New Updates

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
ARRA Guide - updated August 2009
Housing Colorado has developed a guide to these funding resources to highlight new programs and opportunities, nuances for existing programs, upcoming deadlines and funding distribution processes under ARRA. Our goal is to assist you in assessing your organization's eligibility for funding, connecting you to existing resources and alerting you to opportunities for training and input.

If you have suggestions for improving this guide or tips for increasing the success and impact of the housing community's collective efforts, please share them with us. Contact kirsten@housingcolorado.org.

ARRA Updates:
See Upcoming Training Section for New Grants.Gov Webinar series
www.grants.gov/applicants/recovery_webinar.jsp

First-time Homebuyer Tax Credit Extended:
Extends the First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of up to $8,000 to first-time home buyers until April 30, 2010.
Expands the credit to grant up to $6,500 credit to current home owners purchasing a new or existing home between November 7, 2009 and April 30, 2010.

Click here to learn more about the Affordable Rental Housing A.C.T.I.O.N. (A Call To Invest in Our Neighborhoods) LIHTC proposals shared by Michael Novogradac at the 2009 Housing Colorado NOW Conference.

Important Notice for TCAP/TCEP Applicants:
Click here to review the plan. (August 19 edition).
Click here to download the application.
TCAP applicants will have to meet federal cross cutting requirements which are explained in Appendix A of the Implementation Plan and in the application instructions. It should be noted that the requirements of National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) may negatively impact the project timelines until clearances are obtained. TCAP applications must include draft environmental review documents. TCAP applications cannot be approved until NEPA clearances are obtained.
Projects will be required to submit a letter of intent, a completed TCAP priority
checklist, and an updated timeline for project completion.
Please direct any questions to Tasha Weaver at 303-297-7429 or via email: tweaver@chfainfo.com.

State NSP II Plan: www.dola.state.co.us/cdh/NSP/FullNSP2Plan.pdf

$2 Million in ARRA Funded Grants Now Available Through the New Energy Economic Development (NEED) Grant
The GEO is now accepting applications for the first round of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funded New Energy Economic Development (NEED) Grants. These grants provide funding to advance energy efficiency and renewable energy for commercial and industrial projects, including residential applications, throughout the state of Colorado. Applications are due on August 28th.
Information can be found in the partnership opportunities section on the GEO Web site under "N". here.

Weatherization Program Overview and Fact Sheet Weatherization Overview and Fact Sheet

New Colorado Stimulus Site: stimuluscolorado.org/resources/
This Web site focuses primarily on business focused stimulus dollars affecting economic development opportunities in the region.

New USDA Recovery site www.usda.gov/recovery Provide Functionality for the American People to Share Their Recovery Stories, Provide Feedback on USDA Efforts

HUD Green Retrofit Notice Released - Click here for details.

GEO State Energy Program Plan Released - Click here for details.

Upcoming Deadlines:
HPRP - August 1, Distribution of Funds - September 1
Public Housing Capital Fund (Competitive) - //portal.hud.gov/portal/page?_pageid=153,7940934&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL:Revised NOFA, //www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/ph/capfund/ocir.cfm:Q and A
Categories 1-3: Round 1 is July 6 - July 31, Round 2 is August 1 - August 18
Category 4: July 21, 2009

Upcoming Training:
Grants.gov Recovery Act
WEBINAR SERIES
www.grants.gov/applicants/recovery_webinar.jsp
Overview:
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
3:00 – 4:00 P.M. ET
Series 1: Introduction to Grants.gov and the Recovery Act
Thursday, August 13, 2009
3:00 – 4:00 P.M. ET
Series 2: Finding Recovery Act Opportunities
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
3:00 – 4:00 P.M. ET
Series 3: Registration to Submit Recovery Act Opportunities
Thursday, August 20, 2009
3:00 – 4:00 P.M. ET

June 30 - Successful Weatherization Practices for Multifamily Housing
This training provides an overview on designing and implementing weatherization programs, particularly as it relates to multifamily housing. National experts share their research on program implementation, specifically around overcoming challenges associated with weatherizing multifamily housing. Participants also learn of promising approaches laid out in state policies and programs.
View the Recording (length: 56 minutes)
Documents Available:
www.enterprisecommunity.org/training_and_events/live_online_events/online_event_archive.asp#063009

HUD WebCasts - June 9-11:
HUD hosted a series of online technical assistance webcasts.
//www.hud.gov/webcasts/recovery/schedule.cfm

DOLA Training:
DOLA CSBG May 18 Presentation: www.dola.state.co.us/arra/docs/csbg_presentation_20090518.pdf
Updated CDOH Presentation

Enterprise Webinar:
Green Communities Criteria Overview for Public Housing Authorities - May 28
This training will provide guidance to Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) applying for the Capital Fund Recovery Competition Grants under the Energy Efficiency Green Community Category on the requirements of the mandatory Enterprise Green Communities Criteria. Register for this event.

HUD WebCasts posted: ms.istreamplanet.com/hud/

Neighborhood Stabilization Program

Local Opportunities Through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program
The Neighborhood Stabilization Program presents an opportunity for the housing community to effectively utilize new and expanded funding sources available under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 for the purchase, rehabilitation, resale and demolition of foreclosed, abandoned or blighted housing structures. Housing Colorado has created a new resource that identifies major activities, RFP and partnership opportunities with cities and counties receiving funds under state and federal Neighborhood Stabilization allocations.

2009 NSP Housing Opportunity Guide:
Get the latest information about local NSP programs revving up under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act. If you have suggestions for improving this guide, please share them with us. Contact seth@housingcolorado.org.

NSP I County Program Profiles
NSP I County Profiles
Additional HERA resources are posted at the bottom of this page.

NSP Updates:
NSP Training
Meetings are now being held monthly, allowing grant recipients to use their time more efficiently toward the project activities. Meetings will now include a brief time for discussion followed by 1.5 hour training modules covering specific topics about key procedures for NSP activities. Please note this training is intended to target the one or two key responsible parties for NSP representing each grantee, NOT your subcontractors and subgrantees. Those in attendance should be your top-line project administrators, who will be managing the projects with your partners in your individual jurisdictions. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Alison O'Kelly, NSP Specialist at CDOH at alison.okelly@state.co.us, or 303-866-3409.

First Look REO Program
Fannie Mae is now offering an REO “First Look” initiative designed to help individuals and organizations using public funds purchase Fannie Mae Real Estate Owned (REO) properties through a preferential process.

With First Look, during the first 15 days a property is listed for sale (at www.HomePath.com), only offers from owner-occupants or individuals/organizations using public funds – such as buyers working with you – will be considered.
REO First Look

New NSP Resource: Fannie Mae REO Foreclosed Property List Available
Fannie Mae recently issued their Colorado REO Foreclosed property list with the following caveats: (1) the list is a point-in-time inventory so it may include properties that are no longer available; (2) the list is comprised of property records that may include typos; and (3) FM staff manually entered county names where they were missing using a zip code-to-county look-up web site that isn't always accurate.

The company is still finalizing revised "public entity purchase guidelines" that should be released within the next couple of weeks. In the meantime, if there are properties of immediate interest, please send Richard Staples an e-mail with the addresses so he can confirm they are still available and assuming they are, work with you on the acquisition process. Click here to download the list as of July 1.

You can also check on listed property status any time at www.homepath.com to confirm that a specific property is still listed, as well as check for new additions.
Richard F. Staples, Jr., Fannie Mae - Rhode Island
richard_staples@fanniemae.com. (401) 521-1548 (Phone). (401) 954-7138 (Cellular)

2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) - Economic Stimulus Package - passed Congress and was signed by President Obama on February 17th in Denver. The $787 billion reinvestment includes approximately $68 million in housing assistance, $130 million in weatherization and energy efficiency and $178 million in emergency food assistance for Colorado.

Housing Colorado was heavily supportive of housing provisions in the stimulus package. With member and volunteer support for everything from additional Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) Funds to Energy Retrofits, the outreach response to legislative action alerts was tremendous.

Sign up to receive email alerts from the Division of Housing, Governor's Energy Office and DOLA for the latest information.
CDOH - Contact ryan.mcmaken@state.co.us
GOE - Contact www.colorado.gov/energy/index.php?/about/newsletters/
DOLA - Contact dola.helpdesk@state.co.us or Sign up for Twitter alerts twitter.com/COLocalAffairs
CHFA - Contact CHFA
HUD - News from Region VIII www.hud.gov/local/shared/news/r8/r8newsrss.xml
HUD - Region VIII Multi-Family Hub News www.hud.gov/local/shared/working/r8/mf/r8mfrss.xml

General Overview
Click here for Colorado funding allocations: www.colorado.gov/recovery
Click here for a visual overview of Colorado housing-related allocations.
Provided by CDOH

Grants and RFPs
www.grants.gov - Competitive federal grant announcements.
ARRA Colorado Grant Opportunities: www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/OIT-2/OIT2/1239108873386

Many contracting opportunities may be available through county or municipal governments. Most county bids are manage here. A directory of county governments is available at www.ccionline.org. A directory of municipal governments is available www.cml.org.

Contracting and some grant opportunities with the state government agencies are announced by the Division of Purchasing, Department of Personnel and Administration. To respond to a contract solicitation, you must be registered on BIDS. For information, go to www.gssa.state.co.us/VenSols.

Many of Colorado's Housing Authority bids are registered through NAHRO here.

National Competitive Grants
Neighborhood Stabilization Program - Second Allocation (NSP2)
$2 billion Nationwide Competitive Grants.
Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), round 2. Competitive grants awarded for activities to address home foreclosure and abandonment and for the provision of capacity building and support for NSP grantees. Rating factors will include grantee capacity to execute projects, leveraging potential, and concentration of investment to achieve neighborhood stabilization.
NSP II summary of competitive application requirements - Analysis by Enterprise Community Partners
NSP II summary of changes - Analysis by Enterprise Community Partners
Applications due July 17. NOFA released May 4.

For information on the state's "super grant" application, click here:dola.colorado.gov/cdh/NSP.htm

Colorado Allocations - By Agency
HUD ARRA Allocations by State
HUD By State

Public Housing Authority Capital Funds by Agency
The Public Housing Capital Fund provides funds for the capital and management activities of Public Housing Agencies including modernization and development of public housing. The funds cannot be used for operations or rental assistance.
Some of Colorado's Housing Authority bids are registered through NAHRO here.
Capital Funds Allocations

Colorado Department of Local Affairs
DOLA will administer over $19 million through the following programs:
Overview of DOLA allocations, timelines, program contacts, CSBG and CDBG County Allocations DOLA Programs
Click here for details:www.dola.state.co.us/arra/arra.html

Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Plan (HPRP)
The Homelessness Prevention Fund will provide financial assistance and services to prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless and help those who are experiencing homelessness to be quickly re-housed and stabilized.
$8,154,036 for state Competitive Grants.
Entitlement communities received $7,337,082 for a total Colorado award of $15,491,118.

Community Services Block Grants
Funding to assist Colorado citizens who are living in poverty to become more self sufficient.
$8,646,994 formula allocation to 34 targeted counties.

Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program enables local governments to undertake a wide range of activities intended to create suitable living environments, provide decent affordable housing and create economic opportunities, primarily for persons of low and moderate income. Under the Recovery Act, recipients shall give priority to projects that can award contracts based on bids within 120 days of the grant agreement.
$2,861,220 Competitive Process.
Entitlement communities received $7,513,921 for a total state award of $10,375,14.

Colorado Housing and Finance Authority
www.chfainfo.com
CHFA Tax Credit Assistance and Exchange programs

Tax Credit Assistance Program (TCAP)
Funded under HUD's HOME Program, TCAP grants will help State Housing Finance Agencies to kick-start the production of stalled affordable rental housing projects that rely on Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. These agencies will distribute the funds competitively and give priority to housing projects that can begin construction immediately.

Tax Credit Exchange Program (TCEP)
Tax provision to enable states to swap 9% tax credits, up to 40% of their 2009 and unused pre-2009 credits, for cash from Treasury at rate of 85 cents on the dollar
Will allow CHFA to exchange eligible portions of its tax credits for cash grants to make sub awards to eligible projects. Since the intent is to engage investors to the greatest extent possible, program will not monetize to the max.

JumpStart and HomeOpener Programs
www.chfainfo.com/documents/CHFA_JS_overview.pdf

Governor's Energy Office
Energy Weatherization and Efficiency - $130 Million
The Governor's Energy Office is still awaiting details on exact dollar amounts and additional federal guidance on how to direct recovery funds for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and new energy research projects within Colorado. Check the Governor's Energy Office in the coming weeks for updates.
www.colorado.gov/energy/index.php?/policy/category/recovery-act
More information will be posted soon.

USDA
www.usda.gov/wps/portal/?navid=USDA_ARRA

Analysis
National Housing Trust
www.nhtinc.org/Economic_Recovery.asp
Enterprise Community Partners
NSP II summary of competitive application requirements - Analysis by Enterprise Community Partners
NSP II summary of changes - Analysis by Enterprise Community Partners
Enterprise Briefing - Changes to NSP Through ARRA
Enterprise NSP Promising Practices
www.nhtinc.org/policy/weatherization_memo_OMB_032609.pdf - National Housing Trust, Enterprise and NeighborWorks Recommendations - Weatherization

Trainings
April 10 Housing Colorado Luncheon - Federal Stimulus - Housing Opportunities
DOLA 4.10 PPT - Susan Kirkpatrick, DOLA
handout Overview of DOLA allocations, timelines, program contacts, CSBG and CDBG County Allocations DOLA Programs
Enterprise NSP PPT - Melinda Pollack, Enterprise
4.10 Drexler - Kate Drexler, GOE
handout Enterprise Briefing - Changes to NSP Through ARRA
handout CHFA Tax Credit Assistance and Exchange programs
Additional materials and presentations will be posted shortly.

April 10 ARRA Breakout Sessions
Homeownership: Homeowner QA
Rental: Rental QA
Supportive Services: HPRP QA, CSBG QA

JVA Consulting is offering Getting government funding:
A concentrated workshop on developing successful federal grant proposals. This full-day workshop, which is being held around the state, will prepare you to find the government requests for proposals (RFPs) that best fit your programs, lead you through a process for putting together a competitive grant proposal, give you tips about strengthening each section of a government grant proposal, and more. www.jvaconsulting.com/training.

Writing Effective Federal Grant Proposals
April 27, 10am-11:30am
(Intermediate-Advanced Level)
A brief overview of the federal grant proposal. Topics will include researching federal grant opportunities, developing compelling projects, creating a viable evaluation, and documenting sustainability. Time will be set aside for dialogue and discussion. $18
www.coloradogrants.org/resources/classes.php

Making Sense of the Economic Recovery Act for Nonprofits
www.coloradononprofits.org
Check back for video links of April 3rd presentations.

Denver Office of Strategic Partnerships
ARRA program - April 30

Webinars
The Challenge of Foreclosed Properties: An Analysis of State and Local Plans to Use the Neighborhood Stabilization Program - Thursday, April 9, 2009 at 2:00 PM (Eastern)
Hosted by Enterprise Community Partners
www.enterprisecommunity.org/training_and_events/live_online_events

National Resources
www.recovery.gov - The White House ARRA website.
www.epa.gov/recovery - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ARRA page.
www.energy.gov/recovery - The U.S. Department of Energy ARRA page.
www.grants.gov - Competitive federal grant announcements.
www.hud.gov/recovery - HUD - ARRA

2008 Housing and Economic Recovery Act

On July 30, 2008 President Bush signed the Housing & Economic Recovery Act into law.

Now in effect, the act will bring significant resources for affordable housing development and finance in Colorado. While much of this infusion of new funding is time limited and targeted primarily at foreclosure impacted areas and households, it also contains new funding streams to address a broader range of needs. While there are significant challenges for implementation, every segment of the affordable housing community will benefit from new tools and resources to expand affordable housing choices.

Housing Colorado has held numerous meetings, convening affordable housing stakeholders, regulatory and finance agencies at the state level and kept abreast of national developments through our national partners. Below are links to some of the outcomes from those meetings and additional resources.

State Resources

Colorado Neighborhood Stabilization Allocation
CDOH briefing document on NSP allocations and regulations
Housing Colorado HERA Summary
CDOH Instructions for Letter of Intent

National Resources

HUDNeighborhood Stabilization Program Notice
NAHRO Resource Center for HERA
NCSHA Summary
National Rural Housing Coalition Summary