Disability Housing Network's Mission
Disability Housing Network (DHN) was established to promote and support education and best practices in the development and management of rental housing for individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities by member nonprofit housing development corporations.
DHN UPDATE - December 2008
This month’s DHN Update includes a reminder for those who have not yet completed their 2009 DHN Membership or Support forms. We also bring you important updates from HUD’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program and the availability of funding for the Family Unification Program.
Again, a listserv reminder: The email address to contact your fellow DHN members and supporters through the listserv is members@disabilityhousingnetwork.org. Be careful when you reply to a message on the listserv... You can easily send your message back throughout the entire membership.
In the meantime, Happy Holidays and a peaceful New Year to you and your loved ones from everyone at Disability Housing Network.
2009 DHN MEMBERSHIP AND SUPPORT REMINDER
All members and supporters of DHN have recently received notices regarding the renewal process for 2009. In case you have misplaced your copy, both appropriate forms are attached below.
We thank you for your past participation and look forward to your continued participation in 2009.
2009 Housing Corporation Membership Form
2009 County Board Support Form
UPDATE ON HUD NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION PROGRAM
Below is an email from the Columbus Field Director as a follow-up to an OHFA meeting on December 10.
From: Leach, Thomas H [mailto:THOMAS.H.LEACH@hud.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 3:56 PM?
Subject: Update on the Neighborhood Stabilization Program in Ohio?
As we discussed at the OHFA Annual Plan Advisory Board Meeting today, I’m providing a brief update on the progress of HUD and the 23 grantees in Ohio that are being funded by the HUD Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). HUD staff members in Ohio and at HUD Headquarters have been working closely with State governments and with our other funded grantees to ensure that all communities have an opportunity to access, effectively use, and maximize the potential impact of the NSP funding. Similar in many ways to HUD’s Community Development Block Grant program, the NSP provides states and local communities with the flexibility to use HUD’s program to address their greatest needs based on local priorities.
Here’s where we stand with the NSP.
• HUD posted guidance and funding allocation information on the web – 09/26/08 (ahead of schedule).
• HUD convened the National Summit on Housing in Washington, DC which provided technical assistance and outreach – 10/07/08 and 10/08/08.
• HUD sponsored three field briefings on the NSP including one in Columbus – 10/14/08.
• HUD staff members from the Columbus Field Office provided technical assistance at the Fall Meeting of the Ohio Conference of Community Development – 10/30/08.
• Up to the submission deadline, HUD staff members continued to work with the State of Ohio, the 22 other funded communities, and our partners to ensure that every NSP grantee understood the application process.
• All grantees in Ohio submitted applications by the deadline of 12/01/08.
• HUD staff in the Columbus Field Office are currently reviewing the applications and working with the grantees to resolve any issues requiring clarification. The Columbus Field Office expects to complete the reviews and issue approval notices in mid-January 2009. Meanwhile, HUD staff members in HUD Headquarters are also reviewing applications from around the nation to ensure consistency.
Here are some important links and attachments that you may find helpful:
• HUD NSP Link: www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/communitydevelopment/programs/neighborhoodspg/
• HUD NSP List of Eligible Uses: www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/communitydevelopment/programs/neighborhoodspg/nspeligibleuses.doc
• HUD NSP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/communitydevelopment/programs/neighborhoodspg/nspfaq.cfm
• Listing of Ohio Grantees, NSP Allocations and Local Web Sites – By linking to the local web sites listed on this Excel spreadsheet file, you’ll have the opportunity to view specific details about the proposed initiatives of the State of Ohio and all of the grantees, demographic information, details on how the grantees actively engaged the public for input, and other information.
• NSP Grantee Guide – Please refer to this NSP Grantee Guide (Word file)
Thank you for your interest in this critical program to help communities in Ohio to make a tangible impact on vacant properties and blight in their communities. Please contact me if you need additional information.
Tom
Thomas H. Leach
Field Office Director
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Columbus Field Office
200 N. High St - 7th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: 614-469-5737 x8110
Fax: 614-469-7700
HUD RELEASES NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY (NOFA) FOR FAMILY UNIFICATION PROGRAM
On November 24th, 2008 HUD announced the availability of $20 million in funding for approximately 2,840 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) through the Family Unification Program (FUP). FUP is a program under which vouchers are provided to families for whom the lack of adequate housing is a primary factor in the imminent placement of the family's child, or children, to the family from out-of-home care. Youths at least 18 years old and not more than 21 years old (have not reached 22nd birthday) who left foster care at age 16 or older and who do not have adequate housing are also eligible to receive housing assistance under FUP. [NOTE: a FUP voucher issued to such a youth may only be used to provide housing assistance for the youth for a maximum of 18 months.]
Some requirements:
Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) are the only eligible applicants for FUP funding and may submit only one application under this NOFA.
To be eligible, PHAs must have developed a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the applicable Public Child Welfare Agency (PCWA). The Public Child Welfare Agency is the public agency that is responsible under State law for determining that a child is at imminent risk of placement in out-of-home care.
Applications are due to HUD on January 28, 2009 and must be submitted through the online grants.gov system. Each PHA must register with the system and have a user ID, password, and DUNS number. There are a standard set of application forms (available on www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp).
The National Center for Housing and Child Welfare is also providing online resources - such as an example of a Draft MOU required for the application. Go to www.nchcw.org for more information.
Check out all of last month's conference-related documents and inspection form examples in the Membership Resources section under "Recently Added".
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