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Oddz N Ends

June is National Homeownership Month

This year’s theme is Rural Housing/Rural Jobs. Events are being held in communities throughout the country to highlight the importance of housing and its connection to jobs and economic growth. "Housing drives rural economies and supports healthy rural communities," said USDA Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, in a press release issued on June 1. >>

RCAC promotes interactive communication through social networks

RCAC launched its social media network with Facebook, Twitter  and LinkedIn. Like, follow or join us! Also, Subscribe via RSS to our industry news section.

RCAP published new guide to help communities report on recovery act funds

Rural Community Assistance Partnership’s (RCAP) ARRA Registering and Reporting Guide is aimed at communities that have received American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) loans and/or grants through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS).

The guide helps small communities and systems comply with the reporting process associated with ARRA funds. Guide users are walked through the steps of registering for a DUNS number with Central Contractor Registration, and with registering and using FederalReporting.gov.

The step-by-step guide includes common mistakes to avoid that the authors have witnessed in their own communities. The guide is written by RCAP staff who have experience providing assistance to communities that receive funds from USDA Rural Utility Service. Although it was written by RCAP staff in one region, the guide applies to borrowers and grant recipients in any part of the United States and territories. The publication will be mailed to all ARRA recipient communities, state Rural Development offices and the home office of each region. Electronic copies are available for download on the RCAP national website >>

New report finds renters face record high affordability problems

The Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University released the report America’s Rental Housing: Meeting Challenges, Building on Opportunities that examines rental market conditions following the recession, especially the renewed need among low-income families; factors behind the affordability crisis; challenges in producing and preserving affordable units; and policy recommendations for financing. Access the press release, report fact sheet and the report, on The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation website >> 

New Oregon Rural Developments newsletter now available

The new Oregon Rural Developments newsletter provides information and updates on programs and funding opportunities available through USDA Rural Development in Oregon. The newsletter will be published on a quarterly basis with current news about USDA Rural Development programs including:

• Single and Multi-Family Housing Programs
• Business and Cooperative Programs
• Community Facility, Water and Environmental Programs  

Access the newsletter and subscribe>>

Small water system quick guide to building essential relationships

The U.S. EPA created a two page guide to assist small community water systems’ operators and owners communicate with decision makers. Maintaining a good relationship with decision makers can ensure that your system operates efficiently. The decision maker can help you keep customers informed of the challenges you face and hard work that you do. The guide’s tips will increase your awareness and help you build a foundation of trust within your community. Access the guide >>

Migrant health providers tool kit

The National Center for Farmworker Health (NCFH) created a tool kit that provides migrant health center staff with management materials, such as sample policies, procedures and forms. The tool kit is specifically designed according to the administrative and governance program expectations of the Bureau of Primary Health Care. Access the tool kit on the NCFH website >>

Social networking tools will continue to drive change, report suggests

By 2015, technology and social networks will change the way people organize, a new report from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Monitor Institute finds.

The report, Connected Citizens: The Power, Peril and Potential of Networks (55 pages, PDF), draws on more than seventy examples to illustrate how networks are being used to drive transparency in government, better care for the elderly, and more effective emergency assistance in the wake of disasters. Read the PND annoucement>>

Conference to address housing and jobs

Housing Washington, taking place September 26 - 28 in Spokane, will address the relationship between housing and jobs, and the resulting economic impacts that tie into the livelihood of urban and rural communities. Mark your calendars today to join your colleagues in the affordable housing industry at the best and largest conference of its kind in the region. Read more for registration information>> 

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