NYS Rural Housing Coalition and Rural Advocates submitted 2011_2015 ConPlan Comments

The newly designed HCR will now make their funding commitments or investments using the following framework:

Fundamentals: Is the investment feasible but for HCR’s investment? Are all necessary components identified and committed? Does the applicant have the proven experience and team members to successfully complete the investment?

Leverage: Does the investment leverage significant outside resources such as third party funds, local funds or support?

Outcomes: Does the investment produce a transformative or priority outcome? Such outcomes might include investing in the redevelopment of a deteriorated Main Street, a comprehensive neighborhood improvement program, refinancing of a state Mitchell Lama complex or providing affordable rental housing in our high cost suburbs.

Providing affordable housing- a decent place to live- is “transformative”  in the eyes of the person who lives there!  Does a good investment take priority over the needs of low income persons?  Do good investment properties need public subsidies?  Are investments in  suburban outposts counter to the green initiative?  What does this mean for investment in rural NY as we try to counter further dis-investment in our communities?

NYS Rural Advocates will hold their annual meeting at the Otesaga Hotel on Monday, November 15 and Tuesday November 16. Registration forms will be available shortly.  Book your room today using the  Rural Advocates Otesaga Reservation Forms . The rooms will be held until October 15!

If you are participating for day one only, registration fees include lunch on day one and other incidentals.  Thank you!

Still open for comments- Discussion Draft 2011 Action Plan for NAHA PAC 072010 and Discussion Draft 2011-2015 Con Plan for NAHA PAC 072010-1

Without debate, the Senate passed their budget spending plans along party lines August 3.  If there is no increase in the federal Medicaid funding, look for across the board cuts in State programs.  That means the preservation program would be subject to an additional across the board cut.  The NYTimes reports that the Senate passed a bill requiring prisoners be counted as residents of their address prior to incarceration, an action that will have a big impact in Rural NY as lines are redrawn.

The State budget… is it done? We think housing was part of a three way agreement and not subject to change, but we know anything can happen!  From the budget bill:

35  RURAL PRESERVATION PROGRAM …………………………….. 3,813,000 Continue reading →

Perhaps a step toward the budget negotiations? Senate Conference committees

Housing  is no longer at the table with social services, but with energy, cities and local government. Of course these tables will be “cut” tables, and not “add” tables. The minority senate conference committee list was released as well with familiar players at the table.

Congress is about to debate legislation that would provide NYS with a massive infusion of federal funds that may then be available to support housing programs, specifically Supportive Housing for Families, SRO Support Services and other Health and Social Services programs.  It would also fund the National Housing Trust Fund.

Please take a few minutes to call or email your representatives by the end of the week.  We are especially concerned about “Blue Dog Dems” in NY- that is Scott Murphy and Mike Accuri so for those of you in the district, a phone call might be most effecti

Call Your Representative NOW:  Call  877-210-5351, the toll-free number for the Congressional switchboard, and ask to be connected your Senators’ offices.  Tell them:

I’m a constituent and I urge you to vote for H.R. 4213, a jobs bill that

*            Continues unemployment benefits and COBRA health care subsidies

*            Provides funds to help states with rising Medicaid costs

*            Continues the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Emergency Fund, and funds the Housing Trust Fund at $1 billion

Does the Governor understand that without a budget that rents are not being paid?  Make sure your legislators and leadership understand just what it means to you, your project and your residents in their communities!

Funding levels aside, Rural Advocates remain committed to keeping “community” in the definition of community based organizations.  We continue to believe that community based non profits are most responsive to specific needs of each village, town or county served.  Collaborations are often appropriate and efficient. Mergers might also bring economies of scale when mission, board and activities are complementary and make sense. However, the economies of this small program don’t generally indicate savings through consolidations.  Each community is unique!