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This is the February 2012 newsletter of ACHANGE, the Arkansas Coalition of Housing and Neighborhood Growth for Empowerment
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Volume 2, Issue 1
1
FEBRUARY 2012
Volume 2, Issue 1
2
ACHANGE’S
MISSION:
To collectively promote
quality affordable housing
and community economic
development in Arkansas.
IN THIS MONTH’S
ISSUE
3 Time for ACHANGE!
4 Chairman’s Corner
5 Principles of Community
Development
6 For Every Dream, There’s
“HOPE”
7 Nomination Ballot Info
8 News
9 Member news
10 Save The Date for June!
11 2012 Meeting Information
12 Executive Committee/
Contact Info
The 2011 Annual Report is available online at
http://issuu.com/ACHANGE/
docs/2011_achange_annual_report2.pdf/1
You can read it online or print from there.
If you would like a hard copy mailed to you, please contact
Debra at dbanks@achange.org or call 501-766-3941.
Volume 2, Issue 1
3
TIME FOR ACHANGE!
Ahhh February…..that wonderful time of the year when love is in the
air, and candy is everywhere. We all scurry around, trying to find that
perfect gift for that significant person in our lives, hoping against hope
that our offering will let that person know just how important he or she
is to us.
So it was, that in February, I, with the help of the Education and
Training and Membership and Marketing Committee, set out to make our February 14, meet-
ing memorable for everyone. I wanted both members and potential members to feel important.
The work that you do is valuable to so many people across the state of Arkansas, and generally,
you are the unheralded soldiers of affordable housing. You quietly go about your work, not ex-
pecting recognition or thanks.
In front of each chair at the meeting, we placed a special Valentine’s card that said:
“In residences all over the state, people who received your assistance
are living in safe affordable places.
Children are coming home to an environment where they can study and thrive.
Someone is putting a key in a door and smiling with the pride of homeownership.
Your involvement made those smiles possible.
Thank you for putting your heart into what you do everyday.
You are the heart of ACHANGE.”
Happy 2012 to everyone. It’s “Time for ACHANGE”. Wouldn’t you agree?
Debra Banks
Program Manager
Volume 2, Issue 1
4
CHAIRMAN’S CORNER
MY HOPE FOR ALL OF YOU
“Love is the most powerful force on earth.” - Merlin
We love our members! This February we chose to show apprecia-
tion to our members by providing a few gifts. Framed membership
certificates as well as lapel pins and annual reports are available for
all our members. If you did not get yours at the February meeting,
please call Debra.
Membership at ACHANGE comes with benefits:
Engaging and information-packed bi-monthly meetings
Opportunities to advocate for public policy changes and improvements
Utilization of our collective voices to promote the housing needs of families in Arkansas
Funding opportunities
Scholarships to national trainings
Awards and recognition to our membership
High quality annual training on topics that effect our members
The opportunity to network with organizations that are doing great things in Arkansas
As you can see, our members are important to us. If you are not a member, do not delay
another day. Get an application from dbanks@achange.org. You will finally feel the love
the rest of us feel!
Karen Phillips
ACHANGE Board President
Volume 2, Issue 1
5
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
PRINCIPLES OF GOOD PRACTICE:
Pt. 5: Strategizing for Long-Term Sustainability
The fifth component of the Community Development Principles of Good Practice is to "Be
open to using the full range of action strategies to work toward the long-term sustainability and
well being of the community.”
“Man is so made that once anything fires his soul, impossibilities vanish” (Jean de la Fontaine).
De la Fontaine, a 17th century French poet, was a very astute observer of the results that can be
accomplished when human beings open themselves up to possibilities. Rather than saying it can’t
be done, those whose souls have been fired, will explore every opportunity and pursue the
knowledge necessary to make it happen.
People who work in the affordable housing arena are open to any and all possibilities. Everyday
they put together the strategies that will help them to turn an empty lot into a home for one fami-
ly or many families, and help those families qualify to occupy that developed piece of property.
You understand that by doing so, you help to stabilize a neighborhood and positively impact the
economy of that community.
Affordable housing is important to long-term sustainability and community well-being. Creating
thriving neighborhoods is hard work, and no one is more suited to do that job than those agen-
cies that have devoted their existences to providing safe and affordable housing.
The new realities of upcoming federal and state budgets may mean that agencies will have to be
more creative in getting the job done. Every possibility will have to be explored, but who is better
at that than you? If there is a way, affordable housing providers will find it.
Volume 2, Issue 1
6
For Every Dream, there’s
New ACHANGE member, HOPE Credit Union) is a
financial institution, community development intermediary
and policy center that provides affordable financial
services; leverages private, public and philanthropic
resources; and engages in policy analysis in order to fulfill
its mission of strengthening communities, building assets,
and improving lives in economically distressed parts of
the Mid South.
Since 1994, HOPE’s efforts have generated over $1.6
billion in financing and benefited more than 90,000
individuals in the Delta, Katrina-affected areas and other
distressed communities throughout Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.
HOPE has a demonstrated track record of success in the following areas:
• Business Lending: Loans for small- & medium-sized businesses ♦ New Markets Tax Credit
financing ♦ Public agency guarantees and credit enhancements ♦
Financing for nonprofits, community facilities, health care, child
care and other community infrastructure ♦ Loan participations
• Housing Finance: Single family mortgages ♦ Low-Income
Housing Tax Credit debt and equity ♦ Development of rental and
owner-occupied housing
• Retail Financial Services: Transaction products such as checking
accounts, online banking, credit cards, debit cards, ATM cards ♦
Savings products including Individual Development Accounts, IRAs ♦ Secured and unsecured
consumer loans for automobiles, home equity, payday alternative loans
• Intermediary Services: Financial counseling such as foreclosure mitigation, homebuyer
education, VITA ♦ Affordable housing development ♦ Loan fund administration ♦ Project
design and management
Policy Analysis and Advocacy: Family Economic Self Sufficiency ♦ Responsible Financial
Services ♦ Budget and Tax Equity
If you’d like to learn more, contact Program Officer Wonder Lowe at 501-490-0312 or email
her at wlowe@hopecu.org.
Volume 2, Issue 1
7
7TH ANNUAL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICE
AWARDS
NOMINATION BALLOT
Recognizing the contributions of individuals, organizations and companies
in improving the quality of life of low wealth families and communities
across Arkansas
Nominations can be submitted electronically at http://
app.fluidsurveys.com/surveys/achange/community-development-
service-awards-nominations/
For a printed copy of the nomination form, contact Debra at
dbanks@achange.org or call
501-766-3941.
Volume 2, Issue 1
8
NEWS
HUD comment period open for Public Housing Agency (PHA)
5-Year and Annual Plan Proposal
The purpose of the plan is to provide a framework for local accountability and an easily
identifiable source by which public housing residents, participants in the tenant-based
assistance program, and other members of the public may locate basic PHA policies, rules and
requirements concerning the PHA’s operations, programs and services. PHAs are required to
submit annual and 5-Year Plans to HUD as required by
section 5A of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42
U.S.C. 1437c–1).
The proposed information collection requirement will be
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
for review, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended). The Department
is soliciting public comments on the subject proposal.
MORTGAGE SETTLEMENT NEWS
Arkansas was a part of the historic settlement between
Attorneys General in 49 states and the five largest mortgage
lenders in the nation. The settlement will provide long-term
reform to mortgage servicing practices and create a system for
monitoring and enforcing the new standards.
The settlement will provide more than $25 billion in relief nationwide to distressed borrowers
and direct payments to states and the federal government-including nearly $40 million for
Arkansas.
To learn more about how this settlement will affect Arkansas, be sure to attend the April 10,
2012, meeting. Representatives from the Attorney General’s office will be one of the special
guest presenters for the month.
DEADLINE TO
COMMENT
The comment
period ends April
3, 2012.
To read the Federal Register
information, click here to read.
Volume 2, Issue 1
9
MEMBER NEWS!!!
NEW AND RENEWING MEMBERS
NEW MEMBERS
PDC Companies, Little Rock
RENEWING MEMBERS
Crawford-Sebastian County Community Development Council, Inc., Fort Smith
Universal Housing Development Corporation, Russellville
CHANGES!!!
Two of our member organizations have recently had a few changes of their
own, changes that both feel more accurately reflect their missions and visions.
Metropolitan Housing Alliance is the new name of the Little Rock
Housing Authority. The new name and new logo reflect the geographic outreach
and goals of the organization—to promote and develop a brighter future for the com-
munities it serves. The new name tells residents, partners and community members
that the Alliance is dedicated to developing more opportunities and more partner-
ships as it spreads across a larger geographic area. MHA is committed to “Giving
Every Street a Neighborhood, Making Every House a Home”.
For more information on the Metropolitan Housing Alliance, click here.
The Southern Good Faith Fund and Southern Bancorp Cap-
ital Partners have united common vision of reducing poverty,
decreasing unemployment, and increasing educational attain-
ment in targeted communities. The new streamlined organization, known as Southern Bancorp
Community Partners, will enhance impact in those communities.
For more information on Southern Bancorp Community Partners, click here.
Volume 2, Issue 1
10
June 19-22, 2012
Save the Date: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WEEK
Tickets go on sale
and
registration
begins on
April 16th!
ACHANGE cordially invites you to attend a week of activities in celebration of National Home-
ownership Month!
JUNE 19
2012 Community Development Service Awards
Celebrate the outstanding contributions of community leaders, development professionals and
individuals in the fields of community and economic development.
JUNE 20
Public Policy Symposium
Join concerned citizens and community economic development professionals as they discuss
trends and the ties that should bind housing and economic development in Arkansas
communities.
JUNE 21-22
Community Development Training Conference
Strengthen your organization’s capacity, enhance and obtain new development skills and in-
crease your productivity at this two day conference offering classes specifically designed for
existing and potential CHDOs, foreclosure counselors, homebuyer educators, and
managers of nonprofit organizations.
Volume 2, Issue 1
11
2012 MEETING SCHEDULE
ACHANGE IN ACTION
2012 started off in a big way. The first meeting of the year was well-attended and provided
members and guests with useful information and a wonderful opportunity to network.
Presenters for the February meeting
________
Visited the Member’s Forum lately? Now, you can post topics for discussion. Get a discussion
started today! If you need password assistance, just email Debra at dbanks@achange.org.
4/10/2012
Scheduled
Mortgage Settlement Information from
the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office
The Arkansas Community Foundation
These are only a few of the persons in attendance for February.
ACHANGE member Michael Jackson Natalie Jonkhout, Hugh Rowden, and
Michelle Grier of Wells Fargo.
Volume 2, Issue 1
12
ACHANGE Executive Committee
Board Chairman—Karen Phillips
1st Vice Chairman—Susan Forte
2nd Vice Chairman—George Holcomb
Secretary— Frances Newsome
Treasurer—Cathy Carlock
Associate At-Large Board Member—Martie North
At-Large Board Member—Darryl Swinton
Program Manager—Debra Banks
Committee Chairs
Education and Training Committee Chairman—Roma Isom
Finance Committee Chairman—Cathy Carlock
Membership & Marketing Committee Chairman—George Holcomb
Public Policy Committee Chairman—Darryl Swinton
Resource Development Chairman—Charles Vann
Ad-hoc Committee Chairman—Martie North
Follow ACHANGE on
Facebook by clicking the
logo or by clicking here!
Follow ACHANGE on
Twitter by clicking the logo
or by clicking here!
401 Main Street, Suite 206
North Little Rock, AR 72114
501-766-3941 Fax: 501-244-9670
At ACHANGE, your membership matters.
Come grow along with us!
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