January 5,2012 ANHD Inc Reader
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JANUARY 5, 2012 - SPECIAL EDITION - VOLUME XXXVII - NO 1
Too Little Too Late
gov cuomo plans to create new bureaus for homeowners and tenants
overnor Andrew M. Cuomo yesterday delivered his 2012 State of the State Address in which he evoked the progressive spirit of New York’s past. Unfortunately, his plans to help homeowners facing foreclosure and tenants fall short of this vision.
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INSIDE: Trainings p4 Year in Review p6 Jobs p14
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A new supportive housing development in the Bronx offers a sense of community with on-site supportive services
http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/html/pr2011/pr-12-07-11.shtml
GOV CUOMO ANNOUNCES CREATION OF RELIEF UNITS FOR HOMEOWNERS AND TENANTS
For the second time, Governor Andrew Cuomo laid out his vision for the empire state during his 2012 State of the State Address. Picking up from points he hammered during his 2011 SoS Address, Cuomo emphasized to the audience – which included NYC Mayor Bloomberg and seemingly every state senator and assembly member – that New York still has a $2 billion deficit to fill, and made it clear he intended for the state to do so with “no new taxes or fees.” Not once during the speech did the governor mention the words “affordable housing”, yet he did spend just over a minute as he announced two new statewide units to combat foreclosure and provide counseling and mediation services to help New Yorkers stay in their homes, and better protect tenants and ensure the tough rent regulations enacted in 2011 are properly enforced. “The Department of Financial Services will create a Foreclosure Relief Unit to provide counseling and mediation services to help New Yorkers stay in their homes,” said Cuomo. “To better protect tenants and ensure the tough rent regulations enacted in 2011 are properly enforced,[the] New York State Homes and Community Renewal will create a Tenant Protection Unit to investigate fraud and prosecute landlords who fail to maintain essential services.” “Our challenge for 2012 is this,” said Governor Cuomo. “How does government spur job creation in a down economy while limiting spending and maintaining fiscal discipline? The answer is forging public-private partnerships that leverage state resources to generate billions of dollars in economic growth and create thousands of jobs.” Twenty-five billion dollars in economic activity was the goal set by Cuomo during his speech, to help the state rebuild itself city by city through “a reimagined government” that would partner with the private sector to leverage just over a billion of public funds for a 20 to 1 ratio in capital to pay for the projects. Cuomo
Above: The amount of business activity put forth by Gov. Cuomo during his 2012 State of the State speech is estimated at $25 billion, which includes a $2 billion Jacob Javits redevelopment initiative modelled after Battery Park City.
singled out the City of Buffalo to receive $1billion in targeted funds to help the city rebuild. During his speech Cuomo thrice made mention of his “master plan for the Jacob Javits Center”. Cuomo called for the 675,000 square feet site to be revitalized using more than $2 billion in estimated private sector development funds to create a new 21st century neighborhood on the West Side, using the same template used for Battery Park City. Additionally, Cuomo lauded Albany legislature for having capped property taxes, close 3800 prison beds, enact marriage equality, and replace the state’s flat tax with a fairer tax code that taxes higher income earners more. “2011 will go down in history as historic success. 2012 is the year were going to make the empire state the empire state once again. Last year we learned to walk next year were going to run.” Read the Governor’s plan here http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/ sos2012
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City Seeks Proposals From Developers To Build Affordable Housing And Public Housing Units In Ocean Hill, Brooklyn
http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/html/pr2011/pr-12-20-11.shtml
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The Department of Justice December 21 filed its largest residential fair lending settlement in history to resolve allegations that Countrywide Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries engaged in a widespread pattern or practice of discrimination against qualified African-American and Hispanic borrowers in their mortgage lending from 2004 through 2008. The settlement provides $335 million in compensation for victims of Countrywide’s discrimination during a period when Countrywide originated millions of residential mortgage loans as one of the nation’s largest single-family mortgage lenders. The settlement, which is subject to court approval, was filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in conjunction with the department’s complaint which alleges that Countrywide discriminated by charging more than 200,000 African-American and Hispanic borrowers higher fees and interest rates than non-Hispanic white borrowers in both its retail and wholesale lending. The complaint alleges that these borrowers were charged higher fees and interest rates because of their race or national origin, and not because of the borrowers’ creditworthiness or other objective criteria related to borrower risk. The United States also alleges that Countrywide discriminated by steering thousands of African-American and Hispanic borrowers into subprime mortgages when non-Hispanic white borrowers with similar credit profiles received prime loans. All the borrowers who were discriminated against were qualified for Countrywide mortgage loans according to Countrywide’s own underwriting criteria. “The department’s action against Countrywide makes clear that we will not hesitate to hold financial institutions accountable, including one of the nation’s largest, for lending discrimination,”
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT REACHES HISTORIC SETTLEMENT TO RESOLVE ALLEGED DISCRIMINATION BY COUNTRYWIDE
On strategy, tactics &
said Attorney General Eric Holder (pictured right). “These institutions should make judgments based on applicants’ creditworthiness, not on the color of their skin. With [the] settlement, the federal government will ensure that the more than 200,000 African-American and Hispanic borrowers who were discriminated against by Countrywide will be entitled to compensation.” The settlement resolves the United States’ pricing and steering claims against Countrywide for its discrimination against African Americans and Hispanics. The United States’ complaint alleges that African-American and Hispanic borrowers paid more than non-Hispanic white borrowers, not based on borrower risk, but because of their race or national origin. Countrywide’s business practice allowed its loan officers and mortgage brokers to vary a loan’s interest rate and other fees from the price it set based on the borrower’s objective credit-related factors . This subjective and unguided pricing discretion resulted in African American and Hispanic borrowers paying more. The complaint further alleges that Countrywide was aware the fees and interest rates it was charging discriminated against African-American and Hispanic borrowers, but failed to impose meaningful limits or guidelines to stop it. “Countrywide’s actions contributed to the housing crisis, hurt entire communities, and denied families access to the American dream,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “We are using every tool in our law enforcement arsenal, including some that were dormant for years, to go after institutions of all sizes that discriminated against families solely because of their race or national origin.”
NeighborWorks Center for Homeownership Education and Counseling
NCHEC
Take Your Homeownership Counseling Program to the Next Level
Register Today for the NeighborWorks Training Institute's
HO103 Lending Basics and HO253 FHA-Insured Loans: An Affordable Mortgage Option Sponsored by Citi
Long Island City, NY ♦ Feb. 13 - 17, 2012
Citi and NCHEC have partnered to provide these trainings to homeownership counselors. The course will provide counselors the skills, procedures and content needed to create new homeowners.
Click here to register, and use invitation code CitiPBT12 Application deadline is January 27th
Seating is limited -- event may fill up prior to deadline. Citi is covering the cost of tuition for the course, and a continental breakfast and lunch each day; travel, parking and lodging are on your own expense.
Citi and NeighborWorks America through the NeighborWorks Center for Homeownership Education and Counseling (NCHEC) are offering training for non-profit organizations to increase capacity and efficiencies of housing counseling providers. Through this partnership, Citi and NeighborWorks are working together to make available quality training, certification, tools and resources to homeownership educators and counselors.
NeighborWorks America Training Division 1325 G Street, NW Suite 800 • Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 800-438-5547 or 202-220-2454 • Fax: 202-376-2168 • E-mail: nchec@nw.org www.nw.org/nchec
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Read our blogs on www.anhd.org
We’ve created a blog— “Neighborhoods Matter”—that we believe will be a valuable voice for the community-based housing movement. The “Neighborhoods Matter” blog may be accessed through the ANHD website homepage.
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Earlier this month, the Chief Executive Officer of M&T Bank, Robert Wilmers, was named 2011 Banker of the Year by the financial industry trade publication American Banker. The staff at ANHD is apparently not reading American Banker as closely as we should, because we were surprised by the selection. We think of American Banker as, more often then not, enunciating the point of view of the large commercial banks, for example, inveighing against many of the important and common-sense provisions in the Dodd-Frank financial industry reform act. Robert Wilmers, on the other hand, is something of a contrarian within the bank industry, a powerful advocate for communitybased banking and smaller banks who argues that the key business and public obligation of banks is to rely on local knowledge to guide the process of gathering customer deposits and extending credit where it is needed. From his June 13th op-ed, “Small Banks, Big Banks, Giant Differences”, in Bloomberg News: “There are reasons for bankers like me to view these as good times. Bank profits are up and failures have ebbed. Nonetheless, I remain troubled about the state of the financial-services industry. Here’s why: community banks have given way to big banks and excessive industry concentration; profits are increasingly driven by risky trading; leverage is taking precedence over prudent lending; compensation is out of control. This toxic combination leads to continued taxpayer risk and threatens long- term U.S. prosperity.”
ANHD APPLAUDS M&T BANK CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR WINNING BANKER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Wilmer goes on to make a powerful argument for communitybased banking and smaller banks. M&T Bank is a mid-side commercial bank, which American Banker praised for weathering the current economic downturn far better then most of its peers because the bank followed Wilmer’s core philosophy of knowing its local markets and lending appropriately and responsibly. M&T Bank has consistently ranked high in ANHD’s State of Bank Reinvestment in New York City analysis. The bank’s CRA staff of Steve Flax and Naima Oyo are deeply dedicated and effective, and ANHD applauds Robert Wilmers for winner the Banker of the Year award. You can read the op-ed in its entirety here.
Photo: M&T Bank Chief Executive Officer Robert Wilmers Credit: madashell.com
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Read our blogs on www.anhd.org
We’ve created a blog— “Neighborhoods Matter”—that we believe will be a valuable voice for the community-based housing movement. The “Neighborhoods Matter” blog may be accessed through the ANHD website homepage.
Photo: ANHD Boardmembers applaud graduate students for having completed two semesters of the CNL Fellowship program. The Fellowship program provided many highlights for ANHD in 2011.
2011year in review
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JANUARY Our coverage of affordable housing issues in 2011 began on the steps of City Hall as over 200 tenants gathered on a cold Monday evening for a candlelight vigil to call on Governor Andrew Cuomo and the State Legislature to renew and strengthen the state tenant protection laws that were due to expire in June. Three weeks later, numerous tenants and organizers gave testimony during a subsequent public hearing given by the NY Assembly on the same issue. During this month, the debate over how to develop the Seward Park Urban Renewal Area (SPURA) came to a climax, as community leaders, after years spent in conflict, voted overwhelmingly to support a development plan for the area. The comprehensive plan approved by the Community Board covered housing, retail, education, and nightlife and included the construction of 800 to 1,000 new apartment units. January was also the month when NYC’s HPD announced the creation of the Proactive Housing Preservation Initiative, a new offensive against dilapidated buildings. The Initiative was a direct response to advocates and housing organizers demands of greater public resources and pressure on private landlords and lenders to preserve buildings threatened by physical and fiscal deterioration. FEBRUARY In February members again took to the streets, this time to express their concerns about HPD’s proposal to extend 421-a tax breaks to thousands of stalled residential development projects. HPD claimed the extension was necessary to spur construction and create jobs. Leaders of the city’s affordable housing community, however, saw the extension as an expensive giveaway at a time when the city was cutting essential services. Another highlight was New York City Council speaker Christine Quinn announcing the introduction and her support of The Responsible Banking Ordinance (Intro 485) during Brooklyn Congregations United membership conference. MARCH March marked our inaugural Neighborhoods Matter conference, where ANHD was honored to be joined by several key state and city officials including Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Brian Lawlor from the state Department of Housing and Community Renewal. The conference focused on celebrating and furthering the contributions of neighborhood-based housing groups and
exploring strategies for ensuring banks remain responsive to local credit needs. Spurred by a bill introduced by Council Member Bill Lander, residents on East 28th street, and members of the Homeowner’s Association for the betterment of Foster Ave, E.28 St, Rogers Ave and Newkirk Ave (FERN), took to the street and called on homes foreclosed by banks to be properly maintained by banks. These collective actions propelled Bank of America to comply with FERN’s demands. APRIL April brought many changes for tenants in the Bronx. The complex known as Borinquen Court was sold to the West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing (also known as WSFSSH) in a HUD-sponsored auction. Across town, tenants of 735 Bryant Ave in the Bronx held a press conference to bring attention to the disinvestment and physical neglect that has plagued their building, as well as 33 others, for years. The plan worked and several dilapidated buildings in the Bronx, including those within the infamous Milbank portfolio, would be purchased by Finklestein Timberger LLC in a $27.75 million deal for 10 buildings just one month later. The purchase beaconed not only the end of serial neglect that had plagued the building, it also signified a new model for bringing overleveraged properties out of the cycle of speculation. Also in April, just over 4 months to the day of Occupy Wall Street, hundreds of people, on May 12, committed themselves to a mass teach-in on Wall Street in protest of big banks and proposed state and municipal cuts to social services. MAY May was also the month of one of the largest preservation deals for the city. ANHD members Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation and University Neighborhood Housing Program (UNHP) closed on an 8 building rehab deal with 526 units, and HUD support for at least 20 years. Figures of the West Farms deal neared ninedigits. It was and remains – as far as highest number of building and units in a single deals go – one of the largest deals undertaken by a not for profit developer. JUNE Each day in June brought its own jarring anxiety, with the countdown to the expiration of NY’s rent regulations scheduled for June 15. With a sense of urgency, New Yorkers again took to the
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streets. The message to Governor Cuomo was clear: “Strengthen the state’s rent regulation laws now.” Hundreds of tenants and advocates gathered in Queens in a tent city dubbed “Cuomoville”. This action was part of a series of tent city actions across the five boroughs meant to draw attention to the plight of tenants if the governor and state legislature failed in renewing and strengthening the rent laws by June 15. They did. However, for working class households, the anxiety surrounding their housing status ended June 24 as Governor Cuomo picked up the loose ends of “the people’s business” and hammered out an omnibus bill that renewed and strengthened the state’s rent laws, among other things. The Rent Act of 2011 passed by Albany provided a four-year extension of the Emergency Housing Rent Control Law (EHRCL) from June 16, 2011 until June 15, 2015, just after the state’s 2014 gubernatorial election. There were several key provisions. Firstly, the act raised the vacancy decontrol threshold to $2,500. Secondly, the act made modest improvements to the Individual Apartment Improvement (or 1/40th) program. For buildings with 35 or more units, landlords should only be able to pass on 1/60th of those costs compared to the current 1/40th formula. For smaller buildings, the 1/40th formula remains intact. Thirdly, landlords should only be able to take the vacancy bonus, which allows rents to increase by 20 percent, once a year. Finally, the act raised the high income threshold from $175,000 to $200,000 for higher income tenants. Days before the city’s 2012 fiscal year began, ANHD and our members fought the Bloomberg Administration’s proposal to slash the Neighborhood Preservation Consultant Program (NPCP) by almost 50 percent, winning a restoration of half the proposed cut. The enacted cuts are meaningful, however, and communitybased organizations are struggling to keep tenants in place, work with landlords to ensure buildings remain in good condition, and initiate larger neighborhood stabilization efforts. JULY In July ANHD and the New York Immigration Coalition celebrated its 2010-2011 class of community organizers for their hard work (1700 hours of approved work required for successful completion of the program), for their collective and individual perseverance, and for their individual commitment to progressive community change through community organizing and local leadership development. Working at ten organizations located throughout New York City, the apprentices made significant contributions to organizing and advocacy campaigns within the Korean, Puerto Rican, Bangladeshi, Dominican, African-American and other communities on issues including the strengthening and renewal of expiring rent regulations, getting New York State to opt out of the federal Secure Communities program, predatory equity, bank accountability, community land use and development, and affordable housing. AUGUST In August, controversy over Qualified Residential Mortgages (QRM) and the merger between Capital One and ING Direct USA dominated most of our advocacy efforts. As with much our reinvestment advocacy, our main concern was that both developments would affect negatively the availability of credit to low- and moderate-income communities. In the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, federal agencies introduced QRMs. As proposed, banks are required to maintain a 5 percent hold on all mortgage backed securities - with the exception of QRMs. Qualified Residential Mortgages already include FHA and VA loans, but additional exemptions were being considered. The proposal was to give QRM exemption for mortgages with a 20 percent down payment and high liquidity. While we commended federal regulators for prohibiting banks from engaging in reckless home purchase products and practices, we felt proposed QRM requirements did more harm than good. Because high down payment requirements are one criteria in QRMs, homeownership — especially in high cost cities like New York — will be out of reach for all but the wealthiest borrowers. As this issue is ongoing, we still believe regulators must reconsider these steep down payment requirements and adopt more reasonable rates of 3 percent-5 percent to avoid even further reductions in mortgage lending. The question “are bigger banks better” was at the heart of the proposed bank merger between Capital One and ING Direct USA, an internet bank with $9 billion in deposits. The proposed acquisition would have made Capital One the fifth largest bank in the country behind Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citigroup. In terms of dollars, the merger would have given Capital One more than $210 billion in deposits stretched over 1,000 branches nationwide and 149 in New York City. SEPTEMBER The Center for Neighborhood Leadership Apprenticeship Program began its 2011-2012 cycle in September. Out of hundreds of applicants from various backgrounds to the CNL program, ten New Yorkers were chosen as prime candidates to learn the art
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and science of being a community organizer; Stephanie Barreto, Sheila Garcia, Esther Choi, Jenny Cruz, Adrianna Escardon, Nikita Patel, Joel Ponder, Carolina Ramirez, Courtney Renken, and Nahida Uddin. While hundreds of “Occupy Wall Street” protestors enter Week 2 of their campaign, a different kind of campaign was fermenting in neighborhoods across the city. Over the past month, ANHD member groups hosted many community meetings to educate local leaders about the “Responsible Banking Act”–legislation that is currently working its way through the New York City Council. OCTOBER In October we released our “2011 State of Bank Reinvestment in NYC” report on the steps of City Hall. As part of the press conference, dozens of our members, tenant leaders and Council Members urged for the quick passage of Intro 485. The second annual report analyzed 20 large banks doing business in NYC and showed that some of them have not fulfilled their obligations in regards to meeting the needs of local communities. The report revealed that across the industry there was a $38 billion increase in local deposits over the past two years at the same time as there was a dramatic $4.4 billion decrease in all forms of reinvestment needed for our communities to thrive, including home purchase lending, multi-family apartment lending, community development lending and investment, and mortgage modifications. The report’s findings underscored the need for more local tools to hold banks accountable. NOVEMBER For us November was a month of national collaboration and convening. The New York Mortgage Coalition held its conference entitled “Power of Collaboration” on November 7, 2011 at One Chase Manhattan Plaza. Representatives from lenders, government agencies, advocacy groups, and the city’s premiere community development organizations listened to successful examples of collaborations. They learned what made them work and where lay more opportunities for future teamwork during the half-day conference that was itself a collaborative event. It was jointly hosted by New York Mortgage Coalition (NYMC), Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City (NHSNYC), and Center for NYC Neighborhoods (CNYCN). A week later, over 130 elected officials, policy experts and community organizers from twelve cities attended the day-long convening at the New York University School of Law. The daylong conference, jointly organized by ANHD and the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), gave elected officials, advocates and community organizers a platform to exchange their achievements, setbacks and strategies related to creating and administering local tools to resuscitate community development, affordable housing, small business lending and retail banking services in their communities. In so doing, the conference made clear that momentum for municipalities to pass local versions of the Community Reinvestment Act is growing not only in NYC, but also in cities like Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and San Diego, all of whom were represented at the convening. Additionally, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle are pursuing this strategy. DECEMBER We kicked off December with our annual member meeting on Thursday, December 1, at New York Law School. The main purpose of the meeting was to develop an affordable housing platform that will shape the next Mayoral administration. Members responded to our draft platform and broke into lively, engaged small groups to share policy recommendations on a wide range of issues including: new affordable housing construction, preservation, homeownership opportunities, foreclosure prevention, neighborhood stabilization, tenant protections, bank accountability, public housing, and more. Thanks to our Board of Directors, members, funders, and elected officials for supporting our efforts in 2011. We look forward to working collaboratively and another productive year in 2012!
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JOBS
PAGE 12 JANUARY 5, 2011 - VOLUME XXXVII - NO 1
List jobs on www.anhdinc.org
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FAC seeks SBADI Community Organizer
RESPONSIBILITIES: The Community Organizer will work closely with the Executive Director and Director of Organizing and other community leaders and colleagues as needed to ensure effective SBADI campaigns and coalition participation. The SBADI Community Organizer will be responsible for leading Fifth Avenue Committee’s (FAC) South Brooklyn Accountable Development Initiative (SBADI) which advances a new vision of economic development in New York City in which public policy delivers truly affordable housing, environmental justice and sustainability, living wage jobs and livable neighborhoods. SALARY-$40-45k annually, commensurate with experience. Competitive benefits package includes full health and dental insurance (following three month wait period), 18 days paid vacation annually, paid sick and personal days and 403B employee retirement savings and flexible spending accounts. Email resume, cover letter and salary history with “SBADI Community Organizer” in the subject line by January 11th, 2012 to: ztorres@ fifthave.org Attn: Zoilo Torres, Director of Organizing and Advocacy Fifth Avenue Committee, Inc. 621 DeGraw Street Brooklyn, NY 11217
Minkwon looking for Advocacy & Organizing Director
RESPONSIBILITIES: The MinKwon Center for Community Action invites applications for an Advocacy & Organizing Director. The Advocacy & Organizing Director will work closely with our Advocacy & Organizing and other staff to strengthen and develop our advocacy campaigns and grassroots organizing work with our communities. The Advocacy & Organizing Director would help lead our Advocacy and Community Organizing Program to engage in advocacy campaigns on issues such as comprehensive immigration reform, fairer allocation of city and state budgets and other social justice issues; and to develop an informed, active base of community members engaged on these issues. The Director would have the following specific responsibilities: The MinKwon Center will accept applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please prepare and send a detailed cover letter and resume describing your interest in the organization and position to Steven Choi, schoi@minkwon.org.
Minkwon looking for a Development Director
The MinKwon Center for Community Action invites applications for a Development Director. The Development Director will work closely with the Executive Director and with other staff, Board and volunteers to plan, execute and implement a robust fundraising strategy for the organization. RESPONSIBILITIES: Set annual fundraising goals together with organization’s leadership, and meet goals through strong execution of development efforts; Prospect potential funding streams of all sources (foundation, major donor, individual, corporate, government), and develop new funding partnership opportunities; Help plan, execute and implement annual Gala, a Spring Reception, and at least two mailed appeals to raise funds and awareness of the MinKwon Center and its mission; and Maintain detailed grants management database, records, and systems. Two plus years experience in development and fundraising efforts and developing relationships with funders (strongly preferred). The MinKwon Center will accept applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please prepare and send a detailed cover letter and resume describing your interest in the organization and position to Steven Choi, schoi@minkwon.org.
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West Harlem Group Assistance, Inc. is seeking a Director of Human Resources
RESPONSIBILITIES: Ensures that West Harlem Group Assistance and its affiliates are in full compliancewith all federal, state and local laws and regulations, oversees human resources policies, personnel files and records and ensures compliance with established personnel policies. Responsible for overseeing the grievance process, dispute resolution, termination of employees, conducting exit interviews and responding to verification of employment and reference requests. Responsible for the supervision and coordination of job postings, recruitment, orientation, staff training and development and the hiring process of staff and volunteers. Administers all benefits programs. Reports to the Executive Director and works closely with all directors and managers of WHGA and its affiliates Qualifications: Qualifications: Candidate must have a 4 year Bachelors Degree in Human Resource Management or related field, and specific training or certification in Human Resource Management. SHRM Certification preferred. 5-7 years of work experience in human resource management and knowledge of not for-profit sector required. Ability to interact with all levels of employees and work courteously and confidentially. Strong verbal and written communication skills, union negotiation and dispute resolution skills. Computer literate in Microsoft Office Suite. Bilingual in English/Spanish a plus Salary: Commensurate with Experience. Mail or fax resume and cover letter to June P. Andrews, Deputy Director, West Harlem Group Assistance, Inc., 1652 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10031 Fax: (212) 862-3281
Chhaya CDC is seeking an Intake Specialist
Chhaya seeks an energetic intake specialist to be part of its dynamic program team. The intake specialist will be one of the critical front-line staff, helping South Asian and other immigrant clients in navigating and selecting the appropriate housing counseling program at Chhaya. Candidate will receive necessary trainings. RESPONSIBILITIES: Responsibilities include conducting triage, and scheduling appointments with appropriate staff; conducting one-on-one intake counseling sessions with tenants, prospective homebuyers, at-risk homeowners and other clients; presenting workshops and information sessions and assisting with the preparation of monthly as well as other counseling reports. Candidates need to be multilingual in English, Bangla, Hindi, Nepali, Punjabi or Urdu and have excellent customer service and computer skills. This is a full time position, 40 hours per week. Anticipated start date is the third week of November 2011. Salary will be commensurate with experience plus excellent benefits including, medical and dental benefits, 403b option, TransitChek and generous vacation and holidays. To apply send a resume, a thoughtful cover letter and list of references to Homeownership Program Manager Mamta Gurung, at Careers@ chhayacdc.org
Looking for an Assistant Director
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Jericho Project is looking to hire an Assistant Director who will oversee all property management functions at West Tremont, and also conduct direct program services.
Responsibilities for the full-time, Bronx-based position includes developing marketing programs; supervising tenant selection process and participating in tenant interviews, developing and overseeing compliance with leases and house rules, conducting community meetings, supervising maintenance programs, and completing reports to government and other funders. Interested applicants must submit a cover letter and resume to: Human Resources Department Jericho Project Job Code: KingsbridgeAD 245 W. 29th Street, Suite 902 New York, NY 10001 Fax: 646.624.2301 Email: hr@jerichoproject.org
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SFDS Development Corporation Seeks a CEO
RESPONSIBILITIES: Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO provides strategic planning, management and oversight of all aspects of the operations and development of the 33 employee organization. The CEO oversees all aspects of the organization’s budgets and financial planning, personnel and employee management and the various regulatory requirements of the organization’s affordable housing projects. The CEO works extensively with City and State housing agencies, appointed and elected officials and member of the community. SALARY: $90,000 - $150,000 BENEFITS: Corporation provides Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Long term disability. QUALIFICATIONS: The successful candidate will have at least 10 years experience in affordable housing or related fields with an accomplished track record in managing complex organizations. In addition, the successful candidate will have established relationships in the community development field and strong technical background in affordable housing or real estate finance. Ability to communicate in Spanish is a plus. START DATE: 04/01/2012 Email resume and cover letter to James F. Janeski at sfdsdevcorp@ earthlink.net
Looking for a Director of Building Services
RESPONSIBILITIES: A nonprofit agency located in NYC is seeking a Director of Building Services. Responsibilities include supervising maintenance department including building and apartment repairs and preventative maintenance on all building systems; Identifying and monitoring all outside contracted work. Director is also responsible for inventory controls, correction of violations and staff annual performance reviews. Qualifications: High School diploma required; 3-5 years experience working in as Supervisory position in residential building maintenance. Experience in maintenance repair and superintendent level skills. Experience in heating, plumbing and electrical required. Background in construction, helpful. Good written & strong verbal communication skills required. Ability to work flexible schedule and be available for on call emergencies. Bilingual, Spanish preferred. Salary: Commensurate with Experience. Email resume and cover letter in word format with position in subject line to resumes134@yahoo.com
Looking for a Director of Property Management
RESPONSIBILITIES: A nonprofit agency located in NYC is seeking a passionate individual with understanding of social and economic problems related to housing needs for low income individuals to become the Director of Property Management. This individual will have with at least 5 years experience in the daily operations and supervision of a property management department.The individual will be responsible for ensuring coordination between city agencies, construction management, Maintenance and Accounting Departments. The qualified individual will have experience in capital planning and familiarity with negotiating commercial leases. The key individual will have knowledge of and experience working with Section 8 and other existing housing voucher programs. This person must be well versed in HUD regulations, guidelines and procedures. The successful candidate for this position must possess strong interpersonal, customer service and supervisor skills. Low Income Housing Tax Credit Certification required. Bilingual, Spanish preferred Email resume and cover letter in word format with position in subject line to resumes134@yahoo.com
Looking for an Activities Coordinator
PACC seeks to hire an Activities Coordinator to work with the residents at Gibb Mansion. Responsibilities include initiating and organizing recreational activities for the residents of Gibb Mansion. These activities should be a mix of creative activities, in house events and trips to outside locations; Additonally, the Activities Coordinator will work with the social service staff to improve attendance at already existing events and move toward staffing some of those regular events. http://pacc.publishpath.com/activities-coordinator
GRANTS
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GRANTS
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GRANTS
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Ninety-six studio, 1,2 and 3 Bedroom units avaliable in Manhattan (Clinton Section).Application Deadline: February 20, 2012
Application for apartment lottery
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Details: http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/downloads/pdf/Clinton-section-Manhattan.pdf
Jobs Creation Grant
US Dept. of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) supports development in economically distressed areas of the United States by fostering job creation and attracting private investment. Specifically, under the FFO, EDA will consider construction, non-construction, and revolving loan fund investments under the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs. The Estimated 300 grants made under these programs will leverage regional assets to support the implementation of regional economic development strategies designed to create jobs, leverage private capital, encourage economic development, and strengthen America’s ability to compete in the global marketplace. Under the FY 2012 FFO, EDA solicits applications from rural and urban communities to develop initiatives that advance new ideas and creative approaches to address rapidly evolving economic conditions. The next four funding cycle deadlines are: (i) December 15 for funding cycle 2 of FY 2012; (ii) March 9 for funding cycle 3 of FY 2012; (iii) June 8 for funding cycle 4 of FY 2012; and (iv) September 14 for funding cycle 1 of FY 2013. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=131493 or http://www.eda.gov/PDF/FY_2012_EDAP_FFO_11-18-11_FINAL.pdf
Industrial Space Modernization RFP
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), is seeking proposals from qualified individuals, organizations or companies (“Respondents”) to renovate and reactivate, via subdivision, privately-held vacant industrial building/space(s) in New York City that face challenges leasing to modern manufacturers and industrial companies. NYCEDC, in cooperation with the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”), intends to disburse up to $8 million from the City Council Small Manufacturing Investment Fund (the “Industrial Fund”) to incentivize one or more property owners and developers to make capital improvements related to the subdivision and modernization of their industrial spaces. Four optional information sessions will be held at NYCEDC offices at 110 William Street. Information sessions will be held at 10:00 a.m., January 31, 2012; 10:00 a.m., April 24, 2012; 10:00 a.m., July 31, 2012; and 10:00 a.m., October 30, 2012. Those who wish to attend should RSVP by email to Serena Vega at svega@nycedc.com no later than three business days prior to the corresponding information session. Link: http://www.nycedc. com/ProjectsOpportunities/ RFPsRFQsRFEIs/Pages/ Opportunity255_PC.aspx
Industrial BID Development
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) is seeking consultant services in support of the development and planning of new industrial Business Improvement Districts (Industrial BID) or the expansion of existing Industrial BIDs in M-zoned districts in New York City. The new Industrial BIDs will improve the efficiency and functioning of the industrial sector in New York City by providing unique services that are targeted to the variety of issues facing industrial communities. The Industrial BIDs will provide a sustainable source of funding for the proposed industrial districts, thereby ensuring their stability and spurring their growth. An optional pre-proposal meeting will be held on Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 10:00am at NYCEDC. Those who wish to attend should RSVP by email to IndustrialBIDrfp@nycedc. com on or before January 10, 2012. Respondents may submit questions and/or request clarifications from NYCEDC no later than 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17, 2012. Questions regarding the subject matter of this RFP should be directed to IndustrialBIDrfp@nycedc.com. For all questions that do not pertain to the subject matter of this RFP please contact NYCEDC’s Contracts Hotline at (212) 312-3969. Answers to all questions will be posted by Monday, January 23, 2012, to www.nycedc.com/RFP. Deadline: Feb 22, 2012 Funding Amount: not stated Link:http://www.nycedc.com/ProjectsOpportunities/RFPsRFQsRFEIs/Pages/ Opportunity257_PC.aspx
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Eight studio units avaliable in the Brooklyn (Bushwick Section). Application Deadline: N/A Details
Application for apartment lottery
http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/downloads/pdf/Bushwick-brooklyn.pdf
Financial & Tech Assistance Awards
Through the US Dept. of the Treasury, the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Program provides: (i) Financial Assistance (FA) awards to CDFIs that have Comprehensive Business Plans for creating demonstrable community development impact through the deployment of credit, capital, and financial services within their respective Target Markets or the expansion into new Investment Areas, Low-Income Targeted Populations, or Other Targeted Populations, and (ii) Technical Assistance (TA) grants to CDFIs and entities proposing to become CDFIs in order to build their capacity to better address the community development and capital access needs of their particular Target Markets, to expand into new Investment Areas, Low-Income Targeted Populations, or Other Targeted Populations, and/ or to become certified CDFIs. Deadline: Jan 11, 2012 Funding Amount: Expected Number of Awards: 100 Estimated Total Program Funding: $123,000,000 Award Ceiling: $2,000,000 Link: http://www.cdfifund. gov/what_we_do/programs_ id.asp?programID=7
New Yorkers for Better Neighborhoods
Through New Yorkers for Better Neighborhoods, Citizens Committee for New York City awards grants to volunteer-led groups to work on community improvement projects addressing a range of issues that they identify as important to them. They also support public school based initiatives focused on the environment and beautification. Applications are accepted from volunteer-led groups based primarily in low-income neighborhoods in all five boroughs of New York City. Groups may be long-standing, newly established or in the process of forming, and are not required to have non-profit or 501(c) (3) status. Groups without this status will need a fiscal conduit or a bank account if a grant is awarded. Citizens Committee for New York City will award $40,000 in grants of $500-$3,000 to volunteer-led groups who apply by January 31, 2012. This including a new initiative directed at the ten most violent/crime-ridden neighborhoods in New York City. The John A. Reisenbach Focus Ten program is a joint effort between the Citizens Committee for New York City and the John A. Reisenbach Foundation to help fund community organizations working to reduce crime in these neighborhoods. They include the 75th, 73rd, 67th, 79th, 81st, and 77 precincts in Brooklyn, the 47th, 44th, 40th, and 42nd precincts in the Bronx, and the 105th precinct in Queens. Citizens Committee is holding application workshops to answer any questions about the application process: - Downtown Manhattan (CCNYC Offices): Monday, December 12, 6-7:30PM & Wednesday, January 11, 6-7:30PM - Queens (Queens Borough Hall, Kew Gardens): Thursday, December 8, 6-7:30PM - The Bronx (Bronx Library Center): Thursday, November 17, 6pm-7:30PM (Room C22) & Thursday, January 12, 6pm-7:30PM (Room C21) To attend one of the workshops, RSVP to Wilfredo at (212) 822-9568 or email wflorentino@ citizensnyc.org. Deadline: January 31, 2012 Funding Amount: awards range between $500 - $3,000 Link: http://www.citizensnyc.org/grants or http://www.citizensnyc.org/grants/NYBN.html
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Two studio and 1 Bedroom units avaliable in the Brooklyn (Williamsburg Section). Application Deadline: N/A
Application for apartment lottery
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Details http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/downloads/pdf/Williamsburg-brooklyn.pdf
VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program
The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program’s purpose is to provide supportive services grants to private non-profit organizations and consumer cooperatives who will coordinate or provide supportive services to very low-income veteran families who: (i) Are residing in permanent housing, (ii) are homeless and scheduled to become residents of permanent housing within a specified time period, or (iii) after exiting permanent housing within a specified time period, are seeking other housing that is responsive to such very low-income veteran family’s needs and preferences. Deadline: Feb 15, 2012 Funding Amount: Expected Number of Awards: Estimated Total Program Funding: Award Ceiling: $1,000,000 $100,000,000 125
Women’s Business Center Renewal Grant
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued Program Announcement No. OWBO-2012-02 to invite private, 501(c)-certified nonprofit organizations that are currently in SBA’s WBC program that will have successfully completed an initial 5-year WBC grant by September 29, 2012 or those centers that will have successfully completed a 3-year renewal WBC grant by September 29, 2012 and that continue to meet the program criteria as provided in the Eligibility section of the program announcement to apply for a three year WBC renewal grant. Deadline: Feb 03, 2012 Funding Amount: Expected Number of Awards: 32 Estimated Total Program Funding: $4,016,640 Award Ceiling: $125,520 Link: http://www.sba.gov/content/ womens-business-center-grantopportunities-0
Link: http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/SSVF.asp
NEA Our Town Guidelines
Through Our Town, subject to the availability of funding, the National Endowment for the Arts will provide a limited number of grants, ranging from $25,000 to $150,000, for creative placemaking projects that contribute toward the livability of communities and help transform them into lively, beautiful, and sustainable places with the arts at their core. Our Town will invest in creative and innovative projects in which communities, together with their arts and design organizations and artists, seek to: Improve their quality of life; Encourage creative activity; Create community identity and a sense of place; Revitalize local economies. Deadline: Mar 01, 2012 Funding Amount: Award Ceiling: Award Floor: $25,000 $150,000
Link: http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/OurTown/index.html
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JANUARY 5, 2012 - SPECIAL EDITION - VOLUME XXXVII - NO 1
Too Little Too Late
gov cuomo plans to create new bureaus for homeowners and tenants
overnor Andrew M. Cuomo yesterday delivered his 2012 State of the State Address in which he evoked the progressive spirit of New York’s past. Unfortunately, his plans to help homeowners facing foreclosure and tenants fall short of this vision.
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INSIDE: Trainings p4 Year in Review p6 Jobs p14
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A new supportive housing development in the Bronx offers a sense of community with on-site supportive services
http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/html/pr2011/pr-12-07-11.shtml
GOV CUOMO ANNOUNCES CREATION OF RELIEF UNITS FOR HOMEOWNERS AND TENANTS
For the second time, Governor Andrew Cuomo laid out his vision for the empire state during his 2012 State of the State Address. Picking up from points he hammered during his 2011 SoS Address, Cuomo emphasized to the audience – which included NYC Mayor Bloomberg and seemingly every state senator and assembly member – that New York still has a $2 billion deficit to fill, and made it clear he intended for the state to do so with “no new taxes or fees.” Not once during the speech did the governor mention the words “affordable housing”, yet he did spend just over a minute as he announced two new statewide units to combat foreclosure and provide counseling and mediation services to help New Yorkers stay in their homes, and better protect tenants and ensure the tough rent regulations enacted in 2011 are properly enforced. “The Department of Financial Services will create a Foreclosure Relief Unit to provide counseling and mediation services to help New Yorkers stay in their homes,” said Cuomo. “To better protect tenants and ensure the tough rent regulations enacted in 2011 are properly enforced,[the] New York State Homes and Community Renewal will create a Tenant Protection Unit to investigate fraud and prosecute landlords who fail to maintain essential services.” “Our challenge for 2012 is this,” said Governor Cuomo. “How does government spur job creation in a down economy while limiting spending and maintaining fiscal discipline? The answer is forging public-private partnerships that leverage state resources to generate billions of dollars in economic growth and create thousands of jobs.” Twenty-five billion dollars in economic activity was the goal set by Cuomo during his speech, to help the state rebuild itself city by city through “a reimagined government” that would partner with the private sector to leverage just over a billion of public funds for a 20 to 1 ratio in capital to pay for the projects. Cuomo
Above: The amount of business activity put forth by Gov. Cuomo during his 2012 State of the State speech is estimated at $25 billion, which includes a $2 billion Jacob Javits redevelopment initiative modelled after Battery Park City.
singled out the City of Buffalo to receive $1billion in targeted funds to help the city rebuild. During his speech Cuomo thrice made mention of his “master plan for the Jacob Javits Center”. Cuomo called for the 675,000 square feet site to be revitalized using more than $2 billion in estimated private sector development funds to create a new 21st century neighborhood on the West Side, using the same template used for Battery Park City. Additionally, Cuomo lauded Albany legislature for having capped property taxes, close 3800 prison beds, enact marriage equality, and replace the state’s flat tax with a fairer tax code that taxes higher income earners more. “2011 will go down in history as historic success. 2012 is the year were going to make the empire state the empire state once again. Last year we learned to walk next year were going to run.” Read the Governor’s plan here http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/ sos2012
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City Seeks Proposals From Developers To Build Affordable Housing And Public Housing Units In Ocean Hill, Brooklyn
http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/html/pr2011/pr-12-20-11.shtml
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The Department of Justice December 21 filed its largest residential fair lending settlement in history to resolve allegations that Countrywide Financial Corporation and its subsidiaries engaged in a widespread pattern or practice of discrimination against qualified African-American and Hispanic borrowers in their mortgage lending from 2004 through 2008. The settlement provides $335 million in compensation for victims of Countrywide’s discrimination during a period when Countrywide originated millions of residential mortgage loans as one of the nation’s largest single-family mortgage lenders. The settlement, which is subject to court approval, was filed today in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in conjunction with the department’s complaint which alleges that Countrywide discriminated by charging more than 200,000 African-American and Hispanic borrowers higher fees and interest rates than non-Hispanic white borrowers in both its retail and wholesale lending. The complaint alleges that these borrowers were charged higher fees and interest rates because of their race or national origin, and not because of the borrowers’ creditworthiness or other objective criteria related to borrower risk. The United States also alleges that Countrywide discriminated by steering thousands of African-American and Hispanic borrowers into subprime mortgages when non-Hispanic white borrowers with similar credit profiles received prime loans. All the borrowers who were discriminated against were qualified for Countrywide mortgage loans according to Countrywide’s own underwriting criteria. “The department’s action against Countrywide makes clear that we will not hesitate to hold financial institutions accountable, including one of the nation’s largest, for lending discrimination,”
JUSTICE DEPARTMENT REACHES HISTORIC SETTLEMENT TO RESOLVE ALLEGED DISCRIMINATION BY COUNTRYWIDE
On strategy, tactics &
said Attorney General Eric Holder (pictured right). “These institutions should make judgments based on applicants’ creditworthiness, not on the color of their skin. With [the] settlement, the federal government will ensure that the more than 200,000 African-American and Hispanic borrowers who were discriminated against by Countrywide will be entitled to compensation.” The settlement resolves the United States’ pricing and steering claims against Countrywide for its discrimination against African Americans and Hispanics. The United States’ complaint alleges that African-American and Hispanic borrowers paid more than non-Hispanic white borrowers, not based on borrower risk, but because of their race or national origin. Countrywide’s business practice allowed its loan officers and mortgage brokers to vary a loan’s interest rate and other fees from the price it set based on the borrower’s objective credit-related factors . This subjective and unguided pricing discretion resulted in African American and Hispanic borrowers paying more. The complaint further alleges that Countrywide was aware the fees and interest rates it was charging discriminated against African-American and Hispanic borrowers, but failed to impose meaningful limits or guidelines to stop it. “Countrywide’s actions contributed to the housing crisis, hurt entire communities, and denied families access to the American dream,” said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “We are using every tool in our law enforcement arsenal, including some that were dormant for years, to go after institutions of all sizes that discriminated against families solely because of their race or national origin.”
NeighborWorks Center for Homeownership Education and Counseling
NCHEC
Take Your Homeownership Counseling Program to the Next Level
Register Today for the NeighborWorks Training Institute's
HO103 Lending Basics and HO253 FHA-Insured Loans: An Affordable Mortgage Option Sponsored by Citi
Long Island City, NY ♦ Feb. 13 - 17, 2012
Citi and NCHEC have partnered to provide these trainings to homeownership counselors. The course will provide counselors the skills, procedures and content needed to create new homeowners.
Click here to register, and use invitation code CitiPBT12 Application deadline is January 27th
Seating is limited -- event may fill up prior to deadline. Citi is covering the cost of tuition for the course, and a continental breakfast and lunch each day; travel, parking and lodging are on your own expense.
Citi and NeighborWorks America through the NeighborWorks Center for Homeownership Education and Counseling (NCHEC) are offering training for non-profit organizations to increase capacity and efficiencies of housing counseling providers. Through this partnership, Citi and NeighborWorks are working together to make available quality training, certification, tools and resources to homeownership educators and counselors.
NeighborWorks America Training Division 1325 G Street, NW Suite 800 • Washington, DC 20005 Phone: 800-438-5547 or 202-220-2454 • Fax: 202-376-2168 • E-mail: nchec@nw.org www.nw.org/nchec
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Read our blogs on www.anhd.org
We’ve created a blog— “Neighborhoods Matter”—that we believe will be a valuable voice for the community-based housing movement. The “Neighborhoods Matter” blog may be accessed through the ANHD website homepage.
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Earlier this month, the Chief Executive Officer of M&T Bank, Robert Wilmers, was named 2011 Banker of the Year by the financial industry trade publication American Banker. The staff at ANHD is apparently not reading American Banker as closely as we should, because we were surprised by the selection. We think of American Banker as, more often then not, enunciating the point of view of the large commercial banks, for example, inveighing against many of the important and common-sense provisions in the Dodd-Frank financial industry reform act. Robert Wilmers, on the other hand, is something of a contrarian within the bank industry, a powerful advocate for communitybased banking and smaller banks who argues that the key business and public obligation of banks is to rely on local knowledge to guide the process of gathering customer deposits and extending credit where it is needed. From his June 13th op-ed, “Small Banks, Big Banks, Giant Differences”, in Bloomberg News: “There are reasons for bankers like me to view these as good times. Bank profits are up and failures have ebbed. Nonetheless, I remain troubled about the state of the financial-services industry. Here’s why: community banks have given way to big banks and excessive industry concentration; profits are increasingly driven by risky trading; leverage is taking precedence over prudent lending; compensation is out of control. This toxic combination leads to continued taxpayer risk and threatens long- term U.S. prosperity.”
ANHD APPLAUDS M&T BANK CHIEF EXECUTIVE FOR WINNING BANKER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Wilmer goes on to make a powerful argument for communitybased banking and smaller banks. M&T Bank is a mid-side commercial bank, which American Banker praised for weathering the current economic downturn far better then most of its peers because the bank followed Wilmer’s core philosophy of knowing its local markets and lending appropriately and responsibly. M&T Bank has consistently ranked high in ANHD’s State of Bank Reinvestment in New York City analysis. The bank’s CRA staff of Steve Flax and Naima Oyo are deeply dedicated and effective, and ANHD applauds Robert Wilmers for winner the Banker of the Year award. You can read the op-ed in its entirety here.
Photo: M&T Bank Chief Executive Officer Robert Wilmers Credit: madashell.com
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Read our blogs on www.anhd.org
We’ve created a blog— “Neighborhoods Matter”—that we believe will be a valuable voice for the community-based housing movement. The “Neighborhoods Matter” blog may be accessed through the ANHD website homepage.
Photo: ANHD Boardmembers applaud graduate students for having completed two semesters of the CNL Fellowship program. The Fellowship program provided many highlights for ANHD in 2011.
2011year in review
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JANUARY Our coverage of affordable housing issues in 2011 began on the steps of City Hall as over 200 tenants gathered on a cold Monday evening for a candlelight vigil to call on Governor Andrew Cuomo and the State Legislature to renew and strengthen the state tenant protection laws that were due to expire in June. Three weeks later, numerous tenants and organizers gave testimony during a subsequent public hearing given by the NY Assembly on the same issue. During this month, the debate over how to develop the Seward Park Urban Renewal Area (SPURA) came to a climax, as community leaders, after years spent in conflict, voted overwhelmingly to support a development plan for the area. The comprehensive plan approved by the Community Board covered housing, retail, education, and nightlife and included the construction of 800 to 1,000 new apartment units. January was also the month when NYC’s HPD announced the creation of the Proactive Housing Preservation Initiative, a new offensive against dilapidated buildings. The Initiative was a direct response to advocates and housing organizers demands of greater public resources and pressure on private landlords and lenders to preserve buildings threatened by physical and fiscal deterioration. FEBRUARY In February members again took to the streets, this time to express their concerns about HPD’s proposal to extend 421-a tax breaks to thousands of stalled residential development projects. HPD claimed the extension was necessary to spur construction and create jobs. Leaders of the city’s affordable housing community, however, saw the extension as an expensive giveaway at a time when the city was cutting essential services. Another highlight was New York City Council speaker Christine Quinn announcing the introduction and her support of The Responsible Banking Ordinance (Intro 485) during Brooklyn Congregations United membership conference. MARCH March marked our inaugural Neighborhoods Matter conference, where ANHD was honored to be joined by several key state and city officials including Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Brian Lawlor from the state Department of Housing and Community Renewal. The conference focused on celebrating and furthering the contributions of neighborhood-based housing groups and
exploring strategies for ensuring banks remain responsive to local credit needs. Spurred by a bill introduced by Council Member Bill Lander, residents on East 28th street, and members of the Homeowner’s Association for the betterment of Foster Ave, E.28 St, Rogers Ave and Newkirk Ave (FERN), took to the street and called on homes foreclosed by banks to be properly maintained by banks. These collective actions propelled Bank of America to comply with FERN’s demands. APRIL April brought many changes for tenants in the Bronx. The complex known as Borinquen Court was sold to the West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing (also known as WSFSSH) in a HUD-sponsored auction. Across town, tenants of 735 Bryant Ave in the Bronx held a press conference to bring attention to the disinvestment and physical neglect that has plagued their building, as well as 33 others, for years. The plan worked and several dilapidated buildings in the Bronx, including those within the infamous Milbank portfolio, would be purchased by Finklestein Timberger LLC in a $27.75 million deal for 10 buildings just one month later. The purchase beaconed not only the end of serial neglect that had plagued the building, it also signified a new model for bringing overleveraged properties out of the cycle of speculation. Also in April, just over 4 months to the day of Occupy Wall Street, hundreds of people, on May 12, committed themselves to a mass teach-in on Wall Street in protest of big banks and proposed state and municipal cuts to social services. MAY May was also the month of one of the largest preservation deals for the city. ANHD members Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation and University Neighborhood Housing Program (UNHP) closed on an 8 building rehab deal with 526 units, and HUD support for at least 20 years. Figures of the West Farms deal neared ninedigits. It was and remains – as far as highest number of building and units in a single deals go – one of the largest deals undertaken by a not for profit developer. JUNE Each day in June brought its own jarring anxiety, with the countdown to the expiration of NY’s rent regulations scheduled for June 15. With a sense of urgency, New Yorkers again took to the
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streets. The message to Governor Cuomo was clear: “Strengthen the state’s rent regulation laws now.” Hundreds of tenants and advocates gathered in Queens in a tent city dubbed “Cuomoville”. This action was part of a series of tent city actions across the five boroughs meant to draw attention to the plight of tenants if the governor and state legislature failed in renewing and strengthening the rent laws by June 15. They did. However, for working class households, the anxiety surrounding their housing status ended June 24 as Governor Cuomo picked up the loose ends of “the people’s business” and hammered out an omnibus bill that renewed and strengthened the state’s rent laws, among other things. The Rent Act of 2011 passed by Albany provided a four-year extension of the Emergency Housing Rent Control Law (EHRCL) from June 16, 2011 until June 15, 2015, just after the state’s 2014 gubernatorial election. There were several key provisions. Firstly, the act raised the vacancy decontrol threshold to $2,500. Secondly, the act made modest improvements to the Individual Apartment Improvement (or 1/40th) program. For buildings with 35 or more units, landlords should only be able to pass on 1/60th of those costs compared to the current 1/40th formula. For smaller buildings, the 1/40th formula remains intact. Thirdly, landlords should only be able to take the vacancy bonus, which allows rents to increase by 20 percent, once a year. Finally, the act raised the high income threshold from $175,000 to $200,000 for higher income tenants. Days before the city’s 2012 fiscal year began, ANHD and our members fought the Bloomberg Administration’s proposal to slash the Neighborhood Preservation Consultant Program (NPCP) by almost 50 percent, winning a restoration of half the proposed cut. The enacted cuts are meaningful, however, and communitybased organizations are struggling to keep tenants in place, work with landlords to ensure buildings remain in good condition, and initiate larger neighborhood stabilization efforts. JULY In July ANHD and the New York Immigration Coalition celebrated its 2010-2011 class of community organizers for their hard work (1700 hours of approved work required for successful completion of the program), for their collective and individual perseverance, and for their individual commitment to progressive community change through community organizing and local leadership development. Working at ten organizations located throughout New York City, the apprentices made significant contributions to organizing and advocacy campaigns within the Korean, Puerto Rican, Bangladeshi, Dominican, African-American and other communities on issues including the strengthening and renewal of expiring rent regulations, getting New York State to opt out of the federal Secure Communities program, predatory equity, bank accountability, community land use and development, and affordable housing. AUGUST In August, controversy over Qualified Residential Mortgages (QRM) and the merger between Capital One and ING Direct USA dominated most of our advocacy efforts. As with much our reinvestment advocacy, our main concern was that both developments would affect negatively the availability of credit to low- and moderate-income communities. In the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, federal agencies introduced QRMs. As proposed, banks are required to maintain a 5 percent hold on all mortgage backed securities - with the exception of QRMs. Qualified Residential Mortgages already include FHA and VA loans, but additional exemptions were being considered. The proposal was to give QRM exemption for mortgages with a 20 percent down payment and high liquidity. While we commended federal regulators for prohibiting banks from engaging in reckless home purchase products and practices, we felt proposed QRM requirements did more harm than good. Because high down payment requirements are one criteria in QRMs, homeownership — especially in high cost cities like New York — will be out of reach for all but the wealthiest borrowers. As this issue is ongoing, we still believe regulators must reconsider these steep down payment requirements and adopt more reasonable rates of 3 percent-5 percent to avoid even further reductions in mortgage lending. The question “are bigger banks better” was at the heart of the proposed bank merger between Capital One and ING Direct USA, an internet bank with $9 billion in deposits. The proposed acquisition would have made Capital One the fifth largest bank in the country behind Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Citigroup. In terms of dollars, the merger would have given Capital One more than $210 billion in deposits stretched over 1,000 branches nationwide and 149 in New York City. SEPTEMBER The Center for Neighborhood Leadership Apprenticeship Program began its 2011-2012 cycle in September. Out of hundreds of applicants from various backgrounds to the CNL program, ten New Yorkers were chosen as prime candidates to learn the art
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and science of being a community organizer; Stephanie Barreto, Sheila Garcia, Esther Choi, Jenny Cruz, Adrianna Escardon, Nikita Patel, Joel Ponder, Carolina Ramirez, Courtney Renken, and Nahida Uddin. While hundreds of “Occupy Wall Street” protestors enter Week 2 of their campaign, a different kind of campaign was fermenting in neighborhoods across the city. Over the past month, ANHD member groups hosted many community meetings to educate local leaders about the “Responsible Banking Act”–legislation that is currently working its way through the New York City Council. OCTOBER In October we released our “2011 State of Bank Reinvestment in NYC” report on the steps of City Hall. As part of the press conference, dozens of our members, tenant leaders and Council Members urged for the quick passage of Intro 485. The second annual report analyzed 20 large banks doing business in NYC and showed that some of them have not fulfilled their obligations in regards to meeting the needs of local communities. The report revealed that across the industry there was a $38 billion increase in local deposits over the past two years at the same time as there was a dramatic $4.4 billion decrease in all forms of reinvestment needed for our communities to thrive, including home purchase lending, multi-family apartment lending, community development lending and investment, and mortgage modifications. The report’s findings underscored the need for more local tools to hold banks accountable. NOVEMBER For us November was a month of national collaboration and convening. The New York Mortgage Coalition held its conference entitled “Power of Collaboration” on November 7, 2011 at One Chase Manhattan Plaza. Representatives from lenders, government agencies, advocacy groups, and the city’s premiere community development organizations listened to successful examples of collaborations. They learned what made them work and where lay more opportunities for future teamwork during the half-day conference that was itself a collaborative event. It was jointly hosted by New York Mortgage Coalition (NYMC), Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City (NHSNYC), and Center for NYC Neighborhoods (CNYCN). A week later, over 130 elected officials, policy experts and community organizers from twelve cities attended the day-long convening at the New York University School of Law. The daylong conference, jointly organized by ANHD and the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), gave elected officials, advocates and community organizers a platform to exchange their achievements, setbacks and strategies related to creating and administering local tools to resuscitate community development, affordable housing, small business lending and retail banking services in their communities. In so doing, the conference made clear that momentum for municipalities to pass local versions of the Community Reinvestment Act is growing not only in NYC, but also in cities like Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and San Diego, all of whom were represented at the convening. Additionally, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle are pursuing this strategy. DECEMBER We kicked off December with our annual member meeting on Thursday, December 1, at New York Law School. The main purpose of the meeting was to develop an affordable housing platform that will shape the next Mayoral administration. Members responded to our draft platform and broke into lively, engaged small groups to share policy recommendations on a wide range of issues including: new affordable housing construction, preservation, homeownership opportunities, foreclosure prevention, neighborhood stabilization, tenant protections, bank accountability, public housing, and more. Thanks to our Board of Directors, members, funders, and elected officials for supporting our efforts in 2011. We look forward to working collaboratively and another productive year in 2012!
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JOBS
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List jobs on www.anhdinc.org
Step 1: Visit www.anhdinc.org Step 2: Click on Post A Job (bottom-right) Step 3: Register your organization (FREE) Step 4: Copy and paste job details
FAC seeks SBADI Community Organizer
RESPONSIBILITIES: The Community Organizer will work closely with the Executive Director and Director of Organizing and other community leaders and colleagues as needed to ensure effective SBADI campaigns and coalition participation. The SBADI Community Organizer will be responsible for leading Fifth Avenue Committee’s (FAC) South Brooklyn Accountable Development Initiative (SBADI) which advances a new vision of economic development in New York City in which public policy delivers truly affordable housing, environmental justice and sustainability, living wage jobs and livable neighborhoods. SALARY-$40-45k annually, commensurate with experience. Competitive benefits package includes full health and dental insurance (following three month wait period), 18 days paid vacation annually, paid sick and personal days and 403B employee retirement savings and flexible spending accounts. Email resume, cover letter and salary history with “SBADI Community Organizer” in the subject line by January 11th, 2012 to: ztorres@ fifthave.org Attn: Zoilo Torres, Director of Organizing and Advocacy Fifth Avenue Committee, Inc. 621 DeGraw Street Brooklyn, NY 11217
Minkwon looking for Advocacy & Organizing Director
RESPONSIBILITIES: The MinKwon Center for Community Action invites applications for an Advocacy & Organizing Director. The Advocacy & Organizing Director will work closely with our Advocacy & Organizing and other staff to strengthen and develop our advocacy campaigns and grassroots organizing work with our communities. The Advocacy & Organizing Director would help lead our Advocacy and Community Organizing Program to engage in advocacy campaigns on issues such as comprehensive immigration reform, fairer allocation of city and state budgets and other social justice issues; and to develop an informed, active base of community members engaged on these issues. The Director would have the following specific responsibilities: The MinKwon Center will accept applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please prepare and send a detailed cover letter and resume describing your interest in the organization and position to Steven Choi, schoi@minkwon.org.
Minkwon looking for a Development Director
The MinKwon Center for Community Action invites applications for a Development Director. The Development Director will work closely with the Executive Director and with other staff, Board and volunteers to plan, execute and implement a robust fundraising strategy for the organization. RESPONSIBILITIES: Set annual fundraising goals together with organization’s leadership, and meet goals through strong execution of development efforts; Prospect potential funding streams of all sources (foundation, major donor, individual, corporate, government), and develop new funding partnership opportunities; Help plan, execute and implement annual Gala, a Spring Reception, and at least two mailed appeals to raise funds and awareness of the MinKwon Center and its mission; and Maintain detailed grants management database, records, and systems. Two plus years experience in development and fundraising efforts and developing relationships with funders (strongly preferred). The MinKwon Center will accept applications on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please prepare and send a detailed cover letter and resume describing your interest in the organization and position to Steven Choi, schoi@minkwon.org.
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West Harlem Group Assistance, Inc. is seeking a Director of Human Resources
RESPONSIBILITIES: Ensures that West Harlem Group Assistance and its affiliates are in full compliancewith all federal, state and local laws and regulations, oversees human resources policies, personnel files and records and ensures compliance with established personnel policies. Responsible for overseeing the grievance process, dispute resolution, termination of employees, conducting exit interviews and responding to verification of employment and reference requests. Responsible for the supervision and coordination of job postings, recruitment, orientation, staff training and development and the hiring process of staff and volunteers. Administers all benefits programs. Reports to the Executive Director and works closely with all directors and managers of WHGA and its affiliates Qualifications: Qualifications: Candidate must have a 4 year Bachelors Degree in Human Resource Management or related field, and specific training or certification in Human Resource Management. SHRM Certification preferred. 5-7 years of work experience in human resource management and knowledge of not for-profit sector required. Ability to interact with all levels of employees and work courteously and confidentially. Strong verbal and written communication skills, union negotiation and dispute resolution skills. Computer literate in Microsoft Office Suite. Bilingual in English/Spanish a plus Salary: Commensurate with Experience. Mail or fax resume and cover letter to June P. Andrews, Deputy Director, West Harlem Group Assistance, Inc., 1652 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10031 Fax: (212) 862-3281
Chhaya CDC is seeking an Intake Specialist
Chhaya seeks an energetic intake specialist to be part of its dynamic program team. The intake specialist will be one of the critical front-line staff, helping South Asian and other immigrant clients in navigating and selecting the appropriate housing counseling program at Chhaya. Candidate will receive necessary trainings. RESPONSIBILITIES: Responsibilities include conducting triage, and scheduling appointments with appropriate staff; conducting one-on-one intake counseling sessions with tenants, prospective homebuyers, at-risk homeowners and other clients; presenting workshops and information sessions and assisting with the preparation of monthly as well as other counseling reports. Candidates need to be multilingual in English, Bangla, Hindi, Nepali, Punjabi or Urdu and have excellent customer service and computer skills. This is a full time position, 40 hours per week. Anticipated start date is the third week of November 2011. Salary will be commensurate with experience plus excellent benefits including, medical and dental benefits, 403b option, TransitChek and generous vacation and holidays. To apply send a resume, a thoughtful cover letter and list of references to Homeownership Program Manager Mamta Gurung, at Careers@ chhayacdc.org
Looking for an Assistant Director
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Jericho Project is looking to hire an Assistant Director who will oversee all property management functions at West Tremont, and also conduct direct program services.
Responsibilities for the full-time, Bronx-based position includes developing marketing programs; supervising tenant selection process and participating in tenant interviews, developing and overseeing compliance with leases and house rules, conducting community meetings, supervising maintenance programs, and completing reports to government and other funders. Interested applicants must submit a cover letter and resume to: Human Resources Department Jericho Project Job Code: KingsbridgeAD 245 W. 29th Street, Suite 902 New York, NY 10001 Fax: 646.624.2301 Email: hr@jerichoproject.org
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List jobs on www.anhdinc.org
Step 1: Visit www.anhdinc.org Step 2: Click on Post A Job (bottom-left) Step 3: Register your organization (FREE) Step 4: Copy and paste job details
SFDS Development Corporation Seeks a CEO
RESPONSIBILITIES: Reporting to the Board of Directors, the CEO provides strategic planning, management and oversight of all aspects of the operations and development of the 33 employee organization. The CEO oversees all aspects of the organization’s budgets and financial planning, personnel and employee management and the various regulatory requirements of the organization’s affordable housing projects. The CEO works extensively with City and State housing agencies, appointed and elected officials and member of the community. SALARY: $90,000 - $150,000 BENEFITS: Corporation provides Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Long term disability. QUALIFICATIONS: The successful candidate will have at least 10 years experience in affordable housing or related fields with an accomplished track record in managing complex organizations. In addition, the successful candidate will have established relationships in the community development field and strong technical background in affordable housing or real estate finance. Ability to communicate in Spanish is a plus. START DATE: 04/01/2012 Email resume and cover letter to James F. Janeski at sfdsdevcorp@ earthlink.net
Looking for a Director of Building Services
RESPONSIBILITIES: A nonprofit agency located in NYC is seeking a Director of Building Services. Responsibilities include supervising maintenance department including building and apartment repairs and preventative maintenance on all building systems; Identifying and monitoring all outside contracted work. Director is also responsible for inventory controls, correction of violations and staff annual performance reviews. Qualifications: High School diploma required; 3-5 years experience working in as Supervisory position in residential building maintenance. Experience in maintenance repair and superintendent level skills. Experience in heating, plumbing and electrical required. Background in construction, helpful. Good written & strong verbal communication skills required. Ability to work flexible schedule and be available for on call emergencies. Bilingual, Spanish preferred. Salary: Commensurate with Experience. Email resume and cover letter in word format with position in subject line to resumes134@yahoo.com
Looking for a Director of Property Management
RESPONSIBILITIES: A nonprofit agency located in NYC is seeking a passionate individual with understanding of social and economic problems related to housing needs for low income individuals to become the Director of Property Management. This individual will have with at least 5 years experience in the daily operations and supervision of a property management department.The individual will be responsible for ensuring coordination between city agencies, construction management, Maintenance and Accounting Departments. The qualified individual will have experience in capital planning and familiarity with negotiating commercial leases. The key individual will have knowledge of and experience working with Section 8 and other existing housing voucher programs. This person must be well versed in HUD regulations, guidelines and procedures. The successful candidate for this position must possess strong interpersonal, customer service and supervisor skills. Low Income Housing Tax Credit Certification required. Bilingual, Spanish preferred Email resume and cover letter in word format with position in subject line to resumes134@yahoo.com
Looking for an Activities Coordinator
PACC seeks to hire an Activities Coordinator to work with the residents at Gibb Mansion. Responsibilities include initiating and organizing recreational activities for the residents of Gibb Mansion. These activities should be a mix of creative activities, in house events and trips to outside locations; Additonally, the Activities Coordinator will work with the social service staff to improve attendance at already existing events and move toward staffing some of those regular events. http://pacc.publishpath.com/activities-coordinator
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Ninety-six studio, 1,2 and 3 Bedroom units avaliable in Manhattan (Clinton Section).Application Deadline: February 20, 2012
Application for apartment lottery
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Details: http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/downloads/pdf/Clinton-section-Manhattan.pdf
Jobs Creation Grant
US Dept. of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) supports development in economically distressed areas of the United States by fostering job creation and attracting private investment. Specifically, under the FFO, EDA will consider construction, non-construction, and revolving loan fund investments under the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs. The Estimated 300 grants made under these programs will leverage regional assets to support the implementation of regional economic development strategies designed to create jobs, leverage private capital, encourage economic development, and strengthen America’s ability to compete in the global marketplace. Under the FY 2012 FFO, EDA solicits applications from rural and urban communities to develop initiatives that advance new ideas and creative approaches to address rapidly evolving economic conditions. The next four funding cycle deadlines are: (i) December 15 for funding cycle 2 of FY 2012; (ii) March 9 for funding cycle 3 of FY 2012; (iii) June 8 for funding cycle 4 of FY 2012; and (iv) September 14 for funding cycle 1 of FY 2013. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=131493 or http://www.eda.gov/PDF/FY_2012_EDAP_FFO_11-18-11_FINAL.pdf
Industrial Space Modernization RFP
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), is seeking proposals from qualified individuals, organizations or companies (“Respondents”) to renovate and reactivate, via subdivision, privately-held vacant industrial building/space(s) in New York City that face challenges leasing to modern manufacturers and industrial companies. NYCEDC, in cooperation with the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”), intends to disburse up to $8 million from the City Council Small Manufacturing Investment Fund (the “Industrial Fund”) to incentivize one or more property owners and developers to make capital improvements related to the subdivision and modernization of their industrial spaces. Four optional information sessions will be held at NYCEDC offices at 110 William Street. Information sessions will be held at 10:00 a.m., January 31, 2012; 10:00 a.m., April 24, 2012; 10:00 a.m., July 31, 2012; and 10:00 a.m., October 30, 2012. Those who wish to attend should RSVP by email to Serena Vega at svega@nycedc.com no later than three business days prior to the corresponding information session. Link: http://www.nycedc. com/ProjectsOpportunities/ RFPsRFQsRFEIs/Pages/ Opportunity255_PC.aspx
Industrial BID Development
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) is seeking consultant services in support of the development and planning of new industrial Business Improvement Districts (Industrial BID) or the expansion of existing Industrial BIDs in M-zoned districts in New York City. The new Industrial BIDs will improve the efficiency and functioning of the industrial sector in New York City by providing unique services that are targeted to the variety of issues facing industrial communities. The Industrial BIDs will provide a sustainable source of funding for the proposed industrial districts, thereby ensuring their stability and spurring their growth. An optional pre-proposal meeting will be held on Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 10:00am at NYCEDC. Those who wish to attend should RSVP by email to IndustrialBIDrfp@nycedc. com on or before January 10, 2012. Respondents may submit questions and/or request clarifications from NYCEDC no later than 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17, 2012. Questions regarding the subject matter of this RFP should be directed to IndustrialBIDrfp@nycedc.com. For all questions that do not pertain to the subject matter of this RFP please contact NYCEDC’s Contracts Hotline at (212) 312-3969. Answers to all questions will be posted by Monday, January 23, 2012, to www.nycedc.com/RFP. Deadline: Feb 22, 2012 Funding Amount: not stated Link:http://www.nycedc.com/ProjectsOpportunities/RFPsRFQsRFEIs/Pages/ Opportunity257_PC.aspx
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Eight studio units avaliable in the Brooklyn (Bushwick Section). Application Deadline: N/A Details
Application for apartment lottery
http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/downloads/pdf/Bushwick-brooklyn.pdf
Financial & Tech Assistance Awards
Through the US Dept. of the Treasury, the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Program provides: (i) Financial Assistance (FA) awards to CDFIs that have Comprehensive Business Plans for creating demonstrable community development impact through the deployment of credit, capital, and financial services within their respective Target Markets or the expansion into new Investment Areas, Low-Income Targeted Populations, or Other Targeted Populations, and (ii) Technical Assistance (TA) grants to CDFIs and entities proposing to become CDFIs in order to build their capacity to better address the community development and capital access needs of their particular Target Markets, to expand into new Investment Areas, Low-Income Targeted Populations, or Other Targeted Populations, and/ or to become certified CDFIs. Deadline: Jan 11, 2012 Funding Amount: Expected Number of Awards: 100 Estimated Total Program Funding: $123,000,000 Award Ceiling: $2,000,000 Link: http://www.cdfifund. gov/what_we_do/programs_ id.asp?programID=7
New Yorkers for Better Neighborhoods
Through New Yorkers for Better Neighborhoods, Citizens Committee for New York City awards grants to volunteer-led groups to work on community improvement projects addressing a range of issues that they identify as important to them. They also support public school based initiatives focused on the environment and beautification. Applications are accepted from volunteer-led groups based primarily in low-income neighborhoods in all five boroughs of New York City. Groups may be long-standing, newly established or in the process of forming, and are not required to have non-profit or 501(c) (3) status. Groups without this status will need a fiscal conduit or a bank account if a grant is awarded. Citizens Committee for New York City will award $40,000 in grants of $500-$3,000 to volunteer-led groups who apply by January 31, 2012. This including a new initiative directed at the ten most violent/crime-ridden neighborhoods in New York City. The John A. Reisenbach Focus Ten program is a joint effort between the Citizens Committee for New York City and the John A. Reisenbach Foundation to help fund community organizations working to reduce crime in these neighborhoods. They include the 75th, 73rd, 67th, 79th, 81st, and 77 precincts in Brooklyn, the 47th, 44th, 40th, and 42nd precincts in the Bronx, and the 105th precinct in Queens. Citizens Committee is holding application workshops to answer any questions about the application process: - Downtown Manhattan (CCNYC Offices): Monday, December 12, 6-7:30PM & Wednesday, January 11, 6-7:30PM - Queens (Queens Borough Hall, Kew Gardens): Thursday, December 8, 6-7:30PM - The Bronx (Bronx Library Center): Thursday, November 17, 6pm-7:30PM (Room C22) & Thursday, January 12, 6pm-7:30PM (Room C21) To attend one of the workshops, RSVP to Wilfredo at (212) 822-9568 or email wflorentino@ citizensnyc.org. Deadline: January 31, 2012 Funding Amount: awards range between $500 - $3,000 Link: http://www.citizensnyc.org/grants or http://www.citizensnyc.org/grants/NYBN.html
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Two studio and 1 Bedroom units avaliable in the Brooklyn (Williamsburg Section). Application Deadline: N/A
Application for apartment lottery
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Details http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/downloads/pdf/Williamsburg-brooklyn.pdf
VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program
The Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program’s purpose is to provide supportive services grants to private non-profit organizations and consumer cooperatives who will coordinate or provide supportive services to very low-income veteran families who: (i) Are residing in permanent housing, (ii) are homeless and scheduled to become residents of permanent housing within a specified time period, or (iii) after exiting permanent housing within a specified time period, are seeking other housing that is responsive to such very low-income veteran family’s needs and preferences. Deadline: Feb 15, 2012 Funding Amount: Expected Number of Awards: Estimated Total Program Funding: Award Ceiling: $1,000,000 $100,000,000 125
Women’s Business Center Renewal Grant
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued Program Announcement No. OWBO-2012-02 to invite private, 501(c)-certified nonprofit organizations that are currently in SBA’s WBC program that will have successfully completed an initial 5-year WBC grant by September 29, 2012 or those centers that will have successfully completed a 3-year renewal WBC grant by September 29, 2012 and that continue to meet the program criteria as provided in the Eligibility section of the program announcement to apply for a three year WBC renewal grant. Deadline: Feb 03, 2012 Funding Amount: Expected Number of Awards: 32 Estimated Total Program Funding: $4,016,640 Award Ceiling: $125,520 Link: http://www.sba.gov/content/ womens-business-center-grantopportunities-0
Link: http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/SSVF.asp
NEA Our Town Guidelines
Through Our Town, subject to the availability of funding, the National Endowment for the Arts will provide a limited number of grants, ranging from $25,000 to $150,000, for creative placemaking projects that contribute toward the livability of communities and help transform them into lively, beautiful, and sustainable places with the arts at their core. Our Town will invest in creative and innovative projects in which communities, together with their arts and design organizations and artists, seek to: Improve their quality of life; Encourage creative activity; Create community identity and a sense of place; Revitalize local economies. Deadline: Mar 01, 2012 Funding Amount: Award Ceiling: Award Floor: $25,000 $150,000
Link: http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/OurTown/index.html
