People

Franklin D. Raines, chairman and CEO of Fannie Mae, and Nicolas P. Restinas, director of Harvard University's Joint Center for Housing Studies, have joined the Enterprise Foundation's national board of trustees.

Greg Watson, leaving as executive director of Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative, has become the first director of the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust, a quasi-public agency created by the Massachusetts Legislature as part of utilities restructuring to promote the consumption and production of renewable energy. John Barros, a resident of the Dudley Street neighborhood, is becoming DSNI's first resident executive director.

The Rocky Mountain Mutual Housing Association, Inc. (RMMHA) has hired Ismael Guerrero, previously the associate director for The Resurrection Project in Chicago, as its chief financial officer. Three new members were also elected to the RMMHA board: Raphael Agbenyo, Wendy A. Martinez, and Rowland Nwankwo. 

HUD has awarded $9 million to 20 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to revitalize distressed neighborhoods near their campuses by expanding the supply of affordable housing, creating jobs and job training programs, and helping businesses develop. Information: www.hud.gov/cpd/hbcu.html.

In September, professionals from different nations visited Rocky Mountain Mutual Housing Association as part of a four-month exchange sponsored by the Denver International Program. They visited multi-family housing communities, observed how residents participate in governance, and learned how affordable housing can be financed and maintained for the long-term. Other Denver-area visits included The Conflict Center, Denver Indian Center, Denver Children's Home, The Nature Conservancy, Metro Volunteers, and The Mountain Resource Center. Information: Shannon Libby, RMMHA, 303-863-8651 x223.

Fannie Mae's new Timely Payment Rewards program offers credit-impaired borrowers mortgage rates up to two percentage points lower than what they would typically pay, and rewards them with a deduction of an additional percentage point after 24 payments without a delinquency. More than 20 lenders will work with Fannie Mae on the program. Information: Janice Daue, Fannie Mae, 1-888-FAN-NOW4.

HUD has chosen 14 cities for pilot programs in the Building Homes in America's Cities Initiative, which aims to build 1 million new homes over the next ten years. The initiative is a joint effort of HUD, the National Association of Home Builders, and the U.S. Conference of Mayors. Information: www.hud.gov/library/bookshelf18/pressrel/pr99-224.html.

Harvard University has announced a $20 million loan program for low- and middle-income housing in Boston and Cambridge. The Boston Globe reported on Nov. 10th that most of the money will provide 20-year loans at a 2 percent interest rate to nonprofit groups that create moderately priced housing. Another $1 million in grants will go directly to housing groups with promising and immediate plans. Housing groups speculate Harvard's money could create upwards of 10,000 new units. Information: Harvard Office of News and Public Affairs; 617-495-1585. 

The Enterprise Foundation and the Housing Assistance Council (HAC) have created the Rural Capacity Building Initiative to link technology and other resources to local rural housing organizations. A $1.35 million grant from Enterprise will allow HAC to provide technology and assistance to more than 240 rural community-based organizations over two years. The first 20 grants will help construct or rehabilitate over 260 single-family homes, 17 apartment complexes, and at least one day care center. Information: Surabhi Dabir, HAC, 202-842-8600, x129; Joanne Veto, Enterprise, 410-772-2444.

Sacramento Cottage Housing Inc. (SCH) received a Best Practices Award for Reducing Homelessness from HUD. Since its inception in December 1998, the 60-dwelling program has seen 26 previously homeless residents move to permanent housing. Residents pay one-third of their income in rent and contribute 13 hours monthly for maintenance projects. They also improve their socialization skills and receive education, job training, and health care. Information: Maryl Kerly, HUD 202-708-1104 x2255.

Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation has begun the Neighborhood Works ® Multifamily Initiative. The five-year program seeks to develop 10,000 units of multifamily housing between 1999 and 2004 as well as attract $600 million in public and private investment in the NeighborWorks® network for multifamily housing; strengthen asset-management systems in multifamily organizations throughout the network; develop strong resident leaders and services; and expand utilization of network strategies. The initiative will begin with 18 NeighborWorks® organizations, with as many as 15 more enrolled annually. Information: Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, 202-220-2300; www.nw.org.

The Coalition for Low Income Community Development has expanded its services and programs and opened a new office in Baltimore. Their new address is: 1118 Light Street, Suite B, Baltimore, Maryland 21230; phone: 410-752-7222; fax: 410-752-6969.