$$$ ...HUD'S GOT NOFA...$$$
*** Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency Program due 12/6 - see website... Deadline extension & technical corrections for Choice Neighborhoods Initiative-Round 1 - new due date 12/9 - see online... Fair Housing Initiative Program (FHIP) due 12/21 - see online... Capital Fund Education and Training Community Facilities (CFCF) Program due 1/14/11- see website... ROSS Family Self-Sufficiency Program due 1/19/11 - see online. Capacity Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing due 1/27/11 - see online... ROSS Service Coordinators program due 2/21/11 - see online... Emergency Capital Repair Grants for Seniors' Housing Developments now accepting applications - see - website. ***

FHA LEADS THE WAY...
*** New FHA Mortgagee Letters: 2010-37 clarifies policies regarding requirement that Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) lenders provide borrowers with a list of HECM Counseling Agencies � 2010-38 discusses mortgagee eligibility requirements and clarifies FHA's electronic annual certification requirements and procedures � 2010-39 introduces revised HUD-1 (Settlement Statement) and new closing certification language to be used at all HECM closings �For all Mortgagee Letters, see HUD's website. ***

HUD'S PARTNER IN THE HUDLIGHTS...
*** Housing Virginia launches SOURCEBOOK, a comprehensive tool to provide current detailed information on housing affordability across Virginia. Updated quarterly, SOURCEBOOK showcases the Virginia Housing Affordability Index (HAI) as a key component. Answers to housing affordability questions may be found at http://www.housingvirginia.org/tc.aspx?PID=365. To stay advised, sign up for the Housing Virginia monthly e-newsletter and visit the rest of the Housing Virginia Website. ***

GREEN & SUSTAINABLE...
*** James River Green Building Council (JRGBC) announces 6th Annual Green Building Leadership Awards winners - Non-profit: Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity, Government: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Private Sector: 2rw Consultants, Inc., and Individual: Karl Bren, of GreenVisions Consulting. *** Ground breaking for 14 contemporary EarthCraft townhomes held 11/12 in Norfolk - key component for revitalization of Central Hampton Boulevard corridor. See http://www.nrha.norfolk.va.us/newsandevents/pressreleases/. ***How "walkable" is your community? Check the scores for Virginia's cities at http://www.walkscore.com/VA/ ***

BRIEF BRIEFS...
*** Winter Preparedness Week set for Dec. 5-11 to remind Virginians of cold weather dangers and three steps to emergency preparedness that can make a big difference. See http://www.ReadyVirginia.gov. Governor McDonnell announces $5 Million for Major Employment and Investment (MEI) Project Site Planning Grants to Danville-Pittsylvania Regional IDA, Martinsville-Henry County and Wythe County to create new jobs - see http://www.governor.virginia.gov/news/viewRelease.cfm?id=457 *** Virginia Supportive Housing celebrates 12/7 groundbreaking of newest supportive studio apartment project, the Studios at South Richmond, as a much-needed addition to South Richmond SRO - see http://www.virginiasupportivehousing.org/residences/south-richmond-addition.php. *** Bob Sledd, Senior Economic Advisor to Governor McDonnell, unveiled the interim report of the Housing Policy Framework Initiative at the Governor's Housing Conference Luncheon on 11/18 - see http://www.governor.virginia.gov/news/viewRelease.cfm?id=474. ***

BRIEF BRIEFS TO LOOK INTO...
*** Capital Region Grant Collaboration meeting with Jane Brown, Governor's Director of Community Partnerships, and John E. Hall, Field Office Director, HUD Richmond: 12/9 - seating limited; to register, contact Kelly Parrish at kparrish@courts.state.va.us or 804-786-8902 *** Applications due 12/3 for Department of Labor Youthbuild program - see http://www.doleta.gov/grants/find_grants.cfm *** Applications due 12/22 for USDA Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) *** The Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence presents a workshop on recruiting and engaging board members. For more information and registration visit: www.pnerichmond.org ***

BRIEF BRIEFS TO CHEER ABOUT...
*** 2010 Virginia Housing Awards presented at Governor's Housing Conference to Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority - Best Housing Development for Franklin Heights; Housing Opportunities Made Equal (H.O.M.E.) - Best Housing Program for Foreclosure Prevention and Intervention Program; Isle of Wight County - Best Housing Preservation/Revitalization Program for Booker T. Estates Comprehensive Neighborhood Improvements; and Virginia Beach Community Development Corporation - Best Affordable Housing Energy Conservation Effort for Beach Park West. **** Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NRHA) recognized as an "A+ Community Partner" by Norfolk Education Foundation - see http://www.nrha.norfolk.va.us/. *** America's Promise Alliance names Surry County as one of the nation's 100 Best Communities for Young People - see http://www.americaspromise.org/Our-Work/Community-Action/100-Best-Communities/Map-of-2010-Winners.aspx ***