HUD’s ConnectHome program is all about PHAs building coalitions to connect their residents to the internet, get them devices and digital literacy classes so they can have better access to opportunity. HUD and their partner, EveryoneOn are hosting a Summit in Washington, DC on Sept 17-18, 2018 for PHAs from across the country who are participating in this program. Keynote speaker Devin Wardell Cook from MIT will speak on the future of work and how technology plays a critical role. Panels and interactive sessions will offer insights from academia, HUD headquarters and the communities in the field on how to advance digital inclusion efforts. There are seats available for partner organizations that work with PHAs to attend to learn more about this opportunity. For more details, visit the following link: https://connecthomeusa.org/summitregistration2018. Online registration has closed, but on-site registration will be available.
Since the beginning of the Civil Rights movement, voter engagement efforts have played a vital role in our democratic process. Unfortunately, both low-income and minority citizens have historically been and remain underrepresented in the electoral process. In fact, only 33% of the low-income population in the U.S. is registered to vote. By encouraging residents in our communities to register to vote and ultimately cast their ballot, we can ensure that the voices of all are reflected in major public policy decisions.
In lieu of an in-person training, we’ve created a digital classroom, “Voter Registration | A Nonprofit’s Guide to Success” where members can download resources from Enterprise Community Partners, National Low Income Housing Coalition, the NAACP, Klein Hornig and Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) highlighting best practices to host voter registration drives within affordable housing communities. Thank you to our partners who were instrumental in organizing these resources, Virginia Housing Alliance and APAH!
Speakers include the following:
Melissa Bondi from Enterprise Community Partners, who will provide insights on engaging low-income communities to organize and engage in voter registration and GOTV efforts with highlights from a field case study.
Victoria Bouret of National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), who will provide an overview of NLIHC’s focus this year on mobilizing GOTV efforts within low-income communities.
Kim Phillip of the Arlington Chapter of the NAACP, who will provide an overview of the ways in which organizations can partner with their local NAACP affiliates to get low-income residents register, and active in voting.
Jose Quinonez of Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH), who will share APAH’s experience as a landlord in actively facilitating and hosting GOTV engagement activities with low-income resident in their community.
Teresa Santalucia of Klein Hornig, who will provide legal expertise on what types of civic and advocacy related activities in which non-profits can engage.
Sim Wimbush of Virginia Housing Alliance (Moderator)
Ready to get started? Keep reading for your course materials!
The Maryland Sustainable Growth Awards are presented annually by the Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission and are the highest level of recognition for well-planned economic and community development and sustainability in the state.
The awards honor and celebrate significant achievements by individuals, businesses, organizations, and local governments in their efforts to realize the “Twelve Visions” adopted by the Maryland General Assembly:
The Maryland Sustainable Growth Commission is seeking nominations from all parts of the state for the people, projects, organizations and communities that have advanced innovative policies in furtherance of the Twelve Visions.
MORE DETAILS: Read the award brochure here.
SUBMIT A NOMINATION: Download a nomination form here.
DEADLINE: All nominations are due September 21st.
Gerry Joseph (l) and Paul Browne (r) of Joseph Browne Development Associates LLC.
HAND members are working everyday to create thriving communities throughout our region, in which everyone has access to affordable housing. In an effort to highlight these individuals and groups within our membership, HAND launched a digital interview series titled, “Five Minutes with” – an informal conversation with our members on why they are committed to their work, recent projects and more. In the latest edition, we caught up with Gerry Joseph and Paul Browne, who recently launched Joseph Browne Development Associates LLC. Keep reading for our conversation:
HAND: Why is affordable housing important to you?
JBDA: Both of us have spent the bulk of our careers working in the field of affordable housing in the non-profit sector. We believe that safe, decent and affordable housing is something that all Americans deserves but is illusive to most folks who need it. Moreover, we believe that the kind of affordable housing that is offered by HAND members is even more important because it comes with access to services and in high-opportunity areas.
HAND: Joseph Browne Development Associates is a joint venture between Joseph Development Inc. and Larkspur Development LLC – can you tell us how this came to be?
JBDA: Well, the business is organized as joint venture of two entities, but the work is done by two individuals who have been friends and colleagues for nearly 15 years. Gerry and Paul met when Gerry left The Community Builders in Massachusetts to join CPDC as its Director of Real Estate Development. Gerry left CPDC in 2010 to start Joseph Development Inc. JDI has had a steady book of business since then with occasional periods where the workload could have used an extra hand. Given our history and relationship, when Paul began thinking about starting his own consulting business, it felt very natural to envision a collaboration. Our respective skills and strengths complement one another very well.
HAND: What separates Joseph Browne Development Associates from other similar businesses?
JBDA: As two seasoned affordable housing developers who were steeped in the non-profit development culture, we have extensive direct experience with all kinds of affordable housing financing mechanisms, along with the judgment and tenacity necessary to get deals done. Together, we think we bring unmatched expertise and experience as people who have learned the industry as successful practitioners.
HAND: Have you run into any challenges so far? How did you and your team overcome them? What lesson(s) did you learn?
JBDA: Over our separate careers, we have encountered countless challenges (this is affordable housing, after all), but JBDA is so new that we have yet to run into any significant challenges. We have been in the industry long enough to know, however, that there are many hurdles in store for us. Right now we are concentrating on expanding our book of work to match our expanded capacity.
HAND: What are you and your colleagues most looking forward to over the coming months and years?
JBDA: Helping our peers and colleagues achieve their vision and, hopefully, a wider more universal recognition of the importance of our collective work in producing affordable housing relative to the health and stability of all communities.
HAND: What do you enjoy most about your work and why?
JBDA: We are both technical experts, and we get great satisfaction from finding solutions complicated problems. Ultimately, there is still nothing better in this business than getting to completion of a project and witnessing the joy and gratitude of a resident as they move into their new or renovated home.
HAND: What do you wish that you could change about our industry?
JBDA: While we earn our living knowing how to design and complete complicated financial transactions, we always say, there has to be an easier way to produce housing for people who need it! Overall our system for producing affordable housing needs much more resources and a much simpler financing and delivery structure. Easier said than done! One obvious issue is that financing tools discourage small scale development, which could more easily fit into existing, higher opportunity areas.
HAND: If you could describe your work in one word, what would it be?
JBDA: Discerning. (Paul’s word!); Tenacious (Gerry’s word!)
HAND's low-cost dues, customized training, and expansive network are only a few reasons why you should join the organization. Get connected today to take advantage of the multitude of benefits offered to our members.
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As mentioned above, providing affordable housing has benefits...January 31, 2017 - 2:43 am by Rick Rybeck
Well, it's there... quality research, good prose and passion......November 23, 2016 - 11:06 am by Van Driessen
Todd brings the right kind of business and finance experience...May 18, 2016 - 10:05 am by Mike
Good ideas, diplomatically stated. Short term ROI infects...February 23, 2016 - 11:21 am by Ralph Bennett
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