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.

WASHINGTON, DC – 2/6/23 - The National Association for County Community and Economic Development (NACCED) is excited to welcome VHB 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.

Earlier this month, NACCED welcomed members from across the country to Washington, DC for NACCED’s annual Legislative Conference.

On Thursday, February 9, NACCED leadership took part in a Hill day with congressional offices, holding impactful conversations on the application of federal funding in counties. Federal initiatives discussed included the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). NACCED met with the offices of Representatives Kay Granger (R-TX), Sean Casten (D-IL), Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Beth Van Duyne (R-TX), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), and Senator Tina Smith (D-MN).