Last month, NACCED celebrated National Community Development (CD) Week from April 21 – 25. CD Week is an annual event highlighting the importance and impact of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The week is designed to raise awareness among both policymakers and local leaders about how this federal program supports affordable housing, infrastructure improvements, and services for low- to moderate-income communities. Local governments, nonprofits, and community organizations often host events, tours, and outreach efforts during the week to showcase successful projects and advocate for continued funding.

Over the years, NACCED members have delivered a wide range of insightful and impactful presentations during Community Development Week, showcasing the diverse initiatives happening across the country. These sessions have highlighted innovative uses of CDBG funds, with Success Stories demonstrating how communities have revitalized neighborhoods, created affordable housing, and expanded access to public services.

WASHINGTON, DC – March 26, 2025 - The National Association for County Community and Economic Development (NACCED) is excited to welcome Beam, formerly Edquity as the latest member to join NACCED as a Platinum Associate member!

NACCED hosted its 2025 Legislative Conference from February 27 to March 2 in Washington, D.C. NACCED’s Legislative Conference gives members an opportunity each year to advocate the association’s top legislative and regulatory priorities, hear from industry leaders on areas of focus and collaborate with fellow county officials on policy initiatives. Additionally, the event serves as an opportunity to reinforce NACCED’s partnership with the National Association of Counties ( NACo) and engage with its leadership through the NACo Legislative Conference .

On Thursday, February 27 NACCED members attended in-person meetings with Capitol Hill offices in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. NACCED members took the opportunity to meet with committee staff and individual member offices. Areas discussed by members with staff included concerns on U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) staffing capacity, increased federal appropriations for HUD’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program and the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program.

Earlier this month, NACCED held its 49^th Annual Educational Conference and Training in Tulsa County, Oklahoma. Local government community development professionals from across the country gathered for three days of education and networking at the Hyatt Regency Downtown Hotel.

Before the conference began, first time attendees enjoyed meeting each other and NACCED’s Board of Directors during a coffee reception. There, first-timers were led in discussion by Board members, learning more about the conference, as well as opportunities for year-round involvement in NACCED. That evening, attendees enjoyed an educational tour of economic development projects along the famous Route 66. The tour concluded at the Gathering Place, Tulsa’s renowned world-class park where a sunset welcome reception was enjoyed.

Last month, NACCED took part in the 2024 National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference held in Hillsborough County (Tampa, FL). NACCED leadership engaged in various sessions, project tours, and networking events throughout the conference and the Hillsborough County area. Members offered their expertise, exchanged successful practices, and worked closely with county officials on key issues influencing community well-being and economic development. Members participated in policy advocacy efforts alongside NACo, connected with community leaders to discuss economic growth possibilities, and obtained valuable insights into initiatives designed to improve local infrastructure and create community opportunities. 

NACCED welcomed members to its 2024 Legislative Conference from February 8 – 11 in Washington, D.C. NACCED’s Legislative Conference gives members an opportunity each year to advocate on the association’s top legislative and regulatory priorities, hear from industry leaders on areas of focus and collaborate with fellow county officials on policy initiatives. Members also use the event to further strengthen NACCED’s partnership with the National Association of Counties (NACo) and its leadership through the NACo Legislative Conference.

On Thursday, February 8 NACCED members attended in-person meetings with Capitol Hill staff from the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Policy areas discussed by members with staff included increased federal appropriations for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and the HOME Partnerships (HOME) program. Also supported was the HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act , which was introduced by Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) last month. View the materials NACCED members used during their visits, which you can also utilize in your own conversations with Congressional offices: CDBG one-pager, HOME one-pager .

On Thursday, November 16 NACCED’s Executive Committee visited the nation’s capital for its annual end-of-year meeting with industry leaders. Executive Committee members in attendance were NACCED Board President Linda Jenkins (LA County, CA), Vice President David Sacks (Henrico County, VA), Secretary/Treasurer Jennifer Daniels (Arlington County, VA), and NACCED Representative to NACo Mary Keating (DuPage County, IL).

The team met with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) officials Claudia I. Monterrosa, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Grant Programs with the Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) and Savin Ven Johnson, Deputy Director of the Office of Block Grant Assistance (OBGA). Monterrosa and Ven Johnson provided an overview of HUD’s planned 2024 celebration events for the 50th anniversary of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.

It’s finally happened: the long-awaited final ruling regarding updates to the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) is official. If you’ve been following recent developments in public works construction, chances are you’ve heard the buzz surrounding the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) and their recent announcement of the most significant updates to DBRA in nearly four decades. With these changes just having taken effect on October 23, 2023, it's an opportune time for public agencies to review and reassess their existing methods for overseeing labor compliance on construction projects.

Last month, NACCED held its 48th Annual Educational Conference and Training in Salt Lake County, Utah. Local government community development professionals from across the country gathered for three days of education and networking at NACCED’s highest-attended annual conference in over a decade.

Before the conference kicked off, first time attendees enjoyed meeting each other and NACCED’s Board leadership during a first timers’ coffee reception. There, the first-timers and Board members were divided by time zones and got to meet and greet their nearby neighbors, learning more about the conference, as well as opportunities for year-round involvement in NACCED. That evening, attendees had the fun and educational experience of attending a brewery tour organized by Salt Lake City, featuring small businesses which received Salt Lake’s façade improvement grants. It gave everyone an opportunity to mingle and break the ice before the main events while building relationships with colleagues from across the country.

Deputy Director Yetman’s presentation covered a range of updates on OBGA programs, starting with COVID-era relief funds. He reported that on April 18 of this year, HUD lifted the requirement that 80 percent of a Community Development Block Grant CARES Act (CDBG-CV) grant must be expended within three years of grant agreement execution. HUD’s intent with this action is to alleviate expenditure delays directly suffered by grantees caused by the pandemic. HUD found that more than a third of the over 1,200 CDBG–CV grantees faced major supply chain issues for construction materials, prolonged business quarantine shutdowns and a decrease in workforce areas because of the pandemic.

Linda Jenkins: Linda Jenkins is the Director of the Community Development Division at the Los Angeles County Development Authority with over 30 years of extensive grant administration experience. She oversees the annual planning, reporting, and implementation for over $20 million in CDBG funds allocated to the County of Los Angeles, the largest Urban County grantee with 48 participating cities. In addition, Linda has experience in oversight and administration of Rapid Rehousing Programs for families and individuals experiencing homelessness, Emergency Rental Assistance programs, Lead Paint Hazard Reduction, and Construction Management Services for public and privately owned properties. As a member of NACCED, Linda has served as the Membership Chair, Board Member, and is currently serving on the Executive Board as Vice President. Linda Jenkins has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Riverside and a Master’s in Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach. She is running for the position of President of the NACCED Board of Directors and currently serves as the Vice President.

 David Sacks: Since 2011, David Sacks has served as the Community Development Manager with the Henrico County, Virginia, Department of Community Revitalization, responsible for administering the County’s federal entitlement grant funds (CDBG, HOME, ESG). He also serves as the administrator of the County’s Enterprise Zone and is responsible for designing and implementing a variety of revitalization and housing programs. He was previously the City of Richmond’s Deputy Director of Community Development responsible for the City Master Plan, Downtown Plan, neighborhood planning, the historic preservation program and administration of the City’s federal entitlement funds. He oversaw Richmond’s Neighborhoods in Bloom program that received the HUD Secretary’s Opportunity and Empowerment Award from the American Planning Association. David has also served as an Assistant Director with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and as Interim Executive Director of a non-profit housing development corporation. He has also served on a variety of local, regional and national non-profit boards and advisory groups including community associations, foundation boards, and non-profit service providers. With NACCED, David served as Vice Chair of the Community Development Committee and has been featured as a guest on the Holistic Housing Podcast. David currently serves as NACCED’s Secretary/Treasurer and is running for the position of Vice President.

Last week, NACCED’s Nominating Committee met to select the slate of candidates to serve a term on the NACCED Board of Directors and Executive Committee. In accordance with Article IV, Section 7 of the NACCED By-Laws, we are pleased to transmit the report of the Nominating Committee recommending individuals for election as Directors and Officers.

After consideration of a variety of factors including geography, large county/small county, male/female and minority representation we hereby nominate the following:

To serve a 2-year term ending in 2025

The National Association for County Community and Economic Development (NACCED) is excited to welcome Metopio as the latest member to join NACCED as a Platinum Associate member!

NACCED’s associate members provide valuable products and services within the affordable housing, community development and economic development industry. These members are established industry leaders, committed to promoting and enhancing the success of counties implementing the nation’s affordable housing and community development programs.

NACCED attended the NACo Community Economic and Workforce Development (CEWD) Policy Steering Committee on Friday, July 21 held at Austin Community College (ACC) Highland Campus. Dennis Alvord, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic Development of the Economic Development Administration with the Department of Commerce and agency staff presented on progress made with CHIPS Act programs. Areas highlighted were improved supply chain resiliency, domestic technology manufacturing, and framework planning for workforce development programs with a specific focus on creating job opportunities for historically underserved communities.

Bryan Kaminski, Senior Vice President of Project Development for Red Leaf Properties; Dr. Molly Beth Malcolm, Executive Vice Chancellor for Operations and Public Affairs of Austin Community College; and Jeff Travillion, Commissioner of Travis County showcased the ACC Highland Campus history which began as a redevelopment project of the former Highland Mall. The new ACC campus spans 200,000 square feet with state-of-the-art facilities, including modern instructional spaces, science labs, tutoring areas, library, faculty offices, and the innovative ACCelerator – one of the nation’s largest learning labs aimed at maximizing student success. NACCED members later participated in a guided tour of the ACC Highland Campus and were granted access to many of the facility’s new generation learning spaces.

The House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Committees have released Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 language for their respective Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Subcommittees. The marked-up House bill proposes steep cuts to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In its current form, the legislation would provide $65.208 billion for HUD in FY24, 25% below FY23 funding including cutting the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) from its FY23 $1.5 billion level to an overall budget of $500 million.

The Senate approved its THUD bill that would maintain funding for several HUD programs including level funding of $1.5 billion for HOME. The Senate’s THUD appropriations bill would also maintain all existing rental assistance, including Project Based Rental Assistance properties, Housing Choice Vouchers and provide $3.9 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants, a $275 million increase above the FY 2023 enacted level.

On April 24, NACCED and the National Association of Counties (NACo) jointly submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regarding a proposed rule published for public feedback on February 9 that would implement the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) mandate. The AFFH, established by the 1968 Fair Housing Act, directs the government to promote fair housing choice, eliminate disparities in housing, and foster inclusive communities.

The proposed rule, which incorporates much of the framework of the 2015 AFFH rule, simplifies fair housing analysis that local governments, states, and public housing agencies are required to undertake. Program participants would need to submit an "equity plan" to HUD for approval every five years. Additionally, the proposed rule mandates that program participants integrate goals and strategies from their approved equity plans into subsequent planning documents, such as annual action plans and public housing agency plans (PHAs).

WASHINGTON, DC – 4/24/23 - The National Association for County Community and Economic Development (NACCED) is excited to welcome Osmium Data as the latest member to join NACCED as a Platinum Associate member!

NACCED’s associate members provide valuable products and services within the affordable housing, community development and economic development industry. These members are established industry leaders, committed to promoting and enhancing the success of counties implementing the nation’s affordable housing and community development programs.

Last week, NACCED celebrated National Community Development Week through member and staff engagement across multiple platforms. Kicking off the week, NACCED announced a revamped Success Stories webpage, showcasing a record number of member projects funded through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and its 2023 Advocacy Toolkit for members to use for issue engagement not only during CD Week, but throughout the year. On Tuesday, April 11, NACCED member and sponsor Neighborly Software held a webinar titled “ Rebuilding Together with CDBG” with Shelby County, TN Planning and Programs Manager Dana Sjostrom and Nassau County, NY Community Development Director Kevin Crean. A recording of the webinar can be viewed here.

NACCED also shared social media tips to increase CDBG awareness. During this month’s meeting of NACCED’s Community Development Committee. Los Angeles County, CA Community Development Director Linda Jenkins presented on a partnership with PACE Finance Corporation (PACE)to offer technical assistance grants for struggling small business through a multi-year CDBG grant. Riverside County, CA Development Manager Juan Garcia spoke to the committee about an inspiring use of CDBG funding towards Harmony Kitchen, which provides fresh meals to vulnerable communities throughout the area. Johnson County, KS was spotlighted for its efforts in using CDBG funding to build an ADA accessible five-bedroom house for disabled individuals with capped rent for affordability.

WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 21, 2023 - The National Association for County Community and Economic Development (NACCED) is excited to welcome PolicyMap as the latest member to join NACCED as a Platinum Associate member!

NACCED’s associate members provide valuable products and services within the affordable housing, community development and economic development industry. These members are established industry leaders, committed to promoting and enhancing the success of counties implementing the nation’s affordable housing and community development programs.

Monday, NACCED Executive Director Laura DeMaria attended an industry leaders’ conversation about the President’s FY24 proposed budget with US Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge. In addition to Sec. Fudge, in attendance were Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development Marion McFadden, the leaders of 24 Washington, DC- based housing advocacy organizations, and additional senior HUD leadership.