PUBLIC NOTICE

Citizen Review and Comment Period
July 3, 2009 – July 12, 2009

Georgia Neighborhood Stabilization Coalition (GNSC) – NSP 2 Program (NSP2)
As required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD),
GNSC is conducting a 10-day citizen review and comment period.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that GNSC is requesting public comment on its NSP 2 application to HUD.  GNSC is requesting funding under the NSP 2 Program provided by HUD and authorized under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009.  The purpose of NSP 2 is to address the impact of abandoned and foreclosed homes in our neighborhoods.  All funds must be awarded and administered in compliance with the NSP 2 requirements. 

GNSC is a consortium of the following ten (10) Georgia non‑profit housing developers: COBB HOUSING, INC., RESOURCES FOR RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITIES OF GEORGIA, INC., URBAN RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, SOUTHWEST GEORGIA UNITED EMPOWERMENT ZONE, INC., JCVISION AND ASSOCIATES, INC., AFFORDABLE HOUSING ENTERPRISES, INC., ATLANTA MUTUAL HOUSING ASSOCIATION, INC., GEORGIA AFFORDABLE HOUSING CORPORATION, TYLER PLACE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, and SUMMECH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Consortium members will be using the NSP 2 funds for eligible activities in the following counties:  Bryan, Cobb, Crisp, Cherokee, DeKalb, Dooly, Douglas, Fulton, Glynn, Liberty, Paulding, Spalding and Wayne.

Proposed NSP 2 Eligible Activities:
1.  Establish financing mechanisms for purchase and redevelopment of foreclosed upon homes and residential properties, including such mechanisms as soft‑seconds, loan loss reserves, and shared‑equity loans for low‑ and moderate‑income homebuyers.  Proposed Amount Not to Exceed: $12,000,000. 
2.  Purchase and rehabilitate homes and residential properties that have been abandoned or foreclosed upon, in order to sell, rent, or redevelop such homes and properties.  Proposed Amount Not to Exceed: $20,800,000. 
3.  Demolish Blighted Structures.  Proposed Amount Not to Exceed: $200,000. 
4.  Redevelop demolished or vacant properties as housing.  Proposed Amount Not to Exceed: $4,690,000. 
Activity Total:       Proposed Amount Not to Exceed: $37,690,000.

Please click here for the GNSC NSP 2 Program information. Submit comments to:

CONTACT INFORMATION: 
Ms. Kate S. Little
Georgia State Trade Association of Nonprofit Developers, Inc.
Suite 1000
260 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA  30303
Telephone: (404) 526‑1260
Email: ksl1@gstand.org  

Rental Homes remain “out of reach” for
millions of Americans 

Georgia’s high cost of housing highlighted in 2009 housing affordability report 
Atlanta, GA– According to a national report released today on rental costs for every county, metropolitan area and state in the nation, the Housing Wage for Georgia is $14.66. The Housing Wage is the hourly wage a family must earn – working 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year – to be able to afford rent and utilities in the private housing market. This represents an increase of 25% since 2000. Read more. To view the report's information on any Georgia county, click here.     

AVOIDING CLAIMS THROUGH
PROPER DOCUMENTATION 
 

The next workshop in the construction law series will take place on June 17, 11:45 a.m.  To attend the lunch and learn session, RSVP to andy@ahand.org or KSL1@gstand.org by June 12th.

WHAT IS A LIEN? WORKSHOP

G-STAND and AHAND offered the second in series of lunch and learn sessions on May 10. The presenter, Tony Lehman, with the law firm of DLA Piper, discussed the key provisions in the Georgia lien statutes and the ways that these statutes can be used to reduce the possibility of liens being filed on projects. Most importantly, this seminar analyzed the changes to Georgia's lien laws that took effect on March 31, 2009.  To view the presentation or to get a copy of Mr. Lehman's handout, visit the library on the Affordable Housing Portal.       
ARCHIVE CONTRACT NEGOTIATION SEMINAR AVAILABLE ONLINE

In collaboration with the Pro Bono Partnership Atlanta, the Atlanta Bar Association Construction Section, the Pro Bono Project of the State Bar of Georgia, and AHAND (the Atlanta Association of Neighborhood-based Developers), G-STAND offered Contract Negotiation with General Contractors and Construction Managers in November.  The instructor, Anthony Lehman with DLA Piper, covered the key contractual provisions in a general contract.  This included payment clauses (lien waivers, etc.), liquidated damages and damages for delay, job safety, indemnification provisions, and dispute resolution.  Click the link to access the webcast: http://www.georgiaadvocates.org/calendar/event.215928-Contract_Negotiation_with_General_Contractors_and_Construction_Managers_A   

SEE VIDEO ON AD VALOREM TAX EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS  

In September 2007, G-STAND, in partnership with the Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta, the Georgia Community Loan Fund, and the State Bar of Georgia Pro Bono Project, offered an on-line workshop.  Presented by Charles Kearns, an attorney with Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, LLP, the video explains the new law and constitutional amendment passed in 2006, that impacts property owned entirely by nonprofit housing organizations.  To view the approximately 90-minute video, click here.*  

*This video should not be construed as providing legal advice.  For specific legal questions, please contact your organization's legal counsel.  

If you are searching for housing anywhere in the state of Georgia, 
visit this web site for leads:  www.georgiahousingsearch.org.