February 2001 | |||
Connie Hogland, center, meets with members of the Nampa Neighborhood Housing Services Board |
Idaho CB Works to Strengthen Local Organization Since June, Idaho Community Builder Connie Hogland has worked extensively with Nampa Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) to help improve its performance. NHS is a new non-profit organization funded through a Community Development Entitlement Block Grant (CDBG) and local Urban Renewal moneys. The organization had fallen on hard times and was in danger of being required to return CDBG funds back to the city. HUD’s Oregon Community Planning and Development (CPD) staff discovered the problems during its annual monitoring reviews. Together with Nampa city officials, they reached out to Connie because of her previous tenure as Executive Director of the Boise NHS. She recognized numerous needs in the organization and set about bridging the gap between Nampa NHS leadership, the City of Nampa, and HUD’s CPD staff. Connie has provided technical support to NHS staff and board and has facilitated contact between city officials and the Urban Renewal Board. She meets regularly with the NHS, stressing the importance of: a diversified funding base; sound fiscal management policies; and proper policies and procedures regarding land acquisition and property development. She also works with Nampa Mayor Maxine Horn’s office to help a local committee working on an application for an All American Cities designation. In addition, Connie facilitates meetings with north Nampa residents and Urban Renewal Agency board members to help identify local needs and priorities. As a result of Connie’s efforts, Nampa NHS has reinvigorated itself, as evidenced by the hiring of a new Executive Director and the establishment of a new housing construction schedule. The success of her effort is also reflected in the lines of communication she helped renew with the City of Nampa and the Urban Renewal Agency. | ||
