FY 1998 CPD ALLOCATION UPDATE

The latest information NCDA has been able to secure on the status of the release of FY 1998 CPD allocations is that the figures will be made public somewhere between December 16 and the end of the year. However, at least one grantee, New York City, has already been informed of their FY 1998 CPD Allocations.

The numbers have been run, but release is being delayed. Rumor has it that Secretary Cuomo intends to be personally involved with the public announcement of the figures and is looking into how to best way to orchestrate the release. Since the run has been completed, it is not clear whether the field staff has received the figures, and if they have, when and under what circumstances they will be authorized to release them. As in previous years, NCDA is working diligently in an attempt to ensure the allocation amount arrive to the grantees as soon as they are available.

CENSUS 2000 SAMPLING UPDATE

Officials at the Commerce Department have indicated that they will be able to use statistical sampling in conducting the 2000 census in return for some concession to GOP lawmakers. Commerce Secretary William M. Daley told an advisory panel, gathered for a daylong census strategy session that, "Ultimately we [the Clinton administration and the GOP] were able to work out a deal that was acceptable." The issue of whether to allow sampling in an effort to provide a more accurate population count in the year 2000 became a major sticking point that held up final passage of the FY 1998 Commerce-State-Justice appropriations law (HR 2267 -- PL 105-119) until the last day of this year's session. Many Democrats favor sampling, which uses a precise count in one area to estimate the undercounted population in other areas. Advocates say the technique will help prevent an undercount, particularly of minorities as in 1990. Republicans, however, say that the traditional head count -- enumerating only those people personally counted by mail, telephone or in person -- is the only constitutional method of conducting the census.

President Clinton and officials at the Census Bureau are concerned with the Census oversite board, claiming it has too much control over the agency and that if the advisory board is not happy with the sampling method, it could advise Congress not to allow it. Timing is a big factor in all of this. Commerce officials also warned that Congress could decide to prohibit sampling -- complicating the bureau's efforts to prepare for the census -- as late as February 19, 1999, the date by which the administration has agreed to revisit the issue. The administration's deal with Congress also requires the Census Bureau to use the traditional method of actual enumeration in one of the three regions in the country picked for a "dress rehearsal" of the 2000 census.

HUD ANNOUNCES $10 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP ZONES

On July 7, 1997, HUD published the FY 1997 NOFA and program guidelines for Homeownership Zones. On November 21, 1997, HUD announced the availability of an additional $10 million in funding, and sets December 22, 1997 as the deadline for new applications. The deadline also applies to amendments of applications previously submitted in response to the initial NOFA. For more information, contact Mr. Cliff Taffet of HUD's Office of Affordable Housing Programs at 202.708.3226.

HUD RELEASES COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF MANAGEMENT REFORM PLAN

In the November 21, 1997 Federal Register, HUD published the new field structure under its 2020 Management Reform Plan, including a cost-benefit analysis of the initiative. The analysis estimates the plan will net a long-term savings of $1.1 billion for the federal government while keeping open all 81 field offices. The reforms will cost about $289 million up front due to employee buyouts and relocations, facility modifications and information technology for new administrative centers and contract support. Over time, however, the reduced personnel costs and related reduced facility needs will produce savings through 2012, totaling about $1.4 billion in 1997 dollars. For a copy of the report, contact Jim Welfley, at NCDA, 202.293.7587.

CALL FOR AGENDA ITEMS FOR NCDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1998

To encourage and extend opportunities to the general NCDA membership to bring issues of interest or concern to the attention of the Board of Directors, we hereby issue a CALL FOR AGENDA ITEMS, in anticipation of the next Board meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, 1998 in Washington, D.C.

Those members who wish to place an item on the Board agenda may do so in one of two ways: 1) through sponsorship of a current NCDA Board member in your region, who in turn should submit the item to the NCDA office; or, 2) through the concurrence of three active NCDA members who sign onto a proposed agenda item and submit it to the NCDA office.

(NOTE: The sponsoring Board member or NCDA members proposing the item should be prepared to present the issue(s) and a broad written position statement at the Board meeting.

The NCDA president will make the final decision of which items to include on the agenda, based on the national implications for the membership. Should an item be considered inappropriate for inclusion, the Board will be advised of the item along with the reason it was not included. All proposed items for the Board of Directors meeting must be received at the NCDA office by Monday, January 12, 1998.

NATIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WEEK

NCDA is pleased to announce that the 12^th annual National Community Development Week campaign will be held from April 6 - 12, 1998.

This year's theme, "CDBG NOW: FOR THE FUTURE", incorporates how modern and futuristic technologies will continue to highlight the services CDBG provides to communities across the nation.

To assist you in preparing for this year's campaign, enclosed is the 1998 CDBG postcard, a National Community Development Week '98 Commitment Form, a form to notify NCDA of the events, projects, and/or activities your community has planned for National Community Development Week.

Please let us know how your community plans to participate by returning the form to NCDA by February 15, 1998. (NOTE: Please provide NCDA with a street address when placing your order. UPS will not deliver to a P.O. number.)

NCDA ANNOUNCES THE WINNERS OF THE AUDREY NELSON  COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

We are pleased to announce the winners of the 1998 Audrey Nelson Community Development Achievement Awards - presented for the twelfth consecutive year to honor outstanding uses of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. The awards will be presented at the Awards Luncheon to be held on Friday, January 30, 1998, during the NCDA Winter Meeting. Conference participants are encouraged to invite their Congressional representatives and local elected officials to the luncheon.

And the winners are:

The Jubilee Center, Waco, Texas

The Jubilee Center was developed for the citizens of Brook Oaks and Sanger Heights neighborhoods to take back their community from the drugs, violence, and social ills which plagued them. Once a seedy, run-down area, the Jubilee Center is now a one-stop center encompassing the entire block. The center, which was donated to the community, now offers pre- and post-employment job training, tutoring, computer lab and other employment services.

This project exemplifies the true meaning of revitalization and hope for distressed neighborhoods through the use of Community Development Block Grant dollars.

Taller San Jose, Santa Ana, California

Taller San Jose (St. Joseph's Workshop) is an educational and job training program directed to undereducated and unemployed youth between the ages of 18 to 25. The program creates a structured, comprehensive environment where young people are expected to become self-reliant, productive adults within one year of their enrollment. In addition, a profit sharing, entrepreneurial venture program will provide both job training and employment.

The 1927 building, which houses Taller San Jose, has almost been completely renovated by the students of the program with the support of volunteers.

Intensive Care Neighborhoods Program, Jacksonville, Florida

In April 1996, four neighborhoods of Jacksonville, Florida were chosen to be the first to receive "intensive care," concentrated improvement efforts in six areas: education, infrastructure/city services, public safety, social services, housing and community involvement. These neighborhoods were targeted because of their low achieving schools, poor housing conditions, high crime rates and high unemployment.

Since the program goals parallel those of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, CDBG funds became a primary resource in achieving those objectives. This program demonstrates how CDBG funds has helped strengthen the foundation of neighborhoods and improved the quality of life for residents in these neighborhoods.

The Second Step, Newton, Massachusetts

The Second Step was founded by a group of women volunteers who recognized the need for programs to assist women who to advantage of emergency shelter lodging. These programs would help battered women become financially independent and emotionally self-sufficient.

With staff hired with funds from a grant from HUD, Second Step began a Family Nurturing Program focusing on preventing parents from reaching a crisis stage that leads to homelessness.

Green Street/Pershing Avenue, Homeownership Project, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Four years ago, the Spanish American Civic Association Development Corporation (SCD), a subsidiary of the Spanish American Civic Association (SACA), began the revitalization of Green Street with one house. Slowly the block was transformed as additional homes were rehabilitated. The goal of SDC was to shift from primarily renter-occupied houses, interspersed with vacant, deteriorated houses, to a block of homeowner-occupied homes.

To enhance neighborhood revitalization efforts, trees were planted, street lighting was improved, and sidewalks were repaired. The improved street lighting will aid the homeowners and assist with the elimination of crime.

Presently, the SACA Board consists of a combination of representatives from low income organizations, and low-income residents.

Gage Middle School "After School Academic & Athletic Program", Huntington Park, California.

Established in 1994, the "After School Academic & Athletic Program" (ASAAP) was the result of collaborative consultation and the Community Forum's vision. The main objective of the After School Program is to promote academic achievement by keeping students in school and their parents involved. With the successful collaboration of time and funding, the ASAAP has contributed to the community's diminishing crime rate, higher academic achievement, and an elevation of parent/students interest and involvement in school related activities.

With the cooperative effort of the schools, community and City, the program provides a safe and secure environment for the students. As the program gains status, local businesses have begun to acknowledge that by investing today in Huntington Park youth secures tomorrow's successes.

Reminder:

• The NCDA Washington Report is now available on the internet! Just point your browser to http://www.ncdaonline.org

• NCDA's new e-mail address is ncda@ncdaonline.org -- DO WE HAVE YOURS?

This year's winter meeting is shaping up very nicely, with interesting topics and exciting speakers. We have invited incoming Community Planning and Development Assistant Secretary, Saul Ramirez, we will providing a demonstration on HUD's new mapping software, Community 2020, and we have invited Massachusetts Congressman, Barney Frank (D) to speak at the Audrey Nelson Awards Luncheon. We will also use this meeting as the kick off session to launch National Community Development Week!!!! Please plan to attend, we need your support!!! (See Winter Meeting Highlights below.)
 

Wednesday, January 28

4:30 - 6:00 p.m. 
Executive Committee Meeting

6:00 - 9:00 p.m. 
Board of Directors Meeting

8:00 - 8:30 a.m. 
New Member Orientation 
New NCDA members will meet the staff and members of the board of directors and be briefed on the benefits of NCDA membership.

8:30 - 9:30 
Opening General Session: HUD Secretary Saul Ramirez (invited)
Incoming HUD Secretary Ramirez has been invited to discuss his vision of the Office of Community Planning and Development.

9:30 - 10:30 
Congressional Briefing
Congressional Staff will discuss with the group FY 1999 Appropriations and Authorizations issues.

10:30 - 11:00 
Presentation of Disaster Relief Guide Book to FannieMae

11:00 - 12:00 
NCDA Legislative Policy Forum
This discussion will center around NCDA's strategy for the upcoming legislative budgetary cycle, to include CDBG and HOME set-aside strategy.

1:30 - 3:30 
Congressional & Agency Visits
Members are able to use this time during the meeting to visit with Congressional Staff and Federal Agency personnel.

3:30 - 4:30 
NCDA Committee Meetings
Community Development, Technology, Housing, Economic Development, and Professional Development

9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
HUD Briefings
HUD staff from the CDBG Entitlement Division, and the Affordable Housing Division will brief the group on pertinent issues relating to CDBG, HOME, ESG and HOPWA.

11:00 - 12:00 
Community 2020 Software Demonstration
A demonstration on how to use HUD's new neighborhood and demographic mapping software that assists grantees with their planning activities will be provided. Presenters will include HUD's expert on the software and NCDA members.

12:00 - 1:30 
Audrey Nelson Awards Luncheon
Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) has been invited to give the keynote at this annual awards ceremony.

1:30 - 3:00 
Concurrent Sessions:
 

Community Development and the Internet
Learn about the vast resources available to community development practitioners through the Internet. Presenters will include web masters from HUD, Fannie Mae and NCDA.

Using a Regional Approach to foster Industrial Development
This discussion will include examples from NCDA members of their multi-jurisdictional collaborative efforts in the location of large employment industries.
 

3:00 - 4:30 
Concurrent Sessions:
 
Using the Community Reinvestment Act as an additional funding source for community development projects; Forging a Continuous Partnership with Local Financial Institutions

Changing Bad to Good: Re-Developing Brownfields into Desirable Economic Development Real Estate

Section 8 Reform and the Community Development Practitioner 
Determine the steps you can take to prepare for the impact the new section 8 reforms will have on your community. Moderators will include practitioners and experts from the National Housing Trust and HUD.

9:30 - 10:30 
Closing Session:
 
Committee Reports
Each Committee Chair will report to the group the results of their meetings.

10:30 - 1:00 
Professional Development Session. How to Maintain Quality Services, and High Employee Morale in this Era of "Downsizing" 
Richard Kennedy, Director of the Office of Block Grant Assistance within the Community Planning and Development Division will lead the discussion.

1:00 
Adjourn

Job Announcement

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