Housing & Community Development Network of NJ

NEWSLETTER 
 

August 2010

Network News

Network launches Twitter page
In addition to Facebook, the Network is now on Twitter! Come visit us, follow us, and spread the word. It's just another way we're connecting with our members and supporters to keep you informed.

Journey Home

Help us show our elected officials, opinion makers, and the public that New Jersey has many valuable programs that work but that our state's residents need homes that people can afford. Putting a face to the issue or listening to personal stories of struggle and success is a great way to show the reality of NJ's housing situation.

Click here to learn about more available funding opportunities.  

Homeless Trust Fund Enactment

More counties in New Jersey are making considerable efforts to end chronic homelessness. Presently, seven counties have approved the Homeless Trust Fund (Passaic, Union, Middlesex, Bergen, Hudson, Somerset, and Mercer counties). A vote to enact the trust fund in Salem County is scheduled for August 18.

The NJ Advocacy Network to End Homelessness (NJANEH) has an interactive map available to see the status of the Homeless Trust Fund in all New Jersey counties. To view, visit www.njaneh.org/trust-fund-map.

Member Spotlights

Homeless Solutions is in the process of building 10 green affordable homes

in Morris County. They'll be documenting the process to capture the construction and operating aspects of the apartments, which could be the first LEED Platinum affordable homes in NJ. They have also created their first video documentary about this exciting process which you can check out on their youtube channel.

Recognizing the difficulty residents can have obtaining fresh, healthy food, a few of our members have been making locally grown produce available to their communities. Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District runs a half-acre farm just across from Symphony Hall in Newark. The urban farm not only provides for those seeking a health lifestyle but it also serves to revitalize the neighborhood. Because of Lincoln Park's commitment to the environment, the neighborhood has been recognized as a sustainable community by the U.S. Green Building Council. Two green affordable apartment buildings are now being constructed in the area. The community also includes several locally owned businesses, as well as a green jobs training program.

Congratulations to Homefront, one of four national winners in last month's Share Our Strength Innovation Awards. They plan to use their award of $12,500 to buy healthy, fresh food from local farmers for hungry area children. Nice job!

Congratulations also goes to Homefirst who recently completed their latest housing development located in Plainfield. The property contains three fully accessible homes, executive office space, their Supportive Housing Center, and a large community-use space. Homefirst will offer house tours on Aug. 27 and Sept. 24. If you are interested in learning more about the agency and their amazing programs, please contact Rick Porter at rick@homefirstinc.org or visit their website www.homefirstinc.org.

If you have great news about your work, please email Nina Arce (narce@hcdnnj.org) to be featured in future newsletter editions and/or on the Network's website.

Federal Policy Watch

$25 million in new funding for Individual Development Accounts

HR 6067 proposes to add funding for 2011 and 2012

On July 30, The IDA Protection Act (H.R. 6067) sponsored by Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (D-CA) was introduced. The bill proposes to increase the funding available for Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) by $25 million for both the 2011 and 2012 fiscal years. Unlike current Assets for Independence program grants, these IDA funds will not have a local match requirement. These are additional funds for IDAs, not a replacement for the Assets for Independence program. The increase is paid for by an elimination of the domestic production deduction for coal and other hard mineral fossil fuels.

The bill recognizes the need to include asset-building approaches to poverty alleviation efforts of nonprofits and local governments.

Financial Reform Bill Becomes Law; NSP Renewed

This week, President Obama signed the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010 into law, enacting the largest financial reform legislation since the Great Depression. This new law is focused squarely on the vital task of restoring responsibility and accountability to the U.S. financial system.

The bill will have a large impact on affordable housing and neighborhood stabilization.

Most important is the inclusion of $1 billion in funding for a third round of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) to help revitalize neighborhoods affected by the foreclosure crisis by rehabilitating, redeveloping, and reusing abandoned and foreclosed properties. This legislation also includes a provision that will allow vacant properties to count towards the required 25% of funds set aside for very low-income households.

Other important housing provisions include: providing $1 billion for emergency mortgage relief for qualified unemployed homeowners with reasonable prospects for re-employment; reforming a number of current mortgage related practices and requires lenders to retain 5 % of the risk related to mortgage loans; authorizing a (HUD) Foreclosure Legal Assistance program; Requires the U.S. Department of Treasury to conduct a study on reforming the Housing Finance System; and extending the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act and more. For additional details, please view the bill summary and text.

A Decade-by-Decade Overview of Housing Policy: 1930s to 2000s
HUD's history tells the story of federal housing policy in the U.S. The Office of Policy Development and Research is highlighting this story with an interactive, historical timeline now available at www.huduser.org/hud_timeline/index.html. The timeline includes a view-by-decade feature that highlights events in HUD programs and legislation in the selected decade. Viewers can explore a decade in depth for major legislation and housing policy, along with data on population, interest rates, and housing starts.

Housing in the News

Essex County, Newark officials unveil plan to eliminate homelessness

(Star Ledger, July 28, 2010) ESSEX COUNTY - It can be as regular as a morning cup of Joe. Newark-bound commuters pull off Route 280 and come eye-to-eye with the homeless holding out paper cups. Some drop in a few coins, maybe a dollar bill. "God bless you" is often the response.

By 2020, though, such encounters could disappear under a sweeping plan unveiled today whose main goal is to eliminate homelessness in Essex County.

"We're really here to make a profound statement," Newark Mayor Cory Booker said along with Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. at a news conference in Newark. "We can make it work if we all stick together."

In a 33-page report titled "The Road Home," a coalition of two-dozen agencies unveiled an "aggressive" goal of eliminating long-term homelessness in five years and all homelessness by 2020.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/07/essex_county_newark_officials.html

Government-led PSA Campaign Aims to Make Homes Affordable

(HousingWire, July 28, 2010) Education is the next federal strategy to prevent foreclosure to homeowners who can't keep up with their mortgages.

The Advertising Council, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced Wednesday the launch of a new public service announcement campaign designed to encourage homeowners struggling with their monthly mortgage payments to reach out to the government for help through the Making Home Affordable foreclosure prevention program.

The program, first established and introduced in February 2009, offers free help resources to eligible homeowners through the Federal Government. Since its initiation, Making Home Affordable has offered help to over 1.5m homeowners, 1.3m of which have started a trial plan.

http://www.housingwire.com/2010/07/28/psa-campaign-aims-to-make-home-affordable

Lautenberg, Menendez Announce $24.1 Million for New Jersey Housing and Community Development Programs

(RealEstateRama, July 28, 2010) WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sens. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced that counties and municipalities across New Jersey will receive $24,195,998 for various housing and community revitalization programs. The grants, administered through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), are part of four initiatives: The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, the HOME Investment Partnership, the Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) program, and the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) program.

"Investing in these programs marks an important commitment to our communities," said Lautenberg. "By working to provide federal funds for local housing programs and development initiatives, we can help create new opportunities for New Jersey families and make improvements to neighborhoods throughout the state."

http://newjersey.realestaterama.com/2010/07/28/lautenberg-menendez-announce-241-million-for-new-jersey-housing-and-community-development-programs-ID0398.html

Employment Opportunities

Lead Regional Property Manager - The Diocesan Housing Services of the Diocese of Camden is seeking to hire a Lead Regional Property Manager. The Lead Regional Property Manager is directly responsible for the complete operation of the regional properties including the supervision of office staff and Lead Regional Maintenance Superintendent associated with the properties in a particular region and for their standards of performance. The Lead Regional Property Manager through his/her efforts should inspire a desirable environment in which to live by providing and maintaining a comprehensive maintenance program, property management office procedure and functions as well as a balanced social community. See a full job descripton and application instructions.

Program Manager- Cooper's Ferry in Camden is looking to hire a Program Manager. The Program Manager will provide daily oversight for a portfolio of neighborhood planning and development projects. The scope of this work will include managing brownfield investigations and remediation, design and development of parks and infrastructure; identification of public and private funding; and navigation of local, county and state reviews and approvals. This position is a great opportunity for an individual seeking hands-on experience and immersion into the field of urban development. See a full job description and application instructions.

 Events/Workshops

Mixed-Use, Mixed-Income Income Project Financing Workshop, Sept. 13-15, 2010; HCDNNJ Office, Trenton, NJ. Save the date for this 3 day course presented by the National Development Council, and sponsored by Citi. Mixed-use development provides opportunities for economic development practitioners to participate in projects that can incorporate housing, small retail businesses, commercial space and other uses. There are many financial tools available for mixed-use development, and if brought together in the right way, for the right uses, they can do the job. But how do you use single-purpose financing tools to structure financing for a mixed-use facility? What instruments are available and appropriate? This 3-day course answers those questions and explores the analysis and financing of mixed-use projects. Participants learn lender and developer perspectives on mixed-use real estate development and complete case studies of mixed use deals with disparate funding sources and structures. Contact Leonard Robbins lrobbins@hcdnnj.org for more information.

Reclaiming Vacant Properties Registration Conference, Oct.13-15, Cleveland, OH. Registration is Open!Community Progress is pleased this year to partner with Neighborhood Progress, Inc. to bring you Reclaiming Vacant Properties: the Intersection of Sustainability, Revitalization, and Policy Reform. Join with us, and hundreds of your peers from communities across the country, to learn about the policies, tools, and strategies to catalyze long-term, sustainable revitalization. Share your experiences and insights, and become a part of the only national network focused on building the knowledge, leadership, and momentum to reclaim vacant and abandoned properties to foster thriving neighborhoods. For more info and to sign up, visit, http://reclaimingvacantproperties.org/

Legal Workshops for Nonprofits

Other Workers: The Hidden Risks and Pitfalls of Using Independent Contractors, Temp Agency Workers, Volunteers, and Interns, September 9, 2010, teleconference. If you have attended earlier Pro Bono Partnership workshops on employment law, you have learned about many of the laws applicable to your Employees. But Employees aren't the only workers to be concerned about. You also need to be familiar with the rules that apply to Independent Contractors, Temp Agency Workers, Volunteers, and Interns. Topics will include: Properly Classifying a Worker as an Employee, Independent Contractor, Temp Agency Worker, Volunteer, or Intern. The special rules applicable to each type of worker. For example, did you know you are required to withhold taxes with respect to some Independent Contractors and report some of them to the New Jersey "new hire directory"? The "ABC" test. The importance of written agreements when working with workers. The serious risk associated with compensating volunteers. Your organization's potential liability for these workers' personal injuries and wrongful acts. Insurance coverage issues

Starting a Nonprofit: Myths & Realities, Sept. 14, 2010, teleconference.
Is becoming a charitable organization the right choice for your organization and what does the process involve? Topics will include: What are the pros and cons of forming a nonprofit organization? What are the pros and cons of forming a nonprofit organization? What are the benefits and responsibilities of being incorporated and tax exempt? What are the alternatives to filing for tax exemption that will still let your organization receive donations? What are the responsibilities of a nonprofit board? Click here to register.

Intellectual Property Basics for Nonprofits, Sept. 23, 2010, teleconference.

Should you protect your organization's name and other intellectual property, such as educational curricula, videos, books, or website information? What would happen if another organization started using your name or providing its clients with intellectual property you had developed without your permission? This workshop will address how to avoid having the hard-won goodwill associated with your organization's name diluted, impacting your future ability to secure funds or provide services. It will cover the basics of intellectual property law, including trademarks, service marks and copyrights.

For more information or to register, visit,

 Training Opportunities/Resources

2010 Corporation for Supportive Housing Trainings

September 15, 2010: Supportive Housing Development 101

Learn the basics of supportive housing development and what it takes to move a project from initial concept through financing, construction and lease-up. This training will provide the tools to assist with assessing organizational capacity, building a development team, developing and refining budgets, and creating timelines.

October 14, 2010: Property Management in Supportive Housing
This training will focus on understanding the unique features of property management in supportive housing, indicators of quality property management, and coordination with partners and supportive services staff.

Cost will be $100 per training and will be held at Project Freedom in Lawrenceville, NJ. E-mail nj@csh.org for more information.

IRS Announces One-Time Form 990 Filing Extension for Small Organizations to Avoid Revocation

Small organizations that would otherwise have been in danger of losing their tax exemption for failing to file required information returns will have one more chance to submit the overdue filings, under a new program announced by the IRS on July 26. The new deadline under the one-time extension is October 15, 2010.

Under the federal Pension Protection Act of 2006, exempt organizations that fail to file required Form 990 annual information returns (or, in the case of very small organizations, the Form 990-N e-postcard) for three consecutive years are subject to automatic revocation of their tax exemptions effective on the filing due date of the third year. The Form 990 or e-postcard is required to be filed annually by the 15th day of the 5th month following the end of an organization's fiscal year.

The first round of revocations was set to begin on May 17, 2010. Recognizing that many small organizations may have been missed despite an aggressive outreach effort by the IRS, the Urban Institute, the National Council of Nonprofits, state associations of non-profits and countless others, the IRS has created one more window of opportunity for small organizations to submit their overdue filings. The program has two components:

Filing Relief Program for Form 990-N filers: According to the IRS Web site, the smallest organizations - those eligible to file Form 990-N (e-Postcard) and whose e-Postcards are due on or after May 17 and on or before October 15 - can maintain their tax-exempt status by filing the required annual electronic notice by October 15, 2010, without incurring any additional fees or penalties for failure to file.

Voluntary Compliance Program (VCP) for Form 990-EZ filers - An organization that is too large to file the e-postcard but which are small enough to be eligible to file a Form 990 EZ can take advantage of a one-time voluntary compliance program (VCP) and avoid automatic revocation if it failed to file for 2007, 2008, and 2009; it was eligible to file a Form 990-EZ for 2009; it was eligible to file either a Form 990-N or Form 990-EZ for 2007 and 2008

Organizations who wish to take advantage of the VCP must take the following steps. First, file complete (all required schedules and attachments) paper Forms 990-EZ or, if preferred, Forms 990 for its 2007, 2008 and 2009 tax years by the extended due date of October 15, 2010; Submit a signed checklist agreeing to the terms of the VCP; and Pay a compliance fee, ranging from $100 to $500 depending on the organization's gross receipts as reported on its 2009 information return. And, organizations that are eligible to take advantage of this program are urged to do so. Those that have failed to file for three consecutive years and have not submitted their 990 paperwork by October 15 will have their tax exemptions revoked on that date. If tax exemption is revoked, the only way to reinstate it will be to reapply.

For more information:

IRS News Release: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=225959,00.html?portlet=7

IRS Relief Program Portal: http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=225702,00.html

Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=225954,00.html

IRS List of Organizations at Risk of Revocation (scroll down to find links to New Jersey list): http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=225889,00.html?portlet=7

State Energy Program Provides New Funding Opportunity for Green Retrofits of Affordable Multifamily Housing
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provided $3.1 billion
in funding for energy projects through the U.S. Department of Energy's State Energy
Program.

A number of states are successfully using these funds to make green, cost-saving
retrofits to existing affordable multifamily properties. A new fact sheet by the National Housing Trust and Enterprise summarizes how states are using ARRA SEP funds to retrofit affordable multifamily housing.

Click here for the fact sheet.

For more information on the program, visit http://www1.eere.energy.gov/wip/m/sep.html

Funding/Award Opportunities

Federal Grants:

Economic Development Administration (EDA) Triple Bottom Line Accounting Competition: Seeks applications to research, develop, and disseminate metrics to enable policymakers and practitioners to more effectively understand how to assess the triple bottom line (economic, environmental, and social impacts) of various economic development activities. Estimated number of awards: 1. Estimated total program funding: $1,500,000. Award ceiling: $500,000. Deadline: August 13, 2010.

Small Business Transportation Resource Center Program:The Department of Transportation's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization announced the opportunity to participate in its Small Business Transportation Resource Center program in the Gulf, Great Lakes, and Mid-Atlantic regions. Awardees will provide outreach to the small business community and encourage and assist small businesses to become better prepared to compete for, obtain, and manage DOT-funded transportation-related contracts and subcontracts. Business-centered community-based organizations and nonprofits are the eligible groups specified. Expected number of awards: 3. Estimated total program funding: $510,000 Deadline: August 15, 2010.

HUD Housing Counseling Program: Supports the delivery of a wide variety of housing counseling services to homebuyers, homeowners, low- to moderate-income renters, and the homeless. The primary objectives are to improve financial literacy, expand homeownership opportunities, improve access to affordable housing and preserve homeownership. Eligible applicants include the following HUD-approved organizations: local housing counseling agencies, national and regional intermediaries, state housing finance agencies and multi-state organizations. Deadline: August 27, 2010.

Foundation Grants:

Arca Foundation: Supports innovative and strategic efforts that work to advance equity, accountability, social justice and participatory democracy in the U.S. and abroad. Domestically, their primary focus is to support nonprofit organizations that promote a more equitable, accountable, and transparent economic recovery and financial reform. Fall proposal deadline: September 1, 2010.

TD Charitable Foundation Housing for Everyone Grant Competition: Supports capital improvements for affordable housing in communities served by TD Bank in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia and Washington, DC. A total of 34 grants representing $1.7 million will be awarded. Four grants of $100,000 will be awarded to the best applicants. Deadline: September 3, 2010.

Staci Berger
Housing & Community Development Network of NJ