IN THIS ISSUE:
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Feature Story: The Anatomy of Success -- The Story of CCRP in the South Bronx | |
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Policy | |
| • | State Policy | |
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Funding Opportunities | |
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Experts Online | |
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Conferences and Events | |
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Information Resources | |
Feature
The Anatomy of Success
Two expert community development practitioners, Anita Miller and Tom Burns, have written a new guidebook on comprehensive community development. The book, called Going Comprehensive: Anatomy of an Initiative that Worked, examines the Comprehensive Community Revitalization Program (CCRP), a groundbreaking community building program that launched in 1992 and operated for more than six years. It lays out the key elements and guiding principles of the initiative, which helped produce one of America’s most remarkable urban turnaround stories, that of New York’s once-stricken South Bronx.
Ms. Miller, who was Program Director and designer of CCRP, and Mr. Burns, a national community development consultant, outline a bold and now widely acclaimed approach to community development which builds upon the successes of physical development to strengthen the social infrastructure of neighborhoods. LISC's Sustainable Communities strategy and Chicago LISC’s current New Communities Program (NCP) are just two initiatives that draw directly upon the CCRP experience.
As the community development industry grows and broadens its focus, the principles gleaned from the CCRP approach will continue to provide key insights into what it takes to for redevelopment to succeed and endure. Read the full report >>
Policy
State Policy News
Washington State Community Advocates End 2007 Session with Big Wins!
The Washington Low Income Housing Alliance and its many partner organizations once again ended a year of advocacy, organizing, education and policy research with passage of new housing legislation and adoption of a biennial budget that provides critical new neighborhood resources. Always on the cutting edge of state policy issues and practice, state advocates note 5 key victories:
- $4 million in general funding for an Offender Reentry Housing program and $1 million in vouchers for Foster Youth. Advocates are especially pleased that this funding is a significant step in using housing as a preventive measure
- Action on manufactured housing enforcement and preservation, a priority issue for Washington housers. Through a series of town meetings with legislators and a wide campaign, advocates successfully won real and enforceable landlord tenant dispute resolution inside the State Attorney General’s Office. In addition, the State Housing Trust Fund has added funding solely dedicated to preserving manufactured home parks.
- A 30% increase in funding for the State Housing Trust Fund to $130 million. This marks the fourth consecutive yearly increase for the Washington Fund.
- Passage of a new $8 document recording fee for housing. Generating $12.5 million annually in local dollars, the Affordable Housing for All bill adds revenues that will also generate about $25.6 million this biennium for homeless housing assistance services and programs.
- Extension of tax relief to locally funded affordable housing projects. Current property tax exemption of affordable and supportive housing developments funded through State and Federal programs (such as the Housing Trust Fund) is now joined with exemptions for developments funded with locally administered, non Trust Fund dollars. New legislation also disallows highest and best use in assessing the value of low income housing projects.
Funding Opportunities
The U.S. Department of Education is accepting applications for its Safe and Drug-Free Schools-Mentoring Program. Approximately 200 grants of $100,000-$200,000 each will be awarded to mentoring programs that address the academic and social needs of children in rural or high-crime areas. The application deadline is May 23. Additional information may be found at http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=13477
Entergy Corporation is accepting applications for its Community Partnership Grants program. The program awards grants of up to $1,000 each for projects that effectively impact arts and culture, community improvement/enrichment, education and literacy, or healthy families. Applicant organizations must be located within Entergy’s service territory in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, or Texas. The deadline is May 31. Additional information may be found at http://www.entergy.com/our_community/cpGrant_Guidelines.aspx
The KnowledgeWorks Foundation, in partnership with the American Architectural Foundation, seeks submissions for the Richard Riley Award. The award recognizes design and educational excellence in "schools as centers of community." An award of $10,000 will be given to a public or charter school that provides social, civic, recreational, and artistic opportunities to students and the broader community. The application deadline is July 9. Additional information may be found at http://www.richardrileyaward.org/en/Index.asp
Experts Online
- Improving Safety in Immigrant Communities
May 23, 2007 -- 2:00–3:30 pm EST
Reducing and preventing crime in neighborhoods with diverse immigrant populations is a uniquely challenging endeavor. Often the sheer number of languages spoken by residents can hinder broad-based community organizing and positive police-community interaction. In addition, immigrants who fear deportation or recall negative experiences with law enforcement in their countries of origin may be reluctant to report crime or otherwise work with police to improve neighborhood safety.
What can police departments do? How can community organizations help? This webcast discussion will highlight the perspective of a senior police executive on policies, practices and partnerships that can improve policing in immigrant communities. Community developers who have partnered with police on this issue will discuss their role in crafting effective collaborative strategies with police and community members. - Executive Transition: The Art of Hiring Leaders
June 6, 2007; 2:00 - 3:30 pm ET
According to three major nonprofit leadership studies, the war for talent is on. Nonprofits spend millions of dollars each year on executive search firms and talent scouts looking for new leadership. With more than 65% of nonprofit leaders saying they intend to leave their jobs between 2005 to 2010 and fewer entrants into the workforce, you can’t afford to leave the future of your organization to chance.
Join consultant and author Barbara Gilvar as she speaks about her new book The Art of Hiring Leaders and important strategies for nonprofits to ensure they are planning and prepared for a successful executive transition.
A detailed description of upcoming Experts Online sessions is now available in the monthly Experts Online ... Coming Attractions.
Conferences and Events
2007 Community Development Policy Summit
June 21-22, 2007
Cleveland Marriot Downtown
The community development environment has become increasingly complex in the 30 years since the Community Reinvestment Act was passed. This 5th annual Policy Summit will take a look at challenges and opportunities – including unintended consequences of the democratization of credit and the integration of revitalization strategies with regional economic development – that help shape public policy. For updates on the conference, registration information, and a link to hotel reservations, go to www.clevelandfed.org/2007policysummit.
2007 LISC Financial Management Professionals' Conference
August 1-3, 2007
Westin St. Francis, San Francisco, CA
The only conference in the industry designed exclusively for CDC financial management professionals, this annual event combines stimulating plenary presentations with interactive workshops and peer to peer networking to examine current industry trends, explore best business practices, and help managers maintain financially sound organizations. The conference is an invaluable opportunity for individuals from around the country to come together to network and exchange ideas on performance, capacity and training; explore ways to strengthen financial systems; build relationships with colleagues; and search out better solutions to common challenges. more info >>
Reclaiming Vacant Properties: Strategies for Rebuilding America’s Neighborhoods
September 24-25, 2007
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Don’t miss out on the first national conference devoted to the transformation of vacant properties into community assets. This two-day conference will bring together practitioners, policymakers, concerned citizens, financial institutions, and many others from throughout the country to share model practices and problem-solve -- focusing on helping realize the potential of vacant properties as community assets, and highlighting strategies to ensure they benefit the residents, communities, and cities around them. Reclaiming Vacant Properties will provide tools to prevent, acquire, and reuse vacant properties in ways that rebuild neighborhoods, improve public safety and health, and spur economic growth. more info >>
2007 CHAM Conference
November 4-6, 2007
Miami Beach, Florida
This popular conference convenes professionals from across the industry and around the country for collective problem solving and professional development. The CHAM conference has emerged as the foremost educational and networking event for professional asset and property managers dedicated to expanding the capacity of community-based organizations to responsibly own and professionally manage affordable housing. CHAM is a consortium of three leaders in the affordable housing and community development industry dedicated to asset management excellence: LISC, Enterprise, and NeighborWorks® America. more info >>
LISC is hosting, presenting at, and/or helping to sponsor all of the events listed above.
Information Resources
2007 Charter School Facility Finance Landscape
This 2007 edition of the Landscape provides an updated and expanded snapshot of the public and nonprofit financing programs for charter school facilities across the nation. Based on extensive research and over 150 interviews, the survey includes descriptions of financing products and geographic markets for 25 private nonprofit providers currently active in the sector and two public-private partnerships in Indianapolis and Massachusetts. Read the full report >>
Refinanced & Reborn: Planning for the Year 15 Transition of Your Tax Credit Projects
This manual was prepared by New York City LISC for its CDCs but applies generally to all CDCs who have tax credit projects. It presents a general framework to help you formulate a plan to acquire your project at the end of the 15-year tax credit compliance period and preserve its affordability. You will learn how to consider the legal agreements, project performance, and market forces that will influence your acquisition plan. Working with your consultant, accountant and legal counsel, you can then carefully analyze the details of your project and formulate a purchase offer. Read the full report >>
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