November 2008

News

AFFORDABLE HOUSING GETS BILLION-DOLLAR BOOST
Los Angeles Mayor Proposes a $5 Billion, Five-Year Effort
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa unveiled a $5-billion, five-year plan to build housing for the poor and middle class. The blueprint, which calls for thousands of new homes along subway and bus lines, and developments with people of all incomes living together, would, according to the mayor's deputies, alter the look and feel of the city forever.

A KINDER, GREENER CONFERENCE
Enterprise Makes ULI Annual Meeting Carbon Neutral
The national ULI Fall Meeting and Urban Land Expo, attended by more than 5,000 real estate leaders, was completely carbon neutral. The Enterprise Green Communities Offset Fund™ “offset” all the emissions of carbon dioxide generated by the meeting by providing funds to reduce an equivalent amount of emissions in environmentally sustainable affordable housing developments. More green news.

BREAKING DOWN NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION
Allocations, Regulations and Procedures Explained
HUD has announced funding allocations for the $3.92 billion Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), authorized in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. The funds may be used to purchase and rehabilitate abandoned and foreclosed homes for families with incomes at or below 120 percent of area median income. More policy news.

Resources

THE ABC'S OF THE EITC
The Real Value of the Earned Income Tax Credit
Earned Income Tax Credit: Helping Families Build Financial Assets, an Enterprise report, details the history and importance of the EITC. It also guides housing owners and resident services staff to resources, EITC experts and tax preparation volunteers to ensure all eligible families and individuals can access the most significant tax credits available to them.

POPULAR HOUSING REHAB TOOL
Discounted Software for Enterprise Network Members
Enterprise has arranged for our membership to receive a discount of more than $100 off the purchase of Housing Developer Pro® from our trusted partner, Community Development Software LLC. HDP is a housing development software tool designed with housing rehab specialists in mind. It is used in 41 states for programs such as Owner Occupied Home Repair and Acquisition and Rehab for Resale. This offer expires Nov. 30. If you are not yet a Network Member, sign up for free today.

Training and Opportunities

LEARN ONLINE
Enterprise Web Events Bring Knowledge to You
Enterprise offers a wide array of online learning events throughout the year. These informative sessions are archived and made available to you for free. Now posted: Year 15: Nonprofit Transfer Strategies for Expiring LIHTC Properties.

THE BOSS FACTOR
Successful Job Development
Working with Employers is an ideal staff development tool for coalitions of workforce development organizations, workforce investment boards and other intermediaries.

Funding

RECOGNIZING URBAN EXCELLENCE
Award Offers $50,000 Prize
The Rudy Bruner Award is given to urban places that demonstrate the successful integration of effective process, meaningful values and good design. Winners are distinguished by their social, economic and environmental contributions and often provide innovative solutions to our cities most challenging problems. Application deadline is Dec. 15. Apply today.