Partners marketing supplement- Rev

In this season of gratitude and renewal, the Florida Housing Coalition Board and Staff thanks you for your investment in Florida’s hard working families; the elderly and disabled living on fixed incomes; and the homeless.

Enclosed are highlights from the work you support through your contributions to the Florida Housing Coalition, from our annual conference to the work we do every day of the year to promote affordable housing.

We couldn’t do it without our Partners for Better Housing, like you.

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 2014

EDUCATION AND NETWORKING WITH HOUSING EXPERTS, ADVOCATES, AND PRACTITIONERS

2013 Winner of the $1,000 Prize from Wells Fargo

2013 Winner of the $1,000 Prize from PNC

“Every year I think this is the very best conference, and then you make it better the next year; I don’t know how you do it!”

- David Hollis, Hillsborough County HFA

> FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Fellow Partner for Better Housing: Training and technical assistance with every conceivable type of affordable housing issue,

BY JAIMIE ROSS from nurturing to fruition the seed of a start-up’s development idea to fine-tuning the internal program controls of a seasoned housing administrator, is the everyday work of the Florida Housing Coalition.

So, why is the statewide annual conference such an important event? Because it’s the one and only time each year when housing professionals, from start-ups to seasoned administrators come together to share their experiences, to compare and contrast the differences in their respective corners of the housing world, and to move the state’s housing policy agenda forward.

And so it was with the 2013 statewide annual conference.

Approximately 600 housing professionals participated in public policy discussions including the future of the GSEs, substantive caucuses covering topics such as ending homelessness, and workshops addressing energy efficiency, land banking, housing homeless veterans, statewide housing finance programs, federal housing finance programs, avoiding and overcoming NIMBYism, financial literacy, social media for nonprofits, housing

preservation, new market tax credits, community land trusts, the Community Reinvestment Act, and more.

Our banking and other funder Partners for Better Housing are able to meet with the affordable housing developers and nonprofits throughout the state that they are working with.

They are also meeting others whom they may be funding in the future. Give and take between and among all the conference participants is palatable; the air is energized with the excitement of what can be.

The Florida Housing Coalition occupies a very precious space in the affordable housing world.

We are a statewide Coalition of statewide Coalitions, regional housing groups, local housing groups, and individuals. Our Partners for Better Housing know that when they support the statewide conference they are supporting the work of affordable housing from Miami to the Panhandle.

The Florida Housing Coalition occupies a very precious space in the affordable housing world. We are a statewide Coalition of statewide Coalitions, regional housing groups, local housing groups, and individuals. Our Partners for Better Housing know that when they support the statewide conference they are supporting the work of affordable housing from Miami to the Panhandle.

The statewide conference for 2014 will focus on the connection between health and housing and it will be held at the Orlando Hilton from September 7- 10th.

With deepest gratitude, Jaimie

FLHOUSING.ORG

1

> CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

26TH ANNUAL STATEWIDE AFFORDABLE

PRE-CONFERENCE SHORT COURSE >

TOP ROW (LEFT TO RIGHT): GLADYS SCHNEIDER, FLORIDA HOUSING COALITION TECHNICAL ADVISOR; KEVIN TATREAU, DIRECTOR OF MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, MARILYN DRAYTON, TD BANK REPRESENTATIVE AND FHC ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER, AND WIGHT GREGER, PRESIDENT & CEO OF WSG & PARTNERS, LLC AND FLORIDA HOUSING COALITION BOARD VICE CHAIR

THE FHC PRE-CONFERENCE SHORT COURSE SPONSORED BY TD BANK WAS ATTENDED BY OVER 75 PARTICIPANTS REPRESENTING NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND OTHER HOUSING PROVIDERS.

Technical Advisor, Gladys Schneider, and Florida Housing Coalition Vice Chair, Wight Greger, presented a walloping amount of information covering the waterfront from finding housing dollars, preparing proposals, and beefing up organizational capacity.

Wight Greger split the room into groups, led them in a detailed examination of a real response to a Florida Housing Finance Corporation Request for Applications and had the teams score the application on their own. The suspense was that the groups did not know if the application they were scoring had been successful or not. To the surprise of many, the scoring that took place in this exercise was even tougher than Florida Housing Finance Corporation’s scoring.

2

THE FLORIDA HOUSING COALITION

Participants were also relieved to learn that the application they were scoring was indeed a top scoring proposal.

Kevin Tatreau, Florida Housing Finance Corporation Director of Multifamily Development Programs, provided tips and advice for successful outcomes in financing and developing affordable housing.

Marilyn Drayton, representing TD Bank, enthusiastically expressed her sentiment that capacity building workshops drawing on the experience of the participants and the expertise of the Florida Housing Coalition staff and its partners are invaluable for moving community development forward.

> CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

HOUSING CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS NAN ROMAN GIVES KEYNOTE> Bipartisan Policy Center Housing Commission Caucus

FAHRO and FRA Caucus Florida Nonprofit Housing Advocates Network Caucus

NAN ROMAN, PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE TO END HOMELESSNESS IN WASHINGTON D.C., EMPHASIZED THAT HOMELESSNESS IS AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROBLEM; THE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING WE CREATE AND PRESERVE, THE CLOSER WE COME TO ENDING HOMELESSNESS.

Foreclosure Counselors Caucus

HOUSING LEADERSHIP AWARD> COALITION MEMBER, DONNA CARMAN, WAS RECOGNIZED AT THE 2013 AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONFERENCE WITH THE HOUSING LEADERSHIP AWARD FOR THE POSITIVE DIFFERENCE SHE HAS MADE IN THE LIVES OF LOW-INCOME FLORIDIANS IN INDIANTOWN AND THE STATEWIDE IMPACT SHE HAS MADE THROUGH THE EXAMPLE SHE MODELS FOR OTHERS.

Habitat for Humanity

Caucus

Continuum of Care/ Homeless Caucus Utility Companies and Green Partners Caucus SPONSORED BY:

FLHOUSING.ORG

3

> CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

PUBLIC POLICY PLENARY SESSION >

Florida Housing Coalition Board Member, Mark Hendrick- released in 2013. The Report provides a blueprint for an enson (pictured bottom right), led a lively exchange among tirely new system of housing finance for the nation’s ownermembers of the Bipartisan Housing Commission, (from ship and rental markets. top left, Robert Couch, Renee Glover, and Barry Zigas) as they drew on the recommendations contained in Housing View the full report here: http://bipartisanpolicy.org/sites/default/files/ America’s Future: New Directions for National Policy report, BPC_Housing%20Report_web_0.pdf

CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS > ENDING VETERANS HOMELESSNESS FOCUS ON HUD VASH AND SSVF PARTNERSHIPS In 2009, the federal government announced the goal of ending veterans’ homelessness by the end of 2015 through the Homeless Veterans Outreach Initiative. Florida has the third largest population of homeless veterans in the country. The Home Depot Foundation sponsored these sessions to underscore the imperative of bringing together the necessary community partnerships to meet the goal of ending Veteran Homelessness.

The Home Depot Foundation Field Manager Joe Wimberley (group, far right), moderated the first session as presenters, Nikki Barfield from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (group, far left), Kali Bell from the Housing Authory of the City

4

THE FLORIDA HOUSING COALITION

of Fort Myers (group, third from left), and Jake Maguire from the 100,000 Homes Campaign (group, second from left), led a lively discussion focused on HUD Vash opportunities. In the second session, Jake Maguire joined Jill vanHeel from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (left photo), and Marti Johnson from Emergency Services and Homeless Coalition of Northeast Florida (right photo), to discuss the impact of SSVF Partnerships on ending veteran homelessness. Both sessions provided participants with a great deal of insight on the challenges, possible solutions and ideas on how organizations can play a role in solving this veteran homelessness in America.

> CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

AVOIDING & OVERCOMING NIMBYISM Communication and legal tools used to overcome NIMBYism were the rallying points for this session. City Commissioner Robert Stuart (second from left) shared his perspective as an elected official who has had to deal with NIMBYism first hand. Jaimie Ross, author of the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s Advocates Resource Guide on NIMBYism (far right), explored the steps organizations may take to avoid neighborhood opposition and what steps can be taken to overcome neighborhood opposition to win approval of for affordable housing developments, with the help of Florida-specific laws. Meridith Levy, Deputy Director for the Somerville CDC (third from left), shared an innovative strategy used by her organization to develop in partnership with a market rate developer; a story that was recently showcased in Shelterforce Magazine. Chuck Elsesser, from Florida Legal Services (far left), moderated this session.

MULTIFAMILY BOND STRATEGIES FOR HFA’S With Ed Busansky, FHC Board Chair, from First Housing, as moderator (third from left), Frank Bowman from Pinellas County HFA (far right), John Sabatier from RBC Capital Markets (second from left), and Tony Del Pozzo from Related Urban (far left), participants explored the exciting world of HFA’s: how they work with local governments and developers to upgrade their existing stock of affordable housing through acquisition and rehabilitation or new construction of affordable housing. They discussed what kind of multifamily bond deals are being closed at HFA’s across the state and what kind of subsidy is needed. Real examples of how these multifamily deals have been structured were discussed along with what kind of rehabs need to be completed. This session also focused on how to increase the quality of affordable housing by using bond monies with non-competitive tax credits.

NSP DISPOSITION STRATEGIES Florida’s NSP grantees have met and exceeded expenditure deadlines and leveraged program income in the millions. All good things must come to an end, and closing out NSP grants is upon us. With a team of experts, (pictured from left to right), John Laswick, NSP Team Leader for HUD, Joan Olivia, Executive Director of the Lake Worth CRA, Gladys Schneider, Florida Housing Coalition Technical Advisor and George Romagnoli, FHC Board member and moderator, Florida’s NSP grantees learned how to prepare for closeout, what the closeout process will be, and how to ensure compliance. Post closeout responsibilities for eligible uses, low income set asides, and the land bank plan were also reviewed.

SOCIAL MEDIA FOR NON-PROFITS Online Community on the web is no longer solely designated to your website’s forum or email list. Organizations must now learn how to address and engage with their community in many locations across various social media channels. Florida Housing Coalition staff Lynne Takacs and Johnitta Wells (pictured left to right) provided an overview of the basics of the must-have tools and introduced a few lesser-known tools that can help organizations more efficiently manage their communities of volunteers and supporters. Also explored were common pitfalls and ways to avoid them. This interactive session allowed participants to share their own organization’s best practices and experiences in navigating this new media.

FLHOUSING.ORG

5

> CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

UNDERSTANDING THE HOUSING MARKET RENTAL & HOME OWNERSHIP During the 2013 legislative session, there was a great deal of push back for appropriating the state and local housing trust funds for housing. It was grounded on the notion that “half the state was on sale” due to the foreclosure crisis and that “we have much too much inventory to be building new affordable housing.” With the help of Bill O’Dell, from the Shimberg Center (center), John Tuccillo, economist from the Florida Realtors (right), and moderator and Coalition Board Member Robert Von (left), this workshop looked at the facts using the latest data on Florida’s housing market and what the true need is for affordable homeownership and rentals. Participants left armed with information to dispel the myths encountered from those who are less informed.

COMMUNITY ORGANIZING & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT Florida Housing Coalition Board Member, Chuck Elsesser, moderated this session with community organizing experts, Rick Smith, Chief of Staff at the SEIU St. Petersburg, Florida, and Meridith Levy, Deputy Director from the Somerville CDC in Massachusetts. Grassroots organizing and civic engagement at the local level works. It takes leadership, energy, and an investment of time. Local elected officials, local government staff, and the community at large need to hear the voices of the entire community, especially those who are struggling to make ends meet. How do you go about doing that? In this workshop, participants heard from community organizers working to improve the lives of lowincome families by working on issues such as a living wage ordinance, and affordable housing. See article on page 2.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY & BUILDING PERFORMANCE IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING Affordable housing should be constructed or rehabilitated to create the most energy efficient unit possible. Donna Carman, executive director of Indiantown Nonprofit, and Bill Lazar, executive director of the St. Johns Housing Partnership, addressed public and private resources, including utility company programs, for energy efficiency, the current standards required for energy efficiency and building performance for new, rehabilitated, and retrofitted affordable housing, and the need to verify energy conservation work and create healthy indoor environments. Participants learned about cost effective ideas that achieve green certification. This session also underscored that energy efficient and accessible housing is a must to help Floridian’s very low-income seniors age in place. Pictured at left is FHC Board Member Brad Goar, Program Manager for FPL’s Residential Conservation Services and Low Income Weatherization programs, who moderated the session.

FAITH-BASED HOUSING Florida Housing Coalition Board Member, Ben Johnson, moderated this session on faith-based nonprofit housing providers.

With a mission to serve those most in need, faith based organizations have been a tenacious force; they have been able to deliver an impressive number of affordable housing services. This workshop highlighted some recent successes from faith-based groups. Sister Cathy Buster (left) shared the successes achieved at Casa San Juan Bosco by Catholic Charities and Mylika Morton (right) presented an inspirational overview of the developments achieved at the Villages of Orlando by The Hope Church.

6

THE FLORIDA HOUSING COALITION

> CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

FHFC - HOW TO APPLY FOR NEW FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES Moderated by Coalition Board Member, Jeff Kiss (left), this workshop explained the new system being implemented in 2013 by the FHFC to administer all the pots of money described in the preceding workshop, as well as the federal tax credit program. Discussion leaders, FHFC Executive Director Steve Auger (right), Director of Multifamily Programs Ken Reecy (second from left), and Kevin Tatreau, Director of Multifamily Development Programs (third from left), explained the “Universal Application” is now a thing of the past.

The FHFC is now using a system of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) or Requests for Applications (RFAs.) Participants learned what those changes meant for those applying for funding. The entire process was explained and attendees had an opportunity to offer their suggestions and recommendations to the FHFC.

NSP PREPARING FOR CLOSEOUT Florida’s NSP grantees have met and exceeded expenditure deadlines and leveraged program income in the millions. All good things must come to an end, and closing out NSP grants is upon us. In this session, presenters John Laswick, NSP Team Leader for HUD (left), Gladys Schneider, Florida Housing Coalition Technical Advisor, and George Romagnoli, FHC Board member and moderator (right), discussed how to prepare for closeout, what the closeout process will be, and how to ensure compliance. Post closeout responsibilities for eligible uses, low income set asides, and the land bank plan were also reviewed.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT FOR NON-PROFITS/ SCATTERED SITE RENTAL Nonprofits who may have been solely in the homeownership business are now finding that they have become landlords because of unsalable inventory or because they are expanding their line of business to include rental housing, perhaps through acquisition and rehabilitation to preserve project based properties or smaller multifamily developments that may have no tenant subsidy. Property management is now a necessity. In this workshop, participants received a comprehensive overview of the world of property management and guidance in asset management from Debra Koehler, President of Sage Partners (right), and Mike Kent, President of Progressive Management of America (center). FHC Board member, Aileen Pruitt, Florida Market Manager for PNC (left), moderator for the session.

THE URGENCY & COMPLEXITY OF HELPING PEOPLE MOVE FROM HOMELESSNESS TO HOUSING No one has a more pressing and immediate housing need than someone living on the streets, in the woods, or in a shelter.

In this session, moderated by FHC Board Member, Susan Porciau, Executive Director of the Big Bend Homeless Coalition (center), participants heard from Cindy Funkhouser, IM Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless (right), and Sandra Newson, Carrfour Supportive Housing (left), about how to target resources to the most vulnerable, and using Housing First, Rapid Rehousing and permanent supportive housing models. Helping people move from homelessness to housing is a complex business that often involves making data driven decisions, strong collaborative efforts with defined performance measures, and a rich blend of support services for wellness, mental health care, employment services and education opportunities. This session provided an overview of Florida’s most effective models and inspired participants to get involved.

FLHOUSING.ORG

7

> CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS The Florida Community Land Trust Institute was launched in January 2000 to promote and support the use of community land trusts to create a permanent supply of affordable housing through land stewardship. Twenty-five community land trusts have since been created. Florida Housing Coalition board member, Barbara Inman, the executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Florida (right), moderated this session in which Anthony Jones, the Director of Community Development and the Executive Director of the Pinellas HFA (center), explained the government and nonprofit models of community land trusts in Pinellas County and Cindee LaCourse- Blum, the founding executive director of the Community Land Trust of Palm Beach County (left), addressed why CLTs are more relevant in today’s housing market; evaluated the challenges that arise with implementing the CLT model; and underscored the value to lenders for making CLT homebuyer loans.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS & RECOVERY Melvin Philpot, FHC board member, moderated this session with experts Bob Dennis, Community Program Manager from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (pictured), and Stan Fitterman from the Florida Housing Coalition. Dennis emphasized that in a state susceptible to severe storms, it is important to consider how to manage posthurricane federal disaster recovery money, in addition to state and local resources. Fitterman has been assisting Community Development Block Grant -Disaster Recovery grantees in New York, Connecticut and Oklahoma. He shared his insight into how federal funds have helped these communities rebuild, what activities are being undertaken and what we can likely expect when it’s Florida’s turn. Participants also learned how CDBG-DR differs from its non-DR cousin, the different ways communities prioritized their needs, and the policy decisions that are made before recovery activities can begin.

FHFC NEW FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FHC Board Member Jeff Kiss (left) moderated a panel of the key staff from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, including FHFC Policy Director Nancy Muller (third from left), Director of Multifamily Development Programs Kevin Tatreau (right), and Director of Multifamily Programs Ken Reecy (second from left). The 2013 Session brought with it an array of new funding pots to be administered by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. In addition to the tax credit program, this session covered the new funding for SAIL, the Homeless, Special Needs populations, and the Developmentally Disabled. Each of these funding opportunities was explained in terms of the amount of money available, the target populations, and what rules apply to each pot of money, as well as what opportunities there are to influence rulemaking or the ways in which these monies are used.

NETWORKING RECEPTION

8

THE FLORIDA HOUSING COALITION

> CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

FAIR HOUSING IS NOT TO BE TAKEN LIGHTLY During the summer, HUD finalized the rule for affirmatively furthering fair housing. In this workshop, President and CEO David Baade and Deputy Director C.J. Miles (pictured), both from the Fair Housing Continuum, Inc., joined moderator Lori Sandanato, President of Homes for Independence, Inc., to discuss the implementation of the new rule and focus on the connection between fair housing and affordable housing and the broad reach of the Federal Fair Housing Act, including who is subject to its requirements, what activities are prohibited, and what are the penalties for failing to comply with the law. The Florida Fair Housing Continuum, presented its plans for how it will use the settlement money in Florida to partner with others to provide home ownership and rental opportunities in areas where bank REO properties failed to be maintained.

NEW MARKETS TAX CREDIT The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program was created by the federal government in December 2000 to encourage investment and job creation in very low-income communities. In this workshop, participants learned from Susan Leigh (center), one of the scorers for the NMTC, what it takes to win NMTC directly from the Treasury. Nelson Black, FCLF Director of Lending (left), explained the process of accessing NMTC funds from the Florida Community Loan Fund, and Brian Evjen,Vice President of Strategic Development from Metropolitan Ministries (right), a nonprofit who used New Markets Tax Credits from the FCLF shared his experience. Examples of opportunities for non-profits were larger projects, non-profit community facilities, such as health centers; green projects, such as renewable or solar energy; and economic development projects that catalyze neighborhoods, such as grocery stores in food deserts.

THE POLICY DEBATE OVER HOUSING FOR PERSONS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Jack Humburg, FHC Board Member (right), facilitated a discussion among advocates and developers of affordable housing for people with special needs, and in particular, for those with developmental disabilities who are grappling with the issue of providing the least restrictive/most independent housing opportunities within the community at large, and the benefits of an “intentional community,� that provides substantial support services in a community setting. The consequences of this debate are being felt in the changes to the 811 program and the future decisions regarding Medicaid Waiver eligible housing. The debate is at the federal, state, and local level. Jim DeBeaugrin, from Opportunity Works (left), Bernadette Moran, with Arc of Jacksonville (second from left), and Shannon Nazworth, from Ability Housing (third from left) participated the roundtable forum, presented the issues , and opened the floor for discussion.

FLHOUSING.ORG

9

> CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

SURVEY OF FEDERAL RESOURCES Linda Couch, Senior Vice President for Policy from the National Low Income Housing Coalition in Washington D.C. (pictured to left of moderator, Suzanne Cabrera, FHC Board Member), scanned the waterfront of resources that come to Florida from the federal government, from HUD’s public and assisted housing, homeless assistance and community development programs, to programs that target special populations like the seniors and people with disabilities. She provided the latest news on the United for Homes campaign to fund the National Housing Trust Fund. Participants looked at how Congress has reacted to HUD’s priority requests for fiscal year 2014 and what’s hot on the authorizing side of the ledger, from rental assistance reform legislation to housing finance reform.

AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING PRESERVATION - THE OUTLOOK FOR 2013

In 2005, the Florida Affordable Housing Study Commission called for the state to build “a comprehensive multifamily state preservation policy” to address “the aging and escalating loss of affordable multifamily housing” for Florida’s extremely low income seniors, families and people with disabilities. With the help of moderator Bill O’Dell from the Shimberg Center (right), Michael Bodaken, President of the National Housing Trust (left), Nancy Mueller, FHFC Director of Policy and Special Programs (third from left), and Anne Ray, Florida Housing Data Clearinghouse Manager from the Shimberg Center (second from left), participants heard about the continuing need for affordable housing for Florida’s lowest income tenants, the state of Florida’s subsidized housing inventory, the national perspective on preservation policy and practice, and an update on Florida’s preservation programs, including the new Florida Housing Finance Corporation’s Multifamily Energy Retrofit Program.

COMMUNITY REINVESTMENT ACT FOR NON-PROFITS Janet Hamer, the Community Development Manager for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (right), provided a “CRA 101,” an overview of the Community Reinvestment Act regulation for nonprofit, government, and community and economic organizations that want to learn more about the requirements under CRA for financial institutions and how to work more effectively with banks on CRA-eligible activities and projects.

FHC Board Member Deana Lewis, from SunTrust Bank (left) moderated the session.

Participants learned what criteria must be met to make a bank loan, service, or investment CRA-qualified and how initiatives and programs can be developed to meet CRA eligibility standards. Better understanding the community development objectives under CRA, data reporting requirements, and specific CRA terminology can help banks and community-based organizations identify shared goals and objectives that support funding requests.

FINANCIAL LITERACY Dawn Lockhart, a national expert in financial literacy and asset building (left), presented industry best practices organizations can implement to ensure families and individuals are prepared and savings-ready to leverage critical financial literacy tools, skills, support and solutions necessary to build wealth. From early education for our children on what money is and how to responsibly use it to planning for long-term sustainable financial health for individuals and families and taking a corrective course when things go off track, this session covered what to incorporate into a comprehensive Financial Literacy Program. FHC Board Vice Chair, Wight Greger, from WsG and Partners (right), moderated the session.

10

THE FLORIDA HOUSING COALITION

> CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING THE FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF ATLANTA The Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta offers flexible and innovative products that can help manage interest-rate risk and meet your community investment needs. In this workshop, Arthur Fleming, Senior Vice President, Director of Community Investment Services from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (left), reviewed the programs offered by the Bank, including the Affordable Housing Program Competitive. The AHP Competitive is a flexible source of funding designed to help community partners develop affordable owner-occupied and rental housing for very low- to moderate-income families and individuals. FHC Board Member Don Hadsell (right) moderated the session.

THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS Kent Spuhler, Executive Director of Florida Legal Services (left), and Jaimie Ross, Affordable Housing Director for 1000 Friends of Florida and the facilitator of the Sadowski Coalition (center), explained how the Florida Legislature works and how advocates can most effectively influence the process. Jeff Bagwell, Executive Director of Keystone Challenge Fund (right), moderated and shared his experiences as an advocate from Polk County on behalf of SHIP funding. Participants were put at ease about their right to advocate on behalf of their own interests and given tips about how and when it is best to contact legislators, which legislators to should contact for what issues; how to communicate with the Legislature; and how to work with the local legislative delegation. Participants also learned about the budget process and the role that the Governor’s office plays in appropriations.

SURPLUS LANDS AND LAND BANKS The Florida Nonprofit Housing Advocates Network (FNHAN) undertook a research project in 2013 to evaluate the effectiveness of the law enacted in 2006 (Sections 125.379 and 166.0451, Florida Statutes), which requires an inventory of available lands for affordable housing to be published every three years beginning in 2007. Rose Phillips, from the Florida Housing Coalition (pictured), conducted that primary research and analysis and shared her findings about land donation for affordable housing with the participants. See article on page 13. Gladys Schneider, from the Florida Housing Coalition, is a nationally recognized expert in land banks and shared her ideas for opportunities for land banking in Florida.

See article on page19.

USING SHIP TO SERVE SPECIAL NEEDS POPULATIONS This workshop was an opportunity for SHIP administrators and staff to learn from stakeholders and supportive services organizations that serve persons with disabilities, including developmental disabilities, about the housing needs of their consumers. Presenters Deborah Linton, Executive Director of the Arc of Florida (center), Don Pirozzoli, Program Director for the Center for Independent Living in Central Florida (right), and moderator Bill Aldinger, FHFC Supportive Housing Coordinator (left), discussed how to meet state funding requirements; approaches to reach and inform persons with special needs about SHIP resources; plus identifying and developing working relationships with community-based lead agencies and networks that provide services for persons with disabilities and other special needs.

FLHOUSING.ORG

11

> CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

IN CELEBRATION OF SHIP Awards Highlight the Tremendous Impact of the SHIP Program in Providing Special Needs Housing Assistance, Purchase Assistance and Rehabilitation of Existing Housing Stock

2013 SHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS AT THE FLORIDA HOUSING COALITION ANNUAL CONFERENCE 6

5

1

2

3

4

GROUP PHOTO (LEFT TO RIGHT) : AMY YEARSLEY, JAMES ROBBINS, SHERI ALBRIGHT, MIKE KENT, GEORGE ROMAGNOLI, ROB DEARDUFF, PHYLLIS MOORE, MITCHELL GLASSER, AND JAIMIE ROSS

1. OUTSTANDING PURCHASE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AWARD PASCO COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT George Romagnoli, Community Development Director 2. SPECIAL NEEDS HOUSING ASSISTANCE AWARD ABILITY HOUSING OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA & THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE Dayatra Coles, Housing Services Manager, City of Jacksonville 3. OUTSTANDING HOUSING ASSISTANCE AWARD CITY OF CAPE CORAL Amy Yearsley, Housing Coordinator

12

THE FLORIDA HOUSING COALITION

4. OUTSTANDING SHIP ADMINISTRATOR AWARD PHYLLIS MOORE, SHIP ADMINISTRATOR Gadsden County Community Development 5. PARTNERSHIP OF THE YEAR AWARD OKALOOSA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION Mike Kent, Board Treasurer; James Robbins, Executive Director; Sheri Albright, Director of Finance 6. OUTSTANDING REPAIR/REHABILITATION PROGRAM AWARD ORANGE COUNTY HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Mitchell Glasser, Manager

> THE FLORIDA HOUSING COALITION

Our mission is to bring together housing advocates and resources so that everyone has a quality affordable home and suitable living environment.

A BOUT THE

OUR VISION

COALITION

Every Florida community, large and small, practices a community ethic reflecting a belief that access to housing that is decent, safe, affordable and of a person’s own choosing, is a fundamental right and that at least

ABOUT THE COALITION The Florida Housing Coalition, Inc., is a

one active, viable community-based organization plays

Florida nonprofit and 501(c)(3), statewide

an important role in delivering affordable housing and

membership organization whose mission

related services in each community.

is to act as a catalyst to bring together housing advocates and resources so that all Floridians have a quality affordable home and suitable living environment.

The

Coalition

provides

professional

consultation services through training and technical assistance on affordable housing and related issues to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and their

private

sector

partners.

We

support community-based partnerships in leveraging resources; and advocate for policies, programs and use of funding resources that maximize the availability and improve the quality of affordable housing

in

Florida.

The

Coalition

carries out this mission recognizing that decent and affordable housing is a

OUR TEAM

The administrative office for the Florida Housing Coalition is housed in Tallahassee, with seven professional technical advisor offices throughout Florida. Our technical assistance team consists of a highly skilled and geographically dispersed network of full-time professional staff providing technical assistance in all areas of affordable housing planning, finance, and development. Our professional technical assistance team also includes the expertise of our 25 member Board of Directors. The FHC Technical Assistance Team can help with every aspect of locallyadministered housing programs, from internal controls to capacity building for nonprofit partners. We can work with you one-on-one at your office or arrange larger workshops to assist you with implementation of your housing programs.

human necessity and an integral part of community revitalization and economic development.

IF IT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING, CALL THE FLORIDA HOUSING COALITION. IF WE CAN’T HELP YOU, WE’LL LET YOU KNOW WHO CAN. 850-878-4219.

FLHOUSING.ORG

13

> THE FLORIDA HOUSING COALITION

SOMETIMES A NATIONAL EXPERT THE FLORIDA HOUSING COALITION IS RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY AS AN EXPERT IN THE AREAS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLANNING, FINANCING, DEVELOPMENT, AND ADMINISTRATION.

THE FLORIDA HOUSING COALITION HAS ASSISTED: Arizona

Massachusetts

Arkansas

Mississippi

California

Missouri

Colorado

Nevada

Florida

New York

Georgia

North Carolina

Illinois

South Carolina

Kansas

Tennessee

Kentucky

Texas

Louisiana

ARE YOU AN ACCIDENTAL LANDLORD? Do you have some properties that you purchased with NSP that you thought

you’d be able to sell but are now realizing that you have to rent? Are you interested in developing a property management business line? In many communities around the country, nonprofits are finding themselves in a position where they need to rent properties they thought they would be able to sell. Stan Fitterman has been working with nonprofits to evaluate and develop a property management business line for scattered site and small scale rental developments. This work has ranged from helping owners make sure that their portfolio cash flow, to understanding the steps in establishing a property management business line to writing property management policies and procedures.

MANY CITIES AND COUNTIES ARE FINDING THEMSELVES AWASH IN VACANT LOTS. Fallout from the foreclosure crisis

or acquired with NSP, the properties are a quandary in a market that isn’t ready for redevelopment just yet. To keep these portfolios from becoming a money pit or source for local debate, some communities are planning ahead with the formation of a Land Bank. Gladys Schneider has helped develop land bank strategies that outline community specific strategies for maintaining and eventually disposing of the properties. Establishing a land bank plan may expedite closing out an NSP grant if all that is left from the program are remaining lots. If you think more time is needed to dispose of vacant lots or if a permanent solution is desired to guide the acquisition and disposition of land for future affordable housing, contact the Coalition to discuss land banking strategies.

14

THE FLORIDA HOUSING COALITION

> THE FLORIDA HOUSING COALITION

IS LIVING RIGHT NEXT DOOR DID YOU KNOW THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE CHANGES UNDER THE HOME RULE TOOK EFFECT ON AUGUST 23, 2013? There were many changes that require immedi-

ate action by local governments to ensure compliance. If you are not sure if you’re current program complies or what actions you need to take to bring your program into compliance, you can contact the Florida Housing Coalition to assist you in making the necessary changes to program policies and procedures, written agreements or provide staff and sub recipient training in understanding the new requirements.

GOOD HOUSING POLICY COMES FROM GOOD HOUSING DATA. Research and analy-

sis is the foundation for local policy decisions. There are never enough housing resources.

This means decisions need to be made about which programs are most effective and how best to target limited resources. Are you trying to make the case for affordable housing to elected officials? The Florida Housing Coalition has a new member of the technical assistance team specializing in housing research and analysis. Rose Phillips is currently working on Home Matters, a statewide report which will be published in the Spring. She can work with local communities to conduct in-depth and timely research and analysis that builds the bridge between the world of housing data and the world of housing policy. Good housing research and analysis helps you determine the populations most in need of affordable housing in your community (for example, elderly and disabled persons), and identify local impediments or opportunities for meeting those needs. With local data in hand, you can target your time and funds to be most effective, and put your affordable housing programs on the path to success.

IS YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT INTERESTED IN THE “HOW TO” FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF HOUSING POLICIES THAT SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE AND PRESERVE PUBLIC INVESTMENT, SAVING TAX DOLLARS WHILE PRODUCING A PERMANENT STOCK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING? There are a number of housing policies that can

help you meet the housing needs of residents from the extremely low income to moderate income. Jaimie Ross, Florida Housing Coalition board president, is an expert in using smart growth tools for affordable housing. Three of those tools are Inclusionary housing policies, community land trusts, and accessory dwelling units.

Inclusionary housing policies are a land value recapture mechanism for local governments to use in conjunction with land use changes at the local level. To avoid a windfall to the recipients of the homes created pursuant to inclusionary housing policies, long term or permanent affordability is imperative. A CLT can remove this burden from local government by providing the administrative vehicle to ensure that all subsequent purchasers or renters of the affordable home are income eligible. ADUs can provide housing for extremely low income individuals working in the community. These very small homes situated on the property of a primary residence can also provide housing for seniors or for the caregivers for the disabled or elderly in the primary residence, which allows the elderly to remain in their homes rather than in institutional settings.

FLHOUSING.ORG

15

> THE FLORIDA HOUSING COALITION

AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONSULTING SERVICES The Florida Housing Coalition Helps Local Governments, Nonprofits, and their Developer and Financial Partners.

16

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

NON-PROFITS

SPECIAL PROJECTS

We Can Assist Local Government With: • Affordable Housing Program Design and Implementation •Preparation of Policies and Procedures Manuals • Project Development • Developing Underwriting Practices for Rental and Homeownership Projects • Long-Term Affordability Mechanisms • Energy Efficiency Housing • Predevelopment, Development, and Rehabilitation Process for Rental and Homeownership Programs • Meeting Low-Income SetAsides for Extremely Low Income and Special Needs Housing • Income Compliance and Eligibility Determination • Compliance with Regulations and Administration • Implementation of systems to maintain records, tracking, reporting, and monitoring of programs • Rehabilitation Policies and Strategies • Design of RFPs and RFQs

We Can Assist Nonprofits With: • How to form a CHDO or a CDC • How to write grants and proposals • Board and Staff Training/Organizational Capacity Building • Strategic and Business Plans • Best Practices for Operating Manuals • Project-Level Assistance in Financing, Development, and Asset Management • Strengthening Partnerships and Joint Ventures • Community Land Trusts • Accessory Dwelling Units • Energy Efficient Housing • Strategies for Changing Markets • NIMBY issues

Everything from Needs Analysis to Document Preparation: • Shared Equity Models • Lease Purchase Programs • Housing Element Strategies and Implementation • Regulatory Reform Markets • Inclusionary Housing Policies • Education/presentations to Advisory Groups and Elected Bodies • Facilitation of Community Meetings • Community Land Trusts

THE FLORIDA HOUSING COALITION

CONTACT Contact the Florida Housing Coalition at 850-878-4219 or info@flhousing.org.

DISCUSS Discuss what services would be most helpful for your local government, nonprofit, or developer and financial partners.

PROPOSAL In return, we will quickly tailor a proposal that meets your needs within your budget.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION PARTNERS FOR BETTER HOUSING Your Partners for Better Housing membership supports the Florida Housing Coalition’s work by making tax deductible donation of $500 or more. Membership benefits include: • Complimentary conference registration (Patron Level or higher only, quantity indicated) • Unlimited membership-rate conference registrations

• Complimentary job vacancy posting service on the Coalition’s website • Access to the Coalition’s e-newsletter, Member Update

$20,000 Platinum Sponsor (20 Comps)

$2,500 Co-Sponsor (3 Comps)

$10,000 Gold Sponsor (10 Comps)

$1,000 Patron (1 Comp)

$5,000 Sponsor (6 Comps)

$500 Contributor

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR PLATINUM, GOLD & SPONSOR LEVELS

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS FOR CO-SPONSOR, PATRON & CONTRIBUTOR LEVELS

• Subscriptions to Housing News Network Journal (up to 20) • Logo displayed in all conference-related publications, on the Coalition’s website and in each triennial issue of the Housing News Network Journal • Complimentary booth at conference expo (if reserved by July 31)

• Subscriptions to Housing News Network Journal (up to 8) • Name displayed in all conference-related publications, on the Coalition’s website • Co-Sponsor and Patron Partners included in each triennial issue of the Housing News Network Journal

BASIC MEMBERSHIP Basic membership is for anyone who wishes to subscribe to Housing News Network, post job vacancy announcements free on the Coalition’s website and receive membership-rate conference registrations. An individual member receives one subscription and one member-rate registration. Organizational members receive up to five subscriptions and five member-rate registrations.

All memberships are on a unified membership cycle, memberships are due on August 1st and expire on July 31st of each year.

(Please indicate additional names, addresses and phone numbers on an attached sheet.) Each membership is entitled to be represented by one voting member at the Coalition’s annual meeting as designated below. $25 Student

$150 Nonprofit Organization

$75 Individual (Payment by Personal Check Only)

$200 Government Agencies $250 Private Organizations

Authorized Representative (Please Print or Type:) Name:

Title:

Signature:

Organization:

Mailing Address: City:

State:

ZIP:

Phone: (

FAX: (

Email:

)

)

County:

Make checks payable to The Florida Housing Coalition • 1367 E. Lafayette Street, Suite C, Tallahassee, FL 32301 • Phone: (850) 878-4219 • FAX: (850) 942-6312 The Florida Housing Coalition is a 501 (c) (3) organization. One hundred percent of your tax deductible contribution goes to the Florida Housing Coalition, Inc. No portion is retained by a solicitor. Registration number SC09899, Federal ID# 59-2235835.

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL FREE 1-800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

FLORIDA HOUSING COALITION 1367 EAST LAFAYETTE STREET, SUITE C TALLAHASSEE, FL 32301

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

PATRONS

CO-SPONSORS

SPONSORS

GOLD

PLATINUM

The Florida Housing Coalition thanks the following organizations and individuals for their commitment to improving housing conditions in Florida.

CAPITAL CITY BANK COALITION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVIDERS COHNREZNICK

COMERICA BANK CONSECRA HOUSING NETWORK FLORIDA COMMUNITY LOAN FUND NATIONAL HOUSING TRUST/ ENTERPRISE PRESERVATION CORPORATION

AMERINATIONAL COMMUNITY SERVICES

GADSDEN COUNTY - COMM. DEV. ADMIN.

BASCOM COMMUNICATIONS

GATEHOUSE GROUP

BROAD AND CASSEL

HENDRICKSON COMPANY

FLORIDA COMMUNITY BANK

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF POMPANO BEACH

NEIGHBORHOOD LENDING PARTNERS RAYMOND JAMES BANK RBC CAPITAL MARKETS REGIONS BANK RELATED URBAN

IDP HOUSING JAIMIE ROSS JONES WALKER LLP KEYSTONE CHALLENGE FUND MERIDIAN APPRAISAL GROUP

SAGE PARTNERS SEACOAST NATIONAL BANK SELTZER MANAGEMENT GROUP

MULTI FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY

SHIMBERG CENTER FOR HOUSING STUDIES

NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES OF SOUTH FLORIDA

STEARNS, WEAVER, MILLER, WEISSLER, ALHADEFF, & SITTERSON, PA

PICERNE DEVELOPMENT CORP.

THE NRP GROUP

PRESERVATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING (POAH)

TRUSTCO BANK