Volume 7, Issue 10 / November 30, 2016
OCDCA News
1,000,000 Empowered Through Ohio CDCs in 2015
Have you seen our new video demonstrating the impact of Ohio CDCs?

In 2015,  Ohio's CDCs:
  • Served 1 in 12 Ohioans; 1,000,000 people!
  • Invested over $290,000,000 in their communities to meet the housing needs for more than 34,000 households
  • Reached over 115,000 individuals through food access efforts
  • Helped over 36,000 households with job training and small business development
  • Leveraged $5,750,000 of investments for financial empowerment into $57,000,000 in assets for LMI Ohioans
  • Organized volunteers that performed more than 324,000 hours of service in their communities
1,000,000 Empowered Through Ohio CDCs
1,000,000 Empowered Through Ohio CDCs

Please share this video with co-workers, friends, and your community, and use it as a resource to tell your story.  

Special thanks to Patrick Fromuth of Fromuth Productions for his outstanding work creating the video, to Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing for their generous funding support for the project, and to Bill LaFayette of Regionomics, for his assistance in analyzing the data.
Five Fundraising Development TA Opportunities Available - Deadline Tomorrow
OCDCA is pleased to, once again, partner with Cramer & Associates to offer a fundraising development TA opportunity to our members. The brief application process should only take about 30 minutes. 

This competitive opportunity will provide six OCDCA member organizations one-on-one fundraising TA that will analyze and address:
  • What is the most efficient and effective philanthropic program/structure?
  • What development benchmarks need to be created?
  • What role should the Board play relative to fundraising?
  • What role should the Executive Director play as it relates to fundraising?
  • How do we increase funding from current donors?
  • Is the organization utilizing staff and volunteer time efficiently and effectively?

From this, selected organizations will receive customized strategic recommendations including a timeline for implementation, prioritized core goals, organizational structure, and action steps. To apply, submit a brief application by 5 pm December 1, 2016. Please note, awarded organizations must contribute $500 as a commitment and be a current member of Ohio CDC Association. 

AmeriCorps VISTA RFP Released Tomorrow
The RFP for the full-year VISTAs will be released December 1, 2016. The applications will be due on January 25, 2017 by 5 pm. 

Please join us for a webinar to help determine if AmeriCorps VISTA is right for your organization.
Event and Date Location Registration
Is AmeriCorps VISTA Right For Your Organization?
December 14, 2016
10:00 - 11:00 AM
Webinar Register Here!

First time applying? Don't miss the TA webinar for the applications. Get all your questions answered!
Event and Date
Location
Registration
VISTA RFP TA Webinar
January 17, 2017
2:00 - 3:30 PM
Webinar
Members: Thinking about Social Enterprise?
We at OCDCA are working on programming related to social enterprise, but we first need to know about your interest and activities in that area. We distributed this survey earlier in the fall, but if you haven't completed it, would you please take 7 minutes now to complete the brief survey? Thank you!
Announcing Ohio Microbusiness Development Program Grantees
OCDCA is excited to announce the thirteen recipients of the 2017 Ohio Microbusiness Development Program funds. We had many great applications and limited funds, so we were unable to fund everyone. Read more here.
Member News
Welcome New Members!
Community Economic Development Law Group and Harsany & Associates join OCDCA as our newest 2016 members. Welcome!
MYCincinnati Youth Orchestra Director Receives National Recognition
Price Hill Will is proud to announce Eddy Kwon, Director of MYCincinnati Youth Orchestra, has been awarded the prestigious United States Artists Fellowship for 2016. The USA Fellowship awards $50,000 to artists to take risks and push their careers forward. Read the press release here.
South Side Housing Complex to Include Job Training
The Rev. John Edgar, executive director of Community Development for All People, said the job-training aspect - for complex residents as well as others - makes the project unique.  "All of these opportunities are open to people who live in the community," Edgar said. "It's not just a low-income tax credit project."  Aaron Pechota, NRP's senior vice president, said, "We feel that this is a model that can be replicated in Ohio and across the country." Read The Columbus Dispatch article here.
Share Your Stories
We love hearing about the awesome work you do throughout Ohio. If your organization is mentioned in the news, please share it with us. We love photos too! If you send it to Lisa Much at lmuch@ohiocdc.org , we can put it on our blog and in this newsletter. 
Partner News
Greater Ohio Names Alison Goebel Executive Director
Alison D. Goebel, Ph.D., is the next Executive Director of the Greater Ohio Policy Center (GOPC). Goebel has held a variety of roles with the organization over the last six years, most recently serving as Interim Executive Director since August. "We are excited to have such a passionate and effective advocate for Ohio's communities leading Greater Ohio Policy Center," said Peg Moertl, Chair of Greater Ohio Policy Center's Board of Trustees and Senior Vice President, Community Development Banking, at PNC Bank in Cincinnati. "For nearly a decade, GOPC has championed the revitalization and sustainable redevelopment of Ohio's older industrial cities and towns. We know that under Alison's direction, GOPC will continue to be the foremost expert on and advocate for policies that make Ohio a great place to live, work, and raise a family." 
Big City Problems in Ohio's Small Towns
For all the cultural, social, and political forces that conspire to separate and divide "big city" and "small town," and for all that is written about Ohio as a microcosm of the nation's "culture wars," Ohio's small hub towns and cities share many of the same characteristics, problems, and challenges as its eight major cities. This report from Center for Community Solutions provides a composite profile of 47 small Ohio towns and cities located in about half of Ohio's 88 counties - communities that are centers of civic, social, or economic life for areas extending beyond their borders.
Foreclosures Down, Still Doubles 1990s Rate
The number of filings for foreclosure was down last year in Ohio, but still well above the rate of before the housing crisis, according to a report by Policy Matters Ohio. The report found the number of filings in 2015 was down 7% over 2014 to 40,479, but still more than double the number before subprime lending rose in the 1990s. The report also includes a breakdown of foreclosure filings by county, with the state's 10 largest counties accounting for more than half of the filings, but seeing a combined reduction of 9%. Franklin County's filings dropped 30%, while those in Lucas County dropped 18%. Filings rose in Summit and Mahoning counties.
AmeriCorps VISTA Spotlight
Our VISTAs have continued to show and prove that "National Service Works." For the month of October, OCDCA VISTAs acquired $6629.50 in cash resources to assist with food security efforts. Of that $6629.50, $5965.50 of it was developed by efforts from Allison Hall, VISTA member with Community Food Initiatives. The rest was developed by VISTA member Sheiron Sanchez with Live Healthy Appalachia. In addition to cash resources, in kind resources amounting to $8000 for food security was secured. Sheiron Sanchez obtained $5000 worth of sponsor prizes and gifts.

VISTA Caitlin Joseph with East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation was awarded a $3000 grant from the Realtor's Association to support Minson Plaza as a positive social space in conjunction with Market Night on Arlington as a place for residents to enjoy fresh produce. Erin Philips, VISTA member at ACEnet, developed $154.46 to assist with providing employment opportunities for the communities that the organization serves.

There were also 185 engagement tools developed to promote access to fresh food. VISTAs recruited 169 volunteers, 92 of which were for food access alone, who provided a total of 374.5 hours of their time towards service during the month of October. We appreciate all the hard work and effort OCDCA VISTAs are providing for their communities.
Events
Creative Ohio: Design. Engage. Transform.
Mark your calendar for Tuesday, December 6, and go to the Ohio History Connection for the third-annual Creative Ohio convening. This one-day conference will provide an opportunity for you to think big and challenge assumptions about what your community will be like 5-10 years into the future. Learn more here.
Council for Rural Housing & Development of Ohio Training
Join CRHDO on Thursday, December 8, 2016 for a day of team-building and maintenance training provided by  HD Supply Maintenance Solutions! HD Supply Maintenance Solutions will provide a one-day training covering R-410A Introduction and Overview, Appliance Repair and Team Management. Register here.
Registration for GOPC's 2017 Summit is Open
Registration is open  for Greater Ohio Policy Center's 2017 Summit,  Investing in Ohio's Future: Maximizing Growth in our Cities and Regions   . The Summit will take place March 7th and 8th, 2017 at the Westin Hotel in downtown Columbus. The Summit will bring together experts, policymakers, and local leaders to explore best practices in financing and accelerating comprehensive and sustainable growth in communities throughout Ohio. As part of the proceedings, the Summit will host dialogues and presentations about cutting-edge strategies, provide new tools, and present policy solutions that lay the foundation for building prosperous cities, suburbs, exurbs, and regions in Ohio. Learn more here! 
Funding Opportunities
ArtsWave Arts & Festivals Grant Program (Southwest Ohio Only)
The purpose of the Neighborhood Arts and Festivals Grant Program is to provide support for recurring neighborhood-based arts events that increase the variety and frequency of arts experiences in neighborhoods throughout the region and create an environment where all members of the neighborhood feel welcome. First time applicants must contact ArtsWave to schedule a brief interview at least two weeks prior to the application deadline.
Application deadline is December 2.

ServeOhio AmeriCorps State Notice of Funding
Unlike OCDCA's AmeriCorps VISTA project, AmeriCorps State members may engage in direct service. Applications for this national service resource are due by December 2.
Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community
Heart of the Community is a signature outreach program of Southwest Airlines with a mission to build connections that bring people together and strengthen communities for a more resilient future. Launched in 2014 with lead partner, Project for Public Spaces, the Heart of the Community grants provide financial and technical assistance to local community partners who seek to bring new life to their public spaces. The 2017 Southwest Airlines Heart of the Community grant application is open now through December 5, 2016 4 PM ET.
Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence
The Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence (RBA) is a national urban design award that seeks to promote innovative thinking about the built environment and advance conversation about making cities better. The award discovers and celebrates urban places that are distinguished by quality design along with their social and economic contributions to our nation's cities. Deadline is December 8.
Next City 2017 Vanguard Application Open
The Next City 2017 Vanguard Conference will be held in Montreal May 31-June 3, 2017. The conference welcomes a very limited number of young entrepreneurs, community developers, activists, artists, designers, urban planners and sustainability experts - anyone committed to improving cities. The only requirement is that applicant attendees must be under 40 years of age. Apply by December 12.
Katie's Krops - Youth Led Gardening
Starting a Katie's Krops Garden is so much more than just receiving funding to grow a garden. Youth selected as Katie's Krops Growers are empowered to grow a healthy end to hunger in their community and positively impacting the health of their cities and towns. Deadline is December 31.
Employment Opportunities
NHS of Greater Cleveland is hiring a Site Coordinator.

City of Canton is seeking a new Director of the Department of Development.

View more employment opportunities on our website.  Organizations with employment opportunities in community development may send their notices for free posting to Lisa Much at lmuch@ohiocdc.org .
State News
30 Seconds - Sign On for OHTF
Home Matters to Ohio, a broad-based campaign to build awareness about the importance of affordable housing is working to expand the Ohio Housing Trust Fund.

Many organizations have already signed on to support significantly increasing the Trust Fund in next year's state budget, but your support is needed.
Please take just 30 seconds to   sign on your organization to expand the OHTF with Home Matters to Ohio.

The Ohio Housing Trust Fund provides resources for a variety of affordable housing needs as well as some funding for community economic development. 

Thank you for your support! If you have any questions please contact Nate Coffman ncoffman@ohiocdc.org or (614) 461-6392 x 207.
HDGF Deadlines Approaching
The December Housing Development Gap Financing (HDGF) round is approaching. OHFA will start accepting applications on Dec. 4th, continuing until 5:00 in the evening on Dec. 15, 2016. OHFA will announce applicants that are invited to continue to final application on Dec. 22. 
House and Senate Leadership
The following is a list of the Ohio House and Senate leadership teams elected by their respective caucuses for the 132nd General Assembly.

Senate Leadership

Sen. Larry Obhof (R-Medina), President
Sen. Bob Peterson (R-Sabina), President Pro Tem
Sen. Randy Gardner (R-Bowling Green), Majority Floor Leader
Sen. Gayle Manning (R-Ridgeville), Majority Whip

Sen. Joe Schiavoni (D-Boardman), Minority Leader
Sen. Charleta Tavares (D-Columbus), Assistant Minority Leader
Sen. Edna Brown (D-Toledo), Minority Whip
Sen. Cecil Thomas (D-Cincinnati), Assistant Minority Whip

House Leadership

Rep. Cliff Rosenberger (R-Clarksville), Speaker
Rep. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton), Speaker Pro Tempore
Rep. Dorothy Pelanda (R-Marysville), Majority Floor Leader
Rep. Sarah LaTourette (R-Bainbridge Twp.), Assistant Majority Floor Leader
Rep. Tom Patton (R-Strongsville), Majority Whip
Rep. Rob McColley (R-Napoleon), Assistant Majority Whip

Rep. Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton), Minority Leader
Rep. Nicholas Celebrezze (D-Parma), Assistant Minority Leader
Rep. Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood), Minority Whip
Rep. Emelia Sykes (D-Akron), Assistant Minority Whip

NHTF Approved
Recently HUD approved Ohio's 2016 National Housing Trust Fund Allocation Plan. OHFA will begin operationalizing this initiative, including revising the HDAP Consolidated Guidelines to incorporate the plan. These funds could be available as early as the June gap financing rounds.
Federal News
Congress Poised to Pass Short-Term Continuing Resolution
Amid strong objections from senators in both parties, House Republicans have committed to passing another short-term continuing resolution (CR) before the current CR expires on December 9. By passing a CR that runs through March 2017, Republicans will be able to negotiate the final FY 2017 budget deal with President-Elect Trump instead of President Obama. This decision was made after Trump's transition team expressed interest in providing input into the FY 2017 spending bills and after Speaker Ryan personally made the case for a short-term bill. An extended CR poses risks to community development and housing programs and the families receiving housing assistance. The FY 2017 spending bills are now more likely to be negotiated under lower budgetary caps for non-defense discretionary programs, and may also be more likely to contain controversial policy "riders."
Action Needed to Support the Housing Credit
The outcomes of the November elections have increased the likelihood of legislation that could have a major impact on the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit) in 2017. Tax reform will be a top priority in 2017, and poses significant threats to the Housing Credit and tax-exempt multifamily Housing Bonds. Both House Speaker Paul Ryan's (R-Wis.) tax reform plan and President-elect Trump's propose eliminating nearly all tax expenditures in order to lower corporate tax rates, and both were silent on whether the Housing Credit and Housing Bonds would be among the expenditures removed.

The ACTION Campaign is circulating a sign-on letter urging the Trump administration and Congress to prioritize the Housing Credit as they consider reforms to the nation's tax code and investments in the nation's infrastructure. The letter calls on the administration and Congress to 1) ensure that the Housing Credit and Housing Bonds are held up as positive examples of the power of the tax code to improve communities by ensuring their continued viability under tax reform, and 2) expand and strengthen the Housing Credit to increase the availability of safe and affordable housing and revitalize local economies. Sign on to support the Housing Credit by Friday, December 2.
Federal Overtime Rule on Hold
Recently a federal district judge in Texas issued a nationwide preliminary injunction blocking implementation and enforcement of the federal Overtime Rule scheduled to take effect December 1, 2016. In his ruling, the judge said the U.S. Department of Labor exceeded its authority when it issued the final rule in May 2016.  A hearing will be held soon to determine whether the injunction will become permanent. The rule changes the criteria for determining which employees are "exempt" from overtime by revising the salary threshold upward from $23,660 per year to $47,476 per year. 
Poverty Crosses Party Lines
A report by Elizabeth Kneebone at the Brookings Institution examines poverty trends in Republican and Democratic congressional districts. The report, titled Poverty Crosses Party Lines, demonstrates the existence of poverty in every congressional district in the U.S., regardless of whether the district is represented by a Republican or Democrat. These findings underscore the bipartisan nature of poverty in the U.S. and the need for bi-partisan solutions.
Kneebone's analysis utilized Census data from 2000 and the 2010-2014 period. In the 2010-2014 period, districts currently represented by Democrats had a higher rate of poverty (17.1%) than those represented by Republicans (14.4%). However, more people lived in poverty (25.1 million) in Republican districts than in Democratic districts (22.7 million). Additionally, 213 Republican districts and 163 Democratic districts had at least one neighborhood where the poverty rate was at least 40%. In short, both individual poverty and deep neighborhood poverty exist across party lines in the U.S.
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