Housing Matters 8.17.2010

It's busy here as we're processing conference registrations and getting our panelists together to finalize workshop presentations. Two important notes on the Affordable Housing Conference - please make room reservations at the Sheraton, and please nominate someone you think should be recognized as volunteer and professional of the year in the world of affordable housing. Click here for more information.

In the last issue of Housing Matters, I mentioned that I spoke on the News & Views radio program hosted by Chris Fitzsimon of NC Policy Watch. To listen to the interview, click here.

Special thanks to Griff Gatewood, who is leaving CASA in Raleigh for Duke Divinity School. Griff did a great job at CASA working on the front lines of providing housing options for persons with disabilities. Though we're sorry to see him go, we wish him all the best as he moves on to this new chapter in his life and career.

Many times during the course of two weeks, I attend meetings covering a wide array of issues connected with housing. Last week, I gave two presentations that connected transportation, housing, and sustainable communities. The first was to the LUCID working group of the Triangle J Council of Governments. This group brought together area land-use and transit planners for a discussion on the importance of transportation access to affordable housing. The other meeting was NC-DHHS' event, “NC Active Living Leadership Forum.” The Governor’s cabinet secretaries, senior staff, and many legislators attended, and there was a high-level discussion on what makes healthy, sustainable communities. I was pleased to be able to bring the issues of equity and housing for low- and moderate-income people into their conversation.

Tomorrow, I'm headed to Philadephia for a NeighborWorks Symposium on Sustainable Development and Affordable Housing. Next week, I'll be in Durham for a state-level conversation led by the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation on racial wealth disparities in our nation and state.

NCHC Annual Campaign
By now, all of you should have received an attractive mailer from us asking for your financial support. We'd like to thank everyone for supporting the Housing Coalition as organizational members. However, we rely on your personal contributions as well. Our goal is to expand our capacity to support local housing advocacy efforts across the state that will promote more affordable housing development in more integrated settings. I want to thank Anne Ehlers for her great work on the Campaign! Please note that the clear envelope is recyclable! To donate online, please click here.

NC 2010 Affordable Housing Conference – Sept. 16-17th, Raleigh
Thanks to all of you who've already registered for this year’s Annual Affordable Housing Conference. The Conference is several weeks earlier this year so be sure to register now to get the lower registration rates. Together with CICCAR and NCHFA, we’ll again be hosting the conference at the Raleigh Convention Center on September 16-17th. Click here for all the information and to register. There are still rooms available at the Sheraton hotel.

Each year at our Annual Conference, we recognize those individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to advocate for affordable housing. We're asking for nominees for our Volunteer and Professional of the Year Awards. Winners will be recognized at the Coalition’s luncheon on the second day. Please nominate someone you think is deserving. Click here for more details.

NC Housing News
As mentioned in last week's Housing Matters, the NC Department of Commerce, Division of Community Assistance will be hosting Fair Housing Roundtables across the state to get public input on the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing in NC. It's very important that your stories be recorded so we can highlight areas that need attention, and eventually establish a Fair Housing Enforcement Center in NC. Please plan on attending one of these roundtables listed in the Announcements below.

Thanks again for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Chris Estes
Executive Director