Posts
As head of New York City's housing agency, Donovan, 42, helped lead what was called the nation's largest affordable housing plan, which aims to build or preserve 165,000 units of affordable housing by 2013. He also has led efforts to provide legal and credit assistance and financial education to homebuyers seen as being most prone to predatory lending. Most recently, he has worked as an Obama campaign adviser, after taking a leave of absence from his job in the administration of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Donovan previously worked as a deputy assistant secretary of HUD during the Clinton administration and at Prudential Mortgage Capital Co., as managing director of the firm's Federal Housing Administration loans and affordable housing investments. Obama announced Donovan's selection in his Saturday radio address, calling HUD an agency that will play a pivotal role in ending the nation's economic crisis. More HERE
12.13.2008
Shaun Donovan Named HUD Secretary by Obama
12.12.2008
NAACP Claims Misuse of Katrina Funds
The Wall Street Journal is reporting on how Advocates for the poor filed a lawsuit Wednesday trying to derail Mississippi's plan to use $570 million of Hurricane Katrina disaster grants to rebuild and expand the state's commercial-shipping port in Gulfport.
In the lawsuit, filed in Washington, the Mississippi chapter of the NAACP and other plaintiffs contend that the Bush Administration did not do required reviews to make sure the disaster grants would benefit low- and moderate-income residents when it accepted the state's plan to super-size the port.
The plaintiffs asked Federal District Court Judge James Robertson to freeze the money, which they say should be used to rebuild low-income housing. Their lawyers said they believe the Obama Administration will be less deferential to Mississippi's governor, Haley Barbour, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee and a big backer of the port expansion.
The dispute over the state's use of $5.48 billion of federal disaster grants is flaring up at a time of economic turmoil as well as political transition. International shipping has slowed while unemployment has been rising, though at 5.7% the unemployment rate in Gulfport and neighboring Biloxi is under the national average of 6.1%.
Gov. Barbour has long argued that Gulf Coast residents need jobs as well as housing. In response to the lawsuit, he issued a statement saying restoration of the port "is critical to recovery of the Gulf Coast from the worst natural disaster in American history."
A spokesman for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which manages the disaster-grant program, said the agency hasn't seen the lawsuit. In the past, HUD officials have expressed misgivings about the port plan but said the agency didn't have the power to block it.
Though New Orleans received most of the national attention after its levees failed and Hurricane Katrina flooded the city in 2005, the storm swept away entire communities in Mississippi. It also damaged the port, which before the hurricane mainly handled imports of bananas and exports of frozen chickens. The port today is handling shipping, but hasn't recovered to its previous level of activity.
The state government has been praised for its swift response to the disaster, but critics in Mississippi and Washington, D.C., contend that state-run recovery programs have favored the well-to-do, especially a grant program for homeowners.
Mississippi officials say 40% of the grants went to homeowners of low or moderate income, and that a second $605 million grant program is directed at those homeowners.
But programs to rebuild rental units have been slower to get off the ground, and efforts to build new apartments didn't get under way until last summer.
More than 5,500 families still live in trailers and temporary government housing, according to the lawsuit, and many others can't find adequate housing because rents have soared. Four low-income women and the Gulf Coast Fair Housing Center, an advocacy group, joined the NAACP in filing the lawsuit. More HERE
Feds Pushed Subprime Loans, Execs Say
Source: Michael P. Tremoglie, The Bulletin
Some former Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac CEOs, the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) that provide liquidity for the mortgage market, said they were pressured by the federal government and advocacy groups to purchase high-risk mortgages.
During a Dec. 9 hearing of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which was investigating the role the companies had in the current mortgage crisis, four former CEOs; Richard Syron and Leland Brendsel of Freddie Mac, as well as, Franklin Raines and Daniel Mudd of Fannie Mae, were asked by U.S. Rep. Patrick T. McHenry, R-N.C., if they ever felt pressure by Congress to make risky loans.
“In order to fulfill your affordable housing goal … given to you by Congress … did you feel pressure from Congress to do riskier mortgages?” Mr. McHenry asked.
Initially, there was some confusion by Mr. McHenry’s use of the word Congress. Three of the four replied that the goals were furnished to them by HUD, not by Congress — and that they did feel pressure to make high risk transactions.
“As the goals went up, and the goals were specified by HUD, you … had to take more risk,” said Mr. Syron.
Mr. Raines said that the goals set by HUD were forcing the companies “to entertain loans they would not have otherwise entertained.”
Mr. McHenry then asked if there were pressure from advocacy groups and Mr. Syron responded that was true.
U.S. Rep. Michael Turner, R-Ohio, asked Mr. Raines if the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) provided the “fuel” for increasing subprime loans.
Mr. Raines acknowledged the legitimacy of his point. He said it could have been possible they acted as a catalyst. But, he added, it was difficult to know if a policy went from participating in the market to encouraging bad behavior.
U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., said information gained from corporate communications, in the committee’s possession, indicated that warnings were issued to all of them about the dangerous ratio of loans to assets and the types of loans. But these warnings were ignored despite the fact the companies were jeopardized.
Mr. Lynch said that there was a huge commitment by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase loans of “questionably quality.” Thirty-three percent of their total 2006 and 2007 mortgage portfolio came from these types of loans.
But not everyone wanted to blame Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. U.S. Rep. Edolphus Towns, D-N.Y., defended the companies and criticized those who questioned them.
“We have heard some people claim that poor people are to blame for this,” he said during the hearing. “[T]he way this argument goes, the federal government forced the banks to give mortgages when they shouldn’t have — to people who were not credit-worthy, then forced Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to buy up those bad mortgages.” More HERE
12.11.2008
Tuscaloosa Housing Authority Under Fire!
TUSCALOOSA | Tuscaloosa Housing Authority officials are working on a response to a corrective action plan recommended by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“I’m just one commissioner, but my inclination is to do exactly what HUD asked us to do,” said Jim Phillips, a member of the Housing Authority board of commissioners. “I don’t understand any other position but that.”
In September, HUD officials made an on-site visit to the Housing Authority and generated a report in October. The report took exception to some recent THA real estate purchases, its relationship with the nonprofit Tuscaloosa Affordable Housing Corp. and personnel and management issues.
The corrective action plan addresses each of the issues raised in the report and asks the authority what steps it will take to remedy the problems.
Rick Herbert, THA executive director, took issue with some of the recommended remedies.
“Some of this stuff we’ve answered repeatedly,” Herbert said. “How many times do we have to answer them before they’re answered?”
He also said that since HUD drafted the corrective action plan, THA has been taken off “manual review.” That means that HUD no longer reviews all of THA’s expenditures before the agency spends money.
The most pressing issue for THA is property bought with loans that encumber Housing Authority assets. HUD has told THA that it must repay any federal funds used to buy the property or make debt service on the property. And THA can’t make any debt service with federal funds.
The Housing Authority has some non-federal funds that it can use to make debt payments, Herbert said.
“I’ve got enough right now to do debt service, and the banks are willing to give us an extension,” Herbert said.
The property will be refinanced and eventually transferred into the Tuscaloosa Affordable Housing Corp.’s name.
But the THA board hasn’t determined yet how it will repay the loans without federal funds. The nonprofit has no dedicated funding source.
If necessary, THA can sell the property, Herbert said. He said he’s been approached by a developer who offered to buy all of it. But he hesitates to do that because it would kill the authority’s chances of getting a Hope VI grant.
In its corrective action plan, HUD wants a list of property that has been and will be deeded to Tuscaloosa Affordable Housing and copies of the deeds. It also wants specifically to know when a house purchased from City Council President Harrison Taylor is transferred to the nonprofit.
HUD wants a complete list of loans used to purchase the property and it wants documentation showing the loans have been terminated or transferred to Tuscaloosa Affordable Housing Corp. THA must repay $153,000 in developers’ fees from the McKenzie Court Hope VI project, $15,000 from the THA operating fund and $9,400 from the THA rental account used to make interest payments on the loans. Repayment must come from non-federal funds. More HERE
12.08.2008
Who Obama Pick To Run HUD
Obama Teams Casting a Wide Net
at Financial-Planning.com Obama's choice for Housing and Urban Development would likely revitalize the department, according to sources who contend it has lost its focus on helping communities with affordable housing initiatives in favor of home ownership under the Bush administration."The first way to start making things better is stop making them worse," said Anthony Freedman, a tax lawyer with Holland & Knight LLP here.
During the past eight years, the White House has tried to severely cut funding for, or kill, several HUD programs that provide funds used in conjunction with bonds, claiming the programs are inefficient. The administration has tried to downsize the community development block grant program, which provides grants to state and local governments to fund economic development projects financed by muni bonds. It has tried to abolish the HOPE VI program, which provides grants to public housing authorities to demolish severely distressed public housing units and replace them with mixed-use, mixed-income developments. The grants are often used as leverage for projects that are financed with tax-exempt bonds.
Freedman contends an Obama administration would fully fund the CDBG program and "provide a sufficient budget for the department to function."
Obama and Democratic lawmakers could put HUD in a better position to work on new affordable housing initiatives, he said.
"Those two factors would lend to a significantly increased role for HUD and really a serious effort to rebuild the department's capacity," Freedman said. "I think there are a lot of department alumni who have hopes for a resurrected Department of Housing and Urban Development. You can only imagine what a reinvigorated HUD could do."
Another housing advocate agreed. "Regardless of who it is - and we're not pushing anyone - we won't have to play defense as we've had to do the past eight years," he said.
Miami Mayor Manuel Diaz and Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin are among the leading candidates for the top HUD [pst, with Diaz currently thought to be the favorite for the position, according to housing sources.
Diaz, a Cuban native who immigrated to the United States when he was seven years old, has served as Miami's mayor since 2001. During his tenure, he oversaw the city's bond rating upgraded from junk to single-A by all three rating agencies. Since 2008, he also has served as the president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Due to term limits, Diaz's tenure as Miami mayor will end in 2009.
Franklin has served as Atlanta's mayor since 2001, and has been praised for reining in the city's budget deficit and repairing its ailing sewer system.
Other names mentioned for the post include Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Saul Ramirez Jr., a former deputy HUD secretary and executive director of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, Bronx borough president Adolfo Carrion Jr., and Nelson Diaz, a former judge and HUD general counsel.
Vallaraigosa told reporters last week that while he spoke with Obama about positions in the new administration, he will not accept any because he wants to stay on as mayor.
Shaun Donovan—who left his position as chairman of the New York City Housing Development Corp. and commissioner of the city's Department of Housing Preservation and Development to work on the Obama campaign—has been mentioned for a "high post" in HUD, though sources have indicated he would not get the top spot. More HERE
Advertisement
The Housing Research Directory of Consultants
Joining Housing Research Directory of Consultants is easy!
Just write us at: HousingResearch.org@GMail.com We will send you a form to fill out via email. You will make a once a year payment of $225.00 (this will help in the cost of operating the website and blog) and your name will be included in our data base. For your protection, all payments are made through PayPal through a corporate or personal American Express, Master Card, Visa or Discover Card. Once payment has been processed a confirmation receipt will be sent via email by PayPal and HousingResearch.org.
For further information on the registration and payment process write us at: HousingResearch.org@GMail.com
Career Opportunity: Housing Authority of the City of High Point, Chief Operating Officer (COO)
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (COO): Under the administrative direction of the Chief Executive Officer and working with senior staff, assumes operating responsibility for one or more departments of the Authority to include housing administration, development, community social, cultural and individual programs for tenants and administers grants and assistance programs as required.
• Plans and organizes activities according to standard and established procedures.
• Supervises activities in areas of housing/asset management, financial administration, housing development and revitalization, and in the administration of state and Federal housing grant programs.
• Evaluates and analyzes short and long term housing needs and housing development opportunities of community.
• Makes systematic surveys of community leaders, interest group and general public to determine changing housing needs of the community.
• Evaluates community and inter-governmental resources that are available to meet perceived needs.
• Prepares short-term and long-range plans to meet housing needs.
• Assures preparation of grant applications and private proposals.
• Prepares for submission approved proposals to government and private agencies for funding.
• Negotiates terms and conditions of approved projects with state, Federal and private funding sources.
• Prepares and recommends operating budget.
• Oversees the administration of the operating budget, including investment strategy.
• Makes administrative adjustments to affect economies.
• Oversees management of the Authority's housing stock, including the selection of tenants and assistance programs to meet the social and health needs of tenants.
• Maintains relationships with state. Federal and community representatives to assure timely and efficient use of staff and awareness of development opportunities.
• Interviews, evaluates and employs staff and recommends consulting services.
• Oversees the administration personnel policies and regulations for staff members.
• Prepares narrative and statistical reports for the Board of Commissioners upon request.
• Makes such reports to the Board of Commissioners as directed by the CEO.
• Attends civic and professional meetings to promote the interests of the Authority.
• Participates in professional housing and public administration organizations to remain current in the field.
MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: The knowledge and skills required would generally be acquired with a Master's degree; six years of progressively responsible experience in business or not-for profit administration including two years of experience as a unit or division supervisor: or a combination of education and/or equivalent experience of five years in housing administration, planning and development. A working knowledge of the principals and methods of administration as it relates to budgeting, accounting and procurement. Ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner in both oral and written methods which includes, but is not limited to, the preparation and presentation of various administrative and financial reports and presentations to the public. Ability to direct subordinates. Ability to identify and understand the needs and problems of economically disadvantaged individuals and their families. Successfully passing certification requirements as a Public Housing Manager within the first year of employment. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Must possess a valid driver’s license and safe driving record.
Interested candidates may fax cover letter with salary requirements and resume to (336) 887-2472, e-mail to Rmatthews@hpha.net, or mail to:
Housing Authority of the City of High Point
Human Resources
P. O. Box 1779
High Point, NC 27261
Applications and resumes will be accepted until position is filled.
HPHA is an equal opportunity employer.
Advertisement
The Housing Research Directory of Consultants
Joining Housing Research Directory of Consultants is easy!
Just write us at: HousingResearch.org@GMail.com We will send you a form to fill out via email. You will make a once a year payment of $225.00 (this will help in the cost of operating the website and blog) and your name will be included in our data base. For your protection, all payments are made through PayPal through a corporate or personal American Express, Master Card, Visa or Discover Card. Once payment has been processed a confirmation receipt will be sent via email by PayPal and HousingResearch.org.
For further information on the registration and payment process write us at: HousingResearch.org@GMail.com
Career Opportunity: Director (Chicago, CHAC)
Provides leadership and day-to-day oversight for:
•New admissions activities including waiting list administration, intake and leasing of public housing relocation referrals, special admissions, and waiting list applicants.
•All project-based administration including Mod Rehab, Project-Based Vouchers, McKinney supportive housing, and Regional Housing Initiative
•Processing of portability vouchers in and out of the City of Chicago
•Processing of new contracts and subsidy payments
•Develops the strategies and timetables for achieving department and company goals and objectives. Directs the activities, monitors and holds accountable the team leaders and coordinators in this regard.
•Provides oversight to administrative services group, responsible for reception area staffing, electronic document imaging services (scanning), and trouble-shooting facilities issues.
•Assures the efficient coordination of workflow and communication between departments, and with other sub-contractors and vendors.
•Assures that the department’s work is in compliance with all relevant HUD regulations, CHA Administrative Plan and policies and procedures.
•Interfaces with directors and managers of Satellite and Central Offices, Performance Management to identify program, system and staffing challenges, and develop and implement strategies or design training initiatives that address these issues, including staff development.
•Provides direct reports with frequent feedback on their performance, works with them to establish team objectives and individual and personal development goals. Oversees the team leaders’ and coordinators’ supervisory responsibilities that include assigning and reviewing work, training, addressing employee problems, and holding employees accountable.
•Tracks and monitors activity, productivity, quality, and customer service and utilizes the data to effectively manage the department. Prepares and submits reports as required.
•As a member of the executive team, participates in evaluating performance, staff development, establishing policy and procedure, and creating innovative solutions to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
QUALITIFICATIONS REQUIRED
This position requires the following skills, competencies, and experience:
•Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Public Administration, Urban Affairs, Sociology, Government, or related field. Minimum eight years of progressively more responsible experience with at least three of those years in the management of a housing or similar project or department, including supervision of a sizable staff.
•Demonstrated excellent interpersonal and oral and written communication skills, including public speaking skills.
•Demonstrated analytical skills and ability to create Excel spreadsheets, understand and manipulate data, prepare Power Point presentations, and write narrative reports
•Demonstrated ability to take initiative to meet the needs of clients, property owners, and staff, and anticipates changing conditions and makes appropriate adjustments.
•Commitment to a strong results-oriented and performance management focus.
•Familiarity with the Housing Choice Voucher Program, Family Self-Sufficiency, mobility counseling, homeownership, and Family Unification Programs preferred but not required.
•Certification by Quadel in Housing Choice Voucher Program Proficiency within 90 days of hire.
Visit our website to learn more about this opportunity www.quadel.comHarry Byrd Jr., New Spartanburg Housing Authority Director,
New housing chief building foundation
Byrd setting sights on HOPE VI bids
The new Spartanburg Housing Authority director was instrumental in planning and implementing four federal HOPE VI grant projects, including one that transformed blighted housing units in Charlotte, N.C., into an attractive, $93 million development.
Harry Byrd Jr. has been on the job for just four weeks, but he has met with staffers and key players in other partnering agencies, including the city of Spartanburg and Spartanburg County, to determine the agency's strengths and weaknesses.
The Housing Authority board of directors voted unanimously to hire Byrd after a nearly year-long search when former director Roy Johnson resigned to accept a similar position in Vancouver, Wash.
Byrd will oversee a $13.4 million budget, 941 public housing units and a staff of about 100. The housing authority also issues about 2,000 housing vouchers annually.
Byrd was the owner of The Harkin Group LLC of Huntersville, N.C., where he spent 10 years consulting housing authorities in the Southeast, primarily on how to submit and implement successful HOPE VI federal grants. He was the senior vice president and chief operating officer for the Charlotte Housing Authority from 1991 to 1998, when four successful HOPE VI grants were planned and executed. More HERE
Advertisement
The Housing Research Directory of Consultants
Joining Housing Research Directory of Consultants is easy!
Just write us at: HousingResearch.org@GMail.com We will send you a form to fill out via email. You will make a once a year payment of $225.00 (this will help in the cost of operating the website and blog) and your name will be included in our data base. For your protection, all payments are made through PayPal through a corporate or personal American Express, Master Card, Visa or Discover Card. Once payment has been processed a confirmation receipt will be sent via email by PayPal and HousingResearch.org.
For further information on the registration and payment process write us at: HousingResearch.org@GMail.com
HOPE VI - Broken Promises In Washington, DC
Forced OUT!
An Investigation Into Casualties of the District's Real Estate Boom
Building on Broken Promises
D.C. Developer's Projects Marred by Unchecked Spending and Dubious Deals
The Washington Post is reporting on the partnership that began at a crumbling apartment complex on a hillside south of the Capitol when longtime D.C. Council member H.R. Crawford told tenants, "I can show you how you can be a homeowner."
Within months, he struck a deal to raze the rental complex and build dozens of affordable townhouses with $25 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, promising tenants the rare chance to buy into the new community. The rise of Walter E. Washington Estates, completed in 2003, brought growth and hope to one of the city's most blighted neighborhoods and forged Crawford's reputation as a fierce and successful advocate for affordable housing.
But the project hailed as a turning point in the District was tainted by unchecked spending and deals that benefited Crawford and his partners while leaving hundreds of tenants with little chance of returning to the rebuilt community, The Washington Post has found. The city has since awarded more than $8 million for four other Crawford projects and, after he was joined by larger partners, tens of millions more. None of the developments has been completed.
Crawford denies spending government money improperly and said he has worked for years to revive distressed neighborhoods.
"Have I done everything right? Probably not," he said. "But I have done the best I could managing some of the toughest developments in lower-income communities, the work that very few wanted to do."
At Walter E. Washington Estates, records show, Crawford used hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund his own property management firm even after paying his company more than $3 million in developer's fees, a practice developers and HUD officials say amounts to double-billing. He doled out contracts to consultants with ties to the government, including a former HUD administrator who had supported the project. Although he had agreed to return some of the proceeds from the home sales to HUD, he under-reported that income in documents to the agency and paid nothing back.
Advertisement
The Housing Research Directory of Consultants
Joining Housing Research Directory of Consultants is easy!
Just write us at: HousingResearch.org@GMail.com We will send you a form to fill out via email. You will make a once a year payment of $225.00 (this will help in the cost of operating the website and blog) and your name will be included in our data base. For your protection, all payments are made through PayPal through a corporate or personal American Express, Master Card, Visa or Discover Card. Once payment has been processed a confirmation receipt will be sent via email by PayPal and HousingResearch.org.
For further information on the registration and payment process write us at: HousingResearch.org@GMail.com
Mayor Daley wants road money in his hands, not gov's
Mayor Richard M. Daley is lobbying to keep Gov. Rod Blagojevich's mitts off several hundred million dollars Chicago is poised to get through a proposed economic stimulus package under debate in Congress.
Historically, almost two-thirds of federal road funds go to metro areas, where locals decide how to spend them. But Mr. Daley and other U.S. mayors and local officials are worried that Congress will shift highway project decisions to the states in an attempt to simplify the process and create jobs more quickly.
"This is creating a great deal of heartburn," says Robert Fogel, senior legislative director for transportation at the Washington, D.C.-based National Assn. of Counties. "There's no guarantee that counties or cities will see one cent of the money for work on all of our many ready-to-go projects."
The impact on Chicago is potentially dramatic. Under a recent House-passed, $60.8-billion stimulus bill, Illinois would receive $436.8 million for highway projects, with no money set aside for Chicago. More HERE_____________________________________________________________
The Housing Research Directory of Consultants
Joining Housing Research Directory of Consultants is easy!
Just write us at: HousingResearch.org@GMail.com We will send you a form to fill out via email. You will make a once a year payment of $225.00 (this will help in the cost of operating the website and blog) and your name will be included in our data base. For your protection, all payments are made through PayPal through a corporate or personal American Express, Master Card, Visa or Discover Card. Once payment has been processed a confirmation receipt will be sent via email by PayPal and HousingResearch.org.
