Ivory Mathews

Housing recovery is crucial for communities faced with disasters and other emergencies. Collaborative 🤝 partnerships between government agencies promote proactive housing planning before and after disasters, according to the recently released U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and FEMA Pre-Disaster Housing Planning Initiative Report 🔍. Team IEM leaders, Chris Smith and Earl Randall outline the impact of the findings in this report in our 🆕 blog. As former FEMA and HUD officials, Chris and Earl offer expert insight into how this collaborative approach paves the way for a more resilient future. 💪 📑 Read the blog: https://lnkd.in/e2R5ByqV 📘 Read the report: https://lnkd.in/e-XEsr5X 📰 Check out the HUD release: https://lnkd.in/e5VgRTbe 📰 Check out the FEMA release: https://lnkd.in/euebvNwe #TeamIEM #IEMleadership #IEMinsights #FEMA #HUD #housing #housingrecovery #predisaster #postdisaster #housingdisasterrecovery #housingplanning #disasterrecovery #communityrecovery

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Community engagement plays a crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness of local governments. When utilized to its fullest potential, community engagement empowers local governments to make better decisions, build trust, and create stronger, more resilient communities. #communityengagement #outreach #government

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Affordable housing mostly relies on large apartment bldgs, supported through vouchers & LIHTC. Local govts across LA are now experimenting with incentives to create income-restricted ADUs. Our new report looks at potential benefits & challenges. Interviews with local stakeholders suggest that affordable ADUs could be complementary to traditional rental subsidies. For low-income renters, ADUs offer an alternative housing type & potentially wider range of neighborhoods. Per-unit development costs are lower than LIHTC, with faster completion times. All good! But...expanding the number of affordable ADUs will require much greater participation from homeowners, who are effectively the developers and landlords. We're still in an experimental phase, with longer-term outcomes quite uncertain. https://lnkd.in/dyVmHMVk

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CDCs, or Community Development Corporations, have a rich history of addressing economic and social challenges in disinvested neighborhoods. Over time, these organizations have evolved from informal grassroots groups to highly structured nonprofits, gaining better access to funding and recognition. In some locations, access to funding and recognition has become tied to these organizations’ certifying as community development corporations (CDCs). How does this benefit them? Find out in this piece from our Under the Lens series—Moving Community Development Forward: https://bit.ly/3Run2ji #CDCs #NonprofitDevelopment #SocialImpactInvesting

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The National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) released the 2024 Fair Housing Trends Report, which shows a continued increase in the number of housing discrimination complaints. According to the report, there were 34,150 fair housing complaints received in 2023, compared to 33,007 complaints received in 2022. The number of harassment complaints, particularly harassment based on color or race skyrocketed by 470.59 percent and 114.97 percent respectively. As NFHA's President and CEO, Lisa Rice, stated in today's press release, lawmakers must do more to provide adequate funding for private nonprofit fair housing organizations (FHOs) assisting victims of housing discrimination in their local communities. FHOs investigate fair housing complaints, collect data, provide fair housing counseling and education to consumers, and help clients file complaints. In order for them to effectively conduct their critical work, Congress must allocate $125 million in the FY '25 appropriations process to the Fair Housing Initiative Program. Every year there are millions of incidents of housing discrimination. Despite recent high profile news stories of individuals facing housing injustices, most incidents of housing discrimination are not reported because they are difficult to identify or document. Also, individuals might fear retaliation or eviction if they file a complaint. Thus, it is critical to track this data to demonstrate where resources are most needed. Please read the release and report here: https://lnkd.in/eTS-6kHk

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According to a recent article in Vox, HUD is laying the groundwork for a potentially major change to the Housing Choice Voucher program, which helps some 2.3 million low-income households afford housing in the private rental market. The article indicates that HUD is planning to solicit public comment on the idea of testing whether distributing cash directly to tenants rather than through the current process involving local public housing authorities might be more effective and efficient. Many landlords complain about the red tape involved in leasing to a voucher holder, particularly the inspections process, and are unwilling to participate in the voucher program. As a result, thousands of voucher holders, many with severe rent burdens, are unable to find an eligible unit with a willing landlord. In the near term, I don’t expect major changes to the way rental assistance is delivered through the Housing Choice Voucher program, but HUD’s public comment solicitation is a recognition that improvements are necessary.  The Bipartisan Policy Center and the Urban Institute recently looked at how reforming the inspections process could improve the Housing Choice Voucher program. Read our report here: https://lnkd.in/ehbbCg7N Read Rachel Cohen’s piece in Vox here: https://lnkd.in/g7cpGxh6   

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NEW PUBLICATION: NCHH created this tool for technical assistance, "Using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funding to Improve Indoor Air Quality," to support local and state leaders (e.g., governments, agencies, programs, advocates, et cetera) in understanding how CDBG funding can be used to accomplish housing repairs designed to create healthier, safer indoor environments. We use indoor air quality (IAQ) as an example of a housing-based environmental subject that CDBG funding can help to address throughout this brief, but the background and strategies could be applied across a range of housing health and safety hazards depending on your community priorities. We present opportunities, real-world examples, and discussion points to help communities consider how their CDBG programs can integrate priority IAQ solutions. Out now: https://lnkd.in/e-kRBaav #PublicHealth #EnvironmentalHealth #HealthyHomes

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View child opportunity in your own county with the new Child Opportunity Index 3.0 from DiversityDataKids.org. This index shows that access across cities to vital opportunities for success is not currently equitable. Explore this index and dive into specific indicators for your community here

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Our partners at Enterprise Community Partners recently published a blog post on the importance of the Foreclosure Intervention Housing Preservation Program (FIHPP) in California as it potentially faces elimination in the state budget. FIHPP is a critical resource that would fund nonprofit housing organizations to purchase rental properties in or at risk of foreclosure, allowing them to quickly convert unsubsidized homes into long-term affordable housing. Our organization is among the CDFI lenders that was selected to administer FIHPP capital funds under the proposed program, which was due to roll out this year. Foreclosed properties are often targets for some landlords who decide to increase rents, evict families, or flip the properties for resale. Through this program, households in homes at risk of foreclosure, who are more likely low-income and vulnerable to housing instability, are able to avoid displacement and the risk of experiencing homelessness. The blog closes by urging policymakers to understand how crucial FIHPP is, especially in the midst of the affordable housing crisis, and advocates to maintain funding for the program. To help protect the FIHPP program, please message or call the following members of the California legislature: Statewide: Submit a message to the office of Assembly Speaker Rivas and Senate Pro Tem McGuire For stakeholders who live or work in San Francisco: Call the office of Senate Budget Chair Wiener at (415) 557-1300 For stakeholders who live or work in the San Fernando Valley: Call the office of Assembly Budget Chair Gabriel at (818) 380-2460” https://lnkd.in/gxREFRrT

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Community Development and Housing News: April 15, 2024 - HUD issues PIH Notice on TAR scoring for 2023, a final rule to remove criminal conviction restrictions for fair housing testers, a proposed rule on reducing barriers to assisted housing, and AAFs for certain Section 8 contract rents (non-HCV); new research examines the impact of new construction on low-income renters in California. https://hubs.la/Q02sYGPQ0

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Balancing Act is an interactive tool that let’s you balance the budget. It starts with the fiscal year 2025 General Fund and lets you increase or decrease funding for specific programs and services. The simulation begins in a deficit, so you can consider reductions to existing City programs and services or the addition of revenue to balance the budget. The tool provides more information about each decision and guides you through the process. By looking at how the community balances their budget, we will learn about your priorities. Your results will be shared with the Budget Committee and City Council. Your feedback can strengthen how we provide services to our community. Try Balancing Act in English: https:/bit.ly/2025balancingact Try Balancing Act in Spanish: https://lnkd.in/gNThg4j5

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A grant from the Norman Foundation! ✨ The Norman Foundation is offering grants to support initiatives that boost community-driven economic, environmental, and social well-being. Projects that promote economic justice, prevent toxic waste disposal, and connect local efforts to broader reform movements are encouraged to apply. 🔍 Focus Areas: Environmental Quality & Protection Civil Rights & Advocacy Community Improvement & Capacity Building 💡 Key Considerations: Originates from community needs Promotes equity Practical and systemic impact Models for broader adoption 💰 Grant Details: General support, projects, and collaborations Priority for budgets under $1M Max grant: $20,000 Rolling applications (no deadlines) Ready to make a difference? Submit a letter of inquiry today! 📧 loi@normanfdn.org For more info and to apply, visit: https://lnkd.in/eZqbrJR4 #GrantOpportunity #CommunityEmpowerment #SocialChange #NonprofitFunding #EnvironmentalJustice #GrantFunding #EconomicJustice #EnvironmentalProtection #CommunityDevelopment #SocialImpact #NonprofitSupport #CapacityBuilding #EquityAndInclusion #SustainableCommunities #Advocacy #GrassrootsOrganizing #PolicyReform #SocialJustice #ToxicFreeCommunities #InnovativeSolutions #SmallGrants #CommunityOrganizing #NonprofitGrants #ChangeMakers #Empowerment

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With a general election on the horizon, developers and housing experts talk about what needs to happen to solve the affordable housing crisis. Read Greg Pitcher's report #AffordableHousing #HousingCrisis https://ow.ly/IVR650RQyGG

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Demystifying NAHASDA: A Guide for Tribal Housing Authorities (Day 1) Webinar: NAHASDA Essentials Training Part 1 (5-Day Interactive Series) Date: July 15 - 19, 2024 Time: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM EST Instructor: Cheryl A. Causley, Principal, Cheryl A. Causley and Associates Looking to strengthen your understanding of NAHASDA and ensure your Tribal Housing Authority operates in compliance? This informative webinar, presented by NAHASDA expert Cheryl Causley, is the first day of a comprehensive training series designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills you need for success. In this session, you'll gain insights into: These webinars will provide a comprehensive introduction to the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA). Attendees will become familiar with regulations, program guidance, and PIH Notices. We will review eligible participants and activities including rental housing, homebuyer programs, rehabilitation, and housing and crime prevention. Training Objectives: • This class will provide a basic summary of the NAHASDA program rules and key elements to webinar participants, thereby enhancing overall capacity at their housing program and ensuring on-going compliance with the array of NAHASDA federal requirements • Multiple sessions will provide a thorough understanding of Indian Housing and NAHASDA which is a critical element fundamental to the success of a Housing Authority Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from a NAHASDA expert! Stay tuned for Parts 2-5 of this informative series! Register Here: https://lnkd.in/eEgGUfyY #NAHASDA #webinar #TribalHousing #NAHA #compliance #training #CherylACausley #housingprograms #NLC #NativeLearningCenter #TribesHelpingTribes Share this information with your Tribal Housing Authority colleagues to ensure everyone is on the same page when it comes to NAHASDA!

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