National CAPACD’s Policy Update

This summer, the Housing & Economic Recovery Act of 2008 was passed in attempts to provide relief for homeowners at risk of foreclosure.  The bill included provisions to expand foreclosure mitigation counseling, buy and revitalize foreclosure homes, and offered a voluntary program that would modify home loans into FHA-insured loans.  Despite these efforts the number of foreclosures across the country continues to rise.  

The growing economic crisis has now overshadowed the need of struggling homeowners.  The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (EESA) of 2008, became law in the fall.  It expanded the program but focused in a large part on providing monetary aid to ailing financial institutions.

Earlier this month, Members of Congress came back to Washington DC in hopes of addressing the economic crisis.  There had been discussions around expanding aid to homeowners and strengthening programs passed within EESA.  What resulted from the session though were discussions on the struggling auto industry and no resolutions. 

It is believed that Congress will meet for yet another session in December to decide whether to provide financial support to the auto industry.  It is unlikely that any aid to homeowners will be addressed before the next administration comes into office.

Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) proposals available now for review! 

The Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) is a $3.9 billion program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that will buy foreclosed properties for revitalization and resale.  The funds have been allocated to select local and state agencies (Grantees) who are now in the process of drafting project proposals due to HUD on December 1, 2008.  Project proposals will outline the use of the allocated funds.

Non-profit organizations have the opportunity to participate in the program and receive NSP funds through their local and state agencies. Contact your selected local and state agencies to learn how your organization may get involved!

View the list of local and state agencies (Grantees) drafting project proposals here.

2) Call to Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to Serve the New Administration!

The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, a coalition of twenty-five Asian Pacific American organizations around the country, is welcoming information from individuals interested in positions that are Presidential Appointments with Senate Confirmation and Presidential Appointments within the Executive Branch, Departments, and Independent Agencies (please refer to the Plum Book for further information). 

Please note: 

• Presidential appointments include high-level positions such as Deputy Assistant Secretary; Assistant Secretary; or Assistant Attorney General, etc.  Most of these high-level positions will likely be filled by national or state elected officials, state administrators, CEO’s of major corporations or nonprofits and /or those who contributed significantly to the campaign either in volunteer hours and/or financially. 
• As you consider whether to apply to the Administration for a Presidential Appointment, please keep in mind that most of these positions will require relocation and a detailed vetting process which includes financial disclosures and background checks.
• Pleaes also note that a recommendation from NCAPA does not guarantee an offer from the Administration.  They suggest that you use multiple options to move your applications forward and to follow the application process outlined at www.change.gov

To Be Considered by NCAPA:

• What to Send: Please submit a cover letter, resume/curriculum vitae; and list of references.  The cover letter should identify at minimum three agencies and positions of interest to you.  Send attachments via e-mail to .  In the subject line of the e-mail, please put your full name and indicate the agencies of interest to you (such as “First Name, Last Name: Treasury; Justice; and State”)
• Review by NCAPA:  A Transition Committee of NCAPA will review resumes.  During the review process, NCAPA will look to the following criteria: (a) qualifications and professional record of accomplishments; (b) record of community and policy service; and (c) awareness/understanding of AA and NHPI communities and issues.  Due to time and capacity constraints, only candidates that NCAPA would like to recommend will be contacted to obtain further information. 

For additional questions, please contact

3)  Deadline Approaching! Apply Today for the Community Development Training Fund!

Don’t Wait!  Apply Today!

National CAPACD is pleased to announce a call for applications for the 2009 Community Development Training Fund!  If you would like an application, please download it here or contact Hieu Truong at .

Program Description:  The Community Development Training Fund provides scholarships of up to $500 for individuals to attend trainings and conferences in the fields of housing, community and economic development.  These scholarships may be used to cover travel, accommodations, and registration fees at relevant trainings and conferences. 

Examples of Trainings:
•    Center for Nonprofit Advancement Learning & Leadership Institute
•    Annual Conference of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition
•    Development Training Institute Workshops

We encourage individuals to apply for scholarships to trainings and other learning opportunities that are not listed here.  Learning opportunities can also include engagements such as site visits to other community based organizations.  If you choose a learning opportunity that is not listed above, please provide a detailed description of it along with your application.  Please note that the Community Development Training Fund Scholarships may not be applied to National CAPACD’s Annual Convention or in conjunction with an already awarded NeighborWorks Training Institute scholarsips offered by National CAPACD.

Scholarships will be offered in the form of a reimbursement.  Recipients must complete a National CAPACD evaluation of the training effectiveness in order to receive reimbursement.

Requirements:

1)  Applicant must be a current paid staff member of a National CAPACD member organization
2)  Organizational operating budget must be less than $500,000
3)  Training must be attended within 12 months from the date of the award letter
4)  Scholarships are applicable only to future trainings

Deadline:

Applications must be received by December 1, 2008.  Please note our new address, and send complete application and materials to:
 
  
National CAPACD Community Development Training Fund
1628 16th Street NW, 4th Floor
Washington, DC  20009

4)  NeighborWorks Training Institute Scholarships Available to National CAPACD Members!

National CAPACD is pleased to announce another scholarship opportunity.  Through the George Knight Scholarship Program, National CAPACD and NeighborWorks® America are offering a limited number of full tuition and single-room lodging scholarships to National CAPACD members to attend up to 5 days of training at the upcoming NeighborWorks® Training Institute in Atlanta, GA from February 16-20, 2009.  
The scholarship does NOT include travel, incidentals, and most meals.  Continental breakfast and morning and afternoon beverages are served each day. Hot and cold hor d’oeuvres will be served at the networking reception.  All other meals are at your own expense.

WHO SHOULD APPLY
This is an opportunity for community organizations to develop or strengthen their capacity to address the ongoing foreclosure crisis.  As such, additional consideration will be given to applicants who request at least one foreclosure-related course.  These trainings can be useful for the development of a foreclosure counseling program, or for the broadening of existing translation services. 

If you are interested in taking courses on other topics, National CAPACD encourages you to take a look at the other scholarships being offered through NeighborWorks America.  Although eligibility requirements vary by scholarship, National CAPACD strongly encourages its members to take advantage of these opportunities if possible.  They can be found at here.

Staff at National CAPACD paid member organizations and paid Individual members of National CAPACD are eligible for this scholarship.   If you are interested in becoming a member of National CAPACD, please visit our website for a membership application at http://www.nationalcapacd.org.

HOW TO APPLY
Please download the application here or you can email to request an application.  To submit it,  please send the application by fax to (202) 223-4144 or email to by close of business on Thursday, December 4, 2008. 

Please include the following with your application:
1.    A statement of less than 500 words briefly describing your role, interest and involvement with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) related community development activities.
2.    A statement of less than 500 words describing how you anticipate the training will help your organization  strengthen their capacity to respond to the current foreclosure crisis.
3.    Resume or biography.