December 2012 Region III HUDLine News

Serving Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia

Jane C.W. Vincent with Brandon Porinchak at the Veterans Day ceremony.

A Message from the Regional Administrator
It would be impossible for me to sum up all of the good work accomplished by the Region III team over the past year, so instead I will leave you with a few "good news" stories.

I'd like to thank each and every one of you for your work in response to the devastation left by Hurricane Sandy. Presidential declarations in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia allowed the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to offer foreclosure relief and other assistance to certain families living in the designated counties within each state. Many Region III employees also volunteered for deployment to those areas hardest hit by the storm.

Presidential Management Fellow Brandon Porinchak (pictured here with me) and Edward Thomas, a healthy homes field representative, made their way to the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in New York the day after Christmas. Community Planning and Development's Ileana Colon will arrive home today while the Homeownership Center's William Morad is scheduled to return soon after the New Year. Please join me in thanking them and the three profiled in this message for their service. I'm very proud of all of them and the others who are yet to go.

HUD's Region III Hurricane Sandy Responders

In the days following the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Sandy, HUD responded swiftly to support the federal government's response to the widespread devastation in New York and New Jersey. HUD's mid-Atlantic regional office participated in the Department's response and recovery planning, assembling a regional disaster team. The team, made up of volunteers with a wide range of skills and experience, were placed on standby for deployment. For the first round of assignments, three Region III volunteers were deployed to New York. They are pictured here with Secretary Shaun Donovan during a recent visit.

HUD's Superstorm Sandy Response Team with Secretary Shaun Donovan

Ken Freynik, a management analyst in the Homeownership Center's Operations Division, was stationed in the FEMA/State Joint Field Office in Queens. He led a team of subject matter experts, providing guidance to HUD personnel in DRCs and coordinating with federal partners to answer questions about HUD programs.

"This was one of the best experiences in my 35 years at HUD," said Freynick. "I truly felt that everything I was doing during those three weeks was contributing, even if in a small way, to immediately help people who were suffering. HUD staff, in particular, is in the best position to provide assistance and moral support to homeowners who are struggling with their housing needs."

Subject matter experts were deployed to staff DRCs to provide local housing resources to Hurricane Sandy survivors. Some were assigned to work closely with federal and state partners to quickly facilitate the approval of program waivers and new initiatives designed to speed aid to those impacted by the storm.

Rose Greaux, an underwriter in the Homeownership Center's Technical Support Branch, worked in the Brooklyn and Staten Island DRCs, giving information to first-time home buyers and helping to resolve Housing Choice Voucher issues. She has supported recovery efforts in the past, including the response to the Florida hurricanes in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. "I volunteered because this is something I like to do," said Greaux. "I like to help people."

Niki Edwards, a regional public affairs officer in the Office of Field Policy and Management, worked side-by-side with FEMA's External Affairs Team to disseminate public information on the recovery effort and to explain HUD's role and assistance programs. "Since I have many years of experience in response and recovery operations, I wanted to volunteer to support our Region II colleagues in any way possible," said Edwards. "We have a significant role in the recovery and communications will be vital as we work with our federal, state, and local partners to develop a long-term rebuilding plan."

More than 27 federal agencies joined FEMA in Hurricane Sandy preparation.

Debra Martin, Meaghan Messner and Michael Wehrer

Pennsylvania Homeless Veterans Collaboration Team Honored
I'd also like to congratulate Debra Martin, public housing revitalization specialist in HUD's Pittsburgh Field Office; Meaghan Messner, program analyst in HUD's Philadelphia regional office, and Michael Wehrer, homeless care team supervisor in the Veteran Administration's Erie office, for their work in forming the Pennsylvania Homeless Veterans Collaboration Team.

The three were recently honored at the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania's Homes Within Reach Conference in Harrisburg by receiving the PNC Housing Hero Award for their unified and innovative approach to eliminate veteran homelessness-and their desire to make certain that every veteran has a place to call home.

The PNC Housing Hero Awards recognize creative programs that achieve proven results in addressing Pennsylvania's most pressing housing problems.

Through their collaboration, a seamless state-wide safety net was established for homeless veterans, linking with many housing authorities and community partners along the way. Their partnership has resulted in training sessions for nearly 100 Public Housing Authorities and 10 VA medical facilities across the state. More than 1,200 homeless veterans and their families have been housed since 2008.

So as we close 2012, I'd like to take this opportunity to once again, thank all of you who work each and every day to support HUD's mission to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. I look forward to a New Year filled with more "good news."

Jane C.W. Vincent, Region III Regional Administration
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

NEWS YOU CAN USE

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research has released the U.S. Housing Market Conditions Report for the third quarter of 2012. The report provides updated information for the country on housing construction, marketing, affordability, homeownership, foreclosures, and multifamily housing performance. Profiles of regional activity, selected housing markets, and updates of historical trends in national and regional markets are presented. The title of this issue's feature article is "Housing in America: 2011 American Housing Survey Results."

HUD's OneCPD Resource Library and the redesign of the OneCPD Resource Exchange: (https://www.onecpd.info/) are now live! Community Planning & Development grantees and partners can now go to the OneCPD Resource Exchange to search for resources across all CPD programs. The library contains resources from the NSP Resource Exchange (hudnsphelp.info), Homelessness Resource Exchange (hudhre.info), HOMETA.info, HUD.gov, Comcon.org, and other sources.

You may have missed HUD's Office of Environment and Energy's authoritative and comprehensive webinar series entitled Understanding HUD Environmental Reviews, but you'll find all of the training sessions are available online: (https://www.onecpd.info/learning-center/environmental-review-training/). Answer all your questions, or simply refresh your skills!

Rural Community Assistance Corp. (RCAC) has posted archival copies of their recent HUD Compliance Webinar Series. Topics for Housing Counselors include: 9902 training, Reporting - Quarterly & Draws, Counseling - Group & Individual, Housing Counseling Work Plan, QCP, Data Security, CMS Systems and HCS, FHA HAMP & FHA Loss Mitigation. Registration is not required, no fee. Links to these FREE archival webinars and supporting materials are now posted here: (www.rcac.org/doc.aspx?1012).

HUD FEDERAL REGISTER RULES, NOTICES & FUNDING

Rules and Regulations
Federal Housing Administration: Prohibited Sources of Minimum Cash Investment Under the National Housing Act-Interpretive Rule: (https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/12/05/2012-29361/federal-housing-
administration-prohibited-sources-of-minimum-cash-investment-under-the-national)

Notices
OneCPD Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Needs Assessment:
(https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/12/18/2012-30475/onecpd-technical-assistance-and-capacity-building-needs-assessment)

Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Survey and Collection of Information From HUD Healthy Housing Demonstration Grantees: (https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/12/19/2012-30600/notice-of-proposed-
information-collection-survey-and-collection-of-information-from-hud-healthy)

Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Comment Request Family Self-Sufficiency Program Demonstration: (https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/12/10/2012-29791/notice-of-proposed-
information-collection-comment-request-family-self-sufficiency-program)

Federal Property Suitable as Facilities To Assist the Homeless: (https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/12/14/2012-29925/federal-property-suitable-as-facilities-to-assist-the-homeless)

Federally Mandated Exclusions from Income: Republication of Corrected Listing: (https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/12/14/2012-30210/federally-mandated-exclusions-from-income-republication-of-corrected-listing)

Notice of Submission of Proposed Information Collection to OMB; Comment Request: Notice of Requirements for Reporting for the Tax Credit Assistance Program (TCAP): (https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/12/05/2012-29354/notice-of-submission-of-proposed-
information-collection-to-omb-comment-request-notice-of)

Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) Grant Monitoring: (https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/12/03/2012-29152/self-help-homeownership-opportunity-program-shop-grant-monitoring)

Notice of Neighborhood Stabilization Program; Closeout Requirements and Recapture: (https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/11/27/2012-28642/notice-of-neighborhood-stabilization-program-closeout-requirements-and-recapture)

Final Fair Market Rents for the Housing Choice Voucher Program and Moderate Rehabilitation Single Room Occupancy Program Fiscal Year 2013; Revised: (https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/12/05/2012-29354/notice-of-submission-of-proposed-
information-collection-to-omb-comment-request-notice-of)

Notices of Funding Availability
Due January 18 - FY 2012 Continuum of Care (CoC) Competition
Due January 28 - Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2) National Resource Network
Due February 1 - Funding Availability Under Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program: (https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/10/26/2012-26376/funding-availability-under-supportive-services-for-veteran-families-program)

For additional information, visit the HUD Federal Registers page at hud.gov.

AROUND THE REGION

DELAWARE

Congressman John Carney walks through Delaware's plan to prevent and end homelessness.

Call to Action: How to Collaboratively End Homelessness in Delaware
On Dec. 3, U.S. Senator Chris Coons and U.S. Congressman John Carney opened a statewide gathering of nonprofit executive directors by stressing the need for federal, state and local partners to work collaboratively to end homelessness in the First State. U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness' Amy Sawyer introduced Opening Doors: (www.usich.gov/opening_doors/), the federal strategic plan, and then facilitated small group sessions to determine best practices as well as gaps to end veteran and chronic homelessness by 2015 and children and family homelessness by 2020. The Homeless Planning Council of Delaware will continue the discussions during a follow-up meeting at the Community Service Building in Wilmington mid-March. Pictured here, Congressman Carney walks through Delaware's plan to prevent and end homelessness.

Creating Complete Communities in Delaware
How is Delaware planning for and designing "complete communities" that are sustainable with transportation and housing choices, access to jobs, health care and education? An expert on sustainable development at the Urban Land Institute, Edward McMahon's keynote address highlighted that research indicates that more Americans are looking for more walkable, transit-connected communities. McMahon showed photos from around the region that illustrated the growing trend for communities to build high-rise mixed developments with the lower tier composed of retail establishments with housing units above them. Hosted by the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, the Delaware Department of Transportation and the Office of State Planning Coordination with the Support of the National Association of REALTORS® and Delaware Association of REALTORS®; Greg Moore from the Becker Morgan Group, Inc. talked about plans for walkable pathways connecting downtown Dover with Wesley College Community and plans for a train transit center. To view presentations, go summit: (http://completecommunitiesde.org/summit/).

Upcoming Events

• Jan. 2 - Sussex County Public Hearings on the Community Development Block Grant Program. Go here: (http://images.magnetmail.net/images/clients/DSHA/attach/PUBLICHEARINGMEETINGDATESFY20132014.pdf) for the complete schedule.
• Jan. 15 & 16, 8:15 a.m. - 4 p.m. daily - Best Practices in Homeless Services - A Part of the Delaware Case Management Training Program. Best practices for case managers working with people experiencing homelessness. The Duncan Center, 500 West Loockerman Street, Dover, DE 19904. To attend, go here: (www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=234598).
• Jan. 17, 8 a.m.-Noon - Delaware National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (DE NAHRO) presents: Tenant's Rights and Responsibilities Under the Tenant/Landlord Code, POLYTECH Adult Education Center, 823 Walnut Shade Road, Dover, DE 19901. Learn how tenants' rights and responsibilities are outlined and affected by the Delaware Residential Landlord Tenant Code. To register, contact Paula Sims at paulasims1@yahoo.com.
• Jan. 24 or Feb. 19, 6-7:45 p.m. - CCCS-Inc.'s Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Workshops, Elsmere Library, 30 Spruce Avenue, Elsmere, DE 19805. To register, please call (800) 267-5002 or (302) 792-1200 or visit www.delawaremoneyschool.com: (http://delawaremoneyschool.com).
• Jan. 30, 4-7 a.m. - 2013 Point in Time (PIT) Count. An unduplicated one-night count or estimate of sheltered and unsheltered adults, children and youth, the purpose of the PIT is to help communitiesunderstand the number and characteristics of homeless people on a single night. If you or people you know are interested in conducting surveys of the homeless, please contact Angela Karlton at akarlton@hpcdelaware.org for more information.
• DUE Feb. 22 - A request for Proposal (RFP) for Emergency Shelter/Transitional Housing and Rapid Re-Housing Case Management has been released by the Office of Community Services. A Pre-Bid meeting will be held on January 3, 2013 from 10 a.m. - Noon at: DHSS Herman M. Holloway Sr. Campus, Main Administration Building, 1st FL Conference Room, 1901 North DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE 19720. For a copy of the RFP, go here: (www.bids.delaware.gov/bids_detail.asp?i=1626&DOT=N).

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Retired NFL players and members of the HUD VAG serve holiday meals to veterans

Members of the HUD Veterans Affinity Group (VAG) joined the National Football League Washington, DC Retired Players Chapter for Thanksgiving Day at the Southeast Veterans Service Center in the District of Columbia. Retired NFL players including Buffalo Bills' Cal Snowden, Washington Redskins' Jeris White, Philadelphia Eagles' Phil Bryant, Minnesota Vikings' Michael Early and their wives, along with Brigadier General Gregory Brundidge (USAF-Ret.), Rear Admiral John Stufflebeem (NAVY-Ret.) and members of the VAG, to serve the holiday meal to the veterans in attendance.

Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority Selected for Elite Program to Improve Federal Rental Assistance
Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (FCRHA) in Virginia is one of four authorities selected to participate in HUD's Moving to Work (MTW) program. The MTW program is designed to provide local housing authorities with added flexibility to create and test innovative strategies to use federal funding more efficiently to assist families either living in public housing or who are assisted through HUD's Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. There are 35 other MTW across the U.S. that have flexibility to use their federal funds to help families "move to work" by providing incentives such as job training and educational programs that lead to employment and, ultimately, self-sufficiency.

FCRHA seeks to create a housing continuum that allows individuals and families to move from homelessness to subsidized housing, to moderately-priced living, and finally away from housing assistance. The continuum will meet the residents where they are and provide a clear path and motivation to move forward. In addition, the model will provide shallower subsidy as residents move towards self-sufficiency, therefore allowing more individuals to be served with the same limited resources. The controlled rent reform study will be a key piece of the housing continuum, as the alternate rent setting structure will allow FCRHA to gradually move residents from high levels of assistance and access to services to greater levels of independence. In addition, FCRHA proposes to conduct a detailed evaluation of the MTW block grant. The evaluation will quantify how savings are achieved through streamlining initiatives and then point those savings to fill gaps in the MTW program. The evaluation will quantify the extent to which fundability will allow FCRHA to effectively administer programs. FCRHA has established partnerships with George Mason University to evaluate both the rent reform and block grant evaluations.

HUD Brings Housing Message to the D.C. Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program Event
The District of Columbia Field Office's persistence paid off as they presented information on HUD programs to the 273rd and 372nd Military Police, their families and dependents at the District of Columbia Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program on Dec. 8 & 9. Designed for National Guard and Reserve Components, Yellow Ribbon events provide those deployed or about to be deployed and their families with valuable information on benefits, services, and resources that are available before, during and after the deployment. HUD's representatives from Field Policy and Management and the Office of Community Planning and Development provided information on programs and services specifically targeted to veterans; e.g. Veterans Affinity Group (VAG), HUDVET Resources, Veterans Employment Program Office (VEPO) and Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers. The 200+ servicemembers also received information about HUD-approved housing counseling agencies, e.g. credit counseling, rental assistance, first-time homebuying classes and foreclosure prevention assistance. HUD also enlightened those attending to the new provisions under the amended Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to enhance protections of retaining homeownership after entering active duty. After February 2013, SCRA will further protect servicemembers who experience foreclosure while on active duty, offering up to $175,000 in remuneration. In addition to conducting two workshops and manning a booth at the Yellow Ribbon event, HUD received an invitation to present at the National Guard Joint Services Support's 30-Day Post-Deployment Event on Jan. 12 at the National Harbor.

Upcoming Events

• Jan. 12, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. - Winterhaven Stand Down, VA Medical Center, 50 Irving Street, NW, Washington, DC. For more information, go here: (http://servingtogetherproject.org/winterhaven-stand-down-for-homeless-at-risk-veterans-jan-12-2013-washington-dc-va-medical-center/). To donate boots or to volunteer, contact Walter Elmore at walter.a.elmore@hud.gov.
• Jan. 30 - 2013 Point in Time (PIT) Count for the District of Columbia. To register as a volunteer, go here: (http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=4msnwtiab&oeidk=a07e6tb1gv228b29f53). For information about how to volunteer for Northern Virginia PITs, please contact your local Continuum of Care (CoC): (https://www.onecpd.info/grantees/#tl).

MARYLAND

Disaster Recovery Center Offers Resources to Sandy Survivors in Maryland
Residents in Somerset County affected by Hurricane Sandy can get first-hand information about disaster assistance and resources available to them directly from Federal Emergency Management Agency and Maryland Emergency Management Agency specialists at a newly-opened Disaster Recovery Center in Crisfield. The Center is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at the Lower Somerset County Ambulance & Rescue Squad Building at #2 Mill Lane.

Federal assistance can include grants to individuals for rental assistance and essential home repairs. Specialists can direct survivors to agencies that may be able to meet specific needs. Information is also available on rebuilding safer and stronger. Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration will be available at the centers to assist survivors in completing their low-interest disaster loan applications and answer questions about the loan program available to homeowners and renters as well as businesses of all sizes and nonprofit organizations. For many people, a completed SBA loan application is necessary to be considered for some types of federal financial disaster assistance. People with home-based businesses or rental property affected by the storm may also be eligible for SBA loans.

Before going to a center, people with storm losses are encouraged to register with FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov, by phone (800) 621-FEMA (3362) or TTY (800) 462-7585. If using 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call (800) 621-3362. Multilingual operators are available. Tablet or smart phone m.fema.gov: (http://m.fema.gov/). For more information about this disaster, go to www.fema.gov/disaster/4091 or www.mema.maryland.gov.

Druid Heights CDC Hosts Event to Release Baltimore's Community Health Equity Report
At an event hosted by the Druid Heights Community Development Corporation, The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies released a study documenting how neighborhood social and economic conditions in Baltimore powerfully shape racial and ethnic health inequities in the city. The report, Place Matters for Health in Baltimore: Ensuring Opportunities for Good Health for All: (www.jointcenter.org/research/place-matters-for-health-in-baltimore-ensuring-opportunities-for-good-health-for-all)," finds that residents' place of residence is an important indicator of their health and health risks. Importantly, because of persistent racial and class segregation, place of residence is an especially important driver of the poorer health outcomes of the city's non-white and low-income residents and noted a nearly 30-year difference in life expectancy between minority, low-income neighborhoods and wealthy, more affluent neighborhoods.

Prepared by the Joint Center and the Baltimore Place Matters team, Equity Matters, Inc., in conjunction with the Center for Human Needs at Virginia Commonwealth University and the Virginia Network for Geospatial Health Research, the research was supported by a grant from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) of the National Institutes of Health. The study provides a comprehensive analysis of the range of social, economic, and environmental conditions in Baltimore-particularly as it relates to the quality of housing and educational opportunities-and documents their relationship to the health status of the city's residents.
The event included a discussion moderated by Brian D. Smedley, Ph.D., Vice President and Director, Joint Center Health Policy Institute and Michael Scott of Equity Matters, Inc. Special guests included U. S. Senator Ben Cardin, (D-MD), U.S. Congressman Elijah Cummings, (D-MD, 7th District) and Carol B. Payne, Maryland Field Office Director.

Foreclosure? Seek help early! FREE help is available!
Know your rights as a renter or property owner! Avoid scams and fraud! There are many ways foreclosure can be prevented. Contact the Maryland HOPE Hotline at 1 (887) 462-7555 or online at www.mdhope.org. Renters, you have rights! Call the Public Justice Center at (410) 625-9409 or online www.publicjustice.org.

Upcoming Events

• Jan. 27-30 - The Baltimore Mayor's Office of Human Services - Homeless Services Program, in partnership with the Baltimore Home for Good campaign, will undertake an exciting new project: 75 Journeys Home. An extension of the annual homeless census, 75 Journeys Home will identify the most vulnerable homeless people and connect them to housing and services. Volunteers are desperately needed to help with the homeless census Jan. 27-30. Go to sign up or for more information: (www.journeyhomebaltimore.com/help/volunteer.php).
• Jan. 30 - 2013 Point in Time (PIT) Count for the Calvert, Charles and Saint Mary's Counties. Please contact your CoC: (https://www.onecpd.info/grantees/#tl).

PENNSYLVANIA - EASTERN REGION

Estelle Richman, special advisor to Secretary Shaun Donovan, pictured here with Councilman Nathaniel Goodson of Upper Darby Township

HUD Announces $500,000 Housing Mobility Grant in Southeastern Pennsylvania
With nearly 200 in attendance, the First Suburbs Project and Building One Pennsylvania honored the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Estelle Richman, special advisor to Secretary Shaun Donovan, pictured here with Councilman Nathaniel Goodson of Upper Darby Township and other local leaders for their work to bring housing mobility to Southeastern Pennsylvania. Awards were given to U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey, Jr.; Rev. Marlon Millner, Norristown Municipal Council and McKinley Memorial Baptist Church; Isaac Dotson, Yeadon Economic Development Corporation; and TomGemmill, St. James Episcopal Church, Lancaster. U.S. Congressman Patrick Meehan was also recognized for his leadership on the recently enacted federal transportation bill and its potential positive economic impact on the region. The award ceremony was held on Nov. 29 in Boothwyn, PA.

"With more than 30 years' experience in public service, including seven right here as Pennsylvania's Secretary of Public Welfare, Estelle has spent her life working to improve the lives of others. She's been a remarkable resource for the Secretary, for me, and everyone at HUD," noted Deputy Secretary Maurice Jones in his remarks. "I know Estelle shares your commitment to building stronger, more sustainable communities in southeastern Pennsylvania and throughout the state - and to lifting up the families that live here."

Deputy Secretary Jones is pictured here with Building One Pennsylvania Chair John McKelligott (left).

After thanking Richman and the others for their work exploring a regional mobility initiative, the Deputy Secretary announced that HUD would be providing seed funding of $500,000 to be used to offer mobility counseling to promote choice and opportunity for low-income families currently in the Housing Choice Voucher Program. The Philadelphia Housing Authority will oversee the demonstration program and work directly with residents who are willing to move to areas of opportunity outside of City Center.

"Building on our work bringing together regional public housing authorities, this program will provide families that use vouchers with better information and advice about their mobility options, tailored to their needs and goals," Jones added. Deputy Secretary Jones is pictured here with Building One Pennsylvania Chair John McKelligott (left).

In addition to the initiative, Region III host a summit "Moving to Higher Opportunity: Exploring Options and Opportunities for Housing Mobility in Southeastern Pennsylvania" anticipated in March 2013.

HUD to Support Youth Violence Prevention Initiative in Philadelphia
On Nov. 27, the City of Philadelphia took the first step as a member city in the National Forum on Youth Violence prevention, a program of the Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Philadelphia was selected in September as one of four Forum expansion cities, along with Camden, NJ, Minneapolis, MN, and New Orleans, LA. Acting Assistant Attorney General Mary Lou Leary and her Chief of Staff Thomas Abt, along with members from OJJDP, and representatives from the Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, and the Department of Housing and Community Development, launched the initiative with two days of "Listening Sessions." The Listening Sessions featured meetings with City officials, including City Councilman Curtis Jones, Chair of the Public Safety Committee; a Philly Rising tour of the Strawberry Mansion and Swampoodle neighborhoods; a focus group with young people and their parents affected by violence; a panel of academic experts on youth violence; and a panel of community partners who presented their work.To participate in the Forum, the City of Philadelphia had to demonstrate the ability to form its own local coalition dedicated to addressing the issue of youth violence.

Upcoming Events

• Jan. 30 - 2013 Point in Time (PIT) Count for the Philadelphia. To volunteer, please contact your local Continuum of Care: (https://www.onecpd.info/grantees/#t).

PENNSYLVANIA - WESTERN REGION

Pictured left to right: Westmoreland County Planning's Bert Getto, County Commissioners Charles Anderson, Tyler Courtney and Ted Kopas (far right) and Wesmoreland County Housing Authority's Mike Washowich.

Investment of CDBG Funds Advances Westmoreland County Public/Private Partnership
In a win-win situation for all involved, Westmoreland County's new Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funded program "Jobs, Education, and Training" (JET) utilizes Westmoreland County Housing Authority as one of its primary partners. Created in response to a Fair Housing Action Plan goal, the initiative involves state-of-the-art green training and job placement by providing incentives for employment training for residents of racially impacted low-income neighborhoods in the county.

The initial investment of CDBG funds was critical in establishing a public/private partnership to link adult educational programs, employment training with private businesses, especially manufacturing and construction industries. Without the CDBG funded JET program, this coordination and integration effort would not have existed. Since the initiative's launch, JET participants have been placed with World Kitchen, a company that uses green energy applications in glass making); Thermo Rock, a green energy roofing manufacturer; Alumisource, an aluminum recycling company and DuctMate, a green energy HVAC duct work manufacturer.

At JET, all clients receive OSHA and green energy certifications which increase the participant's employability factor. Participants have received training in solar power, geothermal, building retrofit, green collar OSHA training and computer applications. Enrollment, training and placement goals have all been exceeded. To date, enrollment stands at 133 (goal 100), clients trained stands at 81 (goal 45) and 70 clients have gained employment (goal 65). Pictured left to right: Westmoreland County Planning's Bert Getto, County Commissioners Charles Anderson, Tyler Courtney and Ted Kopas (far right) and Wesmoreland County Housing Authority's Mike Washowich.

Beyond the Affordability and Supply Crisis: Fracking in the Marcellus Shale Region
During the recent Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania "Homes Within Reach" Conference, environmental effects of horizontal drilling were explored by Jim Campbell of the U.S. Geological Survey. In his presentation, objective scientific research was outlined as was the effects of Marcellus Shale gas delivery on water quality and availability, air, earthquakes, and other changes in the landscape. Other panelists discussing Marcellus Shale impacts included Paul Nachlas from Herbert, Rowland, & Grubic as well as Bridget Coyne, Regional Housing Legal Services. A balanced approach was offered by these panelists who presented a lens for audience members to view leasing rights and responsibilities through the eyes of all involved in this burgeoning industry. Topics discussed included the matters of property values and possible impacts on health relative to fracking in the Marcellus Shale Region.

S.O.S. - Street Outreach Service Faces the Challenges of Homeless LGBT Youth
Homeless LGBT youth who are hungry, angry, lonely and tired find service access and acceptance at S.O.S. (Street Outreach Service), a program of Persad Center, Inc. locatedin the Gay Lesbian Community Center (GLCC) in Pittsburgh. Designed for LGBT youth ages 25 and under, S.O.S. offers housing referrals, job training, health consultation and GED preparatory classes.

On Dec. 12, the Allegheny Engagement Network met with Branden Dudek of S.O.S. to learn how the two entities can work more closely together. Created to respond to the needs of the street homeless population in Allegheny County, the Network's vision is to support homeless service providers by planning and implementing exiting and new joint services to meet the needs of those who are most vulnerable, homeless and living on the streets. To learn more about GLCC, visit www.glccpgh.org or Persad Center, Inc. at www.persadcenter.org

Upcoming Events

• Jan. 17, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Local Government Academy January Roundtable Focuses on Building Trust in Local Governments, a free discussion for local government officials in Southwestern Pennsylvania hosted by the CCAC Office of College Services. To register, go here: (http://reg.abcsignup.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0039-0003-1112F5C14ED24797AFCE065CDA5A6D46&utm_source=Happy+Holidays+from+LGA&utm_campaign=
  Academy+Notes+%7E+December+2012&utm_medium=email).
• Jan. 30 - 2013 Point in Time (PIT) Count for the Allegheny and Beaver Counties. To volunteer, contact your CoC: (https://www.onecpd.info/grantees/#tl).

VIRGINIA

Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority opens first-in-state public housing-based health center.

Norfolk's Largest Assisted-Rental Community Gets Healthcare Center
The first health care center to be located in an assisted-rental community within Virginia opened Dec. 17 at Young Terrace Apartments in Norfolk. As with many urban centers, Norfolk is challenged with improving indicators and outcomes for healthy lifestyles. Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA), Hampton Roads Community Health Center and Sentara Health Care are partnering to bring quality affordable health services to lower-income households. Young Terrace with 752 units is NRHA's largest assisted-rental community. The new health care center will offer wellness assessments, such as pediatric, geriatric, OB/GYN, dental and other related services. Residents are currently being surveyed on their health care needs. HRCHC received a "New Access Point Grant" from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

"With Every Heartbeat is Life" Promotes Healthy Lifestyles
In partnership with the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), HUD presented a session on the "With Every Heartbeat is Life" quality of life initiative. The training, hosted by Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority at the Calhoun Center Dec. 17-19, was attended by 40 individuals representing nineteen public housing authorities, including former NBA player, Johnny Newman. Designed to help Virginian public housing residents create wellness programs to increase confidence, physical activity, healthy eating and prevent heart disease; the sessions also provided information about how to access help from HUD, NHLBI and within the residents' communities. Trainers and speakers included Jovonni Spinner, Public Health Analyst with the National Institute of Health; Dr. Edward Ivy and Bridgett Miller from the Columbia Housing Authority and HUD's Len Clay. Jerryl Bennett, Denina Curie and Kristina Young from HUD helped plan the event

HUD'S Virginia Field Office Hosts Bedbug Symposia in Richmond and Roanoke
In coordination with the Dodson Urban Pest Management Laboratory (DUPML), part of the Virginia Tech Department of Entomology in Blacksburg, Virginia and the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; HUD's Virginia Field Office presented the first Public and Multifamily Housing Bedbug Symposium. Held Dec. 4 in Richmond and Dec. 5 in Roanoke, the presentation included outreach and education activities and onsite training for low-income housing management staff to include bedbug biology, behavior and multiple methods that they can use to protect themselves and their residents against bedbugs. Methodologies focused on prevention and treatment, with both traditional chemicals and non-toxic approaches. Virginia Tech's Dr. Dini Miller, Agriculture's Jeffrey Rogers and University of Minnesota's Dr. Stephen Kells joined HUD's Michael McGreevey and Jennyth Mozenko Peterson in presentations throughout the two-days of events.

Congratulations!
To the winners of the 2012 Virginia Housing Awards, presented at the Governor's Housing Conference: (www.vagovernorshousingconference.com/presentations.html#Thursday) Awards Luncheon on November 15. The winners are: The Views at Clarendon for Best Housing Development, Hampton/Newport News Community Services Board for Best Housing Program or Service, People, Inc. for Best Housing Preservation/Revitalization Effort, Virginia Supportive Housing for Best Affordable Housing Energy Conservation Effort and the Town of Pearisburg for Best Mixed-Use or Mixed-income project. In conjunction with the Governor's Housing Conference, Governor McDonnell's office released the news: (www.governor.virginia.gov/News/viewRelease.cfm?id=1505) that Virginia's overall homelessness rate has dropped by 8% statewide, and the rate for chronic homelessness has dropped by 36%.

To Community Housing Partners: (www.communityhousingpartners.org/) (CHP), one of only 16 organizations to receive the first NeighborWorks Green Organization designation from NeighborWorks America: (www.nw.org/network/index.asp). The award was given in recognition of CHP's comprehensive commitment to sustainable operations, based on adherence to a set of green business practices across the organization's operations and all of its program areas.

To the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission is making its silver screen debut in a short documentary about the Toms Brook School Apartment project: (www.nvdaily.com/news/2011/06/extreme-makeover-toms-brook-edition.php). Now available on YouTube: (YouTubewww.youtube.com/watch?v=2Hh2ptSImfc), the documentary will be shown at a free public Open House at the Toms Brook School at 3235 South Main Street, Toms Brook, VA, on January 13, 1-5 p.m.

In September, Governor and Mrs. Bob McDonnell signed a proclamation recognizing 2013 as the Year of the Historic Home in Virginia. They have now announced the launch of the Year of the Historic Home: (www.historicalhomes.virginia.gov/) website, which features information on the participating houses around Virginia, and includes tools for citizens to interact with the state's rich cultural history.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has made low-interest disaster loans available to individuals, renters and businesses on Virginia's Eastern Shore to help them recover from Hurricane Sandy. Read more here: (www.vaemergency.gov/news/news-releases/2012/low-interest-loans-eastern-shore), including information about the loan office location and schedule.

Upcoming Events

• Jan. 24 - Point-in Time (PIT) Count of homeless persons in most* of Virginia. There are a few more required HUD data elements this year; see this link: (https://www.onecpd.info/resources/documents/2013HICandPITGuidance.pdf) for details. For more information please contact the Continuum of Care lead agency: (https://www.onecpd.info/grantees/#tl) in your community, or Matt Leslie: (matt.leslie@dhcd.virginia.gov) at Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). *Northern Virginia Continuums of Care will coordinate Point-in-Time with the Washington, DC Continuum of Care on Jan. 30.
• Feb. 15 - Deadline for Neighborhoods USA 2013 awards. Go here: (www.nusa.org/awardapplications.aspx) for more information and an application.
• Mar. 1 - Deadline for applications to receive designation as a Virginia Main Street Community: (www.dhcd.virginia.gov/images/VMS/VMS-Designation-Application.pdf).

WEST VIRGINIA

HUD's West Virginian Field Office Hosts Substance Abuse Prevention Event
On Jan. 8, HUD's Mike Torreyson and Evie Young-Williams will host a capacity crowd to see Tim White's presentation on Next Generation Drugs: New Trends, New Treatments, New Problems. As the Regional Prevention Coordinator for Prestera Center, Mr. White is responsible for overseeing substance abuse prevention coalitions in ten West Virginian counties including Boone, Cabell, Clay, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mingo, Putnam and Wayne. The event, to be held at the West Virginia Housing Development Fund office in Charleston, will focus on the new synthetic drugs including K-2, SPICE, Kush Kakes, Meow-Meow, Molly's Plan Food, Cheese and Bath Salts. Attendees will learn what they look like, how they are made and the impact on the user.

HUD's Office of international and Philanthropic Innovation is inviting HUD partners to showcase innovative practices in our communities. The Innovation of the Day initiative was developed as a hub for collecting and disseminating innovative housing, community development, built environment and urban practices. Its purpose is to crowd-source new models that can be leveraged not only within HUD, but by other agencies, municipalities, philanthropies, non-profits and citizens. Additional benefits include the ability to identify emerging trends, promising solutions, and successful means of implementation. Share your innovations with us or search our database for emerging practices in your own community or from around the world! For more information on Innovation of the Day, please visit HUD's blog. We invite you to submit a brief description about your innovative project online at Innovation of the Day.

Upcoming Events

• Jan. 2, 9 a.m. - Kanawha Valley Collective Homeless Meeting at the United Way Bldg., Charleston, WV. For more information contact: Betty Anne Smith at bettyanne.smith@gmail.com.
• Jan 24 - 2013 Point in Time (PIT) Count for West Virginia. To volunteer, please contact your Continuum of Care: (www.hudhre.info/index.cfm?do=viewCocContacts&st=VA&cSort=#tl" jQuery1401300039799="36").
• Jan. 25, 10 a.m. - Cabell-Huntington Coalition for the Homeless Meeting, Huntington City Mission, 624 Tenth Street, Huntington, WV 25701. For more information, call (304) 523-2764.
• DUE Feb. 24 - The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)'s Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale Technical Assistance Center Strategy (BRSS TACS) is currently accepting applications for 2013 BRSS TACS State Peer Awards for Health Reform Education. BRSS TACS is a SAMHSA project operated by contract with the Center for Social Innovation. For information about the application, expectations of awardees, and activities, go here: (http://brsstacs.center4si.com/State_Peer_Awards_2013.doc). Questions about the Request for Application (RFA) must be submitted by Feb. 24, to Rebecca Stouff by email to rstouff@center4si.com, or by mail to Rebecca Stouff, Center for Social Innovation, 200 Reservoir Street, Suite 202, Needham, MA 02494. Questions about BRSS TACS may be directed to the SAMHSA Project Officer, Catherine Nugent by email to cathy.nugent@samhsa.hhs.gov or by calling (240) 276-1577.

OTHER FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

• Ongoing - The U.S. Department of Labor is accepting applications for "Stand Down": (www.dol.gov/vets/grants/main.htm) grants that will provide an estimated 10,000 homeless veterans with opportunities to reintegrate into society. The grants are being awarded under the department's Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program: (www.dol.gov/vets/grants/hvrp.htm).
• Ongoing - Applications are being accepted for the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration's (EDA) Planning Program and Local Technical Assistance Program: (www.grants.gov/search/announce.do;jsessionid=
  6QgmQhyJwTFFCGsTcPjfb1drcgrYRgxh8SLRvWhR0XGnQGpmTX43!913730029) grants to create regional economic development plans designed to stimulate and guide the economic development efforts of a community or region.
• Ongoing - Wells Fargo Homeownership: (https://www.wellsfargo.com/about/wfhf/homeownership_guideline) grant program to help local nonprofit housing organizations create sustainable homeownership opportunities for low-to-moderate-income people.
• Ongoing - The Surdna Foundation offers funding to nonprofit organizations that seek to help communities build wealth in a sustainable manner. Letters of Inquiry accepted year around. For more information on the application process, go here: (http://rurallisc.createsend1.com/t/r-l-kdutcl-aiddukidl-d/).
• Dec. 31 - Applications are due for the US Department of Agriculture Notice of Funding Availability: (https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/02/06/2012-2539/notice-of-funding-availability-
  nofa-for-loan-guarantees-under-the-guaranteed-rural-rental-housing) for guaranteed loans under Section 538 Guaranteed Rural Rental Housing for FY 2012.
• Jan. 9 - Applications are due for the National Endowment for the Humanities grants for interactive digital media projects. To learn more, go here: (www.neh.gov/grants/amm).
• Jan. 14 - The National Endowment for the Arts: (http://arts.gov/national/ourtown/index.php) has released funding guidelines for Our Town Applications for projects in rural communities that improve their quality of life; encourage greater creative activity; foster stronger community identity and a sense of place and revitalize economic development.
• Jan. 15 - The American Association of University Women: (www.aauw.org/learn/fellowships_grants/community_action.cfm) (AAUW) is accepting applications for Community Action Grants from individuals as well as local community-based nonprofit organizations for innovative programs or non-degree research projects that promote education and equity for women.
• Jan. 25 - Applications are due for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families Assets for Independence: (www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/open/foa/view/HHS-2011-ACF-OCS-EI-0137) program.
• Feb. 1 - The Corporation for National and Community Service: (www.nationalservice.gov/for_organizations/funding/nofa_detail.asp?tbl_nofa_id=98) is offering funding to nonprofits and local and state governments to establish AmeriCorps programs that will offer AmeriCorps volunteers the opportunity to become involved in a range of community improvement activities.
• Feb. 1 - The Department of Veterans Affairs: (www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp) is offering grants to nonprofits to provide supportive services to very low-income veteran families, especially those who are homeless or in danger of becoming homeless.
• Feb. 5 - Applications are due for the National Endowment for the Arts "Big Read": (www.neabigread.org/application_process.php) program.
• Feb. 6 - Applications are due for the Corporation for National and Community Service State and National AmeriCorps grants. For more information, go here: (www.nationalservice.gov/for_organizations/funding/nofa_detail.asp?tbl_nofa_id=98).
• Feb. 16 - The Gannett Foundation's Community Action Grants: (www.gannettfoundation.org/GUIDELINES.htm) support nonprofit organizations with funding priority given to programs that focus on education and neighborhood improvement, economic development, youth development, community problem-solving.

REGION III FIELD OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION

Jane C.W. Vincent, Region III Regional Administrator

HUD Capital District
Marvin W. Turner, Field Office Director
(202) 275-9200, hud.gov/districtofcolumbia

HUD Delaware
Maria L. Bynum, Field Office Director
(302) 573-6300, hud.gov/delaware

HUD Maryland
Carol B. Payne, Field Office Director
(410) 962-2520, hud.gov/maryland

HUD Eastern Pennsylvania
Richard Ott, Deputy Regional Administrator
(215) 656-0500, hud.gov/pennsylvania

HUD Western Pennsylvania
Jane Miller, Field Office Director
(412) 644-6428, hud.gov/pennsylvania

HUD Virginia
Carrie S. Schmidt, Field Office Director
(804) 822-4804, hud.gov/virginia

HUD West Virginia
Peter C. Minter, Field Office Director
(302) 347-7000, hud.gov/westvirginia

Region III HUDLine News

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