Third Bridge Now Campaign has open house

March 30 through April

The 2010 Education Summit today announced both national and regional keynote speakers

Dear Portlanders,  

The 2010 Education Summit today announced both national and regional keynote speakers for the first annual event: Special Assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Education, Greg Darnieder, and 2008 National Teacher of the Year Michael Geisen. The announcement follows a year-long, regional effort led by Mayor Adams and former County Chair Ted Wheeler to create a vehicle for ongoing discussion about education in the Portland region.   

Education is vital to our goal of becoming the most sustainable city in the world. The only way we will achieve this goal is through partnership and collaboration. We want Portland to be known not just as the ‘greenest’ city in America, but the most educated.  

The Summit will take shape in two formats, a Town Hall dialogue on April 10^th and a Leadership Summit on April 12^th. The Town Hall serves to engage the community in a meaningful conversation about how we as a community can ensure all students have access to resources that help them graduate high school on time and go on to post-secondary education. Resources for youth and families will be available as well as snacks and child care. 

COMMUNITY TOWN HALL
Keynote Speaker: Michael Geisen
Saturday, April 10^th, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
FREE and open to the public
Location: Parkrose High School

LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
Keynote Speaker: Greg Darnieder 
Monday, April 12^th, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
$10 Registration fee before March 22nd. Tickets purchased after March 22nd are $15.
Click to purchase tickets
Location: Oregon Convention Center

“We cannot call our schools excellent until there is excellence for every student,” said Dan Ryan, CEO of the Portland Schools Foundation. “The issue of equity in our schools needs Portland’s best thinking and the summit is an opportunity to re-focus our attention on equity and excellence for all students–our kids deserve that.” 

The Leadership Summit aims to build on the existing work of the Education Cabinet, bringing together top minds in education, including elected officials, school district leaders and business leaders for the opportunity to dig into compelling data about how our community is supporting young people and where we are falling short. This is a time to share and commit to collective action toward securing a more promising future for our youth. 

“We must do all that we can to improve the high school graduation rate to ensure the future workforce is qualified for careers in our local economy, said Worksystems Inc.  Executive Director Andrew McGough. “The whole region has a stake in this and the Education Summit will provide an important opportunity for thought leaders to look closely at this issue.”  

To watch the Education Summit video, please click here.  

The 2010 Education Summit is sponsored by the City of Portland, Multnomah County, Worksystems Inc., and The Portland Schools Foundation.

I hope you will join us for the Summit and together, we will make Portland the “City that Learns”.

Regards,

Sam Adams

Mayor

You are invited! The City of Portland ’s Office of Neighborhood Involvement (ONI) will present its proposed budget to the City Council next week

Dear Neighborhood Association Leader,   You are invited!   The City of Portland ’s Office of Neighborhood Involvement (ONI) will present its proposed budget to the City Council next week on:

DATE:                     Wed. MARCH 31      (NOTE:  the presentation was rescheduled from Mar. 30, 9 a.m.)

TIME:                       2:45 p.m.

PLACE:                   Portland City Hall , Council Chambers

                                   1221 S.W. 4^th Ave. (downtown)

ONI’s budget includes the majority of the funding for the seven district neighborhood coalitions/offices, communications allocations to neighborhoods associations, and the Neighborhood Small Grants program.

In recent years, community members have filled the City Council Chamber when the ONI budget was presented. A strong community presence has an impact on the City Council’s willingness to support ONI’s budget request.

Community members are encouraged to attend. The presentation should take about half an hour. (No public testimony will be allowed—this is a City Council work session not a public hearing.)

The ONI budget proposal was developed by ONI’s Budget Advisory Committee (BAC) over the fall and winter. The BAC included many neighborhood and community representatives, worked in an open, collaborative process, and developed a recommendation that supports neighborhood associations and community groups.

Given the hard economic times, the city’s budget office required all city agencies to prepare a budget that included significant cuts. The ONI BAC complied with this request, but also is proposing—“the right budget for ONI”—that would restore some of the cuts—especially those to the Neighborhood Small Grants Program.

Background information about ONI’s budget proposal is available through the links below:

ONI Requested Budget FY2010-11 Summary/Facts :  Summary of the ONI budget development process and the resulting budget request. (http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?c=51168&a=288559)

ONI Requested Budget Summary – the numbers :  Summary table of the ONI FY2010-11 Requested Budget as approved by the ONI BAC. (http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?c=51168&a=288562)

ONI Requested Budget FY2010-11 :  The ONI FY2010-11 Requested Budget with narrative and summary numbers as submitted to the Office of Management and Finance on February 1, 2010.  (http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?c=51168&a=288563)

For more information please contact Paul Leistner (503-823-5284; paul.leistner@portlandoregon.gov)  at ONI or contact your neighborhood coalition office. 

Thank you!

Paul

  Paul Leistner
Neighborhood Program Coordinator
City of Portland, Office of Neighborhood Involvement
City Hall, 1221 SW 4th Ave., #110, Portland, OR  97204
W: 503.823.5284, Fax: 503.823.3050, TTY: 503.823.6868
paul.leistner@portlandoregon.gov

Making Home Affordable Program and HOPE NOW Alliance to Host Free Homeownership Preservation

This is courtesy of Portland Association of Realtors:

Making Home Affordable Program and HOPE NOW Alliance to Host Free Homeownership Preservation

PORTLAND, OR — A homeownership preservation workshop, sponsored by the Obama Administration’s Making Home Affordable Program, HOPE NOW Alliance and NeighborWorks® America, will be held in Portland for all homeowners who may be at risk of foreclosure. The workshop is free, open to the public, and provides a chance for homeowners to meet face-to-face with their mortgage company and a HUD-approved counseling agency to work on a solution to help them stay in their home.
 
WHO: Portland homeowners who are in default on their mortgage or may be at risk of foreclosure
WHAT: Free Homeownership Preservation Workshop
WHEN: Tuesday, March 23, 2010, 1:00 pm -7:30 pm
WHERE: Doubletree Hotel Portland, 1000 NE Multnomah Street, Portland, OR 97232
 
The Obama Administration’s Making Home Affordable Program was created to help millions of homeowners refinance or modify their mortgage payments to a level that is more affordable. For more information, go to www.MakingHomeAffordable.gov

IRS Grants Relief for Taxpayers Who Lost Funds

NEW DEVELOPMENT!

 IRS Grants Relief for Taxpayers Who Lost Funds

in Exchange Company Bankruptcies

Revenue Procedure 2010-14 issued March 5, 2010 creates a safe harbor for Taxpayers who were unable to complete their exchange due to the bankruptcy of their exchange company.

While this Revenue Procedure is complicated, in simple terms, the gain will not be taxable in the year of sale if the Taxpayer reports the gain in accordance with the newly created safe harbor.  When the Taxpayer does receive payments out of the bankruptcy estate or other settlement, the gain will be incrementally taxable as and when received, pursuant to a ratio of the profit over the contract sale price.

The safe harbor sets forth strict criteria for eligible transactions.  Taxpayers who have experienced losses due to an exchange company bankruptcy should consult with their tax advisor.

For more information feel free to call the staff at IPX1031. (888) 310-1031 or (503) 223-3911.

Pre-screen your rental inquiries to save time and effort

Prescreening defined:  eliminate time wasters!  Improve your odds of closing a “deal” with an applicant.  This means getting them to apply, get approved, pay the funds, and move in!

 Know your 10 second commercial:  Mine is “we screen for credit, criminal, eviction, employment, and landlord verification.  The screening fee is $40.00 per adult over the age of 18.  All parties that will be on the agreement apply.”

 After you have given your commercial you can explore the caller’s reaction.  “Do you have credit, criminal, eviction, employment, or landlord issues you would like to make us aware of prior to renting?  Will any of these screening areas be a problem for you?”  Have a conversation.  Be aware that tenants will tell a story.  The screening facts matter. 

 Don’t try to define your criteria or establish if a caller can pass it.  Offer to provide it in writing and invite all callers to apply.  Treat all parties the same.  “We provide screening criteria and lead based paint disclosure and photos prior to booking an appointment to show.  Do you have email?”

 “Have you driven by the property yet?”  Explore if they are familiar with the area.

 Next you can move on to your property rules.  Questions such as the following are helpful.

 “Do you have pets of any sort? – reiterate your pet policy.  Ours is “we do not accept any aggressive breeds.  Pet visit at your home may be required prior to approval of a pet.”

 “What date are you interested in moving?” – reiterate your move in policy.  Ours is “we do not hold homes more than seven days once an applicant is approved.  Upon approval you will have 48 hours to pay an execution deposit and sign an execution agreement.  These are certified funds.”

 “Do you have any “musts” for a property that we should know about before showing you the house?”

 “This house has __________________ heat.”  “The tenant pays for all utilities except ___________________.”

 “This house is (small) or (duplex) or has a (garage) that is used primarily for storage.”

 “We are showing the property at ___________________________.  Would you like to be present at that appointment?  What is a good cell # for you? _______________________”

 We require a confirmation phone call prior to our dispatching to the appointment.  Please call to confirm when you are on your way to the home or cancel at ________________.  We don’t go to the house without a confirmation call.

If you would like help buying or selling a home in Oregon and Washington please give me a call!

Kathryn King 503-997-9035, kathryn@kjkproperties.com

HUD HIGHLIGHTS March 2010 e-Briefs from Oregon and Washington

HUD HIGHLIGHTS

March 2010

HUD e-Briefs from Alaska, Idaho, Oregon & Washington

Mary McBride, Region X Regional Director        206/220-5356       Leland Jones, Editor

ON THE JOB

  It was standing room at HUD Seattle on Tuesday morning, March 2^nd, as Mary McBride officially assumed her new duties as HUD’s Regional Director for Region X serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.   The oath of office was administered by Deputy Secretary Ron Sims who said Mary is “knows how to build and sustain working partnerships that get things done.”  Mary, who comes to HUD from U.S. Senator Patty Murray’s staff and who previously served as Washington State Director for USDA Rural Development said “Given the importance of HUD to the daily lives and long-term futures of communities big and small, it is an honor to serve as HUD’s Regional Director for the Northwest, especially in an Administration so committed to sustainability, accountability and creativity in putting Federal resources to work,” As Regional Director, she’ll be HUD’s liaison to mayors, city managers, elected state and local officials, congressional delegations, stakeholders and customers and be responsible for overseeing the delivery of HUD programs and services to communities, as well as evaluating their efficiency and effectiveness.

FARE WELL

HUD Deputy Regional Director Martha Dilts, based at HUD Seattle, and HUD Boise Field Office Director William Jolley both have announced that they will retire from the Department on March 31^st.  Martha, who’s been with HUD for more than 11 years, plans to travel and, then explore “new ways to stay involved” in the community.  Bill who’s headed HUD Boise for two years plans to return to Georgia to rejoin his family.

BRIEF BRIEFS

RuralCAP, Alaska Legal Services and Consumer Credit Counseling tap Recovery Act funds to launch housinghelpnowalaska.org campaign “to help Alaskans who are struggling to manage mortgages, rent, loans, credit card debt, and at risk of losing their home”. . .Housing Authority of Portland cuts ribbon on the redeveloped 48-unit, 5-story James C. Hawthorne building to house its Bridgeview which serves individuals who are or are at risk of becoming homeless. . .Calling it “just the right thing to do,” Pam Tietz,  executive director of Clallam County housing authority, tells Peninsula Daily News her authority “plans to consolidate” with “less robust” Jefferson County to provide more housing and programs to residents who may presently be underserved. . . Agriculture Secretary Vilsack announces $749,000 Recovery Act grant to improve broadband infrastructure in Sandy. . .After a decade of “hard work at work worth doing,” Krag Johnsen bids farewell as chief operating officer of the Denali Commission, noting that “over $1 billion in Denali Commission funding for infrastructure, training and economic development has been put to work while I have been here”. . .Oregon Housing & Community Services’ Victor Merced reports that, “so far” it’s used Recovery Act funds to weatherize more than 300 homes with an estimated energy savings of 7,240 million British Thermal Units. . Meanwhile, Energy Department reports through February 16^th, Idaho ranks 5^th and Washington State ranks 9^th in percentage of planned units weatherized. .. . .Kitsap County housing authority names Tony Caldwell, formerly with Monterey County, California authority, as its new executive director. . .Wilsonville Spokesman says city’s Villebois development has been cited as a “community of the year” by National Association of Homebuilders. . .SeaMar Community Health Center finalizes plans to celebrate completion of 25-unit Cesar Chavez Village town home development in South Park neighborhood of Seattle on March 31^st, the anniversary of Mr. Chavez’s birth. . .Preservation Idaho taking nominations for 33^rd annual Orchids & Onions Awards until March 15^th. . .Hoping to save some 29,000 kilowatt hours of energy a year, St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County starts its first solar retrofit, starting to inst 16 solar panels on roof of Mary Skinner Apartments in Eugene.

QUOTE TO NOTE

“If you asked Stanley Tom, the Tribal Administrator of Newtok, Alaska, where the ground beneath residents’ feet is literally melting because of the effects of climate change, he would tell you sustainability is about survival itself — not only about preserving jobs and homes, but the lives of residents. And that’s why they’re taking historic steps to physically move the boundaries of their town to safer ground.  Whether it’s revitalizing a town center, connecting affordable housing to transportation and jobs, linking cities and suburbs to one another, or taking extraordinary measures to make the places we live more resilient to climate change, every one of these communities has a different interpretation of what sustainability means to them — driven not by what Washington says, but by local needs, local markets and local demands. And fundamentally, each of these communities is thinking about the same thing:  The future — how they can meet the needs of today without compromising the futures of their children and grandchildren. That is sustainability.” – Secretary Donovan announcing new Office of Sustainability at New Partners for Smart Growth Conference in Seattle, February 4^th.

HUD WANTS TO KNOW

In February speeches in Portland and Seattle in early February, Secretary Donovan announced creation of a new HUD Office of Sustainable Housing & Communities to “to tie the quality and location of housing to broader opportunities such as access to good jobs, quality schools, and safe streets.”  Under the direction of Shelley Poticha, one of the Office’s first tasks will be distribution of some $100 million appropriated by Congress for regional integrated planning grants. Now, the Secretary would like to hear your feedback, by March 12^th, on the how’s, what’s and why’s of the new Office and the grant program.  To view the proposals, visit http://portal.hud.gov/jamwiki/en/StartingPoints;jsessionid=5203605341DAA84ACE625DA3D97BE739 where you’ll find all the details.  But please remember that we’d like to hear from you by March 12^th.

GOT VIEWS?

Want to share your views on or experiences with sustainability directly with Deputy Secretary Sims and Shelley Poticha?  Then join them – remotely – from 10 to 11 a.m. Pacific on March 9^th or on March 11^th for a nationwide sustainable housing and communities Webcast from HUD Headquarters.  It’s part of a nationwide “listening tour” HUD’s conducting to “learn how” the new Sustainable Communities Planning Grant “can best be used to spur local innovations” that will “help communities grown more sustainably.”  You’ll be able to submit questions or comments by e-mail.  For more, visit www.hud.gov/webcasts/index.cfm 

BRIEF BRIEFS TOO

March 15^th is deadline to apply for $4.8 billion in USDA Rural Utilities and National Telecommunications & Information Administration broadband grants. . .Idaho Department of Commerce hosting Rural Forums March 24^th in Jerome, March 31^st in Fruitland, April 6^th in Rexburg, April 7^th in Pocatello and April 10^th in Bayview to share the latest in community and economic development news and tools with local government and community leaders. . .Tri-City Herald says Gospel Union Mission has purchased 2 four-plexes in Kennewick to transitional housing for the homeless. . .Idaho Mountain Express reports that Hailey City Council has voted to sign a 99-year lease with ARCH to build 24-unit senior housing complex. . .Lee Moore elected chair of Housing Authority of Portland board. . .Spokesman Review says Millwood City Council has voted to endorse Spokane County’s regional 10-year plan end homelessness. . .Portland’s efforts to promote “water independence” in its buildings wins Beyond GREEN citation from national Sustainable Buildings Industry Council. . . Applications being accepted until April 15^th for free house painting in 26^th annual Paint Tacoma-Pierce Beautiful drive. . .Citing the economic downturn, with regret Oregon Housing & Community Services has decided to delay the statewide housing conference it had planned for this year until 2011. . . Ketchum Community Development tells AP it’s raised more than half the funds it needs to build a town square in downtown Ketchum. . .KDRV-TV says Salvation Army breaks ground for 12-unit Hope House in Medford for homeless families. . .Paul G. Allen Family Foundation announces grants to Umpqua Community Development in Roseburg to support its foreclosure prevention programs, Hacienda Community Development in Portland to expand its Micro Mercantes micro-enterprise program and White Center Community Development in Seattle to start a green jobs initiative. . .Multnomah County, says Oregonian, launches 30 Families in 30 Days program speed process of helping homeless families find permanent housing. . .Vancouver Columbian says “construction crews will soon begin work” on Affordable Community Environment will break ground shortly on $10 million, 48-unit McAllister Village affordable housing development in Fruit Valley neighborhood. . .”I know I’ve helped thousands of people,” Bob More tells Coos Bay World on the day before retiring after 24 years “helping families keep roofs over their head” for Oregon Coast Community Action. . .Walla Walla Union Bulletin says Blue Mountain Action Council and other nonprofits recently completed training by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation on how to help clients manage their personal finances. . .Affordable Housing Finance magazine seeking nominations for Readers Choice Awards for projects completed in 2009 or 2010. . .Washington Department of Commerce awards EPA Recovery Act funds to South East Effective Development for lean-up of former Chubby & Tubby site in Rainier Valley to allow development of 68 units of affordable housing.

SMART INVESTMENT

Give credit where credit is due.  Even in the middle of a downturn, the Washington Housing Trust Fund remains fully committed to its mission of promoting homeownership.  It’s just announced the award of $2.5 million to Columbia Nonprofit Housing, the Columbia Valley Housing Association,  Habitat for Humanity of Island County. Habitat South Puget Sound, Habitat Tri County, the Homestead Community Land Trust, the Kulshan Community Land Trust, Home for Islanders, Parkview Services Rural Resources Community Action  and the Thurston County Housing Authority to provide some 90 affordable homeownership opportunities.  About half the funds are going to down payment assistance, a third to self-help projects and the balance to community land trusts.  The Fund  focused its resources on projects that are in a position to have the new owners will be in their homes by the end of 2010.

SMART WORK(S)

Congratulations to Community Frameworks of Spokane and Bremerton – again!  It’s one of just four organizations nationwide – the Housing Assistance Council, Tierra del Sol of New Mexico and Habitat for Humanity International are the other three – to win HUD Self Help Opportunity Program (SHOP) grants this year.  With the $5.1 million its won and the “elbow grease” of its volunteers, Community Frameworks expects to build 290 homeownership units in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.  This is at least the seventh time Community Frameworks has won a SHOP grant.  Since 1996, Community Frameworks used “sweat equity” to build more than 2,100 homes in the Northwest.

SMART BET

You may or may not like gambling.  But it’s hard to argue with how its proceeds are used.  Oregon Housing & Community Services, for example, has allocated some $11.3 million in lottery-backed bond proceeds to preserve 519 affordable units in 13 affordable apartment complexes in Ashland, Beaverton, Klamath Falls, Lincoln City, Madras, Medford Monmouth, Mt. Angel, Prineville, Redmond, Willamina and Wilsonville. It’s estimated that, if not preserved, the units would cost an estimated $104 million to replace. The allocation also will insure that Oregon continues to receive the Federal rent subsidies associated with the complexes.

BRIEF BRIEFS THREE

USDA says it’s holding public forum in Washington on May 14^th to “solicit feedback from the public on whether the current method of delivering the self-help program is the most efficient and cost effective” means of doing so. . .Low Income Housing Institute celebrates grant opening of 15-unit, two-bedroom Nova Townhomes for first-time buyers. . .Senators Merkley and Wyden announce $749,000 Recovery Act grant to bring broadband to rural parts of Clackamas County . . .Tacoma Housing Authority says it hopes to secure LEED Platinum rating for Salishan 7, the final phase of the area’s redevelopment sparked by a 2000 HUD HOPE VI grant. . .Idaho Housing & Finance Association’s Home Partnership Foundation awards 13 emergency response grants totaling $69,600 to homeless providers across state. . . Daily Mirror says Womens Bay wins $475,000 HUD grant to expand fire station to include emergency shelter for residents in the event of disasters like the 2009 mudslide that cut-off town from City of Kodiak. . .Community Frameworks in Washington and University of Idaho win USDA Rural Development grants to promote rural economic development. . .Housing Works in Redmond plans to provide rental assistance to an additional 160 eligible Oregon households. . .March 5^th is deadline to submit nominations of outstanding achievement in historic preservation to Washington Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation. . .Central City Concern sets March 10^th date for grand opening of Madrona Studio Central, a former hotel that’s been renovated to provide 176 units of affordable housing. . .Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority says it will use Recovery Act funds for independent living center for seniors in village of Saxman. . .ROOTS shelter for homeless young people in Seattle’s University District, says Seattle Times, wins $7.7 million Raynier Foundation grant “aimed at filling gaps in existing services”. . .Juneau Homeless Coalition holds first-ever Project Homeless Connect and already is telling Juneau Empire “this is going to be an annual event”.

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WORTH KNOWING

First, let’s state the obvious – Alaska can get pretty darn cold.  Now, the not-so-obvious -  piles of insulation alone won’t keep an Alaska home habitable in the middle of a deep, dark winter.  Too much insulation, after all, can trap moisture and too much moisture means mold and even rotting wood.  That’s why the Cold Climate Housing Research Center of Fairbanks has put a mobile lab on the road.  Inside, reports KTUU-TV, there are “nine different walls, some outfitted with exterior insulation, some with thick insulation, others with a thin sheet and one without any insulation.”  Each wall is monitored with sensors to test their reaction to changes in temperature and humidity.  “We have a lot of concern about the way people are doing their retrofits,” explained the Center’s Collin Craven.  “We know for sure that if you install insulation correctly, you’ll reduce how much heat you lose.”  But what’s not as well known in Alaska is how different types of insulation “protect the wall from getting too wet.”  By summer’s end, the Center should have all the data it needs and, by next spring, the “answers to homeowners” about how “they get the energy efficiency, lower fuel bills that they want” without “reducing the lifespan of their house.”

WORTH NOTING

March 22^nd is deadline for comments on proposed new HUD multifamily closing documents published January 21^st at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-957.pdf

DITTO

March 5^th is the deadline to submit comments on HUD’s proposed implementation of the Secure and Fair Enforcement Mortgage Licensing (SAFE) Act of 2008 at www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/ramh/safe/safeprule.pdf

DIT-TWO

Find out more about how HUD’s loss mitigation programs work to protect FHA-insured homeowners at-risk of foreclosure in a one-hour Webinar at 11 a.m. Pacific on March 18^th Webinar.  Register at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/893489867

DIT-THREE

Bed bugs putting the bite on you and your residents?  Learn what HUD multifamily properties are doing to combat infestations in a one of two Thursday, March 4^th HUD Webcasts.  The first runs from 10 to 11 a.m. Pacific – register at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/842157923 – and the second from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. Pacific – register at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/378511331

FUNDING-MENTALS

March 12^th is date of Oregon Housing & Community Services training via the Internet on its 2010 Consolidated Funding Cycle. . .March 19^th is deadline for National Drug Control Policy’s drug free communities grant. . .March 31^st is deadline for capital grant element of Department of Veterans Affairs homeless provider & per diem grant program. . March 31^st is deadline to submit letters of inquiry for Home Depot’s Awards of Excellence for Affordable Housing Built Responsibly and for Sustainable Community Development. . .April 1^st is deadline to submit letters-of-intent for Weyerhauser Family Foundation grants for children affected by domestic violence. . .December 31^st, 2010 is deadline for USDA’s Rural Housing Service Section 538 loan guarantees for Rural Rental Housing. . .

COMING UP

Visit HUD Spokane hosts Fair Housing Training, March 3^rd, Spokane.  Visit www.hud.gov/apps/calendar/event.cfm?state=wa&record=9958&scheduleID=9719&calendarID=52

Federal Reserve Bank Loss Mitigation & Making Home Affordable Workshop, March 10^th, Portland.  Visit www.hud.gov/apps/calendar/event.cfm?state=or&record=10240&scheduleID=9993&calendarID=41

Annual conference of Idaho Association of Mortgage Brokers, March 10^th & 11^th, Boise.  Visit www.hud.gov/apps/calendar/event.cfm?state=id&record=10195&scheduleID=9948&calendarID=16

Pacific Northwest Farmworkers Summit, March 11^th & 12^th, Portland.  Visit www.ohdc.org/summit.html.

Denver Homeownership Center hosts FHA Hot Topics Webinar, March 16^th.  Registration required at March http://hwvauwt847.hud.gov/emarc/index.cfm?fuseaction=emar.addRegisterEvent&eventId=392&update=N

U.S. Treasury’s Community Development Finance Initiatives Fund hosts How to Certify Your Group as CDFI teleconference, March 18^th.  Visit www.cdfifund.gov

HUD Seattle hosts HUD Environmental Training Workshops, March 22^nd to 25^th, Seattle.  Visit www.hud.gov/apps/calendar/event.cfm?state=wa&record=10239&scheduleID=9992&calendarID=52

HUD Seattle hosts Federal Labor Standards Workshop, March 22^nd, Seattle.  Visit www.hud.gov/apps/calendar/event.cfm?state=wa&record=10272&scheduleID=10025&calendarID=52

HUD Anchorage hosts Federal Labor Standards Workshop for contractors, March 24^th, Anchorage. Visit www.hud.gov/apps/calendar/event.cfm?state=ak&record=10273&scheduleID=10026&calendarID=5 

Denver Homeownership Center hosts Webinar on Underwriting the FHA Appraisal, March 24^th.  Registration required at http://www.hud.gov/emarc/index.cfm?fuseaction=emar.addRegisterEvent&eventId=391&update=N

Central Oregon Community Colleges hosts Homeownership Preservation Workshop, March 27^th, Bend.  Visit www.freddiemac.com/avoidforeclosure/pdf/Bend_Borrower_Seminar_Flyer_03-27-10.pdf

HUD Seattle hosts Federal Labor Standards Workshop for city, county & state government agencies, March 29^th, Seattle.  Visit www.hud.gov/apps/calendar/event.cfm?state=wa&record=10274&scheduleID=10027&calendarID=52

HUD Portland hosts Federal Labor Standards Workshop for public, Indian and tribal housing authorities, March 30^th, Portland.  Visit www.hud.gov/apps/calendar/event.cfm?state=or&record=10275&scheduleID=10028&calendarID=41

National American Indian Housing Council presents Combating Prescription Drug Abuse in Tribal Housing, March 30^th & 31^st, Anchorage.  Visit http://www.naihc.net/leadershipinstitute/index.asp?bid=3699

Denver Homeownership Center hosts FHA Lending & Insuring Refresher, March 30^th.  Registration required at http://hwvauwt847.hud.gov/emarc/index.cfm?fuseaction=emar.addRegisterEvent&eventId=394&update=N

HUD Portland hosts Federal Labor Standards Workshop for city, county and state governments, March 31^st, Portland.  Visit www.hud.gov/apps/calendar/event.cfm?state=or&record=10276&scheduleID=10029&calendarID=41

HUD Portland hosts Federal Labor Standards Workshop for contractors, April 1^st, Portland.  Visit www.hud.gov/apps/calendar/event.cfm?state=or&record=10278&scheduleID=10031&calendarID=41

Oregon departments of business development and environmental quality host Oregon Brownfields Conference, April 6^th & 7^th, Salem.  Visit  www.hud.gov/apps/calendar/event.cfm?state=or&record=10260&scheduleID=10013&calendarID=41

HUD Portland hosts Basic Fair Housing Workshop, April 7^th, Portland.  Visit  www.hud.gov/apps/calendar/event.cfm?state=or&record=10279&scheduleID=10032&calendarID=41

Governor Otter hosts Small Business Summit, April 13^th, Boise.  Visit http://gov.idaho.gov/mediacenter/press/pr2010/prjan10/pr_007.html

Washington Association of REALTORS holds Spring Business Conference, April 14^th to 16^th, Che Elum.  Visit   http://warealtor.org/

2010 Spokane Fair Housing Conference, April 16^th, Spokane. Visit www.hud.gov/apps/calendar/event.cfm?state=wa&record=10188&scheduleID=9941&calendarID=52 

U.S. Treasury’s Community Development Finance Initiatives Fund hosts How to Certify Your Group as CDFI teleconference, April 15^th.  Visit http://www.cdfifund.gov

Idaho Affordable Housing Management Association holds annual conference, April 19^th to 22^nd, Garden City.  Visit www.idahoahma.org

Washington Affordable Housing Management Association holds annual conference, April 20^th to 21^st, Wenatchee.  Visit http://www.ahma-wa.org/

Fair Housing Council of Oregon conducts “Fasten Your Seat Belt-It’s Been a Bumpy Ride” bus tour “exploring Portland’s hidden history of housing discrimination,” April 23^rd, Portland. Contact Diane Hess, dhess@fhco.org, 503/412-6000, extension 108.

Pacific Northwest Regional Council of NAHRO holds annual conference, April 25^th to 28^th, Salem.  Visit http://www.pnrcnahro.org/

Alaska Rural Energy Conference, April 27^th to 29^th, Fairbanks.  Visit http://www.uaf.edu/acep/rec/

2010 Northwest Regional Community Land Trust Conference, April 28^th to 30th, Portland.  Visit http://www.hud.gov/apps/calendar/event.cfm?state=wa&record=10274&scheduleID=10027&calendarID=52

4^th Biennial Alaska Rural Health Conference, April 28^th to 30^th, Anchorage.  Visit  http://www.arhc2010.com/

HUD Seattle hosts Basic Fair Housing Workshop, April 28^th, Seattle.  Visit http://www.hud.gov/apps/calendar/event.cfm?state=wa&record=10017&scheduleID=9778&calendarID=52

HUD Seattle hosts Advanced Fair Housing Workshop, April 28^th, Seattle.  Visit http://www.hud.gov/apps/calendar/event.cfm?state=wa&record=10022&scheduleID=9783&calendarID=52

Annual conference of Washington State Coalition for the Homeless, May 12^th to 14^th Spokane. Visit www.endhomelessnesswa.org

Annual conference of Oregon Affordable Housing Management Association, May 12^th to 14^th, Eugene.  Visit www.hud.gov/apps/calendar/event.cfm?state=or&record=10182&scheduleID=9935&calendarID=41

Grassroots & Groundwork Conference, May 12^th and 13^th, Portland.  Visit www.hud.gov/apps/calendar/event.cfm?state=or&record=10261&scheduleID=10014&calendarID=41

U.S. Treasury’s Community Development Finance Initiatives Fund hosts How to Certify Your Group as CDFI teleconference, May 20^th.  Visit http://www.cdfifund.gov

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The I-5 Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project

Dear neighborhood leader, The I-5 Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project has moved forward in the past year with refining the project’s designs based on technical analysis and recommendations from advisory committees. We’d like to update your neighborhood association on the latest developments and provide an overview of the next steps in project development. Please consider putting us on your meeting agenda sometime between mid-March and June. Please call me or provide the following information by email about the meeting you’d like CRC to attend: Meeting date: Time: Location: Number of people expected to attend: Length of presentation desired (usually 20-30 min.): Any specific topics of interest: Thank you for your interest and involvement in the Columbia River Crossing project. I look forward to hearing from you. Dennis Sandstrom Columbia River Crossing │ Communications and Public Outreach 360.816.4038 │ 503.256.2726 x4038 │ SandstromD@columbiarivercrossing.org Project update The Columbia River Crossing project is a long-term, comprehensive solution to ongoing safety and congestion problems between Portland and Vancouver. The project will replace the I-5 bridge, extend light rail to Vancouver, improve closely spaced interchanges and enhance bicycle and pedestrian connections. In 2009, the CRC project’s eight advisory groups made several key recommendations, including design guidelines for the replacement I-5 bridge, pedestrian and bicycle path elements, the Hayden Island light rail station, and a preferred alignment for the Marine Drive highway interchange. This year CRC will continue to work with communities to finalize pedestrian and bicycle, transit, and highway designs. The final environmental impact statement will be published this year, describing project details and community and environmental effects. More information about CRC can be found online: www.columbiarivercrossing.org Dennis Sandstrom Columbia River Crossing │ Communications and Public Outreach 360.816.4038 │ 503.256.2726 x4038 │ SandstromD@columbiarivercrossing.org