News Alert: May 25
NYSERDA Awards Contracts to 14 Constituency-Based Organizations to Spur Energy Efficiency Improvements and Green Jobs Training Solicitation for Additional Proposals to Take Place in June
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has selected 14 Constituency-Based Organizations (CBO) and coalitions of constituency-based organizations across the state to conduct grassroots outreach to encourage energy efficiency improvements and participation in training opportunities for green jobs.
The awards announced today represent $5,148,719 of the $6 million allocated for constituency-based outreach through Green Jobs-Green New York (GJGNY), a program created by the New York State Legislature to significantly increase the number of energy efficiency improvements in the state while creating green jobs.
To address gaps in regional coverage from this first set of awards, NYSERDA plans to issue a second competitive solicitation for the remaining funds in June.
The CBOs will work at a grassroots level to educate the public about and spur requests for free and reduced-cost "whole house" energy assessments, audits for buildings used by small businesses and not-for-profit organizations, low-cost financing for energy efficiency improvements and participation in green job training opportunities.
While GJGNY opportunities are available statewide, the CBOs will reach out to homeowners, small businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and multifamily building owners in their regions. They will also work closely with local training organizations to help unemployed and disadvantaged workers start on a path to new careers right in their communities.
"We are excited about working with our new constituency-based partners to expand our outreach and training efforts under Green Jobs Green New York,"
said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. "This very localized approach will help NYSERDA reach people that we may not have reached otherwise. We're trying something new that we believe will have a great impact in getting people to make their homes and businesses more energy-efficient."
NYSERDA received 24 proposals from CBOs. Seven awards were made in Upstate regions (Western New York, Southern Tier, North Country, Central New York, Capital Region and Finger Lakes). Eight were made in downstate regions (Bronx, Kings, Queens and Richmond, New York, Mid-Hudson and Westchester, and Long Island).
CBOs were selected through a competitive process. The CBOs receiving contracts are:
* Pathstone (Finger Lakes Region)
* Northeast Parent and Child (Capital Region)
* Affordable Housing Partnership of the Capital Region (Capital
Region)
* Adirondack North Country Association (North Country Region)
* Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation (Bronx)
* Neighborhood Housing Services of Staten Island (Kings and Richmond
Counties)
* El Puente (Kings and Richmond Counties)
* Downtown Manhattan Community Development Corporation (New York
County)
* Asian Americans for Equality (Queens County)
* Rural Ulster Preservation Company (Mid-Hudson Region and
Westchester County)
* Long Island Progressive Coalition (Long Island)
* Public Policy and Education Fund (Central New York Region)
* Public Policy and Education Fund (Southern Tier Region)
* People United for Sustainable Housing (Western New York Region)
News Alert: May 25
Affordable Housing For Homeless Veterans Opens in the Bronx
Fordham Village - a 56-unit development in the Bronx - opened to serve the housing needs of veterans who are homeless or on the brink of homelessness. The units will be affordable to tenants earning no more than 60% AMI.
$7.84 million in financing was provided by HPD through its Supportive Housing Loan Program, with an additional $6 million in equity coming from LIHTC. The developer, the Jericho Project, contributed $118,000 in developer equity. NYSERDA added $106,000.
There are currently an estimated 109,000 homeless veterans in the United States.
For the full press release, click here.
News Alert: May 19
HUD Posts Rebuttal to Washington Post Probe of HOME Program
In response to the recent series in the Washington Post detailing the alleged mismanagement of the HOME Program, HUD issued a point-by-point rebuttal on its blog page detailing the Post's reporting errors in terms of HUD's funds management history and the extent of the agency's enforcement scope.
Click here for the issued rebuttal.
News Alert: May 18
State Senate Housing Committee Pushes Through Young Leadership Council's Proposed SLIHC Amendment Bill
The State Senate's Housing, Construction and Community Development Committee voted to allow S4758 to proceed to a vote before the full Senate. S4758 contains amendments to New York State's low income housing tax credit program as proposed by the NYHC's Young Leadership Council. These amendments would allow for the bifurcation of the tax credits and are expected to increase their market value by 10%.
The video below shows the Committee introducing and voting on the bill (at the 3:39 mark).
News Alert: May 17
Public Hearing Announced for 2012 Annual Action Plan
New York State has begun to prepare its next Annual Action Plan, a federal requirement prior to the administration of funds for the CDBG, Home Investment Partnerships, Emergency Shelter Grants and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS programs.
The Public is encouraged to offer oral comments at public hearings on June 2, 2011 and June 3, 2011. On June 2, the first public hearing will be held from 9:00 am until 10:00 am and the second from 2:30 pm until 3:30 pm. On June 3, the first public hearing will be held from 10:00 am until 11:00 am and the second from 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm.
At these dates and times, hearings will be held concurrently at the following four New York State Homes and Community Renewal offices: 25 Beaver Street in New York City; 38-40 State Street in Albany; 620 Erie Boulevard West in Syracuse; and 535 Washington Street in Buffalo.
Each site is accessible to individuals with mobility impairments. Individuals requiring other accommodations should call 1-866-ASK-DHCR (275-3427) by May 25, 2011. Attendees must present a driver's license or other government-issued photo ID upon entry. For additional information call 1-866-ASK-DHCR (275-3427); or e-mail HCRConPln@nyshcr.org.
News Alert: May 16
The Young Leadership Council to Host Meet-and-Greet with Assemblyman Vito Lopez
On May 19, the YLC will be hosting Assemblyman Vito Lopez, the longstanding chair of the Assembly's housing committee, for a meet-and-greet at the Local Cafe (1 Penn Plaza).
Assemblyman Lopez recently submitted a bill (#A7404) consisting of the YLC's proposed amendments to the New York State low-income housing tax credit.
News Alert: May 13
New Markets Tax Credit Extension Proposed
Novoco.com reports that Sen. Rockerfeller (D-W.V.) introduced a bill that would extend the NMTC through 2016. The New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act (S.996) calls for $5 billion in funding each year.
Novogradac will be discussing this development on its Tax Credit Tuesday podcast on May 17.
News Alert: May 6
176 Units of Affordable, Green-Certified Housing Opens in East New York
Dumont Green was opened in East New York, Brooklyn, adding 176 units of affordable units to the City's housing stock. The units are priced to be affordable to families earning between 30 and 60 percent AMI - a max of $46,080 for a family of four. A portion of the units will be allocated to formerly homeless tenants.
The $50.6 million project was funded by the NYC Housing Trust Fund, NYC Acquisition Fund and a $1 million grant from the Brooklyn Borough President's Office. HDC allocated over $31 million in financing, with HPD adding another $16.1 million. Bank of America Merrill Lynch provided the letter of credit along with construction loan servicing, while the Richman Group is expected to syndicate more than $15 million in tax credit equity.
Click here for further details.
News Alert: May 3
243-Unit Green Affordable Housing Development Opens in the Bronx
A 243-unit complex for low- and moderate-income seniors has been opened in the Bronx. The $68 milling project represents a partnership between HPD, HDC, the Ursuline Bedford Park Community, the Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation, Enterprise Community Partners and Chase.
For the full press release, click here.
News Alert: May 1
Darryl Towns Officially Approved as Commissioner/CEO of NYS Homes and Community Renewal
The boards of the State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) and the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) have approved Darryl Towns as Commissioner and CEO of NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR). In this capacity, Mr. Towns will oversee SONYMA and the HFA, along with HCR, the Housing Trust Fund Corporation and the Affordable Housing Corporation.
Commissioner Towns outlined three priorities as he takes the helm of the various housing agencies:
1. To continue the integration process at HCR, seeking out additional efficiencies with the goal of improving the effectiveness of state housing programs and reducing overall costs.
2. To marshall HCR resources for the ongoing effort to stimulate the upstate economies.
3. To work with the Governor and Legislature on extending rent regulations that benefit over one million tenants.
Commissioner Towns previously served for 18 years in the New York State Assembly.