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Self-Help Builder News October 2012, Volume 5, Issue #3
The Self-Help Builder News is also available as a PDF, if you prefer. Just click here to view.
The fix is not in . . .
By Stanley Keasling, RCAC chief executive officer
I wish I could tell you that the fix to the rural definition is safely within the Continuing Resolution (CR), but it is not. Neither Congress nor the Administration agreed to include the fix in their version of the CR, and that is the only piece of legislation that they managed to move before adjourning till after the election. Read more >>
Self-help housing: A view from the road
By Jeremy Raff, RCAC multi-media specialist
It’s been a while since I've eaten fried summer squash on young moms' and dads' front lawns with a gaggle of kids turning somersaults, vying for attention. This scene was not out of place in the last two weeks of July, however, as I traveled the West interviewing self-help families in Montana, Utah, Colorado and Arizona ... Read more >>
Coming Home: Visalia seminar survey results
In June, a conference sponsored by Rural LISC, NeighborWorks and RCAC was held in Visalia. All of the seminar presentation and resource materials are available on the Rural LISC website. In preparation for the conference, RCAC surveyed grantees for information about their programs. Read more >>
Diversifying your organizational income
By Joni Foster, RCAC housing and community director, and Billie Heath, RCAC self-help housing coordinator
Many nonprofit organizations look for new ways to generate revenue by offering core services for a fee or creating spinoff businesses that generates income.
A good example is the 502 Loan Packaging Pilot where grantees are using their loan packaging skills to develop applications for regular 502 loans in underserved counties in their state. RCAC’s program has 14 grantees working on this pilot and they earn a small fee for every completed loan package. Read more >>
Grantee of the Month: Housing Kitsap
By Billie Heath, RCAC self-help housing coordinator
Since 1973, Housing Kitsap, formerly known as Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority, has helped more than 1,400 families become homeowners through the self-help housing program. Building in the western counties of Kitsap, Jefferson and Mason counties of Washington State, this grantee is the second oldest consecutive producer for the program in the state. Read more >>
RCAC’s Finnly Sutton steps down after 14 years
Finnly Sutton, RCAC special projects director, and former housing program manager, joined RCAC as a rural development specialist in 1998. Since then, he has held several other positions at RCAC including grants and contracts administration manager and state team director. He took the helm as housing director in 2007. After 14 years at RCAC, Sutton has decided to retire. Read more >>
USDA forgoes release of Section 515 Notice of Funding Availability
Reprinted with permission from Washington State Rural Developments, Volume 1, Issue 7, September 2012
Section 515 NOFA – The agency has decided to forego the release of the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Sec. 515 new construction projects. This decision not to fund new construction was due to the need to conform to the law as interpreted by the Supreme Court ... Read more >>
USDA Rural Development launches new resource
Reprinted with permission from Washington State Rural Developments, Volume 1, Issue 7, September 2012
A new resource is available on the Rural Development website that outlines spending levels in each state for 21 of USDA Rural Development’s major (i.e., major in dollar terms) programs. Read more >>
The economic impact of home building in Washington State
Reprinted with permission from the Olympia Master Builders Highlight New Home Advantages
When residential construction occurs, it generates substantial economic activity in the state where it takes place. The economic activity generated includes income and jobs for state residents, as well as revenue for state and local governments. Read more >>
Modern features, community support among new home benefits
Reprinted with permission Olympia Master Builders Highlight New Home Advantages
The home building industry is celebrating New Homes Month, just as many families begin to think about buying a home that better suits their needs during the home-buying season. The advantages of newly-constructed homes and condominiums extend beyond the features enjoyed by the home buyer ... Read more >>
California self-help housing network meeting
By Jeremy Raff, RCAC multi-media specialist and Erika Holzhauer, RCAC rural development specialist-housing
The California Self-Help Housing Network met at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio in early May. Sponsored by RCAC and Coachella Valley Housing Coalition, 14 staffers from People’s Self-Help Housing, RCHDC, South County Housing, Self-Help Enterprises and RCAC gathered to discuss energy-efficiency, earn a sexual harassment prevention certification from RCAC, and discuss best practices for on-site management. Read more >>
Latest SHARES access issues
By Nancy Jacobsen, RCAC rural development specialist-housing
Many of you either have, or will get, a new computer with updated software. That software may cause a problem with SHARES access. Read more >>
Scam alert from USDA
We have recently learned of several attempted scams involving borrowers of Direct Rural Development home loans or applicants for federal assistance. Read more >>
Self-help news & notices
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