Period
January 18	Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
February 3-21	Presidents' Day District Work Period
February 15	Washington/Lincoln Day
March 27-April 5	Spring District Work Period
March 29 - April 4 is National CD Week
April 1	Passover
April 4	Daylight Savings Time Begins
April 4	Easter Sunday
May 28-June 1	Memorial Day District Work Period
May 31	Memorial Day (observed)
July 3-July 11	Independence Day District Work Period
July 4	Independence Day
August 7-September 7	Summer District Work Period
September 6	Labor Day
September 11	Rosh Hashanah
September 20	Yom Kippur
October 11	Columbus Day (observed)
October 29	Target Adjournment
October 31	Daylight Savings Time Ends
November 2	Election Day
November 11	Veterans' Day
November 25	Thanksgiving Day
December 4	Hanukkah
December 25	Christmas Day

IDIS UPDATE

Previously reported in the Washington Report, HUD is in the process of converting its existing method of disbursing funds to a new department-wide system. The entire agency will disburse funds through one system. This is important to NCDA's members because the current system of receiving and tracking funds will no longer exist. IDIS will be incorporated into the new system that is based on Oracle software, which will provide HUD and Congress with information on program expenditures. According to HUD officials, the new and improved system will provide grantees with project tracking information to help them keep better records of expenditures and activities without the need to maintain two or more separate systems.

HUD will be making an announcement on the changeover of grants management systems on after January 15, 1999. On Thursday December 14, 1999, a working group composed of staff from NCDA, NAHRO, NACCED and NAHRO will be briefed on the progress of this changeover. Bob Meehan, Director of the CPD's Office of Information Management and others will conduct the briefing. Bob will also provide grantees with an update at NCDA's Winter Meeting on January 29, 1999.

HUD ANNOUNCES THE FY 1998 CONTINUUM OF CARE HOMELESS ASSISTANCE AWARDS AND FY 1999 EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANTS AWARDS

President Clinton made the formal announcement of HUD's FY 1998 homeless assistance awards and FY 1999 Emergency Shelter Grants on December 23. A total of $850 million in grants was awarded to more than 300 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the American territories. This total includes $150 million for the Emergency Shelter Grants Program in FY 1999 and $700 million in combined funding for the Supportive Housing Program, Shelter Plus Care Program, and the Section 8 Moderate Rehab for SROs. The funding will be used to provide housing assistance and services to the homeless across the country. HUD estimates the assistance will help more than 330,000 homeless persons this year alone. If you have not received your allocation yet, you can get this information from HUD's website at www.hud.gov

HUD OFFERS TRAINING

HUD's Office of CPD will continue its training on CDBG, HOME, economic development, and relocation. The training sessions are free and will be conducted by ICF Kaiser. The following provides you with the schedule for the training through next spring. Space is limited, so register early. Contact your local HUD Field Office for further information or ICF Kaiser at 703-934-3392 for further information.

CDBG	HOME	Economic Development	Relocation
January 12-14, 1998 Doubletree Hotel 310 S.W. Lincoln Portland, OR	January 12-14, 1999 Adam's Mark Hotel 1550 Court Place Denver, CO	January 26-28, 1999 Sea Turtle Inn One Ocean Blvd. Atlantic Beach, FL	January 12-14, 1999 Doubletree Inn 4 West University Pkwy. Baltimore, MD
February 9-11, 1999 Doubletree Inn 4 West University Pkwy. Baltimore, MD	February 2-4, 1999 Fawcett Center Hotel 2400 Olentangy River Road Columbus, OH 43210	February 23-25, 1999 Crowne Plaza Seattle Downtown at Freeway Park 1113-6th Avenue Seattle, WA	January 20-22, 1999 Days Inn Lake Shore Drive Hotel 644 North Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL
February 16-18, 1999 Radisson Suite Hotel 700 Avenue H East Arlington, TX	February 3-5, 1999 The Warwick Hotel 65 West 54th Street New York, NY		January 26-28, 1999 Crowne Plaza Seattle Downtown at Freeway Park 1113-6th Avenue Seattle, WA
March 16-18, 1999 Providence Baltimore Kennedy Plaza Providence, RI	February 16-18, 1999 The Westin Long Beach 333 East Ocean Blvd. Long Beach, CA		February 9-11, 1999 Atlanta Marriott Marquis 265 Peachtree Center Avenue Atlanta, GA
	March 2-4, 1999 Best Western Inn 162 East Ohio Street Chicago, IL		March 2-4, 1999 The Warwick Hotel 65 West 54th Street New York, NY
	March 9-11, 1999 Swissotel Boston One Avenue de Lafayette Boston, MA		March 8-10, 1999 Adam's Mark Hotel 1550 Court Place Denver, CO

NCDA WINTER MEETING NOTES

The NCDA Winter Meeting will be held on January 27-30, 1999, at the J.W. Mariott Hotel in Washington, DC. At the request of members, we will not schedule the program committees (CD, ED, and Housing) concurrently. We have included one-half day for committee meetings beginning at 12:00 p.m. and ending with the Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday, January 27, 1999. Please see the attached draft agenda.

CALL FOR AGENDA ITEMS

The annual meeting of the NCDA Board of Directors will be held on January 27, 1999 at 6:00 p.m. at the J.W. Marriott Hotel (the site of the Winter Meeting). Please provide to Chandra Western with items for the Board of Directors Meeting agenda no later than January 15, 1999.

NCDA HOMELESSNESS SURVEY

In our efforts to keep our fingers on the pulse of the membership, NCDA staff have produced a homelessness programs needs survey. This survey is designed to determine the technical assistance needs of our members regarding homelessness issues. Please send responses to Vicki Watson. To speed up the response time, we have made the survey available on NCDAonline

THE 1999 AUDREY NELSON AWARD WINNING PROJECTS

Self Employment Loan Fund, Inc.
Phoenix, Arizona

The Self Employment Loan Fund, Inc. (SELF) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the self-sufficiency of low-income individuals, especially women and minorities, by encouraging growth of microenterprise through training, technical assistance, and access to credit. The goal is to enable owners of the smallest of small businesses to become economically self-sufficient through self-employment.

SELF was founded in 1992 by a group of citizens concerned about poverty in their community. SELF's program became operational in 1994 as a result of Community Development Block Grant and support from local businesses and foundations. The program has expanded to provide service in Maricopa, Graham, and Gila counties in Arizona.

To date, SELF's efforts have resulted in the creation and/or retention of 174 startup businesses and 222 jobs. These businesses and jobs provide greater financial stability for many Arizona residents who would otherwise have limited economic opportunities. In addition, these businesses provide a wide variety of needed services to area neighborhoods, and add value to the local economy.

DeafBlind Services Minnesota Housing Project
Minneapolis, Minneapolis

Since 1994, the DeafBlind Services Minnesota Housing Project has operated the only independent living skills program that provides housing and life skills training for deaf and blind young adults in Minnesota. For many individuals, this intensive residential program is their only opportunity to gain sufficient skills to live independently. Families and schools are unable to adequately provide such training.

The DBSM Housing Project fills a service gap for two reasons: First, it provides a safe housing option with basic skills development to clients who are unable to live in their own apartment, and second, the new facility mitigates the safety issue as the bus stops in front of the new building and eliminates the cost of overnight staff that were once required for security.

Now providing services to over 50 families, the facility provides the opportunity to form an informal social network that eliminates the devastating social isolation experienced by so many deaf and blind people. The St. Anthony West neighborhood has been very supportive of this project and offers deaf and blind people a unique opportunity to become part of a stable neighborhood environment.

Families First Transitional Housing Program
Fulton County, Georgia

The Families First Transitional Housing Program is designed to offer transitional housing and an independent living program for young homeless mothers with an opportunity to emerge from desperate circumstances by turning their lives around and beginning the journey to economic self-sufficiency.

It also offers homeless families one year of stable subsidized housing as part of a program of self-help, followed by one year of additional supportive and referral services. While in residence, the young women are required to (1) pursue a program of education (i.e., GED), vocational training, or work experience, (2) participate in individual counseling and group classes on parenting, nutrition, and community resources, and (3) abide by the center's resident guidelines for group living.

Further education, job training, and child care are provided off-site by community institutions through scholarship assistance provided by the Families First Family Development Center. The purpose is to give these young homeless mothers an accelerated course in growing up so that they can become self-sufficient and good parents for their children.

Project Vida
El Paso, Texas

With its diverse programming and multi-faceted approach to meeting the needs of the neighborhood it serves, Project Vida rates as one of El Paso's most outstanding examples of a successful neighborhood-based non-profit organization. The agency's original mission was to provide health care and educational services to the low- and moderate-income families residing in one of the highest poverty areas in the city.

Receiving its start-up funding from CDBG, Project Vida continues to provide primary care services, health education, preventative medicine training, and referrals for family health concerns. With continued CDBG funding, the agency expanded its outreach to include early-childhood development activities. In 1994, it received CDBG funding to provide day care for infants and children. Parenting education and family counseling were then added, and many previous students became volunteer workers and even instructors as the programs continued to evolve.

In 1997, Project Vida ventured into uncharted territory by confronting other social issues receiving funds for the acquisition, design and construction of a transitional living center for homeless families.

The organization has proven to be a model, with leadership that realizes that the needs of the community must be addressed on many levels, with the foresight to seek diverse solutions, and with the tenacity to apply them for the benefit of the neighborhood and the entire community.

Saint Joseph Ballet
Santa Ana, California

The Saint Joseph Ballet (SJB) was established in 1983 to provide creative alternatives for inner city school-aged children who are at risk of falling victim to destructive behavior such as drug abuse, gang activity, teen pregnancy, and delinquency. The mission of SJB is to empower low-income, ethnically diverse youth to gain self-esteem, discipline and a sense of accomplishment through quality dance training and the performing arts. Today, SJB is the largest organization in Orange County, California, solely dedicated to offering quality arts experiences to inner-city youth - year-round as an after school and summer activity.

Located in the heart of downtown Santa Ana, SJB has become a second home, a safe-haven to inner-city youth, offering performance opportunities and academic, special and outreach programs.

A study on the effectiveness of SJB's programs found that youth involved in the ballet program have higher self-esteem, understand the connection between their behavior and resulting consequences, have an overall grade-point average of 3.0, have learned to get along with others, and are highly sociable. A subsequent study further discovered that participants are less likely to become involved in illegal activities.

Currently constructing a new facility in which to serve more youth, SJB will be able to serve approximately 500 youth in the year-round program and 4,500 through outreach programs.

John Crain Kunkel Center for the YWCA
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Acquiring the newly renovated Sylvan Heights mansion, a once blighted, deteriorated target for arsonists and vandals, the new John Crain Kunkel Center for the YWCA has enabled the YWCA to increase space for its residential services: to expand the emergency shelter by 20 percent and the transitional housing program by 75 percent. Women facing homelessness and abuse are now housed in a secure, attractive environment, while staff provide services to assist them on the road to self-sufficiency. The new facility allows the YWCA to more adequately provide vocational and life skills training, domestic violence and rape crisis services, and prevention and education programs.

The project has also been a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization. This major project has boosted neighborhood pride, resulting in residents "sprucing up" nearby homes in a previously blighted area. Through a grant from the Federal Community's Service's AmeriCorps Programs, the YWCA hired a staff person who is actively working on neighborhood revitalization projects, including the city's Adopt-A-Block Program. The YWCA and neighborhood residents have adopted the surrounding neighborhood and now conduct regular cleanup and beautification activities.

The grand structure is symbolic of the help and hope the YWCA gives to the women and children it serves. Although the building is impressive, what is going on inside the building is even more important. The John Crain Kunkel Center for the YWCA is a brilliant example of the investment being made in Harrisburg's Enterprise Community.

Please note that BASEBALL CAPS ARE NOW AVAILABLE for purchase. See the 1999 CDBG Product Order Form on NCDAonline.

NCDA TECHNOLOGY NEWS 

NCDAonline UPDATE!!! If you have not logged on to NCDAonline.org with your permanent passwords, you will not be able to log on to the member only section of the website. Please contact Chandra Western at NCDA or e-mail her at chandra@ncdaonline.org. She will provide you with the information necessary to get into the "Members Only" section as well as how to personalize and make permanent your passwords and user ID. NCDA staff has discovered that members are not personalizing their passwords, they continue to use the temporary passwords to get to the members only section. AGAIN, PLEASE CONTACT CHANDRA WESTERN TO TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TECHNOLOGY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS! In response to your requests NCDAonline.org has been enhanced. As part of these ongoing enhancements, we will eventually discontinue the PAL system. To maintain the PAL, the Forum, and the member e-mail list is redundant. We hope you will let us know what you think of the improvements and offer suggestions for further enhancements.

POSTING JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS 

NCDA staff is ever willing to include position vacancies of member communities in the NCDA Washington Report. To better assist members as well as staff, we ask member communities to e-mail position vacancies to Carla Sauls whenever possible. If you are not set up for e-mail, please fax them to Carla. An electronic copy makes it easier to post the position on NCDAonline.

You can now post your job announcements directly on NCDAonline. If you post job announcements directly to NCDAonline, please forward a hard copy of the announcement to Carla Sauls so it can be included in the next issue of the NCDA Washington Report. 

January 8, 1999. Compliance Monitoring and Miscellaneous Issues Relating to the Low-Income Housing Credit. This document contains proposed amendments to various existing final regulations concerning the low-income housing tax credit including the procedures for compliance monitoring by state and local agencies, the requirements for making carryover allocations, and the rules for Agencies' correction of administrative errors or omissions. In addition, regulations are being proposed involving the independent verification of information on sources and uses of funds submitted by taxpayers to Agencies. These amendments and proposed regulations affect owners of low-income housing projects who have claimed the credit and the Agencies that administer the credit. This document also provides notice of a public hearing on these proposed regulations.

December 28, 1998. Multifamily Housing Mortgage and Housing Assistance Restructuring Program. On September 11, 1998, HUD published an interim rule implementing the Mark-to-Market Program and the statutory provisions for renewal of Section 8 project-based assistance contracts expiring in FY 1999 or later. On October 15, 1998, HUD published a first correction to the interim rule to correct the Internet address given for submitting public comments. This second correction to the interim rule addresses additional matters that were in error when the interim rule was published and in need of correction.

December 28, 1998. Fair Housing Performance Standards for Acceptance of Consolidated Plan Certifications and Compliance with Community Development Block Grant. On October 28, 1998, HUD published a proposed rule that would amend the regulations on Consolidated Submissions for Community Planning and Development Programs to establish a standard for determining if the jurisdiction's certification regarding affirmatively furthering fair housing is inaccurate. The proposed rule would also amend the regulations on Community Development Block Grants to provide performance review standards for affirmatively furthering fair housing requirements. The public comment period on this rule was scheduled to close on December 28, 1999. This document extends the public comment period on this proposed rule to February 26, 1999.

Job Opportunities 

Back to the Archives

Back to Front Page