Breaking Ground - September 1999

ODOD Releases HTF RFP

Transitional Housing Threatened

HUD Cuts Will Deprive 156,000 Families of Affordable Housing

Governor Taft Signs Real Property Tax Exemption Bill

COHHIO Seeks Board Members

House and Senate Review Section 8 Preservation Legislation

ODOD Staff Restructuring

ODOD Releases Their FY2000 Housing Trust Fund Allocation Plan

ODOD Calls For Grantees to Take Role in Continuum of Care

Welfare Reform Conference - Countdown to Time Limits - What’s Next

Look for COHHIO in Your Workplace Campaigns

Ohio CDC Association - Notice of Funds Available

COHHIO Launches Web Page!

Frequently Asked Banking Questions

Fifth Third Announces $9 Billion Commitment

Are You Spending Too Much Money On Your Workers' Compensation?

What Price Will You Pay For Safety?

AmeriCorps Member Spotlight

Resources

 

 

ODOD Releases HTF RFP

The Ohio Department of Development, Office of Housing and Community Partnerships, has released its Ohio Low- and Moderate-Income Housing Trust Fund (HTF) Request for Proposals. OHCP will be distributing a total of up to $9 million, an increase of $1 million from last year's funding, of trust fund monies through this process.

The HTF targets certain priority housing activities that may be difficult to fund through other state and federal housing programs. Most of these activities focus on services and supports needed to help individuals and families access and maintain safe, decent, affordable housing.

Ohio's housing trust fund is an important step in meeting the housing needs of the state's neediest households. Four priorities are used to guide Ohio's housing investment strategy. These four priorities and their reasons for priority status are:
• Low-Income Renter Households - the large numbers of these renters with housing problems, the slow production of multi-family housing and the slow growth of the economy.
• Homeless Families and Individuals - the increased number of homeless people, the under supplied homeless inventory, the seriousness of need and the slow growth of Ohio's economy.
• Non-Homeless Special Needs Persons - for many persons in this population group, who often cannot provide for themselves, receiving housing assistance in conjunction with other services is crucially important.
• Low-Income Homeowners - the age of Ohio's housing stock, repair costs, the large numbers of owners with housing problems and the slow growth of the economy.

There are two funding categories:
1) Housing Services.
A. Homelessness Prevention. Activities include: assistance to households and individuals to prevent eviction or foreclosure; rental deposits and short-term rental assistance; mortgage payments, or utility payments; tenant/landlord mediation; housing referrals; direct housing; and other forms of tenant and homeowner counseling to assist in maintaining decent, affordable housing may be provided to those at or below 35 percent of area median income.
B. Supportive Services Linked to Housing Programs. Activities include: services such as education and training, assistance in obtaining employment, day care, health care, treatment of substance abuse and mental health problems, assistance in obtaining financial aid, and family and parenting counseling and household management may be provided to individuals or households at or below 35 percent of area median income.
C. Project-Based Rental Assistance and Operating Subsidies. Activities include: rental assistance to households or operating subsidies to projects that will make units affordable to households at or below 35 percent of area median income.

2) Home Repair/Downpayment Assistance.
A. Emergency Home Repair and Handicapped Accessibility. Activities include: investments of up to $5,000 per housing unit that are necessary to keep a unit habitable by an individual or household at or below 35 percent of area median income, protect the integrity of the structure and assure the occupants' health and safety. Examples of emergency home repairs include repair or replacement of heating systems, plumbing systems, hot water heaters, hazardous electrical systems or severely deteriorated roofs, walls, windows and doors. Examples of handicapped accessibility activities include limited rehabilitation to remove barriers, such as installation or modification of kitchens, bathrooms and ramps. Home weatherization and lead-based paint abatement are not eligible activities under this program.
B) Downpayment Assistance Program (DAP) for Non-Profit Organizations. Investment of up to $3,000 per unit for downpayment assistance to families or individuals at or below 65 percent of the state median income. Downpayment assistance is limited to three percent of purchase price plus out of pocket purchase expenses (closing costs, title search, appraisal, credit report, attorney fees). Assistance is limited to single family homes and condominiums. All ownership must be fee simple. Homebuyer counseling including assistance in obtaining financing must be provided to all persons receiving downpayment assistance.

The application deadline is October 22, 1999. For more information, contact Bob Johnson, OHCP at 614/466-2285.

 

Transitional Housing Threatened
Beatitude House, which works with disadvantaged women and children in the Youngstown area, is fighting to keep its transitional housing program open. On February 25, 1997, the Youngstown Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously in favor of Beatitude House's request to use the former convent at St. Brendan Parish to house the homeless. The use of the convent is known as accessory use since Beatitude House is doing the work of the Church on Church property.

The program quickly came under attack. A Blockwatch filed a notice of appeal in the Common Pleas Court. On September 25, 1997 the magistrate ruled in favor of Beatitude House's accessory use. The Blockwatch filed an objection and on November 17, 1997 the trial court also ruled in favor of Beatitude House. The Blockwatch then filed an appeal with the Court of Appeals of Ohio Seventh District. In the meantime, in April of 1998, over a year after receiving permission, Beatitude House started rehabilitating the building. They changed the 15 bedrooms and four bathrooms into five apartments. In January of 1999, they moved their first family into the facility. They presently are housing four families with seven children and a resident manager.

In the Blockwatch's appeal to the Court of Appeals of Ohio Seventh District, the Blockwatch contested the use of the building for transitional housing. The case was presented to three judges. On June 30, 1999 (two years and four months after receiving permission to use the facilities for their programs), two of the judges ruled in favor of the appeal and the part of the accessory use permit dealing with transitional housing was reversed. One judge filed a dissent from the decision, favoring the use of the facility to house homeless women and children. The case is now going to the Ohio Supreme Court. COHHIO has filed an amicus brief supporting Beatitude House. Thanks to Bill Senhauser, of the Equal Justice Foundation, who prepared the brief for COHHIO.

 

HUD Cuts Will Deprive 156,000 Families of Affordable Housing

It's Not Too Late To Contact Your Legislators!

Proposed cuts to the HUD budget will deprive 156,000 families of affordable housing, says a U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department report issued recently. At a Washington, DC press conference, Secretary Cuomo contrasted the strong economy with the devastating budget cuts, which will reduce HUD spending by $1.6 billion in FY2000. The report reminds us that the House Appropriations Committee’s mark-up of the FY2000 VA-HUD bill fails to fund any incremental housing vouchers and imposes a five percent cut in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME and Homeless Assistance Grants programs. This when worst case housing needs are at an all time high, at 12.5 million people, and the stock of affordable housing is shrinking.

The VA-HUD appropriations bill cuts virtually every housing and community development program.  It funds no new vouchers. It eliminates the Regional Opportunity Counseling program, which helps lower income families move to low poverty areas.  The combined impact of the tax cut and the budget caps will decrease HUD funding for years to come, doing harm to local communities. Under the constraints of budget caps instituted two years ago, Congress has cut funding for housing programs that serve the nation's poorest people.  These funding cuts have made possible the $792 billion tax cut.

The House bill also reduces funding for fair housing enforcement; cuts funding in the Lead Hazard Control Grant program, thereby putting more low income children at risk of lead poisoning, and denies assistance to nearly 16,000 homeless families and persons with AIDS. The cuts underfund job creation efforts. In addition to CDBG cuts, the proposed America’s Private Investment Companies (APIC) program was not funded at all. APIC has been slated to be a major vehicle for expanding investment capital in distressed areas. The cuts would deprive a total of 97,000 people of jobs, according to the report.

It fails to fund new vouchers when 5.3 million households have worst case housing needs and receive no federal housing assistance. As a result, according to the Office of Management and Budget, 33,000 fewer people will receive help through housing assistance, and 10,000 fewer jobs will be created. Approximately 43,000 homeless people, including 15,000 children, will be denied help. At the same time, Congress has approved $792 billion in tax cuts. Citizens for Tax Justice has determined that for families in the middle of the income scale and below, the average tax cut is approximately $160. The wealthiest one percent of the income scale will see an average annual tax cut of $46,000 each.

Please take a moment to contact your legislators about the HUD budget. Advocates are asking Congress to vote (1) against the VA-HUD appropriations bill and (2) to fully fund HUD programs. Congress will be returning to Washington, DC on September 7 from their summer recess. The Appropriations Bill is expected to be voted on shortly after Congress reconvenes from recess. So it is important to make your calls or send your letters as soon as possible.

For more information, contact COHHIO at 614/280-1984.

 

Governor Taft Signs Real Property Tax Exemption Bill

On August 24th, Governor Taft signed into law, a bill that would amend the Ohio Revised Code to exempt from taxation, residential real property constructed or rehabilitated and held by a non-profit charitable organization for the purpose of transferring the property to qualified low-income families. Though dubbed the “Habitat Bill,” due to its positive impact on the local Habitat for Humanity chapters throughout the state, this legislation appears to have widespread applicability to a variety of non-profit charitable organizations.

This bill exempts from taxation, certain real property held by a non-profit organization that is organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes and exempt from federal income tax under the Internal Revenue Code section 501. The purpose of the non-profit organization must be to construct and/or rehabilitate residences for eventual transfer to qualified low-income families through the sale, lease, or land installment contract of said property. The exemption, however, does not apply to property owned by a non-profit organization and used as residences for “needy persons.” According to the Ohio Supreme Court, the property is used for private residential housing, therefore, it is not used exclusively for charitable purposes.

The phrase “qualified low-income families” as specified in this bill, refers to a family whose annual income does not exceed 200 percent of the official poverty guidelines adjusted for family size as established by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. For example, the 1999 poverty level for a family of two was $11,060 and $16,700 for a family of four. The annual income for a qualified low-income family of two could not exceed $22,120, and the annual income for a qualified low-income family of four could not exceed $33,400.

The exemption begins on the day the non-profit organization acquires title to the property, and continues until the end of the tax year in which the property is transferred to a qualified low-income family. This exemption, however, cannot extend beyond the second succeeding tax year in which the title was transferred to the non-profit organization. If the property is transferred to someone other than a qualified low-income family, the tax exemption is terminated immediately, and all tax savings will be charged against the property in the form of a lien.

The process for applying for this exemption is relatively straightforward. The non-profit organization must file an exemption application (as required for all property tax exemptions), and include documentation regarding their tax-exempt status. The organization must also affirm its intention to construct and/or rehabilitate the property for eventual transfer to a qualified low-income family. When the property is transferred either to a qualified low-income family or someone other than, the organization must file an affidavit with the appropriate county auditor, affirming that the transfer took place. If transferred to a qualified low-income family, the affidavit must indicate the name of the transferee.

For more information, contact COHHIO at 614/280-1984.

 

COHHIO Seeks Board Members
COHHIO is now accepting applications for new Board Members to the COHHIO Board. The Board meets approximately six times a year, which includes five board metings in Columbus and an annual board retreat. Those interest should forward a letter of interest and resume to Bill Faith, Executive Director, COHHIO, 85 East Gay Street, Suite 603, Columbus, Ohio 43215 or fax to 614/463-1060 by October 8.

 

House and Senate Review Section 8 Preservation Legislation

The Senate and House are both considering Section 8 Preservation legislation. On the Senate side, the Senate is examining two bills.
• The Affordable Housing Preservation Act (S. 1318) is sponsored by Senators Jim Jeffords (R-VT), John Kerry (D-MA), Paul Sarbanes (D-MD), Rod Grams (R-MN) and Paul Wellstone (D-MN). This bill outlines an initiative that gives states matching grants to states for preservation and prioritizes the sale of properties to resident-endorsed nonprofit groups.
• Save My Home Act (S. 1319), sponsored by Senator Bond (R-MO), authorizes HUD to renew expiring contracts and mandates contracts in low-vacancy areas particularly those with a high elderly and disabled population. The bill establishes a market appraisal system to ensure the accuracy of rent appraisals. Senator Bond's bill also requires HUD to establish procedures for the voluntary sale of property with a preference for tenant or other non-profit organizations and requires HUD to issue enhanced vouchers as a last resort in cases where tenants may be displaced.

No mark-up is scheduled for these bills. Advocates hope to add these bills in the appropriations language. This presents some difficulties. An existing rule, Rule 16, prevents new legislation to be included in the appropriations bill. This rule has not been enforced in the past, but is being enforced this year. Some speculate this is a political move so that the caps on discretionary spending can be busted.

The House is reviewing H.R. 202, the “Preserving Affordable Housing for Senior Citizens and Families into the 21st Century Act.” H.R. 202 is the compilation of four other Republican and Democratic bills containing solutions to the problems posed by expiring project-based contracts, also known as “at-risk properties.“ Two important provisions are states matching grants and mark-up-to-market provisions. Republican and Democratic staff memwill continue to negotiate the finer points of H.R. 202. They are seeking middle ground between new proposals in H.R. 202 and the original legislation drafted to prevent Section 8 opt-outs. Opt-outs refer to units that have an expiring project-based Section 8 contract with the Federal government. Blended into the larger H.R. 202 bill is H.R. 425, introduced by Representatives Vento (D-MN) and Ramstad (R-MN), which matches Federal dollars to state dollars to preserve assisted units. While the concepts of the matching program are secured in the blended bill, the new bill did not incorporate all the specifics from the original bill. The original cosponsors seek to retain the original language and provisions. Advocates expect a possible mark-up after Congress returns from recess or it will be introduced directly on the floor.

For more information, contact COHHIO at 614/280-1984.

 

ODOD Staff Restructuring

Joe Robertson is now the Assistant Director of the Ohio Department of Development and is responsible for the implementation of programs designed to assure economic growth for Ohio. Joe will oversee several divisions within the Department, including the Community Development Division. Jack Riordan, the Director of the Community Development Division, will now report to Joe Robertson, the Assistant Director, who reports to C. Lee Johnson, the Director of the Ohio Department of Development. This is a change in structure for the Department. In this new role, Joe serves as chair to the Ohio Housing Finance Agency Board. Vince Lombardi, who used to oversee the Community Development Division, is now heading up the Governor's Initiative on Urban Revitalization. For more information, you can reach Joe Robertson, Assistant Director, at 614/466-3379.

 

ODOD Releases Their FY2000 Housing Trust Fund Allocation Plan

The Ohio Housing Trust Fund Advisory Committee approved the FY2000 Housing Trust Fund Allocation, totalling $16,624,5000. The money was allocated as follows:
FY 99 FY 2000FY 2000

Approved Conditionally
Approved*
Request for Proposals $8,122,700 $7,000,000$2,000,000
Community Housing Improvement Programs1,779,500 1,584,300
Housing Development Assistance Program 9,792,300 5,378,975 6,369,326
Migrant Housing Labor Camp Improvement 512,000 250,000 250,000
Special Projects Program
AmeriCorps Project 180,000 180,000
Section 8 Outreach and Training Project 50,000 50,000
AmeriCorps/VISTA Project 100,000 100,000
Service Coordination Program 239,000 250,000
Other Special Projects550,000
Downpayment Assistance Program 998,893 1,000,000
Unallocated 1,000,000
Administration (5 percent)923,046 831,225 191,035
TOTAL $23,247,439 $16,624,500 $9,810,361


*Additional funding was conditionally approved by the Advisory Committee contingent upon the approval of additional appropriations authority by the State Controlling Board. If approved, an addition $9,810,361 would be allocated from HTF funds, carryover, previous years' interest and estimated future interest. The breakdown of this funding is $3,820,700 of FY 2000 HTF funds, plus $1,633,907 of carryover, plus $2,355,754 of interest currently available, plus estimated $2,000,000 of interest to be earned during FY 2000, equaling $9,810,361. For more information, call ODOD at 614/466-2285 or COHHIO at 614/280-1984.

 

ODOD Calls For Grantees to Take Role in Continuum of Care

The Ohio Department of Development, Office of Housing and Community Partnerships (OHCP), is concerned that some organizations receiving OHCP grants to provide services to persons who are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless are not coordinating with other providers in their local Continuum of Care process or other community-wide efforts to address homelessness in their communities. The Continuum of Care process helps communities set local priorities and develop a coordinated strategy to provide critical services in an efficient manner. The lack of a coordinated local effort may result in duplication of effort or other inefficient use of scarce resources.

Organizations receiving funding through the Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) program, the Supportive Housing for the Homeless (SHH) program, the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) program, the Housing Trust Fund Request for Proposal (RFP) program (Category 1 grantees) or the HUD Continuum of Care Balance of State process are expected to be active participants in their local Continuum of Care planning process and other community-wide efforts to end homelessness in their communities (such as a local Homeless/Housing Coalition or Task Force).

OHCP considers participation in the local Continuum of Care process to be extremely important. Participation in local Continuum of Care activities is a funding criterion in OHCP competitive grant programs. Failure of grantees to participate in local initiatives to end homelessness may result in the inability to obtain future OHCP funding.

COHHIO can provide training and technical assistance for local coalition building and continuum of care planning processes. COHHIO has grants from the Ohio Department of Development, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Ohio Department of Mental Health which supports this work. Therefore, COHHIO can offer this assistance free of charge. If interested in receiving assistance for your community, please write a letter describing in detail the assistance you desire and send to Bill Faith, COHHIO, 85 East Gay Street, Suite 603, Columbus, Ohio 43215. If you have questions about your local Continuum of Care process, please call your OHCP representative at 614/466-2285 or call COHHIO at 614/280-1984.

 

Welfare Reform Conference - Countdown to Time Limits - What’s Next

October 1 marks the first day of the final year of welfare eligibility for many people here in Ohio and the question truly is “What’s Next???" The Ohio State Legal Services Association (OSLSA), with funds from the Milton Tenenbaum Memorial Fund, is sponsoring a conference that will explore the possible answers to that question. COHHIO is co-sponsoring the event.

The conference is open to community groups and organizations, advocates and all concerned about what happens on October 1. Workshops will include “how to” approaches to what is working in housing, child care, health, transportation, work, education, mentoring and more. Mark your calendars and join us on October 1, 1999.

WHEN: 8 am - 4:30 pm, October 1, 1999
WHERE: Holiday Inn East, I-70 and Hamilton Road, Columbus

For further registration information contact:
Marian Harris, Conference Coordinator,
at 614/861-7791 or
marian2@ix.netcom.com.

 

Look for COHHIO in Your Workplace Campaigns

COHHIO, through Greater Columbus Community Shares, will be participating in several workplace campaigns this fall. Campaigns include:

Columbus Combined Federal Campaign
City of Columbus
Franklin County
The Ohio State University
State of Ohio

COHHIO is also participating in several other Combined Federal Campaigns around the state, including: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton/Miami Valley, Lima, Stark County, Toledo/Maumee Valley, Trumbull County, and Youngstown/Mahoning Valley.

Please look for COHHIO in any of these campaigns! If you have any questions, please call Susan Francis at COHHIO at 614/280-1984.

 

Ohio CDC Association - Notice of Funds Available

 

1) Technical Assistance for Community Economic Development Projects. Assistance to nonprofit organizations and local governments which have projects in concept development or in the planning stages. Projects must benefit low to moderate income residents of the neighborhood or community. Available: $2,500 per group. Areas of assistance includes: 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.

2) IDA Technical Assistance for CHDO’s. Will provide technical assistance to CHDO’s and nonprofit housing development organizations in the process of becoming CHDO’s in the area of Individual Development Accounts (IDAs). Areas of assistance includes: Ohio state law and resources for IDAs, developing IDA partnerships with county human services offices, evaluating potential policies and procedures, facilitating partnerships for service delivery, integrating IDAs into an existing home ownership program, determining match rates, accumulation periods, thresholds and ceilings, and permissible uses, managing IDA accounts, orientation, economic literacy, training and counseling, advertising and marketing, staffing, budgeting and fundraising, and Assets for Independence funding opportunities.

3) Technical Assistance for Ohio Microenterprise Programs. Assistance will be provided to nonprofit organizations and local governments which either currently administer or are interested in starting microenterprise programs.


Available: $2,500 per group. Areas of assistance include start-up of new microenterprise programs, microloan policies and procedures, microloan committee operations and staff training, program design and evaluation, marketing and recruitment, education of board and stakeholders, developing partnerships and market development, design and evaluation of entrepreneur training, accessing TANF for microenterprise programs, developing an IDA component in a microenterprise program and integrating a microenterprise program with a small business incubator concept.

To secure assistance to any of these three NOFAs:

1) Submit a one page letter which requests technical assistance and broadly describes the type(s) of assistance needed.
2) Fill out or provide updated information for a self-assessment of your organization/local government. This form will be forwarded to you upon receipt of your written request.
3) Work with the staff to create an Assessment Report as well as a Technical Plan for Assistance to establish your organization’s readiness, steps for assistance, the technical assistance consultant, timeline and objectives.
4) Enter into a contract with the Ohio CDC Association to cooperate with the technical assistance provider and the Association, and to follow through on recommendations from the technical assistance consultant.

All technical assistance must be completed by December 30, 1999. For more information call Patricia Barnes at the Ohio CDC Association at 614/461-6392.

 

COHHIO Launches Web Page!

index.html

COHHIO is pleased to announce the launching of its web page, index.html. While work on the web page is still in progress, we encourage you to visit the site and make recommendations as to what else you would like included on the site. Currently the web page offers funding updates, action alerts, a what's new section, descriptions of COHHIO's projects, newsletter articles, a listing of COHHIO resources and contact information for national, state and local organizations and government agencies. Pages on the AmeriCorps Program, the Ohio Community Reinvestment Act and the Section 8 Preservation Project are all in the works. COHHIO is also in the process of adding its Directory of Housing and Homeless Services to the web page. We would like to make the web page as helpful as possible. Please take a moment and complete the following survey. Your input is very important to us as we continued to develop the web page.

Web Page Survey

Please check those below that you would most like to see COHHIO include on its web page

Listing of the Directory
Action Alert
Homeless Numbers Information
AmeriCorps Information
Links to Other Organizations
Trainings Information
Funding Opportunities
Technical Assistance Information
COHHIO Membership Information
COHHIO Board List
Newsletter Articles
Resources
COHHIO Email Access to Staff

Other Suggestions:



If you would like your organization linked to our web site, please provide the web address below:



Please return to Susan Francis, COHHIO, 85 East Gay Street, Suite 603, Columbus, Ohio 43215 or fax to 614/463-1060. Thank you!

Please visit -
index.html.

 

Frequently Asked Banking Questions

Q: What is electronic banking?
A: To most people, electronic banking means 24-hour access in most locations to cash through an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), or Direct Deposit of paychecks or benefit checks into checking, share draft or savings accounts. Electronic banking, also known as Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), uses computer technology instead of checks and other paper transactions. An ATM or debit card with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) gives you electronic access to your accounts.

Q: What do I do if my ATM or debit card is lost or stolen?
A: Call your financial institution right away and follow up with a letter. The longer you wait, the more money you may lose. If you report your ATM or debit card missing before it is used, you will not be held responsible for any unauthorized use. If you report your card missing after it is used, the amount you can be held responsible for depends on how quickly you report the loss. Within two business days after you learn of the loss or theft of your card -- you can be held responsible for no more than $50 in unauthorized withdrawals. After two business days, but within 60 days after the institution sends you a statement showing an unauthorized withdrawal -- you could lose up to $500. After 60 days -- you could lose all the money that was taken from your account after the end of the 60 days and before you report your card missing.

Q. How do I correct EFT errors on my account?
A. Call your institution and follow up with a letter. You have 60 days from the date your statement was mailed to contact your institution. If you miss the deadline, your institution does not have to investigate. Once you call the institution, it has:
• Ten business days to investigate the problem
• One business day to correct the error after finding it
• Three business days to tell you the results of the investigation

There is an exception: If the money in question is returned to your account within 10 business days of when you notified the institution of the error, the institution can take up to 45 days to investigate. If no error is found, the institution may take back the money in question if it sends you a written explanation.

Q: What is Direct Deposit?
A: Direct Deposit is the electronic transfer of your salary, government benefit or other payment into your checking, share draft or savings account.

Q: How will I know if a Direct Deposit, such as my Social Security benefit, has been deposited into my account?
A: You can call your institution. Many have automated telephone lines that let you access account information. You may be able to check your account balance at an ATM. Or you can check your statement when it comes in the mail.

Q: What record will I have of my EFT deposits and withdrawals?
A: You will get receipts whenever you use your ATM or debit card. You also, will get statements, monthly or quarterly, showing all transactions on your account.

Q: How soon can I use money from a Direct Deposit?
A: The money is available to you the morning of the payment date. For example, if your Social Security benefit is due the third day of each month, your money will be available that morning.

Q: How soon can I use money I deposit into my account?
A: That depends on whether you deposit cash or a check and, if you deposit a check, the type of check and where it is from. Federal law sets the time limits for “holds” on funds and your access to them. Longer holds may apply if:
• The institution has reason to believe a check you deposit will not be paid
• You deposit checks totaling more than $5,000 on any one day
• You redeposit a check that has been returned
• You have overdrawn your account repeatedly in the last six months
• There is an emergency such as a failure of communications or computer equipment
• Your account has been open 30 days or less

Q: What is an attachment? Can my federal benefits be attached?
A: An attachment allows people you owe to take money from your account by going through the courts. Money in your account can be attached for any debts you owe to creditors, the federal government or for child support. Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security, Veterans and Railroad Retirement benefits are exempt from attachment, with limited exceptions. However, federal salary and Civil Service Retirement payments can be attached.
Account fees are not considered an attachment, but financial institutions can deduct fees, or any other obligations owed to the financial institution, from your account.

Q: Where can I get information and assistance?
A: Agencies responsible for carrying out consumer protection laws that cover financial services also provide information and assistance to consumers. For more information or to file a complaint, contact:

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Board of Governor’s of the Federal Reserve System
Division of Compliance and Consumer Affairs Division of Consumer and Community Affairs
550 17th Street, N.W. 20th and C Streets, N.W., Mail Stop 800
Washington, DC 20429 Washington, DC 20551
800/934-3342 202/452-3693, TDD: 202/452-3544
consumer@fdic.com (Regulates state-chartered banks and trust companies
(Regulates state-chartered banks that that are memof the Federal Reserve System.)
are not memof the Federal Reserve System.)

Comptroller of the Currency National Credit Union Administration
Customer Assistance Group Office of Public and Congressional Affairs
1301 McKinney, Suite 3710 1775 Duke Street
Houston, TX 77010 Alexandria, VA 22314-3428
800/613-6743 703/518-6300
(Regulates banks with “National” in the (Regulates federally chartered credit unions and over
name or “N.A.” after the name.) sees the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund

for federally insured credit unions.)
Office of Thrift Supervision
Division of Consumer and Civil Rights
Office of Community Investment
1700 G Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20552
202/906-5900, 800/842-6929
(Regulates federal savings and loans and federal savings banks.) Information reprinted from the Financial Services Education Coalition.

 

Fifth Third Announces $9 Billion Commitment

Earlier this month, Fifth Third Bank announced an ambitious $9 billion community lending initiative dubbed BLITZ (Building, Lending, Investments and Technology Zones). According to a news release from Fifth Third, the BLITZ initiative “encompasses a broad spectrum of financial products and services. Fifth Third will offer special financing and aggressive interest rates for community development building projects, promote home ownership, small business growth and credit availability through increased lending, make investments in low-income housing tax credit and venture capital projects and through Fifth Third’s first-ever Request for Proposals, and create technology zones...to ensure internet access for low and moderate-income individuals and those who live in rural areas.”

Interestingly enough, the announcement came just two weeks after representatives from the Ohio Community Reinvestment Project (OCRP) met with Fifth Third to review their progress toward meeting the objectives as stated in their cooperative agreement. For more information, call Rick Taylor or Christina Buzzard at COHHIO at 614/280-1984.

 

Are You Spending Too Much Money On Your Workers' Compensation?

The Bureau of Workers Compensation allows organizations to group together to save them money on their workers' compensation premiums. COHHIO sponsors such a group, that saves our group memvaluable dollars that can go to other more important work. According to the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, the COHHIO group rating program saved its mem79 percent on premiums last year, and is saving mem84 percent this year. COHHIO savings have been among the highest in the industry for three years in a row now. For example, a group not affiliated with a group would pay 100 percent of their premiums. With COHHIO's group, your organization last year would have only paid 21 percent of your premium, and only 16 percent this year. 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. If you are interested in joining COHHIO's program, please fill out a Savings Estimate Authorization (AC-3). You can fax it or mail it to the Frank Gates Company. You will receive a free, no-obligation group rating savings estimate. At that point, you can decide if you'd like to join COHHIO's group. If you have any questions, please call Susan Francis at COHHIO at 614/280-1984.

 

What Price Will You Pay For Safety?

 

Costs of workplace accidents add up quickly. Sure, safety improvements can be costly, too, but, it doesn’t mean they have to be difficult to make. If you take a look around your facility, you might spot relatively small measures you can take to prevent a substantial number of injuries. The impact may be greater than you think. Here are examples:
• WATCH YOUR HANDS AND FEET
Contact with objects or equipment topped the list of nonfatal, lost-time injuries in the Untied States, with 27.5 percent.
• ONE, TWO, THREE...LIFT!
Overexertion injuries also accounted for more than a quarter of the total nonfatal injuries
• THE GOOD HOUSEKEEPING SEAL OF APPROVAL
Some work facilities are accidents just waiting to happen. Cluttered aisles. Liquids spilled on the floor and not cleaned up. The list can go on and on.
• KNOW WHAT’S IN THE CONTAINER
Harmful exposure, fires, explosions-all of these can be attributed to improper storage, labeling and handling of chemicals.
• AN OUNCE OF PROTECTION
The prospect of injury to any part of the head can never be taken lightly. Any head injury is potentially serious and irreversible.
• LITTLE THINGS CAN MEAN A LOT
By no means is workplace safety an issue that can be treated on a piecemeal basis. It should be a part of your overall operation. You might be surprised, however, at the lives, health, and workers’ compensation dollars that can be saved by paying attention to a few, seemingly small, details.
• NO QUICK FIXES FOR SAFETY
Quick fixes to safety problems can be just what the term implies if not backed by a total commitment to worker safety. It is critical to understand the difference between a simple solution and a quick fix to a problem.

Treating a safety hazard as an isolated case, no matter how many times you correct it, rather than looking at it as a systematic problem is a mistake, according to Darla Klein, manager of BWC’s Division of Safety & Hygiene’s leadership consulting group.

“If you keep going in and correcting the same problem or a similar one, then you’re not spending your money wisely,” says Klein.

The ideal solution to any safety problem is to create and sustain a company-wide safety culture in which compliance and injury-elimination efforts are linked with the active management of safety systems, structures and processes with other business systems.

The Division of Safety & Hygiene can help an organization put those systems, structures and processes in place through cultural assessments, leadership education, team development, facilitator training and implementation of behavior-based safety observation and coaching.

The payoff is a culture where all memof the organization value the health and safety of individuals and operations, share common accident-prevention beliefs and actively manage workplace health and safety. Reduced losses, and improved profitability, flow directly from this improvement process. This is the only way to ensure that safety improvements are effective over the long run, according to Klein.

For more information on the no-cost services the Division of Safety & Hygiene offer, please call 800/OHIOBWC and press 22.

Taken from BWC Focus Magazine, Summer 1999.

 

AmeriCorps Member Spotlight

COHHIO's AmeriCorps Houses the Homeless Program has memall across the state working on homelessness and housing issues.

Amy A. Canadee: I am currently serving as an AmeriCorps Member in Akron placed at ACCESS, an emergency shelter for homeless women and children. I work closely with the Child advocate to originate and implement activities for children of all ages. I try to provide a stabilizing influence and develop a bond of trust. It is challenging and rewarding work, and I am glad to know I help during this difficult time. A child’s smile or hug goes a long way with me. I am 37 years old and have a Master of Library Science degree. I previously worked for many years as a public librarian. After AmeriCorps, I would like to work in social services as well as pursue a MSW degree.

Patricia Clifton: I first served in an AmeriCorps program in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Presently, I have relocated to Cleveland, my hometown. I am serving as a Member with the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless. I have been homeless prior to my service and have just moved out of Transitional Housing. I have an invested interest in homelessness issues and I would like to continue to work in this field. I am attending Cuyahoga Community College for an associates and my long term goal is to have a social work degree with an art therapy emphasis.

Rachel Gorsuch: I am a first year AmeriCorps memserving at Safe Havens, a supportive housing site in Columbus. Currently, I’m a third year student at Ohio State University pursuing a degree in public health. I’ve always been interested in community service. In this year, I have learned that I enjoy helping people more than ever!

Carol Arnold: I am a second year memserving in Washington Court House at the Family Shelter. Becoming an AmeriCorps Member was the smartest thing I could have done with my life. I always wanted to be able to help others in need, but I always worked in a factory. With AmeriCorps, I get to help people not just in my community, but in other communities too. I have learned how other programs work, as well. All the memof AmeriCorps Houses the Homeless has been like a family to me. We are all working together to get things done! It’s a feeling of accomplishment that I have not been able to get anywhere else. I love AmeriCorps and all the staff for making it possible for me to fulfill my dreams.

Malcolm Meyer: I am a first year AmeriCorps mem I graduated in 1998 from the College of Wooster with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. I am serving as a AmeriCorps volunteer at Wooster Interfaith Housing Corporation (WIHC. WIHC assists low income people obtain and maintain safe and affordable housing. My service at WIHC includes conducting intakes, coordinating volunteers, assisting with property maintenance, and a variety of other tasks. I became interested in AmeriCorps while in college. Outside of work, I enjoy playing acoustic guitar and gardening. I have found my AmeriCorps experience very rewarding and look forward to serving another year hopefully in the field of agriculture and sustainable development.

 

Resources

TRAININGS
The Ohio Historic Preservation Office is offering free Building Doctor Clinics. The remaining clinics are: Defiance (September 30-October 1) and Milford (Oct. 21-22). Designed to help solve common, old-building problems and help owners make informed repair and improvement decisions. Plus they will visit older buildings in or near the communities where a clinic is being held to examine problems and prescribe cures. The clinics and consultations are free; however, interested participants must register to attend. For more information, call 800/499-2470.

October 5 -Workers' Compensation Workshop, Frank Gates Service Company, Columbus. Covers claims administration, risk management services and safety. $20. For more information, call 800/395-4119.

Ohio CDC Association Trainings, Columbus. October 18-20 - Basic Skills in Affordable Housing Development Series, Project Presentation, Role Play, Review & Exam. An entry-level, intensive training program for housing development staff in how to plan and implement affordable housing projects. $90. October 21 - Community Economic Development Series, Retail Redevelopment: Retention and Expansion. Key issues to be covered include site selection and development, strategies to identify and attract retailers and developers, and resources for financing commercial real estate. November 18 & 19, People Building Communities Annual Conference. Will include workshops on housing development skills, economic development strategies, IDAs, organizational development, microenterprise, and community organizing. For information, call OCDCA at 614/461-6392.

November 9-12, 50th Anniversary of the National Council of Churches, Cleveland. Speakers include Archbishop Desmond Tutu; U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan; Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher; incoming N.C.C. President, Andrew Young; Marian Wright Edelman, the Hon. Louis Stokes, and others. For more information, call 800/328-6222, (4 digit pin #1999).

November 22-23, Multifamily Home Ownership Development Management, Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing and Ohio Housing Finance Agency's First Joint Conference. For more information, call 614/224-8446 (OCCH) or 614/466-0400 (OHFA).

PUBLICATIONS
Playing by the Rules: Handbook on Voter Participation and Education Work for 501 (c)(3) Organizations," Independent Sector. It highlights key issues facing organizations that contemplate engaging in a variety of nonpartisan voter education and voter participation projects. The authors explain the general rules that apply in this area and show how the rules operate in concrete situations. To order, call Independent Sector at 202/223-8100.

The Handbook on the Legal Rights of Minors, Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee. The Handbook is a guide to the law governing the mental health care of children and adolescents. $50. Mental Health Law Guide, $35, includes thirteen short pamphlets describing an individual's rights. To order, call 617/338-2345.

Wilder Nonprofit Field Guide Series. Quick guides on such topics as fundraising, community building, strategic planning, and marketing. Costs between $14 and $35. To order a catalogue, call the Wilder Foundation at 800/274-6024.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS
AmeriCorps*VISTA, the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, Cleveland. $4,200 educational award. Call 216/241-1104.

Associate Director, the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless. Non-profit management and work with low income individuals, experience with advocacy, community organizing, and/or development activities. Send resumes to: NEOCH, P.O. Box 93061, Cleveland, Ohio 44101-5061.

Executive Director, Catholic Charities Housing Opportunities. To administer and coordinate the housing programs, economic development/planning process, fund development, and contract management. Send resumes/cover letter to: Search Committee, Catholic Charities Housing Opportunities, 225 Elm Street, Youngstown, Ohio 44503.

AWARDS
Harry Chapin Self-Reliance Awards, World Hunger Year. The awards honor innovation and creativity in grassroots efforts against hunger and poverty through self-reliance. Awards of $5,000 maximum are distributed to grassroots organizations judged outstanding for their innovative and creative approaches to fighting domestic hunger and poverty by empowering people and building self-reliance. Entries must be postmarked by September 30, 1999. For more information, contact Julianne Rana at 212/629-8850, ext. 134 or email at whyria@aol.com.


Save The Date!
COHHIO Annual Conference
March 13, 14 & 15 ,2000
Columbus Marriott North
Please put the date on your calendars. More information will follow in upcoming newsletter issues!

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

cohhio@cohhio.org