Northwest HUD Lines
December 2017

HUD e-Briefs from Alaska, Idaho, Oregon & Washington

Leland Jones, Editor, (206) 220-5356 or Leland.jones@hud.gov

www.hud.gov/alaska	www.hud.gov/idaho
www.hud.gov/oregon	www.hud.gov/washington
http://twitter.com/hudnorthwest

! ! !HAPPY HOLIDAYS! ! !

WELCOME
Jeff McMorris named HUD Regional Administrator
The Trump Administration today named Jeffrey McMorris of Issaquah, Washington as Regional Administrator for HUD in Region X serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington state. He assumed his duties on November 13th. For the past 12 years Jeff, 45, has served as Chief of Staff to King County, Washington, Councilmember Kathy Lambert & her senior budget advisor for the County's $11 billion biennial budget and managed the office's policy analysis and communications as well as her liaison to local governments, community stakeholders and various boards and commissions. "I thank President Trump and his Administration for their confidence in me," he said. "Every day HUD touches the lives and improves the prospects of hundreds of thousands of people. As stewards of taxpayers' dollars and their trust, every day we must strive to do that vital work even more efficiently and effectively. It is a great challenge but the rewards of meeting it are even greater." Prior to working for King County, Jeff was a manager with Versent, a consultant on numerous political campaigns, a staff member for State Senator Bob Morton, and Vice Chair of the Washington State Republican Party. Jeff received his Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Pensacola Christian College. Washington Policy Center Young Professionals Board member. Jeff and his wife Sarah live in Issaquah with their four children. He was born in Salem, Oregon.

FARE WELL
A retirement
Effective November 30th, HUD Idaho Field Office Director John Meyers has retired. Until a successor is appointed, Deputy Regional Administrator Michael S. Look will serve as acting director for Idaho. John served with HUD for some 16 years, serving in Seattle, Springfield and, as mentioned, Boise. He has served HUD & its partners honorably & well. We wish him all the best as he turns the page to his next chapter.

"At HUD, we know that health and housing are intertwined. A stable home improves access to medical care for people who suffer from illness. For people afflicted with HIV/AIDS, it can at times be difficult to maintain steady employment, which often leads to unstable housing or homelessness. This can be exacerbated by the stigma and discrimination experienced by those afflicted with HIV/AIDS that still exists within some communities. So today, let's come together on World AIDS Day as a global community to recognize the progress that has been made in the fight against HIV/AIDS and the work that remains." - HUD Secretary Ben Carson, World AIDS Day, December 1, 2017.

BRIEF BRIEFS
Trump Administration names Jerry Ward as USDA Rural Development state director for Alaska, Layne Bangerter as USDA Rural Development state director for Idaho, State Representative John Huffman as USDA Rural Development director for Oregon & State Senator Kirk Pearson as USDA Rural Development state director for Washington. . .Tacoma Housing Authority & Tacoma Community College, reports The Suburban Times, expand their first-in-the-nation program to provide housing assistance to homeless students seeking college degrees. . .Mike Cully of San Diego named executive director of League of Oregon Cities, succeeding Mike McCauley who retired after 11 years in the post. . .Currently in a tsunami zone, the Quileute Tribe in La Push begins move to higher, safer ground says Indianz.com. . Ellensburg, Washington voters approve sales tax increase, says Daily Record, to support development of affordable housing while Jefferson County, Washington voters reject housing tax levy to do the same, reports Peninsula Daily News. . .Ketchum, Idaho becomes first city in Alaska & Northwest to be designated as "dark sky community". . .Enterprise Now okays $4 million loan to finance construction of 150 units of affordable housing "just across the street" from Tacoma Community College & Sound Transit Center in Tacoma, Washington, the first under the $21 million Regional Equitable Development Initiative revolving loan fund. . .Access Inc. tells KOBI-TV it expects to open its 17 units of new affordable housing in Medford, Oregon for veterans facing homelessness in December. . .King County Housing Authority acquires Friendly Village mobile home park in Redmond, Washington, preserving 224 units of affordable housing for the elderly. . .Thanks to $180,000 grant from J.A. & Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation City of Boise, Idaho parks & recreation will be able to keep 9 formerly-homeless workers on payroll through the winter & to hire 14 more next spring says Idaho Statesman. . .With some $2 million in funding from Department of Justice's Office of Violence Against Women & HUD, Sitka Tribe will move forward with upgrades to its 20-plus year old shelter & expand victims' service staff says KTOO-FM. . .Portland, Oregon Housing Bureau & Home Forward, the city's housing authority, commit $6 million in "fast start" funds to construction of Framework, the nation's first all-wood skyscraper which will include 60 affordable housing units in city's Pearl District. . .Voices of Youth Count says Chapin Hall & University of Chicago study finds that 515 homeless/unstably housed young people 13 to 25 in King County, Washington in June, 2016 were more likely than their share of County's population to be black or multi-racial, not working or in-school & have been involved with foster care or juvenile criminal justice system. . .Northeast Oregon, Pocatello, Spokane & King County win 2017 awards of excellence at convention of National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials. . .As envisioned for the transformation of Bremerton, Washington's dilapidated West Park neighborhood into Bay Vista, Kitsap Sun says developer has announced plans for 216-unit apartment for working-class families in Bremerton, Washington. . .Developer unveils plans, says Kitsap Sun, for 216 units of workforce housing in Bay Vista neighborhood revitalized, in part, with HUD HOPE VI funds by Bremerton, Washington Housing Authority. . .Rural Josephine County Oregon declares "housing emergency" not for "face value" or "notoriety" but to "galvanize" making "adjustments to our cumbersome land use process," County chair Simon Hare tells Associated Press. . .Affordable Housing Finance says Boston Capital has committed $4.8 million in low-income tax credits to development of 36-unit Vista Rose II affordable housing for seniors in Wasilla, Alaska, the firm's first investment in the state. . ."Divided" Walla Walla, Washington City Council votes 5 to 2, says Union Bulletin, to ban new absentee-owner properties from being used for short-term rentals.

FACT-ASTIC
Based on data released by the U.S. Census & HUD for October 2017, CNBC recently reported that "New home sales have now increased for three straight months. . .hitting the highest level in 10 years." Good news, obviously. Even better news, however, may be a CoreLogic report that in August the share of mortgages in some stage of the foreclosure process, dropped to 0.6 percent," the lowest rate for August in 11 years since August 2006 before the housing boom went bust, the economy went into a deep, prolonged recession & some 10 million American families lost their homes to foreclosure.

FUND-AMENTALS

GREEN BEGETS GREENS!
Yumyump-nomics
Think "housing authority" & likely you'll think all it does is to provide housing. But they also promote opportunity. Just ask Catina & Blaine Shaishnikof, the founders & co-owners of Aleutian Greens on Unalaska, "the treeless island community where fresh produce is shipped in from Seattle, more than 2,000 miles away," reports The Anchorage Daily News. Not anymore. Thanks to - no pun intended - seed money from the Aleutian Housing Authority their firm uses 40' by 8' shipping containers for hydroponic gardening. to hydroponically grow "parsley, dill, arugula, kale, chives, basil, Thai basil, cilantro, bok choy and mizuna, a spicy mustard green." And don't forget lettuce, lettuce & more lettuce. It used to take two weeks for fresh produce to reach the community of 4,400 from Seattle. Now they can enjoy it the same day it's harvested. "Being able to buy and sell locally grown fresh produce is something that you never even thought would be an option in the Aleutians," says local resident Bob Owens. Aleutian Greens, he adds, makes more than a "slight difference" in the lives & kitchens of Unalaskans."

FOOD-LANTHROPY
Change-making change
Opportunity,of course, is a two-way street. Sometimes a housing authority helps a small business like Aleutian Greens & sometimes it's a business that helps the housing authority. A business like Co-Op Market & Deli in Fairbanks, Alaska. It's much more than just to stock your pantry or your fridge. You can also help your neighbors through programs like its Lend-a-Hand project. It allows customers at the end of each month, explains The News Miner, "to round up their shopping bills to the nearest dollar and donate the difference." 100 percent of the donations collected by the Co-Op go to charity, some $5.2 million worth of donations since the Lend-a-Hand launch in late 2013. Then there's its one-year-old Shop-and-Share project. When shoppers check-out they have the opportunity to also buy & pay for seven "building block" food items - like a dozen organic eggs or a pound or ground turkey or fresh vegetables & fruits. The value of the items "forward purchased" are converted to vouchers which are provided to Alaska Housing Finance Corporation's JumpStart self-sufficiency program. In just one year, the Co-Ops awarded 240 vouchers with a total value of almost $1,400 to 64 families. As The News-Miner's Kris Capps notes, "a few cents here & there" clearly "can make a big difference.".

PUBLIC GOOD, PRIVATE CONSEQUENCES
Light rail to expand in Tacoma
In cities across America light-rail is seen almost universally as a public good. It moves people to & from their daily rounds quick, cleanly & affordably. Who can argue with that. A public good, however, can have private consequences that aren't so good. By 2022 Sound Transit expects to complete a 2-mile extension of its light-rail system into the Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood, historically a center of African-American life in Washington state's second-largest city. That should mean new families, new housing, new businesses & new public facilities in the area. But what happens to the people who are already there - and have been for generations. "We've already seen elements of gentrification set in in the Hilltop," said the Rev. Toney Montgomery, president of the Tacoma Ministerial Alliance recently told The News Tribune. "It's almost like long range planners planned us out of the progress. So, with the coming of light rail, it's going to be a boon for Tacoma, and I would just like to see the plan include raising everyone up instead of allowing some to go up and pushing others out."

"HOUSING, HOPE & OPPORTUNITY"
The "long view" in Longview
"Longview (Washington), like so many other communities across the state and nation is facing the challenge of affordable housing and homelessness. Housing demand and affordability has dramatically outpaced development and wages. Fortunately, 43 years ago the City of Longview established what has grown to be one of the most successful and experienced housing authorities in the state to address these challenges. That's why I was surprised to hear a fellow council member recently say the Housing Authority has failed this city. . .Housing Opportunities of SW Washington (HOSWWA) officially known as the Housing Authority of the city of Longview currently assists over 1,500 vulnerable families and individuals in the communities they serve, including over 870 families in Longview alone. They have created 53 new homeowners and 198 successful graduates from their Family Self-Sufficiency program. This year alone they housed 116 formerly homeless vets with 67 currently participating in volunteer and employment programs. But most importantly 890 children have a chance to succeed in school and life because of safe, affordable housing. Seventy-five percent of the people served are elderly or disabled and 70 percent of them are households headed by females. The average annual income of all households served by the Housing Authority is $12,000 while the monthly average gross rent in the community is $801. Economics matter: Annually $8.5 million dollars are injected into local economies through the Housing Choice Voucher Program, over $6 million of that goes to landlords serving low income families in the City of Longview. Millions have been invested into the community for construction and rehabilitation of properties like the Sylvester Apartments serving the elderly and disabled and Stratford Arms Apartments which serves formerly homeless veterans. Blighted houses have been replaced with new homes in the Highlands for low-income families, and an Outreach Center for homeless youth has been created. . .The city of Longview and our community partners are well served by the leadership and expertise of the Housing Authority as they work with the city to create a strong, vibrant and healthy community by providing housing, hope and opportunity for those in need." - City Council Member Mary Jane Melink, "Let's celebrate Housing Authority Successes," The Daily News, November 28th, 2017.

BRIEF BRIEFS TOO
Saying "Seattle residents are being forced from their homes and our city as rent prices continue to skyrocket," in her first act on her first as Mayor Jenny Durkan signs order to help to families on Seattle Housing Authority waiting obtain utility assistance, to develop a pilot rental assistance program for families with incomes between 30 & 50 percent of median income & streamline access to affordable housing. . .With winter coming on, Tanana Chiefs "takes the lead" in opening first sobering center in Fairbanks, Alaska, says News-Miner. . .After many years of a job well done, Val Valfre steps down as housing services director for Washington County, Oregon. . .Colville Indian Housing Authority begins renovating 31 houses built more than 30 years ago Keller & Nespelem, Washing, with plans to construct 3 new triplexes this spring and, ultimately, to create a "pathway to homeownership on reservation" reports Tribal Tribune . .For the 20th time Community Frameworks brings back a Bremerton, Washington house on the brink of abandonment & enables a low-income family to become a first-time homeowners reports Seattle Post-Intelligenceer. . .Rupert, Idaho City Council unanimously approves $2.7 million renovation of Rupert Square Park in downtown in anticipation of Idaho CDBG award from state's Department of Commerce says Magic Valley.com. . .With funding from Longview/Kelso, Washington HOME Consortium, Washington State Housing Finance Commission Housing Trust Fund & Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, Options for Supported Housing & LifeWorks to open two duplexes for four people with developmental disabilities who can long longer live at home says The Daily News. . .Wastewater treat programs in Fruitland, Idaho & Tacoma & Pierce County are among 28 Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund projects recognized for "excellence & innovation" by EPA. . .Ashland, Oregon City Council okays ordinance, says KOBI-TV, allowing "cottage houses" of up to 800 square feet as a way to boost "smaller, more affordable housing". . .Megan Rock, director of the Idaho Department of Commerce for the past two years, is "stepping down," says KTVB-TV, o take position with Idaho Power & Governor Jay "Butch" Otter has named Bobbi-Jo Meuleman as her successor. . .Eugene, Oregon tech firm CBT Nuggets pledges $2 million, says Register Guard, to "front" costs of St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County-led coalition to convert former church into 20-room facility for homeless boys age 16 to 24. . .With funding from Washington State Housing Finance Commission, Preservation Partners to renovate 81-unit St. Andrews Court & 87-unit Conway Apartments for the elderly in Spokane, Washington, says Spokesman Review. . .Northwest Oregon Housing Authority begins $14 million renovation of 37-year-old Alder Court, 52 units of HUD-assisted housing for the elderly & persons with disabilities in Warrenton, Oregon says The Daily Astorian. . .King County, Washington ballot proposal to renew tax levy to support housing & services for veterans, the elderly & vulnerable populations, says Seattle Times, "passes easily". . .Telling KTUU-TV that "We know how to get them to housing, we know how to help people stabilize, we are just lacking some of the technical connecting resources," City homeless coordinator says Anchorage, Alaska will create "mobile intervention team" to replace one previously provided by community mental health provider in order to "connect members of the homeless community" with medical care, mental health resources and addiction treatment services. . ."A year after Portland, Oregon voters okay $258 million affordable housing tax levy, Oregonian says Metro is considering bod levy to expand affordable housing throughout Portland-Multnomah County-Washington County metropolitan area.

IMPACT ANALYSIS
HOPWA going forward
Wondering what effects, the recently-enacted Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act passed in 2017 by the Congress will have on HUD's Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS/HIV? Then take a look at recent guidance issued on how the Act will - and will - affect HUD housing supports for some of our nation's most vulnerable citizens at the recently-issued CPD Notice CPD 17-12 (it supersedes CPD 16-17). And if you have questions, don't be shy. Contact HUD's HOPWA help desk.

GOT VIEWS?
Help shape the future
In 2015the Oregon Legislature allocated $20 million to Oregon Housing & Community Services to work with the Oregon Health Authority & stakeholders to create a Mental Health Housing Program to develop housing for persons with serious & persistent mental health issue and/or substance use disorder. To date, some $12.5 million of that allocation has been or is committed to be awarded. The balance, however, may be used to "seed" the Housing for Mental Health Fund authorized by the Legislature in 2017. As a result, OHCS has issued a request for information from "any & all" who may have "related information" related to supportive/supported housing" to respoond to a series of questions it may face in establishing such a fund. This is not a request for proposals, only information. However, respondents may be invited to meet with OHCS "to discuss the various components of the option(s) including gaps in financing, hurdles and other obstacles identified through" this information-collection process. Submissions are due January 19th.

NOFA-TUNITY
Beds for vets
The Department of Veterans Affairs has set a February 28th deadline for eligible non-profits, local, county, state & Tribal governments & public housing authorities to apply for per diem funding to up to 100 organizations to provide an estimated 1,500 transitional housing beds under its Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Grant program. Each awardee must provide at least five beds & no VA medical center may have more than 40 beds. The beds must use at least one or a combination of the following models - Bridge Housing, Low Demand, Hospital-to-Housing, Clinical Treatment, and Service-Intensive Transitional Housing and Service Centers. Descriptions of each model as well as an FAQ document can be found at the Program's Web site. Current recipients of these funds may apply for these funds if they wish to expand or modify their current offerings.

NOFA-TWO-NITY
Community-driven collaboration
EPA has set a February 16th for eligible organizations to apply for up to 12 grants of up to $120,000 each under its Environmental Justice Collaborate Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement program. The program is intended to support community-based organizations, particularly in underserved communities, in their efforts to work collaboratively with stakeholders such as local governments, businesses and industries & academic institutions to develop & implement solutions to environmental or public health issues. Projects must demonstrate their use of EPA's Environmental Collaborative Problem-Solving Model in their efforts.

NOFA-THREE-NITY
Boosting rural economies
Business Oregon has set a December 20th deadline for new applicants to submit letters of interest in participating in its Rural Opportunity Initiative which is designed to "unify and strengthen existing business development resources to build rural prosperity through capacity-building grants" funded by the Legislature by enhancing "the capacity of existing local economic development and small business support organizations, as well as, grow their collective ongoing efforts to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem." To be eligible, applicants must be applying on behalf of three or more entrepreneurial partners,& serve an area of 30,000 or fewer residents. The Legislature allocated $750,00 to the Initiative for the 2017=2019 biennium.

BRIEF BRIEFS THREE
In one of his last acts before turning over the keys to Seattle, Washington City Hall to Mayor Jenny Durkan, Mayor Tim Burgess competitively awards $34 million to some 30 homeless providers & announces plan to place 7,000 homeless families in permanent housing in 2018, more than twice as many as in 2017. . .While Boise, Idaho may have robust array of services for the homelessness, November forum in Meridian examines what's to be done to insure similar services across all of Ada County says KTVB-TV. . .In its fall funding cycle Meyer Memorial Trust awards $22.7 to 193 Oregon not-for-profit projects to "carry forward" its vision of "breaking down inequalities" across the state. . Housing Opportunities of Southwest Washington in Longview & Financial Beginnings of Portland, Oregon joins CFPB's Your Money, Your Goals nationwide "financial empowerment" network. . .USDA awards $2.3m to expand broadband service in Upper Lake Cushman area of northwest Mason County, Washington. . .Juneau, Alaska Assembly votes unanimously, says The Empire, to provide $75,000 to convert former public safety building into warming center where up to 25 people can sleep "this winter when the temperature sinks". . .High Desert Business Co-Op in Harney County, Oregon & Craft3, a non-profit Community Development Financial Institution, close on $1.1 million loan that will allow for community ownership of a biomass heating system that warms "local courthouse, jail, elementary school, and an addiction treatment facility" in city of Burns says KTVZ-TV. . .Toppenish, Washington middle-schooler Janely Zuniga one of winners of national "What Fair Housing Means to Me" poster contest sponsored by National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials says The Herald. . .Recognizing that "small organizations only have the capacity to work on one piece of the problem" at a time, NEDCO - the Neighborhood Economic Development Organization - of Corvallis, Oregon & Willamette Neighborhood Housing Services of Corvallis, Oregon announce plans to merge within next two years, says Register Guard, to "create the capacity to deliver more comprehensive approaches to communities in need". . .Looking for ways to develop new housing, while also improving existing units" The Outlook reports that City of Gresham, Oregon making "renewed effort" to update its housing policy. . .With 12,658 parking spaces "hollowing out" downtown Spokane, Washington downtown, reports Spokesman Review, City Council "floats" plan to phase-out parking lots & "incentivize-in" buildings, says Spokesman Review. . .using Washington Department of Commerce grant, Woodland public schools & Cowlitz County-based non-profit Love Overwhelming partner, says Columbian, to assist students & their families at risk of homeless with housing & other resources. . .Pocatello, Idaho housing authority executive director Sunny Shaw, says Idaho State Journal, elected to two-year term as senior vice president of National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials. . .Center for Digital Government says Seattle, Bellevue & Tacoma, Washington among nation's most digital municipal governments. . .NeighborWorks Umpqua one of 10 organizations nationwide to win grants from Housing Assistance Council to make "critical repairs to homes owned by veterans" in Roseburg, Oregon says News Review. . .Spokesman Review says Catholic Charities of Spokane, Washington's 51-unit Donna Hanson Haven for the homeless to welcome its first residents in December., the fourth permanent, supportive housing the organization's opened in recent years that's named after its former executive director.

NOTEWORTHY
Accomplishing the mission
Is the HUD Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD VASH) program established by Congress in 2008 working? Well, according to a 2017 final report on a HUD-funded VASH Exit Study authored by the VA's National Center on Homelessness among Veterans, because of HUD rental vouchers & VA case management, 87 percent of veterans who are or are at risk of being homeless remained in the VASH program run by local public housing authorities for at least one year & 60 percent remained after two years. The study, says the VA, "this study found that HUD-VASH is successful at retaining Veterans in housing and that those who exit the program often do so because they accomplished their goals and rarely return to VA homeless programs."

QUOTEWORTHY
On "dream makers" & affordable housing
"The idea of private enterprise vs. the public welfare has always been a false choice. This administration does not consider private business as a rival to government, or somehow opposed to the best interests of the American people. Instead, private business is the activity of the American people exercising their rights in a free economy. And our government exists to protect those rights. Therefore, when pursuing HUD's mission to ensure safe, affordable housing for our countrymen, we cannot expect to achieve it by hindering the "dream makers," from bankers to builders. We only hurt our own goals by making it harder to make responsible loans. Harder to build affordable housing. Harder to manufacture safe construction materials. A country where it is easier to own a home, start a business, hire an employee, and get a job—that's a country we all want to create. We do that by working together, while Americans themselves take the lead. Across the nation, I have seen the successes of public/private partnerships, of churches and fraternal organizations, and of businesses which have made common cause with us in the welfare of their communities. These alliances for prosperity work best when HUD and other branches of government facilitate cooperation, but do not run roughshod over private initiative and economic growth. That's why the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit is our best resource for creating more affordable housing in the United States. For 30 years it has given states and localities almost $8 billion annually in budget authority to issues tax credits to people and businesses who want to build, maintain, or purchase low-income housing. It's a great incentive to let Americans keep more of their own money, and it encourages them to invest in the future of their fellow Americans." HUD Secretary Carson in remarks prepared for the annual conference of the National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders, November 2nd, 2017, Washington, D.C.

QUOTE TO NOTE
The road ahead
"There's really value to that land. If we're able to sell that land, we could take that money and leverage that...to go out and build new units." - Chuck Robbins, executive director of the Clackamas County, Oregon housing authority, explaining why it's proposing to sell "roughly 19" of the 22 acres that currently are the site of the "aging" Oregon City Vie Manor that opened in 1982 & provides affordable housing to some 100 income-eligible families, The Oregonian, November 8th.

WORTH A THOUGHT
Choices have consequences
Next spring marks the 5-year anniversary of the 5-year limitation on rental assistance for Tacoma, Washington Housing Authority residents who can work. In an attachment to his November 22nd Thanksgiving letter , executive director Michael Mirra, the Authority's executive director, recalls why the policy was established & the hard days some residents & the Authority may face when the anniversary arrives. "We do this for two reasons. First, we hope it will spur people to strive. The second reason we impose five-year time limits has nothing to do with data or expectation. We did it to solve a problem at THA. We serve a relatively small number of lucky households who have the golden ticket to deep, permanent rental subsidies. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of families look in from the outside getting nothing. They cannot even get on our waiting list. There is no way to explain who is in and who is out by any factor that should matter. They are the same by need, income, race, family composition, language, ethnicity, age and ability and disability. Only two factors explain who is in and who is out, and both are troublesome: luck and savvy. A five-year time limit expresses the unpleasant truth that at some point it is someone else's turn. The first of the five-years will be expiring Spring 2018. That hard day is coming when a mother, a month before her 5 years are up, will have just lost her job, or fallen sick, or given birth to her third child. Are we really going to end her rental subsidy? The present answer is that we will likely give her an extension. Under our present rules, the extension can last up to a full year if she engages in education or job training to increase her earned income. After the extension is up then we will end her subsidy whether she is ready or not. We will not like it but we will do it because we know there is a mother just like her waiting. These rules can be good. But they are not an occasion to celebrate. We probably would not terminate that mother if we did not have tens of thousands of others waiting for help or if we were flush with cash to help them. But we will make our policy choices with the market we face and the money we have."

WORTH A LISTEN
"Dream" neighborhood, but a planner's "nightmare"
"In a funny way, this"—82nd Street in east Portland, Oregon--"is exactly the kind of neighborhood we're supposed to be encouraging - "is a place where everything you want exists within easy reach. If you're an immigrant, you can find your market, restaurants that have the food you know, people who speak your language," said Thuy Tu, a civil engineer and consultant who has been working on Jade District improvements. "Everything is here for those communities that have already been displaced from their own country." Then why, asks Oregon Public Broadcasting, is it, "a planner's nightmare"?

JUST PUBLISHED
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs & Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issue warning to servicemembers & their families that some offers to refinance their VA mortgages that seem to be too good to be true ARE too good to be true. . .HUD launches WISER, the Web-based Instructional System for Environmental Review to help HUD grant "recipients and subrecipients understand the various areas to be considered in conducting an environmental review". . .U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs issues memo outlining roles & responsibilities of VA medical center staff in Continuum of Care coordinated entry systems. . .Oregon Housing & Community Services releases its tentative calendar for multifamily funding opportunities in calendar 2018.

NOTES TO NOTE
HUD sets December 4th deadline to apply for position of Region 1 HUD Deputy Regional Administrator serving Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island & Vermont. . .HUD sets December 6th deadline to apply for position of HUD New Mexico Field Office Director based in Albuquerque. . .USDA sets December 13th deadline to apply for $10 million in Assistance High Energy Cost Communities. . .Oregon Housing & Community Services sets January 19th as deadline to respond to its request-for-information concerning establishment of a Housing for Mental Health Fund. . .Business Oregon sets January 31, 2018 deadline to apply for $25 million in seismic rehabilitation funds for schools & $10 million for seismic rehabilitation in emergency services projects. . .EPA sets February 16th deadline to apply for up to 10 grants of up to $120,000 each under its Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Cooperative Agreement program. . .Department of Veterans Affairs sets February 28th deadline to apply for per diem funding under its Homeless Providers Per Diem & Grant program.

COMING UP

HUD Alaska Office of Native American Programs & Association of Alaska Housing Authorities host Contract Administration & Procurement Training workshop, December 5th to 7th, Anchorage, Alaska. Visit

King County Office of Civil Rights hosts Reasonable Accommodations & Modifications for Residents with Disabilities Workshop, December 5th, Seattle, Washington. Visit

Trends hosts 33rd annual Rental Housing Management Conference & Trade Show, December 5th, Seattle, Washington. Visit

HUD hosts Webinar providing overview of its Office of Manufactured Housing Programs, December 13th, on-line. Visit

Affordable Housing Management Association of Washington hosts Webinar on How to Prepare for HUD Management & Occupancy Review, December 13th, on-line. Visit

Housing Consortium of Everett & Snohomish County hosts affordable housing forum on County's temporary shelter program, December 14th, Everett, Washington. Visit

Alaska Association of REALTORS hosts annual Leadership Conference, January 11th & 12th, Anchorage, Alaska. Visit

Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians hosts 2018 Winter Conference, January 22nd to 25th, Portland, Oregon. Visit

Association of Idaho Cities hosts 2018 Water Users Summit, January 22nd, Boise, Idaho. Visit

Northwest Indian Housing Association hosts quarterly meeting, January 22nd to 25th, Chehalis, Washington. Visit

HUD Alaska Office of Native American Programs & Association of Alaska Housing Authorities host QuickBooks Intermediate Training Workshop, January 23rd, Anchorage, Alaska. Visit

HUD Alaska Office of Native American Programs & Association of Alaska Housing Authorities host QuickBooks Advanced Training Workshop, January 24th, Anchorage, Alaska. Visit

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