Notes Online - September 2000 Issue

September 2000

Volume 10, Issue 3

Table of Contents

New Guide Created for Finding Community Based Data
Overvaluing of Bronx Properties Workshop Planned for November
Reminder: Federal Lead Regulations Begin September 15
Workshop on New Lead Regs
Homebuyer Fair at MSG
Astoria Federal Savings Joins the UNHP Effort
Third Party Transfer: The Round Two Saga Begins
HUD Budget Needs Support in Appropriations Battle
Providers Preschoolers Graduate

New Guide Created for Finding Community Based Data

An overwhelming amount of statistical data is currently available on the internet, just waiting for community groups to come by and download their way to proposal-backing statistical heaven. Unfortunately, much of the information is on websites that are either hard to find or hard to navigate. A number of sites aimed at helping nonprofits find the information available to them have sprung up, but many of these are just as unorganized and difficult to navigate as the sites they are linking to.

In an effort to assist community groups and nonprofits in their quest for relevant statistical data, UNHP has created the community resource guide (crg), an online guide to New York City community based data. Easy to navigate, crg offers advanced users quick links to various websites, while giving beginning users step-by-step guidance through the entire process of finding data on their community.

Found on UNHP’s website (www.unhp.org) crg will guide users smoothly through the often daunting task of finding relevant community-based statistical data and maps. There are instructions for finding everything from census demographic information to education statistics to Home Mortgage Disclosure data.

The instructions also break searches down at the geographical level, offering users different options depending if they are looking for data on a few blocks, a neighborhood, a cluster of neighborhoods, or an entire borough.

Included on the site are a number of tools and maps for everything from finding your community’s census tracts to looking at a community district map of your borough. While targeted at groups and organizations in New York City, there are also useful resources for many nonprofits nationwide, specifically links to demographic, housing and banking data.

The site offers a number of examples and even guides users through the U.S. Census website in a unique and innovative way.

If you want more information, have a comment or a link suggestion for crg, or if your organization would like to link to UNHP’s site, please contact us at mail@unhp.org or 718-933-3101.

New Guide Created for Finding Community Based Data
An overwhelming amount of statistical data is currently available on the internet, just waiting for community groups to come by and download their way to proposal-backing statistical heaven. Unfortunately, much of the information is on websites that are either hard to find or hard to navigate. A number of sites aimed at helping nonprofits find the information available to them have sprung up, but many of these are just as unorganized and difficult to navigate as the sites they are linking to. In an effort to assist community groups and nonprofits in their quest for relevant statistical data, UNHP has created the community resource guide (crg), an online guide to New York City community based data. Easy to navigate, crg offers advanced users quick links to various websites, while giving beginning users step-by-step guidance through the entire process of finding data on their community. Found on UNHP’s website (www.unhp.org) crg will guide users smoothly through the often daunting task of finding relevant community-based statistical data and maps. There are instructions for finding everything from census demographic information to education statistics to Home Mortgage Disclosure data. The instructions also break searches down at the geographical level, offering users different options depending if they are looking for data on a few blocks, a neighborhood, a cluster of neighborhoods, or an entire borough. Included on the site are a number of tools and maps for everything from finding your community’s census tracts to looking at a community district map of your borough. While targeted at groups and organizations in New York City, there are also useful resources for many nonprofits nationwide, specifically links to demographic, housing and banking data. The site offers a number of examples and even guides users through the U.S. Census website in a unique and innovative way. If you want more information, have a comment or a link suggestion for crg, or if your organization would like to link to UNHP’s site, please contact us at mail@unhp.org or 718-933-3101.

Overvaluing of Bronx Properties Workshop Planned for November

As mentioned in the previous edition of Notes, the real estate market in The Bronx has inflated over the last few years to levels beyond the reach of tenant and neighborhood groups as well as reasonable, experienced private owners. Much of this overvaluation is due to speculation and an overflowing of Manhattan values into the Bronx, as well as 90s Wall Street boom investors looking to diversify their holdings into real estate. Some believe a real estate market crash could well be on the horizon.

In an effort to slow and maybe even reverse the out of control real estate market, and to do our best to prevent a crash, UNHP is planning a forum on the subject.

Members of the real estate, lending and housing communities will be invited to a panel discussion on the topic on:

Wednesday
November 8, 2000
8:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Fordham University
Lincoln Center Campus
113 West 60th Street
(Corner of Columbus Avenue)

For further information or to register, please call us at (718) 933-3101 or email us mail@unhp.org

Overvaluing of Bronx Properties Workshop Planned for November
As mentioned in the previous edition of Notes, the real estate market in The Bronx has inflated over the last few years to levels beyond the reach of tenant and neighborhood groups as well as reasonable, experienced private owners. Much of this overvaluation is due to speculation and an overflowing of Manhattan values into the Bronx, as well as 90s Wall Street boom investors looking to diversify their holdings into real estate. Some believe a real estate market crash could well be on the horizon. In an effort to slow and maybe even reverse the out of control real estate market, and to do our best to prevent a crash, UNHP is planning a forum on the subject. Members of the real estate, lending and housing communities will be invited to a panel discussion on the topic on: Wednesday November 8, 2000 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM Fordham University Lincoln Center Campus 113 West 60th Street (Corner of Columbus Avenue) For further information or to register, please call us at (718) 933-3101 or email us mail@unhp.org

Reminder:

Federal Lead Regulations Begin September 15

As previously mentioned in Notes (February 2000), new HUD lead regulations go into effect September 15 nationwide. HPD is currently in the process of applying to HUD for a 6 month extension on some of the regulations, but at this point in time landlords and managers should plan according to the September 15 date. As a reminder, we are reprinting a summary of the guidelines.

What housing is affected?
The HUD regulations affect housing built before 1978 that is financially assisted or sold by the federal government; financially assisted housing includes housing receiving either project-based or tenant-based rental assistance, multifamily housing for which mortgage insurance is sought, and housing receiving federal assistance for rehabilitation, reducing homelessness and other special needs.

The following housing is excluded from the new rule: housing exclusively for the elderly or people with disabilities (unless a child under 6 is expected to reside there); zero bedroom dwellings including efficiencies, SROs and dormitories; property found to be free of lead based paint by a certified lbp paint inspector; property where all lbp has been removed; unoccupied housing that will be vacant until demolished; nonresidential property; and any rehabilitation or improvement that does not disturb a painted surface.

The new regulations consolidate all of HUD’s Lead Based Paint regulations into one part of the Code of Federal Regulations: 24CFR Part 35. A major focus of the new regulation is the clearance requirement in the regulation, which involves testing dust for lead contamination after hazard control work.

What must be done as part of the new regulation?
The requirements vary somewhat based on the nature of federal involvement and whether the unit is rental or owner occupied. The requirements go beyond our ability to summarize here, but the regulations and guides can be obtained from HUD by going to www.hud.gov/lea on the web or calling HUD at (202) 755-1785 ext.104. To download the finalized “implementation plan” with many descriptions of key parts of regulations, visit www.hud.gov/lea/leadnotice.doc

We can note that the regulations will impact the multifamily housing that has been and is being renovated in the Bronx with low-interest City loans. There will be a significant impact on maintenance in these buildings. Clearance tests , including dust testing, will be required in all repair jobs except for small jobs, and must be done by trained people.

A small job is described in the following way in HUD’s accompanying question and answer guide: “...when the deterioration is limited to hairline cracks or small nicks, scratches or nail holes.” In addition, “safe work practices” (i.e., occupant protection, worksite preparation and specialized cleaning) must be used during stabilization or abatement only when the area of paint being disturbed is greater than:

20 sq.ft. on exterior surfaces, or
2 sq.ft. in an interior room; or
10% of a building component with a small surface area (such as a painted window frame).

Clearance examinations must be done by someone other than the person who did the hazard control work and who is certified to perform lbp paint inspections, risk assessments or clearance exams in the state in which the housing is located. The exam involves a visual assessment to assure that there are not any deteriorated paint surfaces or visible amounts of dust or debris remaining on the property as well as dust testing to assure that the standards for lead in dust have been complied with.

Dust testing cannot occur until after passage of the visual assessment. If the dust tests fail, there should be another cleaning of the spaces represented by the failing dust samples.
The clearance examiner must prepare and sign a report documenting that the housing passed clearance. A clearance test can be done by a person trained but not certified as a clearance technician provided a certified lbp paint inspector or risk assessor approves the work of the clearance technician and signs the report.

Interim controls must be done by a trained person who is either supervised by a certified abatement supervisor or has completed one of several training courses that explain how to conduct work safely so as not to contaminate the environment or expose occupants to lead.

HUD’s Estimated Costs:
HUD estimates that the average cost will be approximately $200 per HUD assisted unit, but the real costs per apartment will vary. We encourage managers and contractors to let us know what they find actual costs to be.

Reminder: Federal Lead Regulations Begin September 15
As previously mentioned in Notes (February 2000), new HUD lead regulations go into effect September 15 nationwide. HPD is currently in the process of applying to HUD for a 6 month extension on some of the regulations, but at this point in time landlords and managers should plan according to the September 15 date. As a reminder, we are reprinting a summary of the guidelines. What housing is affected? The HUD regulations affect housing built before 1978 that is financially assisted or sold by the federal government; financially assisted housing includes housing receiving either project-based or tenant-based rental assistance, multifamily housing for which mortgage insurance is sought, and housing receiving federal assistance for rehabilitation, reducing homelessness and other special needs. The following housing is excluded from the new rule: housing exclusively for the elderly or people with disabilities (unless a child under 6 is expected to reside there); zero bedroom dwellings including efficiencies, SROs and dormitories; property found to be free of lead based paint by a certified lbp paint inspector; property where all lbp has been removed; unoccupied housing that will be vacant until demolished; nonresidential property; and any rehabilitation or improvement that does not disturb a painted surface. The new regulations consolidate all of HUD’s Lead Based Paint regulations into one part of the Code of Federal Regulations: 24CFR Part 35. A major focus of the new regulation is the clearance requirement in the regulation, which involves testing dust for lead contamination after hazard control work. What must be done as part of the new regulation? The requirements vary somewhat based on the nature of federal involvement and whether the unit is rental or owner occupied. The requirements go beyond our ability to summarize here, but the regulations and guides can be obtained from HUD by going to www.hud.gov/lea on the web or calling HUD at (202) 755-1785 ext.104. To download the finalized “implementation plan” with many descriptions of key parts of regulations, visit www.hud.gov/lea/leadnotice.doc We can note that the regulations will impact the multifamily housing that has been and is being renovated in the Bronx with low-interest City loans. There will be a significant impact on maintenance in these buildings. Clearance tests , including dust testing, will be required in all repair jobs except for small jobs, and must be done by trained people. A small job is described in the following way in HUD’s accompanying question and answer guide: “...when the deterioration is limited to hairline cracks or small nicks, scratches or nail holes.” In addition, “safe work practices” (i.e., occupant protection, worksite preparation and specialized cleaning) must be used during stabilization or abatement only when the area of paint being disturbed is greater than: 20 sq.ft. on exterior surfaces, or 2 sq.ft. in an interior room; or 10% of a building component with a small surface area (such as a painted window frame). Clearance examinations must be done by someone other than the person who did the hazard control work and who is certified to perform lbp paint inspections, risk assessments or clearance exams in the state in which the housing is located. The exam involves a visual assessment to assure that there are not any deteriorated paint surfaces or visible amounts of dust or debris remaining on the property as well as dust testing to assure that the standards for lead in dust have been complied with. Dust testing cannot occur until after passage of the visual assessment. If the dust tests fail, there should be another cleaning of the spaces represented by the failing dust samples. The clearance examiner must prepare and sign a report documenting that the housing passed clearance. A clearance test can be done by a person trained but not certified as a clearance technician provided a certified lbp paint inspector or risk assessor approves the work of the clearance technician and signs the report. Interim controls must be done by a trained person who is either supervised by a certified abatement supervisor or has completed one of several training courses that explain how to conduct work safely so as not to contaminate the environment or expose occupants to lead. HUD’s Estimated Costs: HUD estimates that the average cost will be approximately $200 per HUD assisted unit, but the real costs per apartment will vary. We encourage managers and contractors to let us know what they find actual costs to be.

Workshop on New Lead Regs

The Enterprise Foundation in New York is sponsoring a workshop on the new federal lead regulations on:

Tuesday, October 10
9:00 AM to 5 PM
at Enterprise’s offices
80 Fifth Avenue
(between 13th and 14th streets)

The National Center for Lead Safe Housing is running the workshop for the foundation and HPD will also be presenting. Those interested in attending the workshop should call Enterprise at (212) 262-9575.

Workshop on New Lead Regs
The Enterprise Foundation in New York is sponsoring a workshop on the new federal lead regulations on: Tuesday, October 10 9:00 AM to 5 PM at Enterprise’s offices 80 Fifth Avenue (between 13th and 14th streets) The National Center for Lead Safe Housing is running the workshop for the foundation and HPD will also be presenting. Those interested in attending the workshop should call Enterprise at (212) 262-9575.

Homebuyer Fair at MSG

Anyone considering buying their own home should find themselves at Madison Square Garden this coming Saturday, September 23 between 10 AM and 5 PM. Fannie Mae is sponsoring its annual Homebuyer Fair and attendees will be delighted at all of the valuable information available in a number of languages.

Those in attendance will also be able to order a free credit report, and speak with over 100 exhibitors, including lenders, real estate professionals, and nonprofit agencies.

Homebuyer Fair at MSG
Anyone considering buying their own home should find themselves at Madison Square Garden this coming Saturday, September 23 between 10 AM and 5 PM. Fannie Mae is sponsoring its annual Homebuyer Fair and attendees will be delighted at all of the valuable information available in a number of languages. Those in attendance will also be able to order a free credit report, and speak with over 100 exhibitors, including lenders, real estate professionals, and nonprofit agencies.

Astoria Federal Savings Joins the UNHP Effort

This past summer Astoria Federal Savings committed to University Neighborhood’s efforts when we signed a three year note with the bank for $100,000 to be used to support UNHP’s Green Loan Program.

UNHP has used Green Loans to assist tenant and community controlled buildings; the loan proceeds pay for building upgrades that result in a decrease in operating expenses. The loans are repaid over a 1 to 3 year time period depending on the financial capacity of the building.

Astoria Federal Savings Joins the UNHP Effort
This past summer Astoria Federal Savings committed to University Neighborhood’s efforts when we signed a three year note with the bank for $100,000 to be used to support UNHP’s Green Loan Program. UNHP has used Green Loans to assist tenant and community controlled buildings; the loan proceeds pay for building upgrades that result in a decrease in operating expenses. The loans are repaid over a 1 to 3 year time period depending on the financial capacity of the building.

Third Party Transfer: The Round Two Saga Begins

While the first round of Third Party Transfer properties has been largely transferred for renovation to their ultimate owners, the City has begun the process of moving the second round forward. This round expands geographically from just the Bronx to also include buildings in Brooklyn and Manhattan. The anticipated time for transfer to Neighborhood Restore HDFC (which will once again be the interim owner of the buildings) is the early part of 2001.

The first round is generally being viewed as successful, and the program was a semifinalist for a 2000 “Innovations in American Government Award” from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Most of the buildings were transferred on schedule and all buildings that were transferred had renovation loans in place at the time of transfer. The new owners included a combination of nonprofits and for-profits.

Although Round 2 is underway, a group of tenants from 10 different buildings are suing HPD claiming they’ve been left behind in the program. According to an article in City Limits Fax Weekly (September 4), the lawsuit alleges that tenant groups are not given a fair chance to buy their buildings (only a 60 day window of opportunity) and are being passed over. HPD counters that the lawsuit will merely delay and hurt the program.

For more background information on the Third Party Transfer program, visit our website at www.unhp.org/notitile.html

Third Party Transfer: The Round Two Saga Begins
While the first round of Third Party Transfer properties has been largely transferred for renovation to their ultimate owners, the City has begun the process of moving the second round forward. This round expands geographically from just the Bronx to also include buildings in Brooklyn and Manhattan. The anticipated time for transfer to Neighborhood Restore HDFC (which will once again be the interim owner of the buildings) is the early part of 2001. The first round is generally being viewed as successful, and the program was a semifinalist for a 2000 “Innovations in American Government Award” from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Most of the buildings were transferred on schedule and all buildings that were transferred had renovation loans in place at the time of transfer. The new owners included a combination of nonprofits and for-profits. Although Round 2 is underway, a group of tenants from 10 different buildings are suing HPD claiming they’ve been left behind in the program. According to an article in City Limits Fax Weekly (September 4), the lawsuit alleges that tenant groups are not given a fair chance to buy their buildings (only a 60 day window of opportunity) and are being passed over. HPD counters that the lawsuit will merely delay and hurt the program. For more background information on the Third Party Transfer program, visit our website at www.unhp.org/notitile.html

HUD Budget Needs Support in Appropriations Battle

Back on June 21, the House of Representatives passed the FY2001 VA-HUD-IA bill (H.R. 4635) by a vote of 256-169. The bill fails to increase spending levels for virtually every HUD program, and even cuts a number of them. None of the funding levels match the Clinton administration's request, and the President has indicated he will veto the bill unless funding levels are increased.

A number of proposed amendments to increase funding failed, but two small increases were approved. Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS (HOPWA) saw their budget allocation rise $18 million, and $1 million of HUD's salaries and expenses were transferred to the public housing operating fund.

HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo criticized the huge cuts which come at the same time "the nation's economy continues to soar." Some examples of the cuts include no new Section 8 vouchers and a reduction of Community Development Block Grants to levels below that of FY2000 .

Also included in the cuts to the Clinton administration's proposal was more than $122 million in housing assistance for New York City. This includes almost 1,700 Section 8 vouchers we will not be receiving, the losing out on 539 new jobs, 596 households who will not be assisted by CDBG funds, and 1,300 homeless persons with AIDS who won't receive assistance under the HOPWA program.

The Senate is currently working on their version of the spending bill, and it remains to be seen if the newly discovered $60 million increase in the budget surplus will have a positive effect on the outcome.

Housing Should Have A Part In the National Debate
Advocates recommend contacting your congressional delegation and the leadership in the House and Senate to explain how important HUD programs are to meeting critical housing goals and that reduced funding for these programs has real consequences. Unfortunately, the mention of housing in the political campaigns thus far has been rare, this in spite of the growing number of reports about the lack of affordable housing in our nation.

The National Low Income Housing Coalition recently shed some light on the situation of affordable housing in U.S. politics, with a perspective reaching back a number of years. In a recent Memo To Members, they included a fact which should raise a few eyebrows: “In the last year of the Ford administration, the budget authority for HUD was more than twice what the administration is arguing for today (adjusted for inflation). In the same time period that the HUD budget authority has been cut in half, the total federal budget authority has nearly doubled. 1976 was the peak year for subsidized housing assistance and the outgoing Ford administration’s final budget request included 506,000 new low income housing units.” The writer strongly suggests that the affordable housing crises we have experienced over the past twenty years could have been prevented if funding had been maintained.

You can reach all Senators and Representatives through the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or email them at www.congress.org/elecmail

HUD Budget Needs Support in Appropriations Battle
Back on June 21, the House of Representatives passed the FY2001 VA-HUD-IA bill (H.R. 4635) by a vote of 256-169. The bill fails to increase spending levels for virtually every HUD program, and even cuts a number of them. None of the funding levels match the Clinton administration's request, and the President has indicated he will veto the bill unless funding levels are increased. A number of proposed amendments to increase funding failed, but two small increases were approved. Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS (HOPWA) saw their budget allocation rise $18 million, and $1 million of HUD's salaries and expenses were transferred to the public housing operating fund. HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo criticized the huge cuts which come at the same time "the nation's economy continues to soar." Some examples of the cuts include no new Section 8 vouchers and a reduction of Community Development Block Grants to levels below that of FY2000 . Also included in the cuts to the Clinton administration's proposal was more than $122 million in housing assistance for New York City. This includes almost 1,700 Section 8 vouchers we will not be receiving, the losing out on 539 new jobs, 596 households who will not be assisted by CDBG funds, and 1,300 homeless persons with AIDS who won't receive assistance under the HOPWA program. The Senate is currently working on their version of the spending bill, and it remains to be seen if the newly discovered $60 million increase in the budget surplus will have a positive effect on the outcome. Housing Should Have A Part In the National Debate Advocates recommend contacting your congressional delegation and the leadership in the House and Senate to explain how important HUD programs are to meeting critical housing goals and that reduced funding for these programs has real consequences. Unfortunately, the mention of housing in the political campaigns thus far has been rare, this in spite of the growing number of reports about the lack of affordable housing in our nation. The National Low Income Housing Coalition recently shed some light on the situation of affordable housing in U.S. politics, with a perspective reaching back a number of years. In a recent Memo To Members, they included a fact which should raise a few eyebrows: “In the last year of the Ford administration, the budget authority for HUD was more than twice what the administration is arguing for today (adjusted for inflation). In the same time period that the HUD budget authority has been cut in half, the total federal budget authority has nearly doubled. 1976 was the peak year for subsidized housing assistance and the outgoing Ford administration’s final budget request included 506,000 new low income housing units.” The writer strongly suggests that the affordable housing crises we have experienced over the past twenty years could have been prevented if funding had been maintained. You can reach all Senators and Representatives through the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or email them at www.congress.org/elecmail

Providers Preschoolers Graduate

The first annual preschool graduation of the Providers United Family Daycare Program took place this past June. Thanks to a bright idea from one of the Providers, a number of the graduates (pictured above) received their diplomas at a ceremony followed by juice and cookies for the children and their families. UNHP helped organize the network of daycare providers in the Fordham-Bedford area in 1998, and wishes these youngsters the best of luck as they head off to kindergarten this month. (click here for more pictures)

Recently, Providers United published their first newsletter, available on request by calling Anania Almonte at (718) 733-2557 x21 for more information.