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From the President & CEO
Well, I had planned to write something else in this space, but like our members and the families and communities they serve, we at the Network are adjusting to the new normal of the COVID-19 pandemic. We know that this health crisis will deepen our housing crisis, and that these conditions will be disproportionately harmful for our vulnerable residents.
In these uncertain times, we cannot give in to panic or give up hope. More now than ever.
We are working with our partners at the National Low Income Housing Coalition to make sure Congress includes funding to support individuals experiencing homelessness and threatened by housing insecurity in its response to COVID-19. We have also called for our state elected officials to take initial steps to address ensure housing stability for lower income residents, who may be unable to pay their rent or mortgage. We learned a lot from Superstorm Sandy, and we need to put that knowledge to use right now.
Our elected officials need to take immediate steps to enact an eviction and foreclosure moratorium and use some of the programs we won after Sandy to extend mortgage payment options for families. We need to take proactive steps to increase emergency rental assistance and expand the state’s sick leave law. Of course, NJ must also address the challenges of people experiencing homelessness, who simply cannot self-isolate or quarantine and may not have access to basic needs to protect themselves. You can read our full statement on these issues here.
The pandemic hits New Jersey amid newly released data showing there is a shortage of 217,640 affordable and available rental homes for the 301,079 extremely low income (ELI) renter households statewide. The data, published in a new report, The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes, released by the NLIHC and the Network, shows how difficult it is for low-income renters to find homes that are affordable in the current rental market.
We are doing all that we can as a staff to “flatten the curve” and help reduce exposure to others, including having all Network staff work remotely and limit attendance at others’ events. You have probably seen by now that we have postponed the Land Bank Training and that the DC Lobby Visits planned for March 27 are cancelled. We will do as much engagement with our members and partners as we can remotely. We will be holding a leadership call with executive directors on Friday, March 20, 2020 to discuss what our member organizations are seeing in your communities and devising additional policy and programmatic responses. Stay tuned for details.
I know this is truly unchartered waters for all of us. I am just glad that we are rowing together. Please take care of yourselves.
Onward!
Healthy Homes & Communities Summit:
Reserve Your Seat Today
 Wednesday, April 29, 2020
9am - 4pm
Forsgate County Club located at 375 Forsgate Drive in Monroe Twp.
Tickets: $40 for members | $75 for Non-Members
You won't want to miss the launch of our new program, RENT for Health Equity, a tenant mobilizing initiative addressing rental justice and equitable health. Join us on April 29 to learn how hospitals, community developers and other stakeholders across the state are coming together to improve the health of residents and neighborhoods. Hear from hear funders, national experts, and public officials on efforts underway to build healthy homes and communities. Read More
POSTPONED Land Bank Training
 THIS EVENT WILL BE RESCHEDULED
If you are interested in starting or just want to understand the process of starting a Land Bank, then this is the training for you. The Network is partnering with the Center for Community Progress, a national leading expert in vacant, abandoned, and deteriorating properties, for a daylong land bank training on March 20th. This event is for nonprofit leaders, CDCs, municipalities, redevelopment professionals, and other community and public leaders interested in implementing New Jersey's 2019 land bank legislation in their community. Read More
Gap Report
 There is a shortage of 217,640 affordable and available rental homes for the 301,079 extremely low income (ELI) renter households in New Jersey according to The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes. Released today by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) and the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey (the Network), the report shows how difficult it is for NJ's low income renters to find homes that are affordable in the current rental market.
"Our housing market has been severely imbalanced for far too long but measures are finally underway that are going to help us make our state a place everyone can afford to call home," said Staci Berger, president and chief executive officer of the Network. "Under the Murphy Administration, investments are being made to create affordable homes. Last week's launch of the Special Needs Housing Subsidy Loan Program comes on the heels of the news that for the second year in a row, the Affordable Housing Trust Fund will be fully funded in the state budget. This will help us build a thriving NJ." Read More
Healthy Homes & Communities Summit:
Reserve Your Seat Today
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
9am - 4pm
Forsgate County Club located at 375 Forsgate Drive in Monroe Twp.
Tickets: $40 for members | $75 for Non-Members
You won't want to miss the launch of our new program, RENT for Health Equity, a tenant mobilizing initiative addressing rental justice and equitable health. Join us on April 29 to learn how hospitals, community developers and other stakeholders across the state are coming together to improve the health of residents and neighborhoods. Hear from hear funders, national experts, and public officials on efforts underway to build healthy homes and communities. Read More
Save the Community Reinvestment Act!
We need you to take Action NOW!
EXTENDED: Comment Deadline Now April 8
The Community Reinvestment Act is under attack from the Trump Administration. READ MORE about the proposal to re-establish redlining and reduce investments in our community in an op-ed from Network Board Chair John Restrepo, Director of real estate development at Garden State Episcopal CDC, and Staci Berger, Network President and CEO. Join the fight to save CRA by sending letters to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the FDIC. A sample letter that you can customize is available HERE and more information is available from our national partners National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) HERE.
Comments are due by April 8, but don't wait. Our communities need us to act today! Please send a letter and copy us at [email protected]
Community Scholars Program!
Seeking Community Scholars
Do you know a student looking for an opportunity to develop skills towards a meaningful career? We are now recruiting academically outstanding college juniors, seniors and graduate students from all majors that have a personal focus or interest in community building. Throughout the course of our 10 week paid internship program, students will be exposed to a number of disciplines for preparation towards their future careers. Students who participate in the program gain real world experience with New Jersey's most influential community development non-profits. A link to the application and program information are available at https://www.hcdnnj.org/communityscholars.
For inquiries please contact Jessyca Hart, Office and Special Projects Coordinator at [email protected] or 609-393-3752 ext. 1000.
Seeking Host Members
The Network is also engaging our current members to participate as host sites and provide an opportunity for Scholars to work alongside professionals at your organization. Scholars will be an asset to your organization as we match their skillsets based on a host organization's project goals. Scholars report directly to the host organization's supervisor for mentorship and insight. Help foster the next generation of community leaders and participate as a HCDNNJ 2020 Community Scholars Program Host! A link to the application and program information are available at https://www.hcdnnj.org/communityscholars.
For inquires please contact Sharon Barker, Vice President and COO at [email protected] or 609-393-3752 ext. 1400.
Trainings
Project Finance - Basic
March 17-18
The Project Finance basic class is a two-day course from the NJ Redevelopment Authority designed to teach the fundamentals of real estate finance. Participants will learn basic finance concepts and terminology. Please contact Terri Benson at [email protected] for special Network member rate for this training. Read more
Project Finance - Intermediate
April 29-30
The Project Finance Intermediate class from the NJ Redevelopment Authority is designed to provide a more in-depth knowledge of financing and investing in real estate development projects. Please contact Terri Benson at [email protected] for special Network member rate for this training. Read more
HUD Housing Counseling Training
April 20-24
The HUD Housing Counseling Certification deadline is fast approaching. All counselors must be certified August 1, 2020. If you or your staff have not yet taken the exam, and would like to participate in preparation courses, the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) will host two courses over 5 days in April. These courses will cover everything you will need to know in order to pass the Certification Exam. Read more
State and Federal Policy Watch
$50 Million for Supportive Housing
Celebrating the latest opening of a new 72-unit development in Freedom Village at West Windsor, Charles A. Richman of the New Jersey Housing Mortgage Finance Agency announced the release of a $50 Million investment in the new Special Needs Housing Subsidy Loan Program. Read More
FHFA Authorizes $326.4 Million Disbursement for National Housing Trust Fund for 2020
Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Mark Calabria announced on February 27 that $326.4 million will be available for the national Housing Trust Fund (HTF) in 2020. HUD will now use the formula based on the HTF statute and HTF regulations to determine how much each state will have available for 2020. Read More
House Committee Passes Bills to Invest in Affordable Housing and Fair Housing Enforcement
The House Committee on Financial Services passed several bills, including the "Housing Is Infrastructure Act" (H.R. 5187) and the "Housing Fairness Act of 2020" (H.R. 149), during a vote on February 27. H.R. 5187 would invest more than $100 billion in affordable housing and community development programs; it passed the committee by a vote of 33-25. Read More
Member Spotlight
Gurlzilla 2020
March 28 | 8pm | Redd's Biergarten in New Brunswick
Gurlzilla: A Benefit Show for Triple C Housing! You can expect a stellar lineup, vendors, live painting, a photo booth, and more. Read More
Affordable and Accessible Housing
Aging Insights
Older adults around the Garden State face a housing dilemma, unable to afford their current housing, but equally unable to afford a new and appropriate home. On Episode 102 of the New Jersey Foundation for Aging's monthly TV program Aging Insights, host Melissa Chalker is joined by three expert advocates to discuss 'Affordable and Accessible Housing.' Guests are Staci Berger, President and CEO of the Housing and Community Development Network of NJ; Diane Riley, Executive Director of the Supportive Housing Association of NJ , and Ann Lippel, Chair of the Montclair Senior Citizens Advisory Committee. View here
Roots to Prevention
A new initiative called Roots to Prevention will bring more fresh produce to Camden, and more than that, an education about the food they eat and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Roots to Prevention is a collaboration among health care providers, educational institutions and community groups; locally, it includes Virtua Health, Parkside Business and Community in Partnership (PBCIP), Rowan University, Rutgers University and Camden County.Read More
In the News
Low unemployment isn't worth much if the jobs barely pay
Each month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its Employment Situation report (better known as the "jobs report") to outline the latest state of the nation's economy. And with it, of late, have been plenty of positive headlines-with unemployment hovering around 3.5%, a decade of job growth, and recent upticks in wages, the report's numbers have mostly been good news. But those numbers don't tell the whole story. Are these jobs any good? How much do they pay? Do workers make enough to live on? Read More
Civil Rights & Housing Groups Lead Growing Opposition to Trump Administration Attack on Fair Housing
More than 13,000 people have submitted comments to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in response to a new rule that would effectively eliminate a core civil rights tool under the Fair Housing Act. Read more
New Law Makes It Easier for Homeless to Find Help They Need - Without Delay
Measure requires DCA to make information about programs available in one place on its website; uses libraries, welfare agencies, veterans services to get word out. Read More
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In This Issue...
- From the CEO
- Healthy Homes Summit
- Land Bank Training
- Gap Report
- Community Scholars
- CRA
- Trainings
- Funding
- In the News
- Employment
- Resources
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Upcoming Events
A Briefing on the Jersey Water Works' Lead in Drinking Water Taskforce Report
April 9
Healthy Homes & Communities Summit
April 29
Employment Opportunities
HCDNNJ
Healthy Homes and Communities Project Coordinator
Ironbound Community Corporation
Full Time Therapist, ICC Breaking The Cycle: Domestic Violence Program
Ironbound Community Corporation
Environmental Justice Coordinator
Ironbound Community Corporation
Human Resource Manager
Leviticus Fund
Director of Lending
Jewish Renaissance Foundation
Bilingual Academic Instructor
Jewish Renaissance Foundation
Accountant - Temporary/Full Time
Resources
"Fair Chance" Ordinances Toolkit Available from National Housing Law Project
The National Housing Law Project (NHLP) released a "Fair Chance Ordinances: An Advocates' Toolkit," providing step-by-step guidance to creating such a local ordinance to provide a "fair chance" to people previously engaged with the criminal justice system. Read More
State of Working America Wages
The Economic Policy Institute's annual report, "State of Working America Wages 2019," examines hourly wage trends over the last 40 years. The report finds that, for most workers, wages have grown in only 10 of the last 40 years, and the highest earners continue to pull away from middle- and low-wage workers. Read More
Coronavirus Disease: What Supportive Housing Providers Need to Know
When supportive housing providers hear "vulnerable populations are most likely to be impacted by the disease," we all know that few groups are as vulnerable as our residents. Most supportive housing residents have histories of homelessness and are managing multiple health conditions. CSH has pulled together information from a variety of sources, considering the material from the vantage point of supportive housing providers, to help your agency best support your residents, your staff and your community. Read More
Funding Opportunities
Program Brings the Arts to the Underserved
The Challenge America program offers support to small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations, such as those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability. Grants are available for professional arts programming and for projects that emphasize the potential of the arts in community development. Applications must be submitted to grants.gov by April 9, 2020. The deadline for submissions to the NEA applicant portal is April 21, 2020.
Grants Enhance Family Services Programs Serving East Coast States
Charlie's Heart Foundation supports nonprofit human service organizations and local or state government entities headquartered within the Eastern United States. The focus is on supporting innovative human service projects that empower families to stay together when difficult life circumstances challenge the family structure. Letters of interest/organizational summaries must be submitted by email by April 1, 2020; invited full grant applications will be due by June 1, 2020. Read More
Community Improvement Projects Supported
The AARP Community Challenge grant program is supporting quick-action projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages. Nonprofit organizations and government agencies may apply for grants for projects to improve housing, transportation, public space, technology ("smart cities"), civic engagement, and more. Eligible projects should demonstrate the ability to accelerate and sustain the community's livability for all, especially those 50+. The application deadline is April 1, 2020.
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