Breaking Ground - August 2001

How to End Homelessness in Ten Years...A Plan Not a Dream

National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Bill Introduced in Senate...Again

Look for COHHIO in the Following Workplace Campaigns

How to Contact and COHHIO Staff

Census Keeps Lid on Homeless Numbers

Fiscal Year 2002 HUD Budget Mark-up...

City of Columbus Gives Green Light to Affordable Housing Project

Predatory Lending is Completely Legal in Ohio...For Now

Principles for Responsible Lending

Principles for Responsible Lending Endorsement Form

How Effective is HUD’s Family Self-Sufficiency Program?

Regional News

Ohio Department of Development News

COHHIO Membership

Resources

Recognize Ergonomic Hazards

 

How to End Homelessness in Ten Years...A Plan Not a Dream

The Board of Directors of the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) believes that ending homelessness is well within the nation’s grasp. They believe that they can reverse the incentives in mainstream systems so that rather than causing homelessness, they are preventing it. And they believe that they can make the homeless assistance system more outcome-driven by tailoring solution-oriented approaches more directly to the needs of the various sub-populations of the homeless population. In this way, homelessness can be ended within ten years. According to NAEH, to end homelessness in ten years, the following four steps should be taken, simultaneously:

Plan for Outcomes. Today most American communities plan how to manage homelessness ­ not how to end it. In fact, new data has shown that most localities could help homeless people much more effectively by changing the mix of assistance they provide. A first step in accomplishing this is to collect much better data at the local level. A second step is to create a planning process that focuses on the outcome of ending homelessness ­ and then brings to the table not just the homeless assistance providers, but the mainstream state and local agencies and organizations whose clients are homeless.

Close the Front Door. The homeless assistance system ends homelessness for thousands of people every day, but they are quickly replaced by others. People who become homeless are almost always clients of public systems of care and assistance. These include the mental health system, the public health system, the welfare system, and the veterans system, as well as the criminal justice and the child protective service systems (including foster care). The more effective the homeless assistance system is in caring for people, the less incentive these other systems have to deal with the most “troubled people” ­ and the more incentive they have to shift the cost of serving them to the homeless assistance system. This situation must be reversed. The flow of incentives can favor helping the people with the most complex problems. As in many other social areas, investment in prevention holds the promise of saving money on expensive systems of remedial care.

Open the Back Door. Most people who become homeless enter and exit homelessness relatively quickly. Although there is a housing shortage, they work through this shortage and find housing. There is a much smaller group of people which spends more time in the system. The latter group ­ the majority of whom are chronically homeless and chronically ill ­ virtually lives in the shelter system and is a heavy user of other expensive public systems such as hospitals and jails. People should be helped to exit homelessness as quickly as possible through a housing first approach. For the chronically homeless, this means permanent supportive housing (housing with services) ­ a solution that will save money as it reduces the use of other public systems. For families and less disabled single adults it means getting people very quickly into permanent housing and linking them with services. People should not spend years in homeless systems, either in shelter or in transitional housing.

Build the Infrastructure. While the systems can be changed to prevent homelessness and shorten the experience of homelessness, ultimately people will continue to be threatened with instability until the supply of affordable housing is increased; incomes of the poor are adequate to pay for necessities such as food, shelter and health care; and disadvantaged people can receive the services they need. Attempts to change the homeless assistance system must take place within the context of larger efforts to help very poor people.

To be sure, ending homelessness will not be easy. Taking these steps will fundamentally change the dynamic of homelessness. While it will not stop people from losing their housing, it will alter the way in which housing crises are dealt with. While it will not end poverty, it will require that housing stability be a measure of success for those who assist poor people. The National Alliance to End Homelessness believes that these adjustments are necessary to avoid the complete institutionalization of homelessness. If implemented over time, they can lead to an end to homelessness within ten years. For more information call 202/638-1526 or visit www.naeh.org.

 

 

National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Bill Introduced in Senate...Again
Some of you might remember that Senator John Kerry (D-MA) introduced a bill during the 106th Congress, that would have created a National Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Unfortunately, this bill did not make it out of Committee before the session ended. Late last month, Senator Kerry re-introduced a similar bill, the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2001 (S. 1248). In spite of the recent changes within the Senate, it is apparent that this piece of legislation will not pass without significant broad-based support. As it turns out, our very own Senator DeWine is one of four Senators whose support could be enough to ensure passage.

Take ten minutes today to write and/or call Senator DeWine's office (contact information can be found below). Ask to speak to Stan Skocki (he is the Senator’s housing aide). Let him know that Ohio is in the midst of an affordable housing crisis and additional resources are needed - specifically a National Housing Trust Fund.

Stan Skocki can be reached at 202/224-2315 or via fax at 202/224-6519.


***Sample Letter***

August __, 2001

The Honorable Mike DeWine
Attention: Stan Skocki, Legislative Correspondent
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator DeWine:

On behalf of the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio, I am writing to ask your support for what will be one of the most important pieces of legislation to be considered in the 107th Congress: The establishment of a housing trust fund that will help to alleviate the affordable housing crisis in America and here in Ohio. Legislation to establish a National Housing Trust Fund was introduced by Senator Kerry (D-MA) on July 25th. I hope that you will consider signing on as a co-sponsor of this legislation.
Because of your work on housing issues in the past, I know that you understand the crisis facing not only Ohio, but every state in this country. Your support of both an increase in the private activity bond cap and the low-income housing tax credit during last session was instrumental in putting more affordable housing resources “on the street” so-to-speak. As the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s Out of Reach, 2000 report shows, 38 percent of all renter households in Ohio cannot afford an average two-bedroom apartment. In fact, in Meigs County, nearly two-thirds of all renter households cannot afford to pay rent on an average two-bedroom apartment. As unprecedented prosperity in America has driven up housing prices, the cost of housing is simply out of reach for too many families. Simply stated, there is just not enough affordable housing available.

The time to do something about this housing crisis is now. Assisting states with the production of affordable rental housing will, over time, be more cost effective than dealing with the repercussions of increased homelessness and worst-case housing needs in our communities. It will also provide our communities with an economic stimulus and help support jobs for families in our region. Please continue your commitment to helping Ohio’s families work for a better future by signing on as a co-sponsor of the National Housing Trust Fund Act.

Respectfully,

 

 

 

Look for COHHIO in the Following Workplace Campaigns

Combined Federal Campaigns - September - October
Central Ohio
Cincinnati Metropolitan Area
Lima Area
Miami Valley
North Central Ohio
Northeast Ohio
Stark County Area
Southeastern Ohio
Trumbull County
Youngstown/Mahoning Valley

State of Ohio Combined Charitable Campaign -
September 6 - October 26

Franklin County - September 10 - October 19

City of Columbus - September 10 - October 22

Ohio State University - September 17 -
November 9

Private Workplace Campaigns include:
CNA Insurance
Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority
COTA
Delphia Carr
Ohio Civil Service Employees Association
Southeast Mental Health
USA Today

Please look for COHHIO in any of these listed campaigns under the Greater Columbus Community Shares (GCCS) Federation, and consider pledging to COHHIO.

For more information on the campaigns, how to become a workplace donor, or how to be a participating workplace, please contact Susan Francis at COHHIO at 614/280-1984 or by email at susanfrancis@cohhio.org.

 

How to Contact... and COHHIO Staff
NATIONAL
National Coalition for the Homeless. Hotline:
202/775-1372 or http://www.nationalhomeless.org.

National Low Income Housing Coalition
http://www.nlihc.org

President Bush
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC 20500; 202/456-1414; 202/456-2461 (fax)
president@white house.gov

Senators Voinovich & DeWine
United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510
Voinovich - 202/224-3353; 202/228-1382 (f)
Voinovich - voinovich@voinovich.senate.gov
DeWine - 202/224-2315; 202/224-6519 (f)
DeWine - senator_dewine@dewine.senate.gov

Representatives
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515; 202/224-3121

STATE
Governor Taft
77 S. High St., Columbus, Ohio 43215
614/466-3555; 614/466-9354 (fax)

Ohio Senate
State House, Columbus, Ohio 43266-0604
614/644-5466 (fax-R); 614/644-1982 (fax - D)

Ohio House of Representatives
77 S. High St., Columbus, Ohio 43215
614/644-9494 (fax)

Legislative Directories are available by contacting us: COHHIO - 35 E Gay St, Ste. 210,
Columbus, OH 43215-3138; 614/280-1984; 614/463-1060 (fax); cohhio@cohhio.org; www.cohhio.org.

Newsletter of the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO) August 2001 • Volume 6 • Issue 7. Editor: Susan Francis

COHHIO is a coalition of organizations and individuals committed to ending homelessness and to promoting decent, safe, fair, affordable housing for all, with a focus on assisting low-income people and those with special needs.

COHHIO Staff
Bill Faith, Executive Director; Pam Argus, Associate Director; Rebecca Bartholomew, AmeriCorps Program Coordinator; Kevin Blackledge, Youth Empowerment VISTA, Susan Francis, Communications Coordinator; Janet Holcomb, Administrative Assistant; Jowana Jenkins, OCRP VISTA; Cathy Johnston, Advocacy Coordinator; Angela Lariviere, Youth Empowerment Coordinator; Jill Russ, Section 8 Project Coordinator; Mary Scott, AmeriCorps Program Support Administrator; Rick Taylor, Housing Policy Director; Ande Ucubagabriel, Finance Director; Kurt Weidner, AmeriCorps Leader and Spencer Wells, Tenant Outreach Coordinator. 35 E. Gay St., Suite 210, Columbus, Ohio 43215-3138; 614/280-1984; 614/463-1060 (fax); cohhio@cohhio.org; http://www.cohhio.org.

 

 

Census Keeps Lid on Homeless Numbers

THE PLAIN DEALER, June 21, 2001 - Joan Mazzolini and Dave Davis, Plain Dealer Reporters
The U.S. Census Bureau has decided to keep the number of homeless Americans a secret, for now.

Census Bureau officials acknowledged that they will not separately list the number of people sleeping in shelters, living in cars, under bridges and on sidewalks as they did 10 years before.

The figures on these hidden Americans were to be released in June with the last wave of data pulled from the so-called “short form,” the eight questions asked of nearly every American.

But that changed in March, two months after President Bush took office. Rather than release information on homeless people with the rest of the data, the bureau’s executive staff decided to do a special report on people sleeping in shelters that will come out in a year or so, according to Edison Gore, deputy chief of the Census Bureau’s decennial management division.

We want to build some caveats around the [shelter] numbers,” Gore said. “The caveats would be that these numbers in no way represent a count of the homeless. We were concerned about the numbers being misused, basically.” Gore said politics did not play a role in the decision.

Homeless advocates who helped with the count said they were not informed of the Census Bureau’s decision to put the homeless in a catchall “other” group where they could not be identified separately.

“Who are they safeguarding?” asked Ron Reinhart, Director of the Salvation Army’s PASS Program in Cleveland. “They don’t want people to know what a poor job they did."

 

Census takers and advocates in Cleveland spent three days in March of last year counting people sleeping in shelters, eating at soup kitchens and living under bridges and sidewalks as part of the massive national head count meant to provide a snapshot of our nation every 10 years.

But even when Census officials release the figures for people living in shelters, they won’t release the number of people sleeping outside, even though the government spent time and tax dollars trying to count them.

“It all goes back to having been burned in 1990 [when the government was criticized for putting little effort into the count],” said Barbara Duffield, director of education for the National Coalition for the Homeless in Washington, D.C. “The Census doesn’t want to have a homeless count.”

While they are not breaking out the homeless, the short-form data being released does break out Americans living on submarines, in military disciplinary barracks and in migrant workers’ housing. The data provide details about family and household relations by age, race and gender.

Counting the homeless is tricky, and homeless advocates said they were aware of the data’s shortcomings. Still, many said it was important to acknowledge that people are living on the streets and to provide a count that could be improved upon in 10 years.

Brian Davis, head of the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, helped count the homeless in 1990, when Census officials tried to do it all in one day.
He said the 2000 count was much improved, but not without major problems.

"It’s important to have these numbers,” Davis said. “There are 1,600 [shelter] beds in Cleveland, and all the beds are usually full. You should get at least 1,600 homeless people.”

Rep. Dennis Kucinich, a Cleveland Democrat, yesterday called on the bureau to release the homeless figures because they are a “moral index in our society.”

At age 11, Kucinich lived in a Dodge with his mother, father and four younger siblings for four months. His dad was out of work, his mother was ill.

“We lived in our car around 32nd Street,” the congressman recalled. “In the evenings, we parked overlooking the (LTV) steel mill. I’d watch that big sleeve of fire in the sky as I’d go to sleep. It symbolized hope for me then.”

“We need to know because we need to provide services for these people,” Kucinich said. “It’s also an indication of the strength of our community and of our economy.”

Email:
jmazzolini@plaind.com
phone: (216) 999-4563

Email: ddavis@plaind.com
phone: (216) 999-4808

@ 2001 The Plain Dealer. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.


Fiscal Year 2002 HUD Budget Mark-up...
Last month, the Fiscal Year 2002 HUD budget was marked-up and passed by both the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees. Starting with a request from the Administration that was based on “fuzzy math,” the House Subcommittee further cut the budget to the tune of $550 million. As the National Low Income Housing Coalition reported in Memo to Members, the Housing Certificate Fund received $23 million less than the Administration’s request. The mark-up provides for 34,000 new vouchers, but only 26,000 of these are fair share vouchers available to public housing authorities with at least a 97 percent occupancy rate; the remaining vouchers are for people with disabilities, which were included in last year's budget. In addition, the Subcommittee adopted the Administration’s requested reduction of Section 8 reserves from two months to one month.

The Public Housing Capital Fund received an additional $261 million under the House mark-up, compared to the Administration’s request. Nevertheless, the amount of funding provided by the Subcommittee for the Capital Fund is $445 million below FY01 funding. The Public Housing Operating Fund increased by $120 million over the Administration's request and $263 million over FY01 funding. This increased funding includes a $10 million set-aside for Operation Safe Home and a $20 million set-aside for the Department of Justice to implement a program to fight drugs and violent crime in public and assisted housing. The appropriators indicated that these two set-asides are intended to replace the otherwise "duplicative" Drug Elimination Program, which receives no funding pursuant to the Administration's request. While Homeless Assistance Grants were increased slightly over the President's request, Shelter Plus Care (S+C) renewals were zeroed out.

HOME increases by $20 million over the Administration’s budget and by $194 million over FY01, but $200 million is set-aside within HOME for a new down payment assistance program, subject to authorizing legislation. Meanwhile, CDBG formula block grants remain level funded compared to the Administration’s request and FY01 funding. In addition, the House Subcommittee went along with HUD's budget writers and chose to eliminate the $25 million HUD Office of Rural Housing and Economic Development (RHED). The House panel's report used HUD's language to say that RHED duplicates USDA programs. In actuality, there are no USDA programs that provide the nonprofit capacity funds or project flexibility offered by RHED. Senate appropriators support the program and are expected to restore the funding, so the issue will have to be resolved in conference committee.

The Senate Subcommittee on the other hand, took a different approach during its mark-up. The Senate version fully funds Section 8 renewals at $15.5 billion - although the number of incremental vouchers funded in the House mark-up was cut in half, to 17,000 vouchers. In its report, the Subcommittee encouraged the Administration "to consider new approaches to the development of affordable housing, especially for extremely low-income families who have incomes at or below 30 percent of area median income." The Subcommittee also expressed concern about the reduction of Section 8 reserves from two month's worth to one month's worth, noting the belief that the reduction in reserves could have a negative impact on the provision and utilization of Section 8 rental assistance.

The Senate Subcommittee provided $300 million for the Public Housing Drug Elimination Grant Program, which had been zeroed out in both the Administration’s budget and the House mark-up. The Subcommittee funded the Public Housing Capital Fund at $2.9 billion, an increase of $650 million from the Administration's budget. Also in contrast to the Administration and House versions of the budget, which reduced funding for the Community Development Block Grant Program from its FY01 levels, the Senate increased CDBG by $200 million for FY02. The Subcommittee funded the Office of Rural Housing and Economic Development - which had received no funding under the President's request and the House mark-up - at $25 million.

The Subcommittee also provided level funding compared to FY01 for HOME, but failed to fund the Administration’s request for a $200 million set-aside for down payment assistance. In addition, the Senate level-funded Homeless Assistance Grants, HOPE VI, Brownfields and Section 811 and 202 housing programs. Under homeless assistance, they restored nearly $100 million for Shelter Plus Care renewals in a separate account; the Administration’s budget as well as the House mark-up had not funded this account. The Subcommittee also requested $500,000 to staff the Interagency Council on the Homeless, which should be under the authority of the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy within the Executive Office of the President; the Council should include Cabinet Secretaries as members, with the chair rotating among the Secretaries of HUD, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor and Veteran's Affairs (VA). The Senate's budget also included $80 million for computer learning centers in low income neighborhoods. For more information, visit the National Low Income Housing Coalition webpage at www.nlihc.org.

 

City of Columbus Gives Green Light to Affordable Housing Project
Late last month, Columbus City Council approved legislation that cleared the way for a somewhat controversial housing project. The Commons at Grant, which is a collaborative between National Church Residences, the Community Shelter Board, and the City of Columbus, is an $8.7 million project that will result in 100 units of affordable housing being constructed in the near south area of downtown Columbus. The project, which will include 50 units of housing affordable for low-income individuals and another 50 units of supportive housing for the homeless, was approved for funding through the Columbus City Council on July 30th despite some pretty outrageous comments made by local residents and businesses. This project is part of the Columbus Rebuilding Lives initiative targeted to providing permanent supportive housing for homeless people and is part of the Mayor’s downtown housing plan.

In a show of support, local affordable housing advocates literally packed City Council chambers and watched as events unfolded. Following nearly an hour and a half of testimony from both proponents and opponents, advocates saw each of the five pieces of legislation needed to make the project a reality, pass unanimously. In an impassioned speech, Council member Charleta Tavares indicated that she had received several e-mails expressing opposition to the project...some of which were “borderline racist.” “I’m tired of people acting that if you’re poor, it’s a crime,” Tavares said.

While it is unfortunate that these kinds of attitudes still exist, the fact of the matter is that local policy makers and affordable housing advocates put their money where their mouth is. Rather than just talking about the need to address the housing crisis for low-income and homeless individuals and families, the community is backing that talk with action.

 

Predatory Lending is Completely Legal in Ohio...For Now
As you may or may not know, COHHIO has been actively involved in a statewide anti-predatory lending campaign. This campaign, recently dubbed the Ohio Coalition for Responsible Lending, includes representatives from several other statewide and community-based organizations. The ultimate objective of this campaign is to literally put predatory lenders out of business within the State of Ohio, by passing comprehensive statewide anti-predatory lending legislation. Until practices such as charging exorbitant interest rates and points, financing single-premium credit life insurance into the loan, charging pre-payment penalties as a means by which to discourage the borrower from repaying the loan early, structuring loans with balloon payments without adequate disclosure to the borrower, and flipping or frequently refinancing the loan with no tangible benefit to the borrower are actually prohibited within the State of Ohio, there will be little if any incentive for predatory lenders to change their business practices.

We need your help. On the following pages, you will find the Coalition’s Principles for Responsible Lending as well as an Endorsement Form. Between now and early fall, we are trying to get as many organizations as possible, signed on in favor of comprehensive statewide anti-predatory lending legislation. In fact, the goal is to have at least 500 organizations sign on as endorsers. Please complete and return the Endorsement Form as soon as possible. In addition, share this information with other community-based groups and encourage them to complete and return the Endorsement Form. Together, we will work to protect the communities of this state from predatory lenders.

 

Principles for Responsible Lending
Homeownership not only supplies families with shelter, it also provides a way to build wealth and economic security. Unfortunately, too many American homeowners are losing their homes, as well as the wealth they spent a lifetime building, because of abusive or predatory home equity lending practices. Some lenders target elderly, minority, and poor or uneducated borrowers with practices designed to strip the equity from their homes, trapping them in bad loans and creating a high risk of foreclosure. The following principles should govern attempts to eliminate predatory lending practices and protect family wealth within the State of Ohio:   

Limit fees charged borrowers, direct and indirect, to a reasonable amount. Points and fees (as defined by HOEPA) that exceed this amount (not including third party fees like appraisals) take more equity from borrowers than the cost or risk of subprime lending can justify. 

Prohibit the financing of up-front credit insurance for all loans.  One type of credit insurance, credit life, is paid by the borrower to repay the lender should the borrower die. The product can be useful when paid for on a monthly basis.  When it is paid for up-front, however, it does little more than strip equity from homeowners.

Prohibit back-end prepayment penalties on high-cost loans, since they act in an anti-competitive manner by keeping lenders from remedying abusive situations. Prepayment penalties trap borrowers in high-rate loans, which too often leads to foreclosure.  Why should any borrower be penalized for doing just what they are supposed to do -- namely, pay off a debt?

Take sufficient steps to address mortgage broker abuses. Brokers originate over half of all mortgage loans and a relatively small number of brokers are responsible for a large percentage of predatory loans.  Lenders should identify -- and avoid -- these brokers through comprehensive due diligence and should refuse to pay “yield-spread premiums” -- fees lenders rebate to brokers in exchange for placing a borrower in a higher interest rate than the borrower qualifies for. 

Prohibit mandatory arbitration clauses in any home loan.  Increasingly, lenders are placing mandatory binding arbitration clauses in their loan contracts. These clauses insulate unfair and deceptive practices by precluding court review and relegating consumers to a non-judicial forum where they cannot obtain injunctive relief against wrongful practices, proceed on behalf of a class, or obtain punitive damages. Many of these clauses bind the consumer, but not the lender.

Prohibit “flipping” of borrowers through repeated fee-loaded refinancings.  One of the worst practices is for lenders to refinance subprime loans over and over, taking out home equity wealth in the form of high fees each time, without providing the borrower with a net tangible benefit and often forcing payment of prepayment penalties. 

Prohibit back-end balloon payments on high-cost loans, since they are a hidden trap to the borrower, and rarely are they accompanied by a corresponding decrease in the interest rate. Some lenders originate loans containing balloon payments only to inform the borrower of this after closing to convince them to refinance.

Provide for a borrower in default a right to cure prior to foreclosure. By specifically setting forth what kind of notice the creditor must give and how the borrower may take advantage of their rights, the risk of foreclosure can be reduced.

Provide both civil and criminal penalties against all who engage in the aforementioned practices. This raises the bar and brings accountability to all who work in the home loan market by allowing claims and defenses to be raised against those who may buy the rights to the loan after the fact, but did not actually originate or fund the loan.

 

 

Endorsement Form

Principles for Responsible Lending
In recent years, there has been a tremendous increase in the number of mortgage loans made by lenders specializing in lending to borrowers with sub-par credit histories. These lenders, known as “subprime lenders,” are often times independent mortgage or finance companies, but they can also be thrifts or even banks. Some larger banks have affiliate mortgage companies that are subprime lenders. Subprime lenders typically charge borrowers higher fees and interest rates than “prime” lenders, based upon the risk of the loan.

What makes a sub-prime lender different from a predatory lender? While most sub-prime lenders serve a need by targeting borrowers with sub-par credit histories, some go too far. Those that go too far are know as predatory lenders. Lending practices become predatory when lenders target specific populations (usually low-income, minority, and/or elderly homeowners) with high pressure marketing techniques, charge excessive fees, frequently refinance or “flip” the loan, and often times mislead the borrower. Ohio is not immune to this practice. In low-and moderate-income and minority communities throughout the state, one or two predatory lenders often dominate the market, while prime lenders are nowhere to be found. These predatory lenders are literally harvesting the equity that homeowners have built up over the years.

The Ohio Coalition for Responsible Lending is proposing that the following principles govern attempts to eliminate predatory lending practices and protect family wealth within the State of Ohio.

Limit fees charged borrowers, direct and indirect, to a reasonable amount.
Prohibit the financing of up-front credit insurance for all loans.
Prohibit back-end prepayment penalties on high-cost loans, since they act in an anti-competitive manner by keeping lenders from remedying abusive situations.
Take sufficient steps to address mortgage broker abuses, including prohibiting yield-spread premiums.
Prohibit mandatory arbitration clauses in any home loan.
Prohibit “flipping” of borrowers through repeated fee-loaded refinancings.
Prohibit back-end balloon payments on high-cost loans, since they are a hidden trap to the borrower, and rarely are they accompanied by a corresponding decrease in the interest rate.
Provide for a borrower in default a right to cure prior to foreclosure.
Provide both civil and criminal penalties against all who engage in the aforementioned practices.

The undersigned organization hereby endorses these principles as a means to put an end to predatory mortgage lending practices within the State of Ohio. I hereby give my permission to use my name and/or organization as an endorser of the Principles for Responsible Lending.

Signature:
Contact Name:
Organization:
Address:
City, Zip Code, County:
Phone, Fax, E-mail:

Please return to:
COHHIO
Attn: Cathy Johnston 35 East Gay Street, Suite 210 Columbus, Ohio 43215
phone (614) 280-1984 - fax (614) 463-1060
www.cohhio.org/projects/ocrp/ocrp.html

 

 

How Effective is HUD’s Family Self-Sufficiency Program?
In April of this year, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities released a report entitled The Family Self-Sufficiency Program: HUD’s Best Kept Secret for Promoting Employment and Asset Growth. The report, which found that of the 560,000 families in the public housing or Section 8 rental assistance programs receiving income from TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) or state general assistance programs, fewer than 1.5 percent are participating in Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Programs.

The FSS program is an employment and savings incentive program for low-income families that receive Section 8 rental assistance or live in public housing. The FSS program was enacted in 1990, based on a proposal by the first Bush Administration. It consists both of case management services that help participants pursue employment and other goals, and of escrow accounts into which the public housing agency (PHA) deposits the increased rental charges that a family pays as its earnings rise. Families that complete the program may withdraw funds from these accounts for any purpose after five years.

The FSS program provides a unique opportunity for PHA’s to implement a program that directly benefits both themselves and public housing and Section 8 residents at little or no additional cost to the PHA. Despite the many potential advantages of the FSS program, it is currently underutilized. Fewer than half of PHA’s offer the FSS program to residents. In addition, most agencies that do offer FSS sharply limit program size. As a result, fewer than five percent of families with children in the public housing and Section 8 rental assistance programs currently participate in FSS programs.

The report concludes that if PHA’s were to expand their FSS programs and more PHA’s were to initiate them, additional families could be assisted in becoming and remaining employed and obtaining higher-paying jobs by enhancing their skills. In addition, the higher rents that families would pay as their earnings increased would be transformed into savings they could use to purchase or repair cars needed for work, buy homes, overcome financial emergencies, or for other purposes.

This report analyzes the value of the FSS program for tenants and PHA’s, and offers suggestions for overcoming perceived and/or actual barriers to PHA implementation or expansion of the program. It also highlights how welfare agencies may advance welfare reform goals by helping PHA’s expand their programs and by encouraging families that receive TANF benefits to participate in FSS.

For additional information or to download a copy of the report, please visit the Center’s web page at: www.cbpp.org and click on the The Family Self-Sufficiency Program: HUD’s Best Kept Secret for Promoting Employment and Asset Growth link under Areas of Research.

 

 

Regional News
Summit County Housing Symposium. September 27-29 - University of Akron Gardner Student Center. Community Revitalization: Getting it Started and Keeping it Going. Workshops for landlords, CDC's, neighborhood groups/block clubs, and social service agencies. For more information, call the Housing Network at 330/253-3370 or email them at Hsngntwrk777@cs.com.

Legislative Receptions
• Akron...July 25. Housing advocates from Akron, Canton and Portage County met at the University of Akron School of Social Work to recognize the support of State Senator Kevin Coughlin for the budget corrections bills (HB 299) resulting in an additional $11.7 million over the biennium for housing and related services in Ohio. Michele Colopy from the Housing Network was the master of ceremonies of the event presenting Senator Coughlin with a certificate of appreciation. Senator Coughlin shared some of his budget experience with the group and told advocates they did a good job in keeping the housing issue alive throughout the budget process.
• Toledo...July 26. Housing advocates from Toledo and Port Clinton hosted a legislative reception at the Aurora House in Toledo. The Aurora Project, directed by Denise Fox, provides housing and supportive services to homeless women and their children. Denise was an active advocate throughout the budget campaign. State Representatives Jeanine Perry, Teresa Fedor and Lynn Olman attended the event. State Senator Linda Furney also attended. State Senator Randy Gardner sent word he was unable to attend due to a schedule conflict. Advocates from the Northwest Ohio area joined with Diane, a direct recipient of Housing Trust Fund services, in thanking lawmakers for their support of housing and related services throughout the budget process. COHHIO staff Bill Faith and Cathy Johnston along with city officials from the Mayor’s Office and Department of Neighborhoods also attended this event.

 

 

Ohio Department of Development News
2001 OHCP (Office of Housing and Community Partnerships) Summit. November 13-16, Sawmill Creek Resort, Huron. The purpose of the Summit is to provide OHCP award recipients and their affiliates with training and technical assistance regarding program administration, compliance issues and housing and community development. During the four-day summit, approximately 35 sessions will be offered. The cost is $60 per day per participant, or $240 per person for the entire summit. The conference fees include meals for each day a participant is registered. Registrations must be received by September 28. Registrations and conference fees must be submitted to OCCD at PO Box 986, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44223 or faxed to 330/923-0265. Questions regarding the summit sessions should be directed to Betsy Giffin, OHCP Training and Technical Assistance Manager, at 614/466-2285 or via email at bgiffin@odod.state.oh.us.

2001-2002 Energy Assistance Programs Application Available. By completing and submitting the application, low-income households will become eligible to receive financial assistance to pay heating and cooling bills, and weatherization or targeted energy efficiency services. Household income guidelines are:

Household Size Total Gross Annual Household Size Total Gross Annual
Household Income* Household Income*
1 person up to $12,885 5 persons up to $31,005
2 persons up to $17,415 6 persons up to $35,535
3 persons up to $21,945 7 persons up to $40,065
4 persons up to $26,475 8 persons up to $44,595
More than 8 persons add $4,530 per person

* Gross income includes wages, interest, annuities, pensions, social security, retirement, company-paid disability, public assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), alimony, child support, unemployment benefits, Workers' Compensation benefits and any other indirect income, such as utility allowances.

NOTE: A household living in federally subsidized housing where heating and cooling costs are included in the rent is not eligible for utility payment assistance, but may be eligible for weatherization assistance. In addition, residents living in boarding/rooming houses, group homes or emergency shelters are ineligible for payment assistance. However, such facilities may be eligible for weatherization services.

The application and additional information are available from ODOD by logging on to www.odod.state.oh.us/webforms and clicking on Energy Assistance Application, or by calling 800/282-0880. Hearing impaired persons are encouraged to call 800/686-1557.

 

 

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!

 

Resources
TRAININGS
ODOD Trainings
Finance Professional Certification Program. OHCP will sponsor the National Development Council's Economic Development Finance Professional Certification Program on how to be successful at stimulating job creation: September 13-17 - Real Estate Finance. Presents a step-by-step overview of the real estate development process from the perspective of the market investor. Dec. 3 - 7 - ED 300: The Art of Deal Structuring. Integrates the business credit and real estate finance skills learner in the previous weeks with the creative demands of deal structuring. Each training session includes text readings, short lectures and case studies. Registration fee - $500 per participant per week. All training sessions will be held in Columbus. The registration deadline for each session is approximately six weeks prior to the start of each session. Questions should be directed to Mary Dupler, OHCP Publications Specialist, at 614/466-2285.

2001 Lead Abatement Training. Trainings are designed to provide lead abatement contractors/supervisors, lead abatement workers, lead inspectors and lead risk assessors with practical, lead-based paint abatement information and with the opportunity to participate in hands-on skill-based lead-abatement activities. The registration fee for each of the courses is $100. For more information, contact Tom Sherman, OHCP, at 614/466-2285 or Mike Keyes, COAD, at 740/594-8499.
Lead Inspector Training - Sept. 10-12 (Findlay); Lead Risk Assessor Training - Sept. 13-14 (Findlay); Residential Lead Abatement for Supervisors/Contractors - Oct. 15-19 (Akron), Nov. 5-9 (Findlay); Residential Lead Hazard Abatement for Workers - Oct. 30-Nov. 2 (Athens); and Residential Lead Hazard Abatement for Workers Refresher Course - Sept. 5 (Columbus)

Building Doctors, Ohio Historical Society. Will teach old-building owners how to recognize and solve some of the most common sources of problems in maintaining older buildings. Also will make rounds of ailing buildings within five miles of the host community to examine problems and prescribe cures. The clinics and consultations are free. Clinics will be held in Tiffin - September 13 & 14 and Chagrin Falls - October 11 & 12. To register, call 800/499-2470.

CDC Trainings. Affordable Housing Development: Board Trainings, Project Presentation, Review and Exam - Sept. 19-21. Community Economic Development: Funding and Financing for CED - October 17-18 and Introduction to CED - October 3-5 & December 5-6. Advanced Micro-lending - October 11. Ohio CDC Annual Conference, October 31 - November 2. For more information, contact the Ohio CDC Association at 614/461-6392.

Workers Compensation University. Sept. 17 - Cambridge; Sept. 25 - Columbus; Sept. 27 - Akron; Oct. 2 - Dayton; Oct. 10 - Cleveland; Oct. 18 - Toledo and Oct. 24 - Cincinnati. For more information, visit the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation web page at www.ohiobwc.com.

PUBLICATIONS
"The Fiscal Year 2002 Annual Performance Plan" describes the US Department of Housing and Urban Development's goals for the coming year. To download the Plan, visit HUD USER at www.huduser.org/publications/polleg/fy2002app.html.

Case Studies on Rural Housing and Welfare, Housing Assistance Council. Highlights the intersection of welfare reform and affordable housing needs in seven rural counties with high rates of welfare use. Available at www.ruralhome.org/pubs.

Outcome Measurement in Nonprofit Organizations: Current Practices and Recommendations, Independent Sector. Provides nonprofit managers with practical information on assessing and reporting the outcomes of their programs. $20. To order, call Independent Sector at 888/860-8118. View the executive summary at www.IndependentSector.org.

OTHER
Secretary's Opportunity and Empowerment Award, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Recognizes excellence in planning that has led to measurable benefits in terms of increased economic, employment, education, or housing choice or mobility for low- and moderate-income residents. For more information, visit HUD USER at www.huduser.org/research/secaward.html#apa.

Resource Web List, Organizer's Collaborative. Includes web resources for computer recycling and time donation; computer-assisted activism and advocacy; free web services: listservs, message boards, net access, advanced webhosting, petitions, and survey tools; free software and open source projects; grassroots organizing and movement building; non-profit support and online fundraising; online databases useful for activists; social implications and public interest; social justice portals and sites: issue based, constituency based and geographically based; social justice sites with online directories; and technical assistance for nonprofits. Visit http://organizenow.net/links.html.

Handspring Foundation. Makes grants to 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organizations that focus on children/youth at risk. The Foundation is particularly interested in organizations and programs that provide mentoring and peer counseling, after-school programs that utilize the arts, technology and sports; homeless assistance programs for families with children (food, clothing, education, job training). Grants range from $1,000 to $25,000. No geographic restrictions. For a complete list of criteria and an application, visit www.handspring.com/company/foundation.

 

 

Recognize Ergonomic Hazards
Incorporating ergonomic design principles into the workplace has been shown to result in fewer workplace injuries, lower workers’ compensation costs and increased worker productivity. Most people would like to correct ergonomic programs, but would they recognize an ergonomic problem if they saw one? Here’s help.

Warning signs of poor ergonomic job design include:

- repetitive tasks - excessive reach
- awkward motions or postures - bent wrists, back or neck
- lifting - twisting
- excessive glare from computer screens or inadequate lighting

Problems related to poor ergonomic design include:

- back, neck or shoulder pain - localized swelling or redness
- stiffness in the joints - weakness
- pain, numbness or tingling sensations in the extremities
- eye strain or headaches

Although some solutions to ergonomic design problems may be complex, many are simple and inexpensive. For help with assessing your ergonomic needs, contact the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s (BWC’s), Division of Safety & Hygiene at 1-800-OHIOBWC and press 22. BWC ergonomics specialists have the experience and resources to help employers find ways to create solutions to reduce poor ergonomic design and create a win-win situation in the workplace.

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

cohhio@cohhio.org