Positive news for upstate cities and their Main Streets

As reported, The Preservation Program was restored plus a “bump”  resulting in $150,000 for each Coalition (same funding as last year) and about a $10,000 plus or minus increase for groups.  There was a three way agreement on this so all need to be thanked. While the Senate and the Assembly agreed to fund restoration, the final bump was provided by Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, paid out of the National Mortgage Servicing Settlement Agreement

Subprime Foreclosure Prevention Counselors with existing contracts will get a 6 month extension. The Attorney General’s office provided $9 million to continue funding HCR contracts for the next 6 months, after which, the program will be transferred to the AG’s office.

A press release from the AGs office explains this: (I bold printed the connection between this funding and Preservation Program- ndb) A clear recognition of the critical role RPCs and NPCs play in providing pre and post purchase counseling.

A.G. SCHNEIDERMAN ANNOUNCES UP TO $15 MILLION OF NATIONAL MORTGAGE SETTLEMENT TO EXTEND FUNDING FOR FORECLOSURE PREVENTION AND OTHER RELATED SERVICES

A.G.’s Commitment Will Continue Funding For Legal Services And Housing Counseling For Six Months 

Current Funding Was To Expire On April 1

Schneiderman: Settlement Fight Was To Ensure A Fair Deal For New York Homeowners, Funding Is First Step To Deliver On That Promise

 

NEW YORK – Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced that up to $15 million of the $132 million he secured in the national mortgage servicing settlement will be used to extend funding for foreclosure prevention and other related services. Up to $9 million of the allocation will be used to support the state’s Foreclosure Prevention Services Program, which was set to expire on April 1. And up to $6 million will support housing and community renewal activities statewide through not-for-profit community-based housing organizations.

“We have an obligation to provide assistance to the struggling homeowners across the state facing foreclosure, and this portion of the national mortgage settlement will ensure that families in New York State have the legal services they deserve to fight wrongful foreclosures and protect themselves in court,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Funding Continue reading →

Thanks to all the information you provided your legislators, the calls, letters, visits and more visits in Albany and in the district, we brought attention to the Preservation Program but to RARP and UI, which got 4 million each in the State budget and 5.2 million for Main Street Revitalization.  I believe Access to Home is funded at 1 Million, but will update as we review the budget bills.

Please thank all your legislators for their support. More when the budget dust settles

The New York State Budget should be in place by April 1, the start of the State Fiscal Year.  The Preservation Program will be funded despite the Governor’s proposed defunding this program.  Both Senate and Assembly truly value the work of community based CDCs, and both understand that they create economic opportunity and creates jobs.  RPC/NPC funding levels have been restored, “plus a little bump”; we anticipate that groups will be funded in the high $60’s.

Rental Assistance has been funded at the level that the Governor proposed, so this year the State’s obligations can be met at $19.6 Million.  We hope to work together with Senator Young this summer, holding public hearings and or fact finding meetings to try to secure the future of this program.

Update on Consolidated Funding Application Process

During his remarks, Commissioner Towns provided an update on HCR’s next funding round and announced that tax credit and affordable and supportive housing programs would no longer be a part of the Consolidated Funding Application (CFA). Applications will be scored by HCR staff who will use existing regional plans to assure selected projects help advance those goals and strategies.

“We’ve been listening to your feedback and conducting our own analysis, and the decision has been made to focus on more traditional economic development programs in the CFA,” said Commissioner Towns. The Commissioner added that Community Development Block Grant program and Main Street program community development resources would remain in the CFA process, as these have direct economic impact.

RPC and NPC restoration funds were in both the one house bills done over the weekend by the Senate and the Assembly, as was 25 Million in foreclosure prevention. Next, both sides sit down to tables where amounts are negotiated.   It looks like we may really see an early budget in New York State (does anyone remember if this has happened in our lifetime?)  We should all stay vigilant!

Rural Advocates heard from State Senate and Assembly Housing Chairs in Albany at their legislative meeting and were told to keep fighting for the Preservation Program. Both legislators reported on the strong support each house shares for the Preservation Program, and advocacy  needs to be aggressive.

Rural and Neighborhood Preservation Advocates will be meeting with their legislators in Albany on March 6. leg talking points March 5 2012

housing Programs produce jobs (2)

In accordance with State Law, the Executive and Legislature came to agreement on the State’s revenue projections on March 1. Things are now in place for budget negotiations to begin in earnest.

Now that The New York State Division of the Budget, Assembly Ways and Means Committee, and Senate Finance Committee  released the 2012-13 Consensus Economic and Revenue Forecast Report the legislative schedule announced in January may lead to an early budget for the State.

March 12	Senate & Assembly budget actions
March 13	Joint Senate/Assembly budget conference committees commence
March 19-20	Final Report of Joint Conference Committee
March 19-22	Joint Legislative budget bills taken up by Senate & Assembly

 

As you follow up on your meetings in Albany, I urge you to consider your use of NYS Rural Rental Assistance in the units you own, have developed or manage.  What has been the impact of cuts to this program and use of HUD rental assistance vouchers?  What would be the impact to your tenant on minimum rental charges?  How would a cutback on your State Rental Assistance contract impact your rents and your ability to fill vacancies? What would happen to your tenants?  We are trying to gather data on the State rental assistance program as the State looks for further cuts and cost savings

The Legislative Hearings on the Housing budget will take place on Monday, February 13 in Hearing Room B at the Empire State Plaza at 9:30. If you could not get on the list to present testimony, ten copies of your  written testimony should be submitted and received within 7 days of the hearing to get in to the hearing record.  Send these copies to A. Herman D. Farrell, Jr., 923 LOB, Albany, NY 12248 and write the words HOUSING in big letters on top! Send it to the attention of Clinton Freeman, Jr.. He’s waiting for them!!