Northwest HUD Lines
October 2015

HUD e-Briefs from Alaska, Idaho, Oregon & Washington
Bill Block, Region X Regional Director (206) 220-5356
Leland Jones, Editor

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

! ! ! HAPPY NEW (fiscal) YEAR ! ! !

THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT
Birthday greetings from President Barack Obama
On September 9th, 2015, HUD celebrated the 50th of the signing of the Housing and Urban Development by President Lyndon B. Johnson. We received the following letter from President Barack Obama - "I am pleased to join in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and to extend my deepest gratitude to the dedicated professionals at HUD who work to lift up their fellow Americans. On September 9, 1965, President Lyndon. B. Johnson signed a bill that established HUD, paving the way for millions of Americans to live in safe, stable, affordable housing and reach for greater opportunity for themselves and for their families. Created in the midst of the fight for civil rights, HUD has helped ensure our Nation's founding ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are real for all people. For the last half-century, committed public servants at HUD have worked to provide Americans with essential and often life-saving services, always seeking to carry our economy and society toward a better day. By building inclusive and sustainable communities, HUD leverages the comfort and security that a home provides to help improve lives in every corner of our country. As you reflect on the last 50 years of progress and celebrate the tremendous difference HUD has made for generations of Americans, and particularly for those who have worn our Nation's uniform, please know how much I appreciate your service. I wish you the very best for the years to come."

50-50
Also on September 9th HUD Secretary Castro traveled to The LBJ in Library in Austin, Texas to reflect on HUD's first 50 years and its next 50. "President Johnson viewed government as an instrument of good," he told his audience, "a belief that's made a difference in cities and towns across the nation. The poverty rate is 40 percent lower than in the 1960s. And generations of Americans have benefited from his efforts - in the classroom, in the workplace, with their health care, and beyond. And without question, the creation of HUD deserves a place among the Great Society's most important accomplishments. But if President Johnson were here today, I think he'd look at the greatest democracy the world has ever produced and say, "Mr. Secretary, We've made progress, but we're nowhere close to being done." He'd probably even throw-in a few cuss words for good measure." To read the Secretary's full remarks, visit HUD's website.

NEW CHARGE
President visits Alaska with a to-do list
During his early September visit to Alaska which focused on climate change, President Obama charged HUD with a new challenge - developing "equitable and responsible" principles across agencies that when using HUD funds "for climate-related relocation and managed retreat from high-risk areas in the United States." As ice caps and glaciers melt because of climate change, water levels rise and river- and ocean-front villages in Alaska - like Galena in August, 2013 - are put at considerable risk. Moving them to higher, safer ground is can be critical to their long-term sustainability. To review the President's full list of some 25 initiatives to address climate change issues in rural Alaskan villages, see whitehouse.gov

BRIEF BRIEFS
By 9-2 vote Anchorage Assembly puts City on track (www.adn.com/article/20150929/anchorage-assembly-passes-lgbt-rights-law) to become first in Alaska to ban discrimination in housing, jobs and public accommodations on basis of LGBT or gender identity. . .Washington State Housing Finance Commission chair Karen Miller says it's okayed $48.1 million in financing to build or preserve more than 1,000 affordable housing units in Oak Harbor, Spokane, Shoreline & Montlake Terrace and, also, dedicated $240 million of its bond cap to Mortgage Credit Certificates which lower costs for its Home Advantage homebuyers. . .Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industry files suite, says KDRV-TV, alleging Medford, Oregon senior living facility has discriminated against gay couple. . .Mayor Ed Murray & Councilmember Mike O'Brien introduce legislation (http://murray.seattle.gov/mayor-murray-councilmember-obrien-introduce-legislation-to-build-new-affordable-housing/?hootPostID=56544d8dbcb0bd7217325c5dc9e94c38#sthash.MAcJSnm0.ANiZSjDG.dpbs) to create 6,000 units of affordable housing throughout Seattle, Washington. . .Home Forward (www.homeforward.org/get-informed/current-news/wnc-acquire-and-renovate-plaza-townhomes) announces sale of 68-unit Plaza Townhouses in Portland, Oregon to Community Preservation Partners LLC which expects to complete $3 million in renovations without rent increases or even temporary relocation of residents. . Alaska Housing Finance Corporation celebrates grand opening (www.adn.com/article/20150909/new-low-income-housing-complex-opens-anchorage?hootPostID=024db0daa0334ece1ef4e971789e851d) of solar-powered Susitna Square, 18 new units of affordable housing in Anchorage, Alaska, the first project completed by Alaska Corporation for Affordable Housing its new subsidiary which, AHFC tells Journal of Commerce (www.alaskajournal.com/business-and-finance/2015-09-16/ahfc-uses-new-financing-tools-anchorage-developments?hootPostID=4ada36e902bb415ca6a1beb43faca0b4), enables it "to work more broadly with partners". . Umpqua NeighborWorks in Roseburg, Oregon & Gerding Edlen in Portland, Oregon among 7 winners of U.S. Green Building Council's (www.realestaterama.com/2015/08/19/u-s-green-building-council-announces-leed-for-homes-award-winners-ID028194.html?hootPostID=44a994795221c88b9ac146d66e1dea76) 2015 LEED for Homes awards. . .With help from 38 Eugene, Oregon landlords and property owners who've "stepped up" to provide units, Mayor Kitty Piercy tells Register Guard (http://registerguard.com/rg/opinion/33468704-78/housing-homeless-veterans.html.csp?hootPostID=8d3d01ec22d6c55d012441813f737442) City is on pace to meet goal of providing permanent housing to 365 homeless veterans by year's end. . .Vancouver, Washington Housing Authority thought it would take 14 months for its new 1st Avenue Apartments to reach full occupancy, says Columbian (www.columbian.com/news/2015/sep/23/portland-mayor-aims-to-help-homeless/), but it took only four months. . .Portland Mayor Charlie Hales says he'll issue emergency declaration, says Oregonian (www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2015/09/portland_to_declare_housing_em.html), to waive zoning rules and expedite use of city-owned buildings to house homeless. . .Multi Service Center proposes, says Daily Index (www.tacomadailyindex.com/blog/apartments-serving-homeless-veterans-proposed-for-east-side-tacoma-transit-center/2428823/?hootPostID=ed78fe62fa4a4eced2fcc52627977672), four-story, 52-unit affordable housing complex for homeless veterans & their families atop 72nd Street Transit Center in Tacoma, Washington. . .Washington Governor Jay Inslee (www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-announces-grant-funding-assist-communities-wildfire-recovery) makes $150,000 in CDBG funds available to provide "case management, housing counseling and distribution of emergency supplies" and other services that help residents and businesses in Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, Ferry, Pend Oreille & Stevens counties "begin the process of recovering" from losses sustained during the worst wildfire season in the state's history.

FIGHT ON
The fight for fair housing continues
Every year, thousands of Americans experience housing discrimination, even though the Fair Housing Act has the law of the land for almost 40 years. The fight, in other words, continues and critical to that are the efforts of advocacy organizations on the ground, in our communities advancing the Act and protecting the rights of the victimized. On the last day of the fiscal year, HUD made sure that they have the resources to continue, competitively awarding some $38 million to nearly 120 organizations under the Fair Housing Initiatives Program, including six in Alaska and the Northwest. The Alaska Legal Services Corporation was awarded $325,000, the Intermountain Fair Housing in Boise was awarded $ 258,755, the Fair Housing Council of Oregon in Portland was awarded $325,000, Legal Aid Services of Oregon, also in Portland, was awarded $325,000 and the Fair Housing Center of Washington was awarded $325,000. In addition, the Northwest Fair Housing Alliance of Spokane was awarded three grants totaling $1,325,000. "Combating housing discrimination requires the aggressive enforcement of the nation's fair housing laws, but HUD can't do it alone," said HUD's Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Gustavo Velasquez. The funding, he added, "will enable organizations committed to justice and equality to support our efforts to ensure that everyone has equal access to available housing opportunities."

ANOTHER KIND OF FIGHT
Tribes win funds to prevent mold in their housing stock
HUD has awarded $800,000 to the Cook Inlet Tribal Association in Anchorage, $553,150 to the Craig Tribal Association in Craig, Alaska and $300,000 to the Yakutat Tlingit Tribe in Yakutat, Alaska as well as $486,827 to the Colville Indian Housing Authority in Nespelem, Washington to support mold remediation in housing owned or operated by tribes, tribally designated housing entities, or tribal organizations, with priority given to units with the most evidence of mold. More than 200 homes are expected to benefit from the funds, awarded under the Indian Community Development Block Grant program. All told, 18 tribal organizations won funding in 13 states. "Every family in America deserves a safe and healthy place to call home," said HUD Secretary Julián Castro. "These mold remediation grants demonstrate HUD's commitment to partnering with Native American communities to improve tribal housing and create healthy communities where families can thrive."

WORTH A LOOK
Healthy homes make for healthy people. Mold isn't good for either. Visit Curry County (www.pewtrusts.org/en/multimedia/video/2015/health-impact-assessment-helps-families-replace-unsafe-manufactured-housing?hootPostID=574027f747fef2f58046b3a3c4a0d05f), Oregon. It's hyper-focused, with help from HUD, on preserving or replacing its manufactured housing stock. Why? Pretty simple - the health of one out of every three of its residents depends on it.

INNO-FO
Innovation from the ground up
HUD's Renew 300 Initiative has just published a series of "briefs" that "take you inside" the innovative work of our partners in promoting energy-efficient and sustainable communities. Topics include Access to Opportunity, Climate Resilience, Equity & Inclusion and Economic Resilience. Visit HUD's website

BRIEF BRIEFS TOO
King County Metropolitan Council (www.kingcounty.gov/council/news/2015/August/08-31-Homelessplan.aspx?hootPostID=8d0e6e84497e28639ebc6f97488b7d71) endorses Committee to End Homelessness 2015-2019 strategic plan. . ."Nearly 3 dozen Alaskan villages," reports Associated Press (http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/2015-dozen-alaska-villages-lack-basic-plumbing-33898606), and "more than 3,300 homes" lack running water and flushing toilets. . .Josephine County, Oregon Board of Commissioners, says KLDR-FM, unanimously supports CDBG-funded rehabilitation program permitting repairs of up to $7,000 per home. . .Caldwell, Idaho, City Council okays $150,000 local match for New Beginnings to build elderly housing reports Press Tribune (www.idahopress.com/members/caldwell-council-approves-local-match-for-housing/article_9b89b91e-512f-11e5-bc0b-8bad89be77c2.html?hootPostID=c0fa9d6972c7f07338a8c32e64f12efb). . .FHA issues Mortgagee Letter 2015-22 concerning the incorporation of U.S. Department of Energy Home Energy Scores in "stretch ratios" for qualifying FHA Energy Efficient Mortgage borrowers. . .Portland, Oregon Commissioner Dan Saltzman proposes increasing notice-to-vacate requirement from 30 to 90 days for renters who've rented for less than a year. . .Spokane. Washington Mayor David Condon says City has exceeded goal of providing housing to 150 veterans, announcing (www.krem.com/story/news/local/spokane-county/2015/09/28/city-of-spokane-helps-177-veterans-find-permanent-homes/72994054/) that, as of September 28th, 177 vets had been housed. . .Oregon Housing & Community Services launches Web site (www.oregon.gov/ohcs/Pages/lift-housing-development-program.aspx?hootPostID=0a26a8239f5da1794a7cde363f4e3836) to track progress of implementing LIFT - Local Innovation and Fast Track Housing - program that recently received $40 million boost from Legislature & Governor Brown. . .Settle in the 1860's as a place for fortune-seekers to ferry across the Snake on their way to the goldfields of Idaho & Montana, looks like the mother lode is now in downtown Idaho Falls, Idaho thanks to a CDBG-funded façade renovation program. . .If you missed HUD Office of Housing Counseling's Webinar on U.S. Small Business Administration programs available to disaster victims visit HUD's website. . .Central City Concern begins laying foundation for 60-unit, $15 million Town Center Greens (http://portlandtribune.com/pt/9-news/274765-145157-60-unit-town-center-greens-housing-development-under-construction-in-clackamas-county?hootPostID=32a965dac2652a85d6682a162cb7a8bf) for families in Clackamas County. . .Vancouver, Washington City Council votes unanimously, says The Columbian (www.columbian.com/news/2015/sep/14/vancouver-oks-overnight-camping-in-public-places/?hootPostID=82543a23ebc4ec891332dd32912c09a7), to allow overnight camping in public places. . .La Grande, Oregon's (www.oregon.gov/ohcs/DO/newsreleases/2015/09-15-2015-governors-volunteer-award-announcement.pdf) Main Street Downtown initiative wins 2015 Governor's Volunteer Award. . .Low Income Housing Institute sets October 1st grand opening of Urban Rest Stop (www.lihi.org/) - the third it's opened - to provide hygiene services to homeless men, women & children in Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. . .After significant restructuring by Portland, Oregon City Council & Multnomah County Commission, Portland Housing Bureau begins accepting applications for "new and improved" Multiple-Unit Limited Tax Exemption Program (www.portlandoregon.gov/phb/article/545926) which now provides 10-year property tax exemptions of up to $3 million in annual foregone revenues eon new housing developments that reserve 20 percent of the new u nits for low- and moderate-income households. . .Shelter Resources Inc. & Community Action Council of Lewis, Mason & Thurston counties tells Kitsap Sun (www.kitsapsun.com/news/local-news/north-mason/affordable-housing-gets-a-facelift_54763664) renovation has begun of 89 units of affordable housing built in the 1970's in Belfair & Shelton, Washington.

NOFA TIME
Ready, set, read!!!
HUD is still in the process of evaluating applications received in response to fiscal year 2015 Notices of Funding Availability (NOFA)). The first NOFA under fiscal year 2016 funds isn't expected to be released until, at the earliest, April of 2016. But HUD's 2016 NOFA is already upon us with the September 24th posting of the 27-page General Section outlining the rules, regulations and requirements for all of the 30 or so NOFA's it will announce in fiscal year 2016. It's a dense, complex document, the kind of notice you might want to read once, twice or even a dozen times. There's no time like the present to get started. Enjoy.

NOFA-TUNITY
Competition opens for $1.89 billion in HUD funds to prevent & end homelessness
HUD has set a November 20, 2015 deadline for Continuums of Care to apply for $1.89 in funds to be competitively awarded to local Continuums of Care to support existing and new programs to prevent and end homelessness. Applicants are encouraged to pursue permanent housing using a Housing First approach and to target resources to proven strategies that, says HUD Secretary Julián Castro, have made a lasting impact on the local level, By empowering our partners with the resources, tools, and support that they need, we can move closer to the day when the United States ends homelessness - once and for all." This year's competition has expanded incentives to adopt best practices such as permanent supportive housing and rapid re-housing and greater flexibility provided to create a variety of new projects that will allow recipients to serve different populations of individuals and families experiencing homelessness as well as to support increased data collection and analysis. HUD has prepared a broadcast (https://www.hudexchange.info/resource/4708/fy-2015-coc-program-competition-nofa-broadcast/) outlining this year's competition as well as an FAQ (https://www.hudexchange.info/e-snaps/faqs/) page. An Ask a Question (https://www.hudexchange.info/get-assistance/my-question/) desk also has been activated.

NOFA-TWO-NITY
EPA assistance available to help addressing run-off pollution
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set a November 20th deadline to apply for up to 30 Urban Waters small grants of no more than $60,000 each to help develop innovative ways for eligible communities to address urban runoff pollution "through diverse partnerships that produce multiple community benefits, with emphasis on underserved communities." Proposed activities must take place entirely within Eligible Geographic Areas. Previous recipients include Anchorage in Alaska, Florence, Corvallis, Portland and Gold Beach in Oregon, Port Townsend in Washington State. For more, visit www.epa.gov

FINALIZED
Addressing rural America's credit shortage
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has published its final rule (www.consumerfinance.gov/newsroom/cfpb-finalizes-rule-to-facilitate-access-to-credit-in-rural-and-underserved-areas/) on facilitating access to credit in rural and underserved areas, especially mortgages. "The financial crisis was not caused by community banks and credit unions, and our mortgage rules reflect the fact that small institutions play a vital role in many communities," said CFPB Director Richard Cordray. "These changes will help consumers in rural or underserved areas access the mortgage credit they need, while still maintaining these important new consumer protections."

BRIEF BRIEFS THREE
During his visit to Alaska, President Obama (www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/09/02/fact-sheet-president-obama-announces-new-investments-combat-climate) says USDA is finalizing changes to rule that will allow, under "certain circumstances," rural Alaska "water system conditions" to "not have to be "dire" before assistance can be provided, thereby freeing up some $15.9 million for 17 projects that will "provide safe, reliable drinking water and waste-disposal systems for households and businesses" in remote villages. . .KeyBank's Carol K. Nelson appointed (www.frbsf.org/our-district/press/news-releases/2015/carol-k-nelson-appointed-to-seattle-branch-federal-reserve-board/) to the Seattle Branch Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. . .Metro (www.oregonmetro.gov/news/metro-council-announces-recipients-47-million-community-planning-and-development-grants) awards $4.7 million in community planning & development grants to assist in planning for projects in Portland & Clackamas, Multnomah & Multnomah counties, Oregon. . .Mustard Seed Project tells News Tribune (www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/community/gateway/g-living/article34664820.html?hootPostID=9db7f1bf6312b20b311d535f772a1259) it's moving ahead with plans to build 10 cottages for the elderly on Key Peninsula in Pierce County, Washington. . .Bruce Bailey takes over as CEO of Union Gospel Mission in Salem, Oregon and tells Statesman-Journal (www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/causes/2015/09/11/ceo-new-mens-shelter-ugms-future/71896608/) a new shelter is in the offing. . .Governor Inslee names Lona Hammer,f Yakima, Washington Housing Authority to Washington Homeless Advisory Board. . .More than 70 volunteers from Home Depot in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, says KREM-TV (www.krem.com/story/news/local/good-news/2015/09/15/volunteers-update-facility-coeur-dalene-veterans/72329230/), help rehab and weatherize two St. Vincent de Paul facilities for homeless vets. . .Washington Department of Commerce launches county-by-county services on-line guide (www.commerce.wa.gov/Services/individualassistance/CrimeVictimResources/Pages/default.aspx) for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking & other crimes. . .Alaska, Idaho, Oregon & Washington among 19 states to win $8 million in USDA Team Nutrition (www.fns.usda.gov/tn/2015-training-grants) grants to help develop smarter, more nutritious & healthier school & child care center lunchrooms. . .With Seattle, Washington expected to grow by 120,000 - or more - people over next 20 years, Mayor Murray (http://murray.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Executive-Order-2015-041.pdf) calls for new Department of Planning & Community Development. . .Albina Community Bank in Portland, Oregon wins $238,000 Community Development Financial Institutions Bank Enterprise Award (www.cdfi.org/cdfi-fund-announces-18-million-in-bank-enterprise-awards-for-investment-in-low-income-communities/) for its lending activity in revitalizing neighborhoods. . .Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalizes rule (www.consumerfinance.gov/newsroom/cfpb-finalizes-rule-to-facilitate-access-to-credit-in-rural-and-underserved-areas/) facilitating credit in rural & underserved areas. . .Evergreen Habitat for Humanity tells Columbian (www.columbian.com/news/2015/sep/09/evergreen-habitat-to-build-10-home-subdivision/) it's building 10-home subdivision in Father Blanchet neighborhood of Vancouver, Washington. . .Passive Housing Institute, says Oregonian (www.oregonlive.com/hillsboro/index.ssf/2015/09/national_recognition_and_award.html), honors Reach CDC's Orchards at Orenco in Hillsboro, Oregon as its 2015 best overall project & best affordable housing project. . .Alaska Municipal League moves offices to One Sealaska Plaza, Suite 200, Juneau, Alaska, 99801. . .NeighborWorks Umpqua breaks ground in Roseburg, Oregon, says KEZI-TV (www.kezi.com/news/307071771.html), on two new homes for veterans who will be first-time buyers. . .Multnomah County, City of Portland & A Home for Every Veteran Initiative kick-off (https://multco.us/multnomah-county/news/county-city-and-partners-gather-100-day-kick-end-veterans-homelessness) 100-day "push" to end veteran homelessness in Portland metro by end of calendar year. . .HUD publishes final rule (https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/09/08/2015-21774/on-site-completion-of-construction-of-manufactured-homes) establishing procedure by which manufactured homes "substantially completed in the factory can be completed at the installation site, rather than in the plant."

FACT-ASTIC
Are American consumers regaining confidence?
"Financial markets are showing increasing signs of health. For example, the latest Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data, released by federal agencies last week, shows increasing numbers of consumers are taking out mortgages. In 2014, the first year of our new mortgage rules, mortgage originations for owner-occupied home purchases increased between four and five percent. The upward trend appears to have accelerated over the first half of this year. And while we saw some continuing consolidation in parts of the mortgage market, there is no evidence of the decline some predicted. In fact, after taking merger activity into account, the number of lenders that reported having originated mortgages showed an increase in 2014. And in particular, after adjusting for consolidations, the number of community banks and credit unions that originated home-purchase mortgages last year was up from the year before. . .At the same time, the percentage of loan balances that are seriously delinquent dropped below four percent last quarter for the first time since 2007 and down from seven percent four years ago." -- Richard Cordray, Director, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in written testimony before House Committee on Financial Services, September 29, 2015

WORTH A LISTEN
House calls for the homeless
Dr. James O'Connell is president of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, the largest freestanding health care program for the homeless in the United States. He has provided medical care to the homeless since completing his residency at Mass General in 1985. "We are basically visiting them in their homes, which are often under bridges, down back alleyways [and] on park benches," Dr. O'Connell recently told Fresh Air's Terry Gross. "It's been an education for us over these years." He tells stories worth hearing.

WORTH CONSIDERING
Surgeon General steps up
An apple a day, you'll recall, helps keep the doctor away. So, too, do walking and walkable communities. So says the Surgeon General, Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy. It's why he's launched Step It UP! - A Call to Action to Promote Walking & Walkable Communities. It proposes "to increase walking across the United States by calling for improved access to safe and convenient places to walk and wheelchair roll and by creating a culture that supports these activities for people of all ages and abilities." Read the Call to Action (www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/walking-and-walkable-communities/exec-summary.html). Watch the launch event (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k-j4XtsNqQ). Or see the Surgeon's playlist he listens to on his walks.

WORTH A READ
Being a good neighbor
Early in September Corvallis Housing First announced that it would postpone its plans to convert a cold weather shelter for men into a permanent shelter until, at the earliest, the spring of 2017. "I want to hear criticisms and alternate plans as much as I can. It's critical," Tom Sherry of the group told the Corvallis, Oregon Gazette Times (http://democratherald.com/corvallis/news/local/housing-first-postpones-proposed-permanent-shelter-plans/article_9c50ad81-57ef-546d-a2da-5271524f0313.html). "We all love this community. Everyone is our neighbor and serving the homeless can't come at the cost of community good." The decision and the heated controversy that preceded has been quite a learning experience for Mr. Sherry and his colleagues, lessons (www.gazettetimes.com/news/opinion/as-i-see-it/as-i-see-it-four-surprises-about-the-homeless/article_06ef7164-925e-5fe3-8758-46967729c473.html), indeed, that might benefit all of us.

QUOTABLE & NOTABLE
Catalytic thinking
"Light rail has the power to transform communities. With this vision we can be deliberate about creating vibrant, walkable, economically diverse neighborhoods around new and existing stations. Using funding tools authorized by the Legislature, we can create at least 700 units of permanently affordable workforce housing to help meet the regional need, while catalyzing market-rate residential and commercial development near rail stations." -- King County Executive & Sound Transit Chair Dow Constantine unveiling plan (www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/constantine/News/release/2015/September/28-transit-oriented-development.aspx) to build "at least 700 units" of affordable work force housing at transit centers, September 29, 2015

QUOTE TO NOTE
A look at Portland, Oregon's most "pressing issue"
"This gives us a clear picture of where we have been successful as a City in meeting and exceeding our affordable housing goals, and where we still have more work to do. We now have a roadmap of where we need renewed focus to maximize the impact of our resources - and where we will need new tools and resources to achieve our goals. There is no more pressing issue facing our city right now than affordable housing. We must work to ensure that Portland's families can afford to live and succeed here. We've been given a clear path forward and I'm committed to action." - Portland City Commissioner Dan Saltzman, September 25, 2015, on the release of the 2015 State of Housing in Portland Report (www.portlandoregon.gov/phb/article/546135) which found, among other things, that rents had risen an average of $100 per month over the last year and "housing cost and income disparities continue to limit housing opportunity for the average Black, Native American, and Alaska Native Portland household in every neighborhood in Portland, and are increasingly impacting Latino households and households headed by single mothers as well."

NOTES TO NOTE
Washington State Housing Finance sets October 5th to 7th for Housing Washington Conference (www.wshfc.org/conf/index.htm) in Spokane, Washington & Idaho Housing & Finance sets October 6th & 7th for 2015 Idaho Housing Conference (www.idahohousing.com/ihfa/2015-housing-conference.aspx) in Boise, Idaho. . .HUD extends deadline to apply for $58.8 million in Indian Community Development Block (www.grants.gov/search-grants.html?agencies%3DHUD%7CDepartment%20of%20Housing%20and%20Urban%20Development) Grant funds from October 14th to October 22nd. . .Alaska Municipal League (www.akml.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Awards-Packet-4-up.pdf) sets October 16th deadline to submit nominations for 2015 Awards of Excellence. .Smart Growth USA (www.smartgrowthamerica.org/2015/09/23/applications-now-being-accepted-for-smart-growth-americas-2016-free-technical-assistance-workshops/) sets October 21st deadline for communities to apply for free technical assistance workshops on developing smart growth agenda. . .USDA sets November 23rd deadline to respond to request-for-proposals under its $800,000 2016 National Urban & Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant Program (www.fs.fed.us/ucf/nucfac.shtml). . .HUD sets October 23rd deadline to apply for $9.1 million in Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS/HIV funds for victims of violence against women demonstration project (www.grants.gov/search-grants.html?agencies%3DHUD%7CDepartment%20of%20Housing%20and%20Urban%20Development). . .EPA sets November 20th deadline to apply for grants of up to $60,000 under its Urban Waters Small Grants (http://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-09/documents/uwsg_fy15-16_rfp_final.pdf) program to support innovative solutions to urban runoff pollution. . .USDA sets November 23rd deadline to apply for cost-sharing grants of up to $300,000 under National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge (www.grants.gov/search-grants.html?agencies%3DUSDA%7CDepartment%20of%20Agriculture) Program Oregon. . .Housing & Community Services sets December 31st deadline to apply for $9 million under its Manufactured Dwelling Parks Preservation Program (www.oregon.gov/ohcs/HD/MFH/2015-MDP-NOFA/NOFA-4188-MDPP.pdf).

COMING UP
Oregon Association of REALTORS hosts fall business conference, September 29th to October 2nd, Bend, Oregon.

The Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association hosts a Webinar on Big Data & Small Communities on the challenges & opportunities created by U.S. Census data in analyzing smaller communities, October 2nd, on-line.

Idaho Association of REALTORS hosts annual business conference, September 30th to October 3rd, Sun Valley, Idaho.

Alaska Association of REALTORS hosts annual conference, September 29th to October 3rd, Homer, Alaska.

Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority hosts Resources for Redeveloping Brownfields workshop, October 1st, Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Former Congressman Barney Frank, author & journalist Johann Hari & NPR's Michelle Norris headline Housing Washington Affordable Housing Conference, October 5th to 7th, Spokane, Washington.

Spokane Low Income Housing Consortium hosts Affordable Housing Communities tour, October 5th, Spokane, Washington.

Futurist Dennis Burns, national political analyst Charlie Cook & author Rebecca Ryan headline Idaho Conference on Housing & Economic Development, October 6th & 7th, Boise, Idaho.

Portland hosts GoGreen 15, the Sustainability Conference for Business & Government, October 6th, Portland, Oregon.

HUD Seattle hosts on-line Basics of Fair Housing Webinar, October 7th, on-line.

HUD's Northwest Office of Native American Programs & Native American Indian Housing Council host Board of Commissioners & Housing Board Training Workshop, October 7th to 9th, Pendleton, Oregon.

Idaho Chapter of American Planning Association hosts annual conference on "Rural Spaces, Urban Places," October 7th to 9th, Sandpoint, Idaho.

HUD Seattle hosts on-line Basics of Fair Housing Webinar, October 7th, on-line.

Oregon State Historic Preservation Office hosts 2015 Oregon Main Street Conference, October 7th to 9th, The Dalles, Oregon.

Alaska Coalition on Housing & Homelessness holds its annual conference, October 12th to 14th, Anchorage, Alaska.

HUD's Office of Housing Counseling hosting Webinar for stakeholders to provide feedback on the effectiveness of training conducted by the Office during the fiscal year that ended September 30, 2015, October 14th, on-line.

Oregon AHMA hosts workshop on Managing USDA Rural Development Compliance, October 14th & 15th, Salem, Oregon.

Oregon Chapter of American Planning Association hosts annual planning conference on "Oregon Recovers," October 15th & 16th, Portland, Oregon.

HUD's Alaska Office of Native American Programs & Alaska Association of Housing Authorities hosts workshop on Uniform Physical Condition Standard, October 20th to 22nd, Anchorage.

HUD's Northwest Office of Native American Programs & Seminole Tribe of Florida Native Learning Center host Grant Writing Workshop, October 21st & 22nd, Tacoma, Washington.

Oregon AHMA hosts Focus Friday session on effective communications strategies for managers & service coordinators, October 23rd, Salem.

City of Seattle Office of Emergency Preparedness offers Ready for the Big One? Workshop, October 24th, Seattle.

Neighborhood Partnerships hosts 2015 RE: Conference focusing on the what-you-need-to-knows of individual development accounts, October 28th & 29th, Salem, Oregon.

HUD's Alaska Office of Native American Programs & Association of Alaska Housing Authorities holds workshop on Drugs in Housing 101 Phase 1: Identification of Drugs & Impacts on Users, November 3rd to 6th, Anchorage.

Association of Idaho Cities hosts 2015 Energy & Green Building Conference, November 4th & 5th, Boise.

Portland State University hosts 2015 Build Small, LIVE LARGE Conference, November 6th, Portland, Oregon.

City of Seattle Office of Emergency Preparedness hosts Earthquake Home Retrofit workshop, November 7th, Seattle, Washington.

Idaho Smart Growth presents 2015 Grow Smart Awards, November 12th, Boise, Idaho.

HUD Alaska Office of Native American Programs & Association of Alaska Housing Authorities hosts Tribal Council Training workshop, November 12th and 13th, Anchorage.

Oregon AHMA hosts Tax Credit Compliance File Audit: Tips & Tricks workshop, November 13th, Salem, Oregon.

Washington Chapter of the American Planning Association celebrates the 25th anniversary of Washington's Growth Management Act, November 13th, Tacoma, Washington.

HUD Alaska Office of Native American Programs & Association of Alaska Housing Authorities host Project Implementation Training workshop, November 16th to 18th, Anchorage, Alaska.

Alaska Municipal League hosts 65th annual Local Government Conference, November 16th to 20th, Anchorage, Alaska.

Oregon AHMA hosts Attitudes that Work at Work workshop, November 17th, Salem, Oregon.

HUD's Northwest Office of Native American Programs & National American Indian Housing Council offer Environmental Review - Housing Rehab workshop, November 17th & 18th, Bow, Washington.

King County Office of Civil Rights hosts First Steps -- Best Practices to Promote Fair Housing workshop, November 19th (morning), Seattle, Washington.

King County Office of Civil Rights hosts Advanced Fair Housing workshop, November 19th (afternoon), Seattle, Washington.

King County Office of Civil Rights hosts Reasonable Accommodations & Modifications for Residents with Disabilities workshop, November 30th, Seattle, Washington.

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