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National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations December 5, 2023
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Federal News
CFPB Report Examines State Community Reinvestment Acts
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released State Community Reinvestment Acts: Summary of State Laws on November 2. The report examines State Community Reinvestment Acts (CRAs) across Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. These state-specific laws mandate that financial institutions address community needs, presenting how states could consider establishing reinvestment obligations. The report presents key findings and highlights the states’ active roles in promoting reinvestment and the following research goals: identifying collaboration areas between state and federal agencies, comparing performance evaluation factors among state CRAs, providing market information for state evaluations, and demonstrating the integration of federal consumer financial protection laws into state CRA evaluations.
NACEDA News
Introducing Dawne Troupe – People & Places Collaborative Advocacy Director Dawne Troupe joined the NACEDA team as the People & Places Advocacy Director. The People & Places Collaborative is a project of NACEDA, the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders, and the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development. Dawne will lead the collaborative’s efforts to make the systems that support the community development field more equitable and raise the visibility of community-based development organizations. Dawne previously worked in the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs at the General Services Administration. She has also been a consultant for political campaigns, political action committees, and nonprofits. Most recently, Dawne oversaw a campaign to promote financial literacy education efforts for high school and college students and the accounting profession for the New York State Society of CPAs. “'I'm here to roll up my sleeves and lead the charge in federal advocacy that strengthens community organizations building affordable housing, small business, and economic development,” said Dawne. “From pushing for more funding and championing legislation, I'm all about making the path smoother. Together, we'll empower communities and local businesses to ensure they are accessible for everyone.”
Member News
Meet California Member’s New Executive Director — Lindsay Haddix
Lindsay Haddix joined the East Bay Housing Organizations (EBHO) as their new Executive Director. She previously worked at Meta, formerly known as Facebook, as their Housing Initiative Program Manager. At Meta, Lindsay advanced the investment and policy priorities associated with the company’s $1 billion commitment to help address the affordable housing crisis in California. A NACEDA member, EBHO mobilizes the power and wisdom of their members to produce, preserve, and protect affordable housing opportunities for low-income communities in the East Bay area near San Francisco. Lindsay has dedicated her entire career to solving the dual crises of homelessness and housing affordability, centering social equity and environmental sustainability in her work. She explained the importance of working together as a network, “The affordable housing crisis doesn't stop at city or county limits, and neither should our solutions. Housing insecurity has cascading impacts on health, educational attainment, and access to economic opportunities. For these reasons, it is critical that we work across political and geographic boundaries and across disciplines to ensure that everyone has a safe and affordable home.”
Michigan Member Hosts MI Healthy Climate Corps
The Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) was selected as the operating partner for the brand-new MI Healthy Climate Corps. Working in partnership with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, CEDAM will place 30 full-time Climate Corps members in March 2024 for the program’s inaugural cohort. CEDAM just closed the application period for local host organizations.
When recruiting hosts, they provided these examples of potential Climate Corps projects: • Connecting Michiganders to renewable energy resources or energy efficiency programs • Activating recycling or composting programs in your community • Implementing conservation and restoration programs for wetlands, waters, soils and/or forests • Supporting your community in accessing efficient, cleaner public transit systems and/or bike paths and walking trails
CEDAM Executive Director Luke Forrest stated, “The MI Healthy Climate Corps uniquely positions CEDAM members and other organizations to leverage historic private, state, and federal resources to support communities disproportionately impacted by the changing climate.”
Funding & Job Opportunities
$2 Billion in EPA Community Change Grants Available
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Community Change Grants Program. The grants will fund projects in disadvantaged communities that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. These place-based investments will be focused on community-driven initiatives to be responsive to community and stakeholder input. Eligible entities must include nonprofit community-based organizations.
An additional $200 million is dedicated to providing technical assistance for prospective applicants. The EPA encourages applicants to apply as early as possible. The rolling application will be open until November 21, 2024. Watch for upcoming webinars by subscribing to the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights Listserv. To subscribe, send a blank email to: [email protected]. Read the NOFO.
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