Roll Back The Rents! Tenant Housing News From Around The Nation!

For some of the latest in tenant housing news from across the nation, join Roll Back The Rents!

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October 7, 2004

Issues in the News...

HUD Attacks Elderly & Disabled Of Marin

Non profit housing organizations of Marin County are stunned by the HUD ruling that shreds years of efforts to provide housing for the abused, mentally ill, poor, elderly and disabled people of Marin. See the Independant Journal story below...

On Oct 11, 2004 NAHRO plans to release a full study and analysis of HUD's attacks on the Section 8 program and the poor during fiscal year 2004. See NAHRO info below...

Efforts to save 200 low-income families of Yolo County from homelessness are a sucess... See story below...

Petition to save affordable housing...

Corruption in Newark Housing Authority...

Columbia Housing Authority gets grant for youth program...

Corruption in Easton Housing Authority...

More affordable housing for East Dorset, Vermont.

More affordable housing for Plymoth...

Housing relief in Santa Cruz, CA...

Inuvik housing situation in crisis...

Troubles at Choctaw Nation Housing Authority...

And plenty more from around the nation...

Go to full stories below...

Roll Back The Rents

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HUD ruling jars local agencies Affordable housing projects, nonprofits placed in jeopardy
 
Marin Independent Journal - Oct 07
A crackdown by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has dealt a serious blow to an affordable housing project under construction in Point Reyes Station, threatened to alter two similar projects, and undermined the financial viability of more than a dozen Marin nonprofits serving battered women, the elderly, disabled, mentally ill and homeless.

The crisis stems from the loss of federal Section 8 housing vouchers. The agencies building the affordable housing were counting on using the vouchers to secure critical financing. The nonprofits rely on the vouchers to underwrite the lion's share of the rent paid by their clients.

In August, HUD instructed the Marin County Housing Authority to take away 220 Section 8 vouchers that it had given to the Marin nonprofits. HUD ordered that the vouchers be reassigned from the nonprofits to the individuals using them. HUD's primary objection was that the vouchers were not awarded competitively.

Seven single-family houses being built in Point Reyes Station - which were to have been sold at affordable prices, between $213,400 and $289,500 - will now have to be sold at market rates, costing $535,000 or more. Unless HUD relents, the rent for 10 transitional units planned for Hamilton Field in Novato will also have to be raised - making them unaffordable for the needy populations they were intended to house.

"The decision by HUD was really a bone-breaker," said Tom Peters, Marin Community Foundation chief executive. The foundation contributed $1.6 million to the Point Reyes project and close to $2 million to the Hamilton project.

Click below for full story...

http://www.marinij.com/Stories/0,1413,234~24407~2451786,00.html

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NAHRO to Release Study of HUD Section 8 Funding Formula at National Conference in Baltimore Oct. 11
 
[Press Release] U.S. Newswire - Oct 07
NAHRO Officials, Analysts Available for Comment

This is the first complete analysis that fully takes into account HUD's administration of the Section 8 budget-based renewals and the effect this approach has had on housing authorities and low- income families across the country in FY 2004.

Analysts will also be available at the Monday lunch to discuss other current housing issues, including major changes concerning future funding for public housing authority operations that will go into effect in 2007.

The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), established in 1933, is a membership organization of 18,000 housing and community development agencies and professionals throughout the United States whose mission is to create affordable housing and safe, viable communities that enhance the quality of life for all Americans, especially those of low- and moderate-income. NAHRO's membership administers more than three million housing units for 7.6 million people.

Contact: Liz Hennessy, 202-289-3500 ext. 280 or 202-841-6335 (cell) or lhennessy [at] nahro.org, or John Bohm, 202-289-3500 ext. 235 or 703-307-8170 (cell), or jbohm [at] nahro.org, both of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials Web: http://www.nahro.org

Click below for full details...

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/usnw/20041007/pl_usnw/nahro_to_release_study_of_hud_section_8_funding_formula_at_national_conference_in_baltimore_oct__11121_xml

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Go to; http://www.onefamilyinc.org to sign petition to save affordable housing initiatives for low-income families!

Online Petition Urges Presidential Action on Affordable Housing
 
[Press Release] PR Newswire - Oct 06
Launching its website today, One Family, Inc. is urging individuals to sign an e-petition at http://www.onefamilyinc.org asking Presidential candidates to protect and expand affordable housing initiatives for the 1.3 million American children at risk for homelessness this year.

"Most Americans do not even realize families are homeless. You do not see them on the street, sleeping under boxes or in doorways. Yet, one out of 50 children will experience homelessness this year. The situation is unacceptable. But, it is also solvable, primarily through affordable housing," said Susanne Beaton, One Family Director,

The national Housing Choice Voucher Program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), commonly referred to as Section 8, allows low-income families to rent a home in the private market. These vouchers enable families to stay housed and create a better environment for their children.

Section 8 is currently marked for insufficient funding in 2005, by at least $1.6 billion. Without these vouchers, homeless families are unable to access education, adequate income and opportunities to build a network of community support.

Lack of affordable housing is a primary reason why American families are becoming the fastest growing segment of today's homeless population. On average, families must earn $22.40 an hour to afford a two-bedroom apartment at fair market rent (source: National Low Income Housing Coalition 2003).

"That's why we are calling upon our presidential candidates to embrace Section 8 vouchers and other efforts to bring our families home. It all starts with a safe roof over these families' heads," added Beaton. "Without safe and affordable housing, children are more likely to be exposed to disease, serious injuries, hunger and academic problems. Our children deserve better."

Click below for full story or go to.... http://www.onefamilyinc.org

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041006/new024_1.html

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Lobbying pays off with federal housing subsidies
 
The Davis Enterprise - 21 minutes ago
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has provided the Yolo County Housing Authority with funds that will prevent nearly 200 local families from possibly facing homelessness in the coming months.

The families, 37 of them from Davis and all longtime recipients of Section 8 housing subsidies, expected to lose those subsidies as of Oct. 1 because of severe cuts from HUD.

The announcement this week that the Housing Authority will receive $189,000 from HUD - enough to last through Dec. 30 - comes after intense lobbying from local officials, social service agencies and Section 8 recipients.

"We've all been really putting on the pressure and through our efforts we've been able to successfully avert this crisis - for now," Yolo County Supervisor Mariko Yamada said.

The last few months have been a series of ups and downs for Housing Authority clients and the few local landlords who accept their vouchers.

In August, the Housing Authority's commission approved an action that cut the number of subsidy voucher recipients by about 14 percent from its existing 1,408 families. The move was a response by the commission to cutbacks ordered by HUD in April.

Click below for full story...

http://www.davisenterprise.com/articles/2004/10/07/news/085new2.txt

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Mayor: Newark Housing Director to Pay for TV
 
1010wins.com - Oct 07
(1010 WINS) (NEWARK) The head of the city's Housing Authority, under federal review after reports of excessive spending, is to reimburse the agency for a plasma television and a $25,000 contact awarded to his daughter, the mayor said.

Click below for full story...

http://1010wins.com/topstories/winstopstories_story_281113642.html

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Housing authority wins federal grant
 
Columbia Daily Tribune - Oct 07
The Columbia Housing Authority’s mission to provide youth programs has received a federal boost with a $99,511 Drug Free Communities grant from the Department of Health and Human Services.

Click below for full story...

http://www.showmenews.com/2004/Oct/20041007News007.asp

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NEW: Easton Housing Authority changes coming next week
 
The Morning Call - Oct 07
The change in leadership elected officials wanted at the Easton Housing Authority because of wasteful spending on travel will occur on October 15.

Click below for full story...

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-eashouse-100704,0,7436494.story?coll=all-news-hed

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Town gets 525,000 dollars for affordable housing
 
WRGB - Oct 07
(East Dorset, VT - AP) — A state grant of 525,000 dollars is expected to help build a 24-unit affordable housing project in East Dorset. The Community Development Block Grant is one part of a public financing package for the four-point-two million dollar project.

Click below for full story...

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-eashouse-100704,0,7436494.story?coll=all-news-hed

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Good turnout for public hearing on housing grant
 
Shelby Promoter - 2 hours, 15 minutes ago
Ten community members attended Shelby's regular city council meeting on Monday, Oct. 4, primarily to hear details about the community development block grant that could provide assistance with housing and renovations.

Click below for full story...

http://www.goldentrianglenews.com/articles/2004/10/07/shelby_promoter/news/news4.txt

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County Officials: Rippling River Here To Stay Housing Complex Residents Feared Eviction
 
Action News 8 Santa Cruz - Oct 07
CARMEL, Calif. -- County officials assured residents of the 79-unit Rippling River housing complex for disabled adults that their future is secure.

Click below for details...

http://www.theksbwchannel.com/news/3790844/detail.html

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In our opinion: More alternative housing needed
 
Ukiah Daily Journal - Oct 07 8:35 AM
We're encouraged by the renovation going on today at the Thunderbird Motel where low income families will get an opportunity to find housing they might be able to afford.

Click below for complete opinion...

http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/Stories/0,1413,91~3080~2452303,00.html

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Bylaw would get town into 40B housing
 
Old Colony Memorial - Oct 07
PLYMOUTH (Oct 6) - The town can't get much friendlier affordable housing projects than ones it proposes itself. The Oct. 25 town meeting includes an article to create an inclusionary zoning bylaw.

Click below for full story...

http://oldcolony.southofboston.com/articles/2004/10/07/news/news05.txt

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Inuvik housing market as tight as it gets
 
CBC North - Oct 07
INUVIK, N.W.T. - With vacancy rates hovering around zero, people looking for housing in Inuvik are pretty much out of luck. Northern Properties, the town's largest landlord, has tenants in every one of its 251 units.

Click below for full story...

http://north.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=o0ct07inuvhouse10072004

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Paperwork seized at tribal housing authority
 
Durant Daily Democrat - Oct 07
Federal agents removed boxes of bids and contract records from the Choctaw Nation Housing Authority in Hugo Friday, a month after officials requested the documents.

Click below for full story...

http://www.durantdemocrat.com/articles/2004/10/07/news/news4.txt

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7 more people will face charges in housing probe
 
The Indianapolis Star - Oct 7
Fraud charges against seven people will be announced today by Rufus "Bud" Myers, executive director of the Indianapolis Housing Agency. An ongoing investigation has led to charges against 137 people.

Click below for full story...

http://www.indystar.com/articles/9/184427-7919-009.html

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Weekly Housing Magazine To Be Launched In Sydney By Sensis
 
Australia & NZ News - Oct 7
Telstra Corp's (ASX:TLS) classifieds business Sensis today announced it would move further into the publishing world by producing a weekly housing magazine for the Sydney region.

Click below for full story...

http://au.news.yahoo.com/041007/3/r47k.html

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City wavers on housing subsidy plan
 
BendBulletin.com - Oct 7
Bend city councilors decided Wednesday not to hold themselves to a $500,000 promise for affordable housing in downtown Bend.

Click below for full story...

http://www.bendbulletin.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=14578

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MSPs support Shelter housing campaign
 
Aberdeen Independent - Oct 7
North-east MSPs Richard Baker and Nanette Milne have joined Shelter’s red chair ‘sit-in’, to show their support for the charity’s campaign to end the scandal of the more than one million children in Britain who are suffering in bad housing.

Click below for full story...

http://www.aberdeen-indy.co.uk/news/ind.cfm?newsid=1348

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Town gets $525K for housing
 
Bennington Banner - Oct 06
EAST DORSET -- A proposed 24-unit affordable housing project will get a shot in the arm today when the state awards the town a $525,000 financing grant.

Click below for full story...

http://www.benningtonbanner.com/Stories/0,1413,104~8676~2451190,00.html

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Housing fund offers new permanent loans
 
Nashville City Paper - Oct 06
Over the past three months, the Nashville Housing Fund has raised $950,000 in funding so that it can offer long-term loans to nonprofit organizations wishing to build affordable multi-family housing units.

Click below for full story...

http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section=9&screen=news&news_id=36285

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More double-digit housing price rises forecast for state next year
 
The Californian - Oct 06
NORTH COUNTY ---- California housing prices will again increase by double digits during 2005, according to a forecast released Wednesday by the California Association of Realtors.

Click below for full story...

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2004/10/07/business/news/20_50_2910_6_04.txt

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HOUSING BUBBLE
 
The State - Oct 06
As interest rates increase after few years of record lows, some worry that low rates have created a housing bubble. That means when rates rise again, real estate prices will fall and leave many American homeowners seriously exposed.

Click below for full story...

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/business/9846166.htm

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Hundreds of affordable housing units planned statewide
 
KPUA Hilo - Oct 06
HONOLULU (AP) _ Governor Lingle says six private developers have been awarded tax credits and low-interest loans to provide 323 affordable housing rentals across the state.

Click below for full story...

http://www.kpua.net/news.php?id=3401

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Housing Fund Gap Leaves Projects Wanting: By MATTHEW ARTZ
 
Berkeley Daily Planet - Oct 05
The math of building affordable housing in Berkeley looks especially troubling this year.

Click below for full story...

http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/article.cfm?issue=10-05-04&storyID=19778

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Labor Dept. awards $1.5M housing grant
 
Daily Bulletin - Oct 06
OAKLAND - The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded a three-year, $1.5 million grant to the Corporation for Supportive Housing, a national non-profit organization dedicated to helping communities create permanent housing with services to prevent and end homelessness.

Click below for full story...

http://www.dailybulletin.com/Stories/0,1413,203~21482~2447785,00.html

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Mount Vernon Closes Buildings; Tenants Say Problems Were Years Old
 
New York Times - Oct 06
MOUNT VERNON, N.Y., Oct. 6 - A day after city inspectors declared a group of buildings "unsafe and dangerous" and abruptly ordered scores of residents to move out, housing advocates and tenants said the problems had persisted for years despite repeated complaints to the city.

Click below for full story...

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/07/nyregion/07unsafe.html?ex=1097812800&en=ae00f16ee88a214a&ei=5006&partner=ALTAVISTA1

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Housing authority promises changes
 
News-Register - Oct 05
NEWBERG - The Housing Authority of Yamhill County met Monday night with Latino tenants of the Woodside Park Apartments to discuss claims of discrimination and other complaints.

Click below for full story...

http://www.newsregister.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=185484

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For updates on tenants housing issues,
join Roll Back The Rents!

To join Roll Back The Rents,
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