Breaking Ground - November 2000

HUD Budget Approved

COHHIO Moves Office

Welfare Housing Conference Tells the Truth About Welfare Reform

Draft Tax Credit Allocation Plan Improves

Fair Housing Resources Coming to Ohio

New York Offers Rent Subsidies

Housing Trust Fund Requests

At the End of the Day...

In Memorium - Elizabeth "CC" Ross

Section 811 Projects Funded

Activist Alert

2001 Annual Conference/Lobby Day Around the Corner - April 2-4

10 Things A Citizen Can Do - RIGHT NOW - To Help Make a Better Tomorrow

Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio Membership

Office Safety

Look for COHHIO in Your Workplace Campaigns

Resources

COHHIO News

 

 

HUD Budget Approved
On October 27th, President Clinton signed the Fiscal Year 2001 HUD Appropriations bill. The following table provides an overview of the final agreement between the House, the Senate, and the Administration (dollars in millions):

HUD Program FY 2000 FY 2001 FY 2001 FY 2001
Enacted Request House Final
Approved Agreement
House/Senate/ Admin.

Housing Certificate Fund 11,376 14,128 13,275 13,941
Contract Renewals 10,640 13,010 13,275 12,972
New Section 8 Vouchers 346 690 0 453
Shelter Plus Care Renewals - 37 37 0
Housing Production Incentives - 8 0 0
HOPE IV 575 625 565 575
Elderly Housing (Section 202) 710 779 710 779
Disabled Housing (Section 811) 201 210 201 217
HOME Investment Partnership 1,600 1,650 1,585 1,800
Community Development Block Grant 4,800 4,900 4,505 5,057
Homeless Assistance Grants 1,020 1,200 1,020 1,025
Shelter Plus Care - - - 100
Housing for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) 232 260 250 258
Rural Housing & Economic Development 25 27 20 25
Fair Housing Assistance Program 20 21 22 22
Fair Housing Initiatives Program 24 29 22 24
Emergency Food and Shelter Program 110 140 110 140

At the end of the day, the bill funds HUD at just over $30.6 billion, and includes 79,000 new Section 8 vouchers, increases in funding for the CDBG, HOME, HOPWA, and McKinney Homeless Assistance programs, and a separate line item for Shelter Plus Care renewals.

 

COHHIO Moves Office
Please note that COHHIO moved our offices on November 10. Our contact information is:
35 East Gay Street, Suite 210, Columbus, Ohio 43215-3138
614/280-1984, 614/463-1060 (fax), www.cohhio.org

 

Welfare Housing Conference Tells the Truth About Welfare Reform
At the "What Are We Learning From Welfare Reform" conference, co-sponsored by COHHIO and the Ohio State Legal Services Association, research from across the state of Ohio supplied depth to the previously shallow discussion about the effects of welfare reform in Ohio. Without clear goals for welfare reform, the statistics most often previously discussed focus on the dramatic declines in Ohio’s welfare roles which have dropped to almost half. Over 300 conference participants attending the October 2 training at the Makoy Center in Columbus heard the results of research which looked at real impacts on the lives of families losing welfare benefits.

Claudia Coulton from Case Western Reserve in Cleveland presented research from the first two quarters beginning in winter of 1998. The longitudinal study will be continuing through the next several years. Interviewing families who have left the welfare roles, Coulton’s work looks in depth at the success and hardships facing families who have left welfare cash assistance. Coulton found that the greatest hardship facing these families is affording housing, even though they are working. 60 percent of the families interviewed reported paying more than 30 percent of their income for housing. The wages and hours worked are often insufficient to afford housing and other necessities. Families in these early stages of welfare reform report missed rental payments, utility shutoffs, choosing between feeding their families and paying other bills, and missing doctor appointments. Her research will continue to follow these families and add new families each quarter.

Steve Howe from the University of Cincinnati told personal stories of the real hardships of families interviewed through his research. Their stories are compelling and full of very challenging hardships.

COHHIO has been working to make housing subsidies part of the assistance available for folks moving from welfare to work. At the conference, both Representatives Ray Miller and John Carey supported this work. Jacquie Romer-Sensky, Director of the Ohio Department of Jobs and Families, also expressed interest in continuing talks on this issue.

Here are the links to copies of these and other research studies presented at the conference:
• Claudia Coulton, Case Western Reserve: http://povertycenter.cwru.edu/welfarelink.html
• Steve Howe, University of Cincinnati: http://www.epcubed.com/drafts.htm
• Ann Tickamyer, Ohio University: http://www.jcpr.org/wp/WPprofile.cfm?ID=197
• Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services Legislative Outcome Study: http://www.state.oh.us/odjfs/owf/macrostudy.pdf.

 

Draft Tax Credit Allocation Plan Improves
While the Tax Credit Allocation Plan for next year still has to be approved by the Ohio Housing Finance Agency Board, several improvements were made in the most recent draft. Here are a few highlights of changes made to the plan in the most recent draft.

Points for Non-profit Involvement: Projects with a non-profit general partner (at least 25 percent) will receive 10 points. If a non-profit organization owns or controls 100 percent of the general partnership, then the project will receive 15 points. Projects may receive 5 additional points for each of the following: one of the general partner entities, for-profit or non-profit, is a local organization (central office in county of the project); one of the general partner entities is affiliated with the management company for the project; and for a project that will serve a special needs population, one of the general partner entities is the lead supportive service provider.

Leveraging Federal Funds: Up to 20 points will be given to projects who are leveraging funds from HUD’s McKinney/Vento Homeless Assistance Grants, Rural Development’s 515 or 538 programs, or where the owner negotiated with the local Housing Authority to receive project-based vouchers for the tax credit project.

At-risk Housing: Projects receiving project-based rental subsidy through a Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment Program contract that has expired or is due to expire by December 31, 2003 will receive 25 points provided that the new owner must accept the project-based rental subsidy if it is offered from HUD unless documented compelling reason exists for new owner to not accept the subsidy.

 

Fair Housing Resources Coming to Ohio
Last month, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced funding awards for the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP). Competition was stiff. A total of 197 applications were received, with only 65 getting funded. Ohio was fortunate to have three of those 65. Fair housing organizations in Cincinnati, Dayton, and Toledo were funded at a combined total of nearly $800,000.

Cincinnati
Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) of Greater Cincinnati - $249,284
HOME of Greater Cincinnati, in partnership with Miami Valley Fair Housing Center, will expand existing programs to conduct comprehensive audits of the patterns of housing discrimination against recent immigrant populations in 12 selected counties in the Southwest Ohio area. The project will examine discriminatory housing practices against Latino/Hispanic and other recent immigrant populations.

Dayton
Miami Valley Fair Housing Center, Inc. - $249,623
The Miami Valley Fair Housing Center, in partnership with HOME of Greater Cincinnati, will expand existing programs to conduct comprehensive audits of the patterns of housing discrimination against recent immigrant populations in 12 selected counties in the Southwest Ohio area. The project will focus on and examine discriminatory housing practices against Latino/Hispanic and other recent immigrant populations.

Toledo
Fair Housing Center - $300,000
FHIP funds will assist the organization in the investigation and enforcement of alleged violations of the Fair Housing Act and substantially equivalent State and local fair housing laws. The Toledo Fair Housing Center will respond to discrimination complaints, provide remedies for violations of fair housing laws, deter future acts of discrimination, and expand equal housing opportunity in the City of Toledo, Lucas County and Wood County in Ohio.

 

New York Offers Rent Subsidies
According to the New York Times, (October 16, 2000), New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has announced a pilot program to give rent subsidies to homeless families that participate in city work programs. The new program is expected to offer some 550 homeless families rent subsidies of between $300 and $400 a month, for up to two years.

This summer, 500 homeless families were forced to sleep on the floors of New York City's emergency assistance office because the homeless shelters were full. This violates a court order that requires compliance with a city ordinance banning the practice of having the homeless sleep on office floors.

The Legal Aid Society went to court to force the city to address this problem. The new pilot program was a result of this action.

 

Housing Trust Fund Requests
The Housing Trust Fund received 138 applications totalling $19.3 million in requests for funding. Available funding totals $9.5 million. Award announcements will be made in late December. For more information, contact Bob Johnson, Ohio Department of Development, Office of Housing and Community Partnerships at 614/466-2285.

 

At the End of the Day...
In addition to the annual HUD Appropriations, the second session of the 106th Congress, as it turns out, was quite active on the housing front. A number of legislative proposals were introduced this year, addressing everything from the preservation of existing and the production of new affordable housing to predatory lending practices by unscrupulous lenders. While some of these proposals were more successful than others, there appeared to be some momentum towards offering more than “token” solutions to this nation’s housing crisis. The purpose of this article is to give you a brief re-cap of the major housing related legislation acted upon throughout 2000. It should be noted, however, that as this newsletter went to print, Congress was still in session. While it is not likely, the outlook as reported for the following pieces of legislation may have changed.

Affordable Housing Preservation:

Bills: H.R. 425 / S. 1318 / S. 2733 / H.R. 202
Topic: Federal Matching Grants for Housing Preservation/Elderly and Disabled Housing
Status: H.R. 202 passed the House in September 1999 by a vote of 405 to 5. Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) introduced S. 2733, which includes a preservation matching grant program almost identical to the one proposed in S. 1318 and H.R. 202.
Outlook: A bill that includes provisions from two bills that have already passed the House, H.R. 1776 and H.R. 202 was passed by the House on October 24th. Despite significant bipartisan support, the matching grant preservation program that was part of H.R. 202 was not included in S. 1452 because Senator Gramm adamantly opposed its inclusion. Gramm has indicated that he will not move S. 1452 forward in the Senate because he is opposed to the provisions reducing downpayments for teachers and other municipal workers.

Bill: S. 2997
Topic: National Affordable Housing Trust Fund
Status: This bill, introduced by Senator John Kerry (D-MA), establishes a national affordable housing trust fund in the U.S. Treasury using surplus FHA and Ginnie Mae revenue. Funds could be used for the construction of new housing, the acquisition of real property, site preparation and improvement (including demolition), substantial rehabilitation of existing housing and rental subsidy (limited to three years of continued assistance).
Outlook: A production program will not be enacted into law this session, but the HUD/VA FY 2001 Appropriations bill contains language encouraging authorizers to draft legislation to address the need for production of affordable housing for extremely low income families.

Bill: S. 3033
Topic: Housing Needs Act of 2000
Status: This bill was introduced by Senator Bond and included in the Appropriation Committee mark-up of the HUD/VA spending bill. This bill block grants to State HFAs $1 billion in recaptured Section 8 funds for use on production, and up to 20 percent can be used for preservation activities. Thirty percent of the units assisted must serve very low income families, and 100 percent of the units must be targeted to low income families.
Outlook: Bond’s production program was dropped from the bill by the Appropriators in conference, but the HUD/VA FY 2001 Appropriations bill does contain language encouraging authorizers to draft legislation to address the need for production of affordable housing for extremely low income families.


Bill: H.R. 5079
Topic: Section 515 Rural Housing
Status: Introduced on July 27th, 2000 by Representative Jim Ramstad (R-MN). This bill allows owners of Section 515 rural housing to prepay and opt-out of the program without any restrictions, including the requirement that the housing remain affordable.
Outlook: Appears unlikely that this bill will be enacted.

Affordable Housing Production:

Bill: S. 2997
Topic: National Affordable Housing Trust Fund
Status: This bill, introduced by Senator John Kerry (D-MA), establishes a national affordable housing trust fund in the U.S. Treasury using surplus FHA and Ginnie Mae revenue. Funds could be used for the construction of new housing, the acquisition of real property, site preparation and improvement (including demolition), substantial rehabilitation of existing housing and rental subsidy (limited to three years of continued assistance).
Outlook: A production program will not be enacted into law this session, but the HUD/VA FY 2001 Appropriations bill contains language encouraging authorizers to draft legislation to address the need for production of affordable housing for extremely low income families.

Bill: S. 3033
Topic: Housing Needs Act of 2000
Status: This bill was introduced by Senator Bond and included in the Appropriation Committee mark-up of the HUD/VA spending bill. This bill block grants to State HFA’s $1 billion in recaptured Section 8 funds for use on production, and up to 20 percent can be used for preservation activities. Thirty percent of the units assisted must serve very low income families, and 100 percent of the units must be targeted to low income families.
Outlook: Bond’s production program was dropped from the bill by the Appropriators in conference, but the HUD/VA FY 2001 Appropriations bill does contain language encouraging authorizers to draft legislation to address the need for production of affordable housing for extremely low income families.

Bill: S. 3228
Topic: Affordable Rural Rental Housing.
Status: Introduced by Senators Edwards, Leahy and Jeffords on October 24th, 2000. This bill authorizes a grant program for the production, acquisition or rehabilitation of rural rental housing. The funds from this program could only finance 50 percent of a development, leading to mixed finance projects.
Outlook: Unlikely to be enacted given that it was introduced in the last hours of the 106th Congress.

Increase the Low Income Housing Tax Credit:

Bills: H.R. 4923 (similar legislation - H.R. 175 / S. 1017 / H.R. 864 / S. 459 / H.R. 2400 / H.R. 2764 / H.R. 2848 / S. 2779 / S. 2936 / S. 3152)
Topic: New Markets/APIC/Community Renewal; Increase to Low Income Housing Tax Credit and Private Activity Bond Cap
Status: H.R. 4923, including APIC as well as other “New Markets” initiatives as agreed to by House Speaker Hastert and President Clinton passed the House on July 25. H.R. 4923 included an increase to the LIHTC and the private activity bond cap. In an effort to pass “New Markets” into law, Senator Robb introduced companion legislation in the Senate, S. 2936, and Senator Roth introduced a Community Renewal Package, S. 3152.
Outlook: The New Markets/Community Renewal package is included in the end of the session tax package passed by the House on October 26th. The Senate is scheduled to consider the bill, but the President has threatened to veto it.

Increase the Multi-Family Private Activity Bond Cap:

Bills: H.R. 4923 (similar legislation- H.R. 175 / S. 1017 / H.R. 864 / S. 459 / H.R. 2400 / H.R. 2764 /
H.R. 2848 / S. 2779 / S. 2936 / S. 3152)
Topic: New Markets/APIC/Community Renewal; Increase to Low Income Housing Tax Credit and Private Activity Bond Cap
Status: H.R. 4923, including APIC as well as other “New Markets” initiatives as agreed to by House Speaker Hastert and President Clinton passed the House on July 25. H.R. 4923 included an increase to the LIHTC and the private activity bond cap. In an effort to pass “New Markets” into law, Senator Robb introduced companion legislation in the Senate, S. 2936, and Senator Roth introduced a Community Renewal Package, S. 3152.
Outlook: The New Markets/Community Renewal package is included in the end of the session tax package passed by the House on October 26th. The Senate is scheduled to consider the bill, but the President has threatened to veto it.

Homeownership:

Bill: H.R. 1776
Topic: Homeownership Bill
Status: Passed the House, 417-8, on April 2000. A scaled-back, similar bill, S. 1333, has been introduced in the Senate by Ron Wyden (D-OR) and only addresses the “barriers to affordable homeownership” portion of H.R. 1776. A Senate bill on the manufactured housing provisions, S. 1452, passed the Senate the week of May 8. Generally, H.R. 1776 is a much-supported bi-partisan bill but advocates are concerned about provisions that relax income targeting guidelines and provide for a broad “regulatory barrier removal.”
Outlook: House passed S. 1452 on October 24th, 2000, which included many provisions from H.R. 1776. However, the provisions that advocates were concerned about concerning regulatory barriers were not in the version that passed the House. Senator Gramm is opposed to reduced downpayments for municipal workers; therefore, it does not look like the Senate will consider the bill.

Bill: H.R. 4795, S. 2914
Topic: Homeowners Rebate Act of 2000
Status: Introduced by Representative Rick Lazio (R-NY) and Senator Wayne Allard (R-CO), these bills would provide FHA-insured homeowners with rebates from unexpected excess revenue within the FHA’s single family mutual mortgage insurance fund.
Outlook: No action is expected on the FHA surplus.

Predatory Lending:

Bills: H.R. 4250 / S. 2415
Topic: Predatory Lending
Status: Representative John LaFalce (D-NY) and Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) introduced identical bills (HR 4250/S 2415) to combat the growing problem of predatory lending. The bills would extend the Home Owners Equity Protection Act of 1994 to include predatory protections, by limiting the amount of equity that can be lost by borrowed through unnecessary and excessive fees. Other predatory lending bills have been introduced by Representatives Bob Ney (R-OH, HR 4213), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL, HR 3901), and Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY, S 2405).
Outlook: No action is expected on any of the predatory lending bills.

Homelessness:

Bill: H.R. 1073
Topic: Homeless Programs Consolidation and Flexibility Act
Status: Senator Wayne Allard (R-CO), Chair of the Senate Housing and Transportation Subcommittee of the Senate Banking Committee, has included a provision to block grant homeless programs in his housing bill, S. 2968.
Outlook: No changes to the homeless programs are likely to be passed. The HUD/VA Appropriations bill provided for 30 percent of all homeless funds to be used on permanent housing and set up a separate appropriation for Shelter Plus Care renewals.

Bill: H.R. 3613 (Representative John LaFalce, D-NY)
Topic: Authorizes HUD to use already appropriated Section 8 funds, on a one-year emergency basis, for grant renewals of programs for permanent supportive housing and Shelter Plus Care for homeless persons.
Status: This bill was included in the House supplemental spending bill for FY2000.
Outlook: Supplemental spending bills will not move any further this year.

Bill: S. 2968
Topic: Consolidation and Housing Authorization Bill
Status: This bill, sponsored by Senate Housing and Transportation Committee Chair Wayne Allard, would block grant homeless programs, change inspection guidelines for tenant-based assistance, authorize state housing block grants and provide for many other changes.
Outlook: No action is anticipated on this bill.

A special thanks to the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) for the above information. This and other information relevant to the housing world can be found each and every week in Memo to Members. If you would like additional information, contact NLIHC at www.nlihc.org.

 

In Memorium - Elizabeth "CC" Ross
Elizabeth "CC" Ross passed away on Friday, October 27th, after a long and courageous struggle with breast cancer. A long time COHHIO member and a tireless advocate for the homeless, "CC" managed the State's Emergency Shelter Grant Program from its inception in 1990 until her recent retirement. Her love, compassion and labor made a difference in countless lives. "CC" was honored at COHHIO's 1999 Annual Conference where she was recognized for her tireless efforts to help the homeless. She will be greatly missed.

A memorial service was held on November 4. Donations in "CC's" memory can be made to Homeless Agencies or Breast Cancer groups. Cards may be sent to the family at 1449 Zettler Road, Columbus, Ohio 43227.

 

Section 811 Projects Funded
Late last month, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced its funding decisions for the Permanent Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities (Section 811) Program. All tolled, five projects receiving just over $5.5 million, were funded in Ohio.

Project Location: Blanchester
Non-Profit Sponsor: Wilmington Monthly Meeting of Friends
Capital Advance: $708,200
Five-year rental subsidy: $141,500
Number of units: 11
Project Description: The funds will be used for the new construction of an independent living project consisting of 10 one-bedroom units for persons with chronic mental illness, a resident manager's unit plus community space for the residents.

Project Location: Cleveland
Non-Profit Sponsor: Mental Health Rehabilitation & Research
Capital Advance: $717,500
Five-year rental subsidy: $157,500
Number of units: 10
Project Description: The funds will be used for the new construction of an independent living project consisting of 10 one-bedroom units for persons with chronic mental illness. The project will house individuals at risk of being homeless due to their inability to assimilate successfully in to the community without support.

Project Location: Massillon
Non-Profit Sponsor: Stark County Community Support Consortium Inc.
Capital Advance: $861,000
Five-year rental subsidy: $189,000
Number of units: 12
Project Description: The funds will be used for the new construction of twelve units of housing in six duplexes for persons with chronic mental illness. The planned duplexes will be wheelchair accessible and are located in a single family residential neighborhood.

Project Location: Stow
Non-Profit Sponsor: Community Drug Board
Capital Advance: $1,076,200
Five-year rental subsidy: $236,000
Number of units: 15
Project Description: The funds will be used for the new construction of an independent living project consisting of 15 one-bedroom units for persons with chronic mental illness. The project will add to the aesthetics of the neighborhood and will promote integration in a community cited by the county's Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing as being exclusive of persons with disabilities and minorities.

Project Location: Toledo
Non-Profit Sponsor: Preferred Properties, Inc.
Capital Advance: $1,233,500
Five-year rental subsidy: $252,000
Number of units: 16
Project Description: The funds will be used for the new construction of three independent living projects on scattered sites for persons with physical/developmental disabilities. The projects will consist of 14 one-bedroom and 2 two-bedroom units, as well as office space for site management. The projects will facilitate individual choices and enable persons with disabilities to be integrated into the communities.

 

Activist Alert
COHHIO is implementing an activist alert network. Those wanting to be added to the network may be contacted by mail, phone, fax or email.

Please check below the topics you would be interested in receiving alerts about and add your contact information to the form below. We would only be contacting you if you select a topic that has a pressing need for some action.

 

Topics:

__ Welfare Reform

__ CRA/OCRP

__ Section 8/Housing Preservation

__ Homeless Youth

__ Federal/State Budget Issues

__ Housing Trust Fund

__ Supportive Housing

__ Criminalization/Violence Against Homeless

__ Housing Development

__ NIMBY

__ General Housing Issues

__ General Homeless Issues

__ Other _________________________

 

Name:
Organization:
Address:
City, State, Zip
County, Email:
Phone, Fax:

Please return this survey to Susan Francis, COHHIO, 35 East Gay Street, Suite 210, Columbus, Ohio 43215-3138 or fax to 614/463-1060. For questions, call Janet Holcomb at COHHIO at 614/280-1984. If you have already completed this form, you do not need to fill out another form.


2001 Annual Conference/Lobby Day Around the Corner - April 2-4
As we get ready to start planning our 2001 Annual Conference and Lobby Day, there are several issues on the “proverbial” table. Perhaps today, more so than in recent memory, the stakes are at an all-time high. Over the past few months, we have found ourselves fighting battles that had already been fought and won. Nothing is to be taken for granted. That is why this upcoming lobby day is so important. With a governor and an administration that has yet to view housing as anything more than a distraction, with a record number of state legislators feeling the pinch of term limits, and with the presidential election on the horizon, the world in which we operate is changing. We can sit by and watch the changes take place, or we can roll up our sleeves and be an agent for positive change. As Frederick Douglas put it “power concedes nothing without demand.”

Whether it is advocating for an increase in the Housing Trust Fund, adoption of the proposed Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and housing demonstration program, or passage of state-wide anti-predatory lending legislation, now is the time to demand change. These, as well as other issues, are likely to be “hot” topics at COHHIO’s Annual Conference and Lobby Day on April 2, 3 and 4, 2001. Please stay tuned for future editions of our newsletter or check out the web page (www.cohhio.org) for additional information on why it is important to lobby.

10 Things A Citizen Can Do - RIGHT NOW - To Help Make a Better Tomorrow
Common Cause Founder John Gardner once said, “If citizen action is to be successful, it requires careful preparation, effective organization, and stamina. Lots and lots of stamina.”

It also requires belief. Belief that you can, indeed, make a difference in your world. Citizens who have joined together in a common pursuit for a better government have had an extraordinary impact on our nation. In this century alone, the suffragettes who won the vote for women, civil rights workers and citizens united against nuclear arms have all changed the course of our history. And, for nearly 30 years, Common Cause has helped make citizens a powerful presence on the political scene, working to give citizens the tools they need to play a sustained and active part in the fight for open, honest, and accountable government at all levels. If you care, you can make a difference. But, you must take that first step.

1. Call or Write Your Members of Congress. Ask them to explain - or publicly declare - their positions on issues that you care about. It’s your right to know. If you disagree with your Senators or Representatives on an issue - let them know. And thank them when they do the right thing. You can call your Member of Congress at 202/224-3121. Or write:

The Honorable _____________ The Honorable ____________
U.S. Senate U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20515
Dear Senator ______________ Dear Representative _________

2. Volunteer. National, state, and community organizations can accomplish great things - but they can’t do without help. Even if you only have an hour or two to spare each month, organizations would be glad to put you to work. Your time and talents can make a valuable difference and you’ll feel good knowing that you’re doing your part.

3. Be Informed. You can’t make a difference if you don’t know the problem. It’s your responsibility to be informed about your country, your government, and your community. Take time to read the daily newspaper and materials from organizations that are working on issues that you care about. Congress and government agencies have informative web sites, as do many state governments. And, most organizations have web sites that include news and information about their work.

4. Write a Letter to the Editor about an Issue of Concern to You. Rep. Martin Meehan (D-MA) once said that letters to the editor in local papers are one of the best ways to get the attention of Members of Congress and other policy-makers. A thoughtful and informative letter to the editor from a caring citizen can keep an important issue square in the public spotlight.

5. Attend a Public Forum or Meeting of Your Local Government. Speak up about an issue you care about...ask questions...demand accountability. It’s your right.

6. Be a Mentor to a Young Person of Help Out at Your Local School. Today’s young people are our next generation of leaders. They need our support and encouragement today.

7. Take Part in a Community Activity of other Grassroots Action... a rally ...a protest ... a signature-gathering drive ... a door-to-door canvas. These kinds of activities build momentum for important issues and educate and encourage other citizens to be active. Attending grassroots events is also a good way to meet others who care deeply about the same issues you do.

8. Talk to your Friends & Neighbors About Issues that you Care about. These IS power in numbers. Be informed, stay up-to-date, and help involve others. If you care about an issue, you can build a community force for change.

9. VOTE! It’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to make a difference in your government.

Taken from the Common Cause web page, www.commoncause.org.

 

Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio Membership
Name
Organization
Address
City, State, Zip
Phone, Fax, County
Individual: _____ $35 (Regular) _____ $75 (Benefactor) _____ $250 (Sustainer) _____ $10 (Low-Income) _____ Fee Waiver Requested
Agency (according to budget): _____ $35 (100,000 or less) _____ $75 (100,001-250,000)
_____ $125 (250,001-500,000) _____ $200 (500,001-1 million)_____ $250 ($1 million-$1.5 million) _____ $300 (over $1.5 million)

Please send your tax deductible check to COHHIO at 35 E. Gay St, Ste. 210, Columbus, Ohio 43215.
Thank you for your support!

 

Office Safety

Most of us think that offices are safe places to work. According to the 1996 edition of Accident Facts, published by the National Safety Council, office environments were more hazardous, regarding days away from work and deaths, than either the mining industry, chemical industry or research and development labs. Hazards in the office can involve electricity, manual material handling, ladders, walkways and housekeeping, and office equipment.

Electrical hazards in the office environment and their remedies include:
1. Using octopus outlets. Provide additional receptacles or multi-outlet strips with circuit breakers;
2. Using damaged electrical cords. Replace cords, relocate cords if traffic is causing damage; and unplug cords by pulling on the plug, not the cord;
3. Handling electrical supplies. Maintain grounding pins on three-prong plugs (if pins are missing, replace the cord); use only grounded (three-prong plug) equipment; turn the power off to photocopy machines before removing paper jams; and turn off computer equipment before changing circuit boards or memory chips;
4. Preventing electrical fires. Keep cords and plugs away from heat and water and do not block ventilation slots on computers or other electronic equipment.

Hazards associated with material handling in the office environment and their remedies include:
1. Lifting materials such as reams of paper and computer equipment. Get help for lifting heavy objects, and use mechanical aids such as carts and dollies; avoid obstructing your vision when carrying materials; and make sure the path you will follow with the load is clear from obstructions or tripping hazards;
2. Moving furniture. Obtain basic training in lifting heavy objects.

Hazards associated with the use of ladders in the office environment and their remedies include:
1. Use of chairs to reach heights. Use ladders or step stools when needed;
2. Placing ladders in the vicinity of doors where opening the door can knock over the ladder. Place a sign or guard the blind side of the door when a ladder is in use on the opposite side;
3. Use of ladders in disrepair. Use ladders that are in sound condition.
4. Using a ladder too short for the task. Use ladders that are tall enough that your highest footstep is at least three rungs from the top of the ladder.

Hazards associated with walkways, office organization and housekeeping and their remedies include:
1. Ignoring or creating tipping hazards found in walkways. Maintain clear walkways; keep boxes, files, electrical cords, etc. out of these areas; pick up or remove tripping hazards.
2. Ignoring or creating spills on smooth floors. Clean up spills of water, tea, coffee immediately; if spills are large or result from leaking plumbing, direct pedestrians around the area until they can be mopped up and repairs made.
3. Leaving file drawers open. Close file drawers when not in use.

Hazards found with miscellaneous office equipment and their remedies include:
1. Using paper cutters. Avoid blade and pinch points.
2. Using poorly loaded file cabinets. In older file cabinets, if the upper drawer is loaded heavily compared to the lower drawers, they may tip over when the heavy drawer is opened; load file cabinets bottom up; replace file cabinets with single open drawer safeguards.
3. Using sharps as letter openers. Only blunt openers or guarded blades should be used; use of letter openers is to be encouraged to avoid paper cuts, which can become infected.
4. Using utility knives. Only utility knives with guarded blades should be used.

Taken from the Bureau of Workers Compensation.

 

Look for COHHIO in Your Workplace Campaigns
COHHIO, through Greater Columbus Community Shares, will be participating in the following workplace campaigns through November. Campaigns include:

Franklin County
The Ohio State University

Please look for COHHIO in these campaigns! If you have any questions, please contact Susan Francis at COHHIO at 614/280-1984 or by email at susanfrancis@cohhio.org.

 

Resources
PUBLICATIONS
HUD USER. Building Communities and New Markets for the New Century, 1998 Consolidated Report (ACCN-HUD8791). Free. Highlights HUD's work in increasing homeownership, enforcing fair housing laws, and supporting livable communities and affordable housing, featuring local efforts from every State. Building Communities and New Markets for the New Century, 1998 Consolidate Report Appendices (ACCN-HUD11047). Free. Offers specific information about the Office of Community Planning and Development, Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, Federal Housing Administration, and the Office of Public and Indian Housing. The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program: National Survey of Property Owners (ACCN-HUD11049). $5. Presents the results of a national telephone survey of those who developed and own tax-credit properties placed in service between 1992 and 1994; to learn more about owners' development objectives, the performance of their properties, and what they intend to do with the properties when the compliance period is over. Manufactured Home Producer's Guide to the Site-Built Market (ACCN-PTH11048). $5. Focuses on the potential for the synthesis of on-and off-site construction to provide high quality, affordable housing. The State of the Cities 2000: Megaforces Shaping the Future of the Nation's Cities (ACCN-HUD11052). Free. Examines the worsening affordable housing shortage, noting that the booming national economy have helped to reverse decades of decline in America's cities, but the recovery has driven up home purchase prices and rents. For more information, contact HUD USER at 800/245-2691 or www.huduser.org.

FUNDING
- Technical Assistance for Community Economic Development Projects, Ohio CDC Association. Assistance, in the form of consultants, will be provided to nonprofit organizations and local governments which have projects in concept development or in the planning stages in the area of community economic development. Projects must benefit low to moderate income residents of the neighborhood or community. Technical assistance will be a maximum of $2,500 per group. Areas of technical assistance may include but are not limited to: how to get started in community economic development; small business lending; establishing an IDA program; commercial retail development and retention; initiating and operating a small business incubator; writing pro formas; creating businesses to employ low income individuals; real estate financing; brownfields restoration; and working with financial institutions. To secure assistance you must: 1) submit a letter which requests technical assistance and broadly describes the types of assistance needed. 2) complete a self-assessment form. 3) Provide a letter of support from the appropriate CDBG official in your area. 4) Work with the OCDCA staff to create an Assessment Report as well as Technical Plan for Assistance. 5) Enter into a contract to cooperate with the technical assistance provider and the OCDCA, and to follow through on recommendations from the technical assistance consultant. Requests will be processed in the order in which they are received. The actual delivery time of technical assistance varies, depending upon the organization or local government and the technical assistance provider. For more information, please call Andria Beach or Patricia Barnes at the OCDCA at 614/461-6392.

- Cornerstone Housing Fund, an independent, ecumenical faith-based loan fund. CHF is offering five loan products: pre-development loans, bridge loans, acquisition loans, construction loans, and linked deposits. The maximum loan amount ranges from $25,000 to $100,000 depending on the specific product. All loans have a maximum term of one year. The interest rate on the loans is typically five percent. Loans may be secured or unsecured depending on the specific product and project. Primary funding criteria: 1) projects must be located within the eight county service area (Ashland, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Summit and Wayne), with a preference for underserved communities, and must produce quality housing that is affordable to households with incomes at or below 80 percent of the area median income; 2) sponsors must be a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation with the capacity to carry out the proposed project; 3) borrowers may be the sponsor or an entity in which the sponsor holds a controlling interest; 4) CHF financing must leverage other private and/or public funding and satisfy CHF's underwriting guidelines. The Cleveland office of the Enterprise Foundation is administering the loan fund. Interested non-profits should first call to determine eligibility, upon which a loan application will be provided to the sponsor. A preliminary draft of the application from the sponsor will be due back five weeks prior to the scheduled CHF Loan Review Committee meeting. Enterprise will review the application for completeness, providing feedback to the sponsor, with a final application due three weeks prior to the meeting. The Loan Review Committee will meet on at least a quarterly basis. For more information, call Jennifer Eppich at the Enterprise Foundation at 216/623-1331.

JOBS
- Director, Hunger Network in Ohio, an advocacy organization of the United Methodist and Episcopal churches in Ohio. Applicants should be self-starters, with an interest in hunger and homelessness advocacy. Responsibilities include publication and mailing of the Plenty, our newsletter, organizing occasional conferences, and being a resource to Ohio's churches on hunger advocacy. The position is three-quarter time, with flexible hours and working arrangements. Send a resume, cover letter, and references to: The Rev. Art Hadley, St. John's Episcopal Church, 700 N. High Street, PO Box 228, Worthington, Ohio 43085-0228.
- Director of Resource Development, Cleveland Housing Network, the city's leading nonprofit affordable housing organization. Will have primary responsibility for developing and managing a comprehensive external relations strategy, specifically including fundraising, public relations, external communications and special events planning. Please forward resumes and writing samples to: Michelle Anderson, Director of Human Resources, Cleveland Housing Network, 2999 Payne Avenue, Suite 306, Cleveland, Ohio 44114, 216/774-2385, 216/574-7130 (fax) or manderso@chnnet.com.
- Executive Director, St. Stephen's Community Homes, an innovative nonprofit dedicated to providing homeownership opportunities. Use your community building, credit, finance, and real estate development skills to lead this emerging organization. Salary is dependent on previous experience. Apply to: Search Committee, St. Stephen's Community Homes, 1500 East 17th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43219.
- Director of Neighborhoods, City of Toledo. Position is responsible for planning and operation of the Department of Neighborhoods, including housing rehabilitation, housing loan programs, federal block grant programs, neighborhood revitalization and nuisance abatement programs. Minimum requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Public Administration, Planning or a closely related area. Five years responsible administrative experience in neighborhood economic development, housing and community development. Must be a resident of the City of Toledo within six months of appointment. Salary: $60,500 to $92,500 depending upon qualifications and experience. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to: Department of Human Resources, Marsha Serio, One Government Center, Suite 1920, Toledo, Ohio 43604 by December 1, 2000.

COHHIO News
SAVE THE DATE - COHHIO Annual Conference - April 2, 3 & 4, 2001, Radisson Airport Hotel - Columbus
COHHIO’s annual conference will include in-depth institutes, plenary sessions, panel discussions, and workshops. As well as plenty of opportunities to network, share ideas about what’s working in your community and to seek input for problems facing your community. The conference will end with a Lobby Day, making our legislators focus on the issues that directly affect the problems and solutions in your community. Please plan on attending. Look for additional information in upcoming issues of our newsletter, as well as, on our web page at www.cohhio.org.

Join COHHIO’s Workers Compensation Program and SAVE!! Don’t delay, time is running out. COHHIO saved its member 84 percent on premiums last year and the savings have been among the highest in the industry for three years in a row. For every $1 your company would have paid in premiums, with the COHHIO group, you would have paid .16 cents and saved .84 cents. Joining a group rating program is the only way to ensure that you won’t pay any more than you have to for workers’ compensation. The group rating option allows employers with good safety and claims records to pool together to enjoy discounted premiums. For more information on COHHIO’s Workers’ Compensation Group, please call Susan Francis at COHHIO at 614/280-1984 or email at susanfrancis@cohhio.org. To be eligible for the 2001-2002 Workers’ Comp Group, you must sign up before the end of the year!

Visit www.cohhio.org to find services in your community. The COHHIO Directory of Services is available 24 hours a day on the COHHIO web page at www.cohhio.org. The directory is organized by county, and lists non-profit housing organizations and agencies serving homeless people. Information for each organization includes contact information, as well as a summary of their activities. Take a moment to visit the web page and see what organizations are providing services in your community. If you are an organization, visit the web page to make sure your organization is listed and that the information is up-to-date. Any changes can be sent to susanfrancis@cohhio.org. Please contact Susan Francis at COHHIO at 614/280-1984 or by email at susanfrancis@cohhio.org with any suggestions you have for the web page.

(614) 280-1984 Voice
(614) 463-1060 Fax

cohhio@cohhio.org