March 2011. We are in that wonderful place of waiting. We are waiting to hear if we will be awarded a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Allocation this year, and we are waiting to hear if we will be invited to apply for the second round of the HUD Choice Neighborhood grant program. Based upon the self-scores posted on the MFA website that we are tied for 4th place for an LIHTC allocation, which means that if our self-scoring is accurate then we will most likely get an award. For the HUD Choice Neighborhood we are competing again 41 other entities nationwide. Only 3 or 4 awards will be made.
So while we are waiting let me tell you about some of things we are contemplating as a way of fulfilling our mission, which is to create opportunities to end homelessness.
We have come to the realization that implementing our mission is an economic development activity. In other words, we create jobs, bring investment to the community, and increase the tax base every time we do a housing project. In other words, serving the homeless is good for our whole community.
We have also learned that a key component in addressing generational poverty, apart from safe, secure and decent homes, is early childhood development services. Our downtown project includes space for both services to adults and for an early childhood development center.
In the next few years after Hooghan Hozho’, our LIHTC project, in downtown Gallup we will seek to develop more projects that incorporate these elements. We have completed initial feasibility for a small sub-development for which we will begin work in 2012. This project will mean that we will have to find funds to subsidize homeownership for low and moderate income families, and to develop infrastructure. These challenges excite us because of their possibilities and positive impact.
Also we are always looking for Board members. If you are interested please send me an email so that we can meet and talk.
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