HUD Lines

HOPE FOR HOMEOWNERS...
*** The Housing & Economic Recovery Act of 2008 will create the Hope for Homeowners Program effective October 1, and will provide additional mortgage relief options, make changes to FHA mortgage insurance and help communities redevelop foreclosed homes.  Need to know more?  See www.hud.gov/fha/home080730.cfm and www.hud.gov/news/recoveryactfaq.cfm *** Struggling homeowners should still contact a HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency -  the HOPE NOW Alliance at 1-888-995-HOPE, or FHA at 1-800-CALLFHA ***

BRIEF BRIEFS...
It’s Hurricane Season – What Are You Doing to Get Ready? September is National Preparedness Month -- check the information at www.readyvirginia.gov/ and www.hud.gov/virginia *** September 21-27, 2008 is National Homeless & Low Income Voter Registration Week - for further information send email to advocacy@naeh.org *** Virginia Beach Community Development Corp launches Foreclosure Prevention program for South Hampton Roads residents – call Dotty Acampora at 757-463-9516 for info or appointment ***

IT’S ABOUT BEING GREEN…
Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority announces complete  “green” renovation of the Oscar E. Stovall Place Housing Complex in South Richmond underway as of August 4, 2008 *** EarthCraft Single Family Training: September 5, 2008 in Richmond, VA. - Must be registered by September 2, 2008 ; EarthCraft Multi Family Pro Training: September 12, 2008 in Richmond, VA - Must be registered by September 9, 2008 *** Commonwealth of Virginia Energy and Sustainability Conference - September 17-19, 2008, Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, Virginia ***

NEWS FROM THE GOVERNOR …
Governor announces $1,440,261 grants to Virginia projects to improve water quality and benefit community development efforts in Charlotte, Lee and Tazwell counties, City of Roanoke, and Towns of Appalachia & Vinton. Funded as last allocations of Southern Rivers Watershed Enhancement Program (SRWEP), administered by the VA Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) *** Governor announces recipients of Governor’s Awards for the Arts 2008 - Ralph Stanley of Clintwood, Bruce Miller and Phil Whiteway with Richmond’s Theatre IV, Richmond Ballet and Artistic Director Stoner Winslett, Bob Brown Puppets of Arlington, William King Regional Arts Center in Abingdon, Richmond Jazz Society, Hampton University Museum, Ralph Cohen and Jim Warren of Staunton, SHENANDOAH: The Washington and Lee University Review, David and Susan Goode of Norfolk – awards to be given at ceremony 9/17 at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond ***

BRIEF BRIEFS TO LEARN FROM…
Enterprise Community Partners invites Northern Virginia faith communities to training on affordable housing development. “Faith Driven Affordable Housing Development: A Real Life Story,” sponsored by the Faith-based Development Initiative, co-hosted by Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance and MeetingHouse Corporation will be September 17, 1 - 3 PM, Chesterbrook Residences, 2030 Westmoreland Street, Falls Church, Virginia. RSVP by September 10 - contact Jennifer Bonsall at (202) 842-9190 or email jbonsall@enterprisecommunity.org ***

BRIEF BRIEFS TO CHEER FOR …
Virginia Community Capital (VCC), a non-profit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), opens first state-chartered community development bank in VA to offer deposit services for institutional investors, community banks & socially conscious investors.  Includes commercial loans for affordable housing & mixed-use projects, economic development deals & community facilities. See www.vacommunitycapital.org/products/CommunityCapitalBankofVirginia.php *** Commonwealth’s “No Wrong Door” initiative launches “Virginia Easy Access” - as simple, single point of entry for information for seniors & people with disabilities, includes secure web-based system to connect state & other providers for confidential consumer information. *** Norfolk receives National Spotlight for Plan to End Homelessness ***

BRIEF BRIEFS TO LOOK INTO …
Technical corrections to 2008 Continuum of Care (CoC) Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), as well as application deadline info for the CoC competition published .  Applications due in e-snaps 4 pm ET on September 26.  ALL USERS MUST access e-snaps thru www.hud.gov/esnaps  or Homelessness Resource Exchange. For questions or problems contact e-snaps Help Desk 1-877-6-esnaps (1-877-637-6277).  *** Virginia Workforce Network helps individuals find employment - holding a SHARE Network Meeting & Awards Ceremony, Special Guest Speaker Deputy Assistant Secretary DOL/ETA Brent Orrell - October 3, 2008, 10am -12pm - John Tyler Community College - contact byarney@vccs.edu *** VA Statewide Neighborhood Conference “Embracing Change: Creating and Sustaining Community Connections.” in Fairfax County, VA Sept 18-20 –See conference website: www.vsnconf.org  *** VA Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) accepting applications for Emergency Home Repair Program (EHRP) through 4 p.m., Oct 31.  The EHRP provides funds for emergency repairs & accessibility improvements in housing for low-income residents, including the elderly & disabled. Open to new groups or existing local administrators – For info contact Floris Weston 804-371-7112 or floris.weston@dhcd.virginia.gov. *** Registration for 2008 Governor’s Housing Conference “Housing, A New Day, A New Way” still available online. The 2008 conference is Nov. 12 – 14 in Hampton, VA. Register by Sept. 26 and save - *** 2008 Virginia Housing Awards nominations being accepted to recognize innovative, effective efforts that address housing needs. Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. Oct. 3 ***

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