Ira Gribin 1 Year Report

Tackling Workforce Housing State By State
STATUS AND PROGRESS REPORT | Year One
Tackling Workforce Housing State By State

STATUS AND PROGRESS REPORT | Year One
A P R I L 2010
Copyright 2010 National Association of ReALtoRs
Contents
IntrOductIOn 4
the Ir a GrIbIn WOrkfOrce hOusInG Gr ants PrOGr a M
When it comes to development housing,

Gr ants
transportation, energy efficiency these things arent mutually exclusive; they go hand in hand. And that means making sure that affordable housing exists in close proximity to jobs and transportation. that means encouraging shorter travel times and lower travel costs. It means safer, greener, more livable communities.
PResIDeNt BARACK oBAMA
July 13, 2009
California Delaware Florida Hawaiì Idaho Illinois Kansas Maine Maryland Mississippi Montana Nevada New Jersey North Carolina oregon Pennsylvania tennessee Washington Wisconsin
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INTRODUCTION
Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grants: Tackling

Increasingly, communities across the country have recognized the importance of affordable housing to their economic and social wellbeing. Creating housing for the workforce plays a major role in addressing the overall shortage of affordable housing. to help meet this need for workforce housing, in 2009, the National Association of ReALtoRs launched the Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grants program, a two-year program, to provide grants to state and territory ReALtoR associations to help address the workforce housing needs in their communities. the program, which runs from 2009 2010, allocates $5.2 million for these workforce housing grants. this report provides the status and progress of the program during its first year, 2009. In 2009, NAR awarded grants to 19 states totaling $2,068,030, or roughly 40% of the total amount available. All fiftyfour (54) state and territory ReALtoR associations or their housing foundations are eligible to apply for the grants. NAR strongly encourages associations/foundations who have not yet applied to take advantage of this unique community-building opportunity. Profiles of the 19 programs funded in 2009 follow. As you read these program profiles, you will see the variety of challenges faced by state associations/foundations and the remarkable solutions they have developed. And while the workforce housing situation varies from state to state, the ingenuity of these approaches should be an inspiration and a resource to all who are looking to address workforce housing in their community.
tHe AVAILABILItY oF WoRKFoRCe HoUsING,

long a critical issue in this country, has become increasingly important in recent years. In many communities, the people that provide vital services teachers, firefighters, police officers, and restaurant workers often cannot themselves afford to live there. Despite the downturn in the economy, many areas of the country have seen their cost of living remain virtually unchanged. Combined with a restricted credit market and a near stand-still in the building of new, low-income housing, those earning at or below the median income of their communities have found it particularly difficult to find housing. shortages of affordable housing close to where residents work can lead to longer commutes, sprawl, and traffic congestion. these things not only hurt the environment, but they also translate to increased commuting costs and a reduced quality of life for those unable to live where they work.
the Ira GrIbIn WOrkfOrce hOusInG Grants
z Status and Progress Report z
YEAR ONE
Workforce Housing State by State

A key aspect of the program is the flexibility it affords grantees to define and pursue their efforts to expand workforce housing. this wide latitude ensures that local needs are addressed and allows the state associations and foundations to work to their strengths or develop expertise where they are not as strong as they would like to be. For instance, Each state can define workforce in its own way, based on local needs and conditions. Workforce might mean teachers, municipal workers, first responders, medical personnel, or more generally, workers in a certain income range. Each state can formulate what it believes will be the most effective program, emphasizing education, financial assistance, public awareness, advocacy, or even website development. States determine their target audiences. Some have chosen to concentrate on providing tools and education to member ReALtoRs, others have focused on consumers, while still others pursue a mixed approach. States are free to create an entirely new program or to expand initiatives already in place: Maine created Live Where You Work; Maryland built upon Maryland Home Makeover. Another essential component of the program is the requirement that applicants work in partnership with public, private, or nonprofit entities on their program, which provides them with the ability to better leverage resources, to expand outreach and communication, and to develop relationships that can help to sustain their program and stimulate new business in the future. As a result of this, many grantees have reached out to non-traditional partners (e.g., the Internal Revenue service, a state Department of transportation) to enhance the effectiveness of their programs. the basic tenet of workforce housing, that those who work in a community should be able to afford to live in that same community, coincides with any number of widely-shared social goals. Reducing commutes eases pressure on the environment by saving fuel and reducing emissions. It reinforces civic pride and community responsibility by promoting a sense of affiliation. And it creates new markets and stimulates the growth of local hosing stock. the Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grants program is helping to strengthen communities and bolster local economies, but it is also giving more housing opportunities to those who had few options before. We invite you to read about it here, and more importantly, we invite your full and active participation. the NAR Housing opportunity team
natIOnaL assOcIatIOn Of reaLtOrs
www.realtor.org/iragribingrant
the Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grants Program

IN JANUARY 2009, tHe NAtIoNAL AssoCIAtIoN oF ReALtoRs
launched the Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grants program to help stimulate ReALtoRs efforts to address the growing need for affordable workforce housing in their communities. the program distributes funding directly to state ReALtoR associations and housing foundations to promote workforce housing initiatives within their states.
Workforce housing refers to safe, decent housing for working, low- and moderate-income people who cannot afford to live in the communities in which they work. Workforce housing initiatives often focus on occupations that provide the bulk of vital services for communities teachers, firefighters, police officers, nurses, health care workers but these grants are also meant to assist a broader range of working people, including retail sales workers, restaurant workers, technicians, office workers, etc.
YEAR ONE
the Program provides grants on a sliding scale based on state association membership size. the smallest state associations are eligible for grants of $50,000, while for larger associations, grants can go well over $200,000. the program has been allocated $5.2 million in grant funding.
successfuL PrOPOsaLs
successful proposals will incorporate all of the following: A focus on workforce housing, as defined by the association/ foundation, which may include households in certain income levels, employees in public service or other targeted job areas, or a program designed to address a uniquely defined workforce housing need. An active role for the applicant association/foundation. At least one significant partner organization (e.g., local governments, employers, non-profits). An ongoing and sustainable activity, not a one-time event. A detailed implementation plan. A mechanism for measuring and reporting outcomes and success.
the program is named for Ira Gribin, former NAR President, who was a tireless advocate for fair and affordable housing for diverse populations. this grant initiative honors his memory and promotes ReALtoRs commitment to increase housing opportunities by assisting working families to reach the first rung on the homeownership ladder.
WhO M aY aPPLY
the grant guidelines encourage programs that actively engage ReALtoRs, leverage partnerships with key stakeholders, and leverage resources to create a sustainable program. Detailed requirements and guidance on preparing and submitting grant requests are available at the program website: www.realtor.org/iragribingrant. Listed here are some key facts describing the program:
State and territory REALTOR housing foundations State or territory REALTOR associations that do not have a housing foundation
sIZe Of Gr ants
states are eligible for funding in the following amounts: States with 5,000 or fewer members will be eligible for $50,000. States with more than 5,000 members will be eligible for $50,000 plus an additional $2 per member for each member over 5,000. A funding allocation chart posted on the grant program website shows the amount of funding that an state association/foundation is eligible for based on their membership size.
tIMInG
this program will run for two years, 2009 2010. In order to be reviewed and processed before the program sunsets in 2010, proposals need to be submitted to NAR no later than october 31, 2010.
hOW tO aPPLY
Applicants should visit www.realtor.org/iragribingrant for program details, application forms, application guidelines, sample applications, and other supporting materials.
hOW Gr ants are aWarded
A review committee made up of the chair and vice chair of the Housing opportunity Committee, the chair and vice chair of the Housing opportunity Advisory Board, and a state association executive reviews the applications and makes award decisions. Applications are reviewed and grant decisions are made on a rolling basis.
YEAR ONE
YeAR oNe GRANts
caLIfOrnIa
assOcIatIOn/fOundatIOn keY Partners
california association of reaLtOrs (c.a.r.) housing affordability fund 183,885 members

PrOGr a M na Me
Non-profits, including southern California Association of Non-Profit Housing, orange County NHs, san Louis obispo County Housing trust Fund, tri-Valley Housing opportunity Council
aWard
Mortgage Protection Program

PrOGr a M t YPe
$420,000
cOntact
Financial Assistance
PrOGr a M descrIPtIOn
CARHAF created a new Mortgage Protection Program (MPP) to provide insurance protection for working families to cover mortgage payments in the event of involuntary loss of employment. this free insurance is available to qualified first-time homebuyers at the close of escrow.
tarGet M arket
Monica Rodriguez Housing opportunity Program Manager California Association of ReALtoRs Housing Affordability Fund 525 south Virgil Avenue Los Angeles, California 90020-1403 213.739.8380 213.739.8200 main 213.480.7724 FAX [email protected] www.car.org
First-time homebuyers with W-2 (no self-employed borrowers).
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YEAR ONE
PrOGr a M suM M arY
Purchasing your first home can be a daunting

experience especially if you are concerned with the current economic climate and whether you might be affected by the layoffs in the headlines. In light of this situation, the California Association of ReALtoRs Housing Affordability Fund (CARHAF) created a new, innovative program, called the Mortgage Protection Plan (MPP). Under the MPP, qualifying buyers can receive up to $1,500 a month for up to six months in the event of job loss, and a qualified co-buyer can also receive a $750 benefit for up to six months to help pay the mortgage. the ultimate goal of the program is to provide peace of mind to firsttime homebuyers who are hesitant to enter the housing market due to concerns about potential job loss, and subsequently being unable to meet their monthly mortgage obligations. the program has done just that with great success. California ReALtoRs have been able to easily promote the program to their clients because it has straight-forward qualifying criteria with no income or purchase price caps.
First-time home buyer Michael sandoval was in the process of purchasing a home in Gilroy, Calif. when he heard about C.A.R.s Mortgage Protection Program from his ReALtoR, Valerie Kemp of Alain Pinel ReALtoRs in Morgan Hill, Calif. We were already looking at homes when we heard about this program, said Sandoval. Knowing that we have an additional security blanket should anything happen with our jobs was a relief and the fact that its offered for free is like icing on the cake. It has helped us achieve the dream of homeownership and get our foot in the door. since launching in April 2009 and receiving additional funds from the Ira Gribin Grant to fund the program beyond the initial $1 million allocated by CARHAF, MPP has issued policies to over 3,000 new homebuyers. Given the demand and the desire to help more families, C.A.R.s Housing Affordability Fund Committee has allocated an additional $300,000 and approved an extension of the MPP until June 30, 2010.
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deLaWare
delaware association of reaLtOrs (dar) 3,800 members

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Delaware Umbrella Program

PrOGr a M t YPe
sussex county association of reaLtOrs: National Council on Agricultural Life and Labor Research Fund, Inc., 1st state Community Action, Habitat for Humanity, Milford Housing, sussex County Community Development office and sussex County Association of ReALtoRs affiliates kent county association of reaLtOrs: National Council on Agricultural Life and Labor Research Fund, Inc. new castle county board of reaLtOrs: Delaware Housing opportunities Fund, Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council
aWard
Public Awareness, Community outreach and education (Consumer), ReALtoRs education, Financial Assistance
the Delaware program promotes workforce housing education and awareness through a public awareness campaign to overcome the stigma of affordable housing, provides closing cost assistance to homebuyers, providing home inspection on foreclosed homes and closing costs, and assists families with counseling and payment of a mortgage application fee.
tarGet M arket
$50,000
cOntact
Low income households and ReALtoRs who will be made aware of the various workforce housing programs available throughout the state and will assist potential buyers in finding the right programs.
Charlotte Herbert Government Affairs Director Delaware Association of ReALtoRs 134 east Water street Dover, Delaware 19901-3614 302.734.4444 302.734.1341 FAX [email protected] www.delawarerealtor.com
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YEAR ONE
PrOGr a M suM M arY
In any profession, there are terms of art, words or phrases

that have a special meaning within that profession but which may mean something entirely different to those outside. over time these inside meanings become second nature to their users and it is assumed that everyone understands them in the same way. Real estate and housing certainly have their share of such terms. one of Delawares three county ReALtoR associations (sussex County) was able to take a fresh look at the homeownership landscape and realized it needed to implement a public awareness campaign to overcome the stigma of affordable housing. this kind of insight or ground-truth is endemic to local ReALtoR associations and should be appropriately valued. the Delaware Association of ReALtoRs (DAR) clearly values such local knowledge, deciding to use its Ira Gribin Grant to support the workforce housing initiatives its local associations were developing to assist workforce families in their communities. each county association (sussex, Kent, and New Castle) took a different approach, based on the situation, partners, and resources in its locality.
sussex County will educate ReALtoRs, advocate for affordable housing, influence public perceptions, involve local organizations, and provide closing costs. Kent County will provide counseling fees and application fees for low and medium income families. New Castle County will provide one-on-one counseling, and initiate a series of seminars with faith-based organizations, community services providers, and others on credit, banking, and mortgages. In this way, each county association serves its own community but also acts as a testing ground for approaches that can be shared with the other counties to tackle the workforce housing crisis. Delaware, unfortunately, will need all the innovation its local associations can muster, for, as DAR stated in its Ira Gribin Grant application: A full-time childcare worker, preschool teacher or retail salesperson earning their occupations median wage cannot afford the fair market rent for a one bedroom apartment anywhere in Delaware, let alone qualify to purchase a home. Let the innovation begin.
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fLOrIda
florida reaLtOrs 115,000 members

PrOGr a M na Me
sadowski education effort (see), Florida Workforce Housing Umbrella Program

PrOGr a M t YPe
see coalition: Florida Homebuilders Association, Florida League of Cities Florida Association of Counties, Florida Department of Community Affairs, Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Florida Legal services, 1000 Friends of Florida, Florida Housing Coalition, Florida Catholic Conference, Florida Coalition of Affordable Housing Providers, Florida Impact Local efforts: Local ReALtoR associations, local city and county government/community entities (e.g., local banks, local chambers of commerce, local builders association, local housing development corporation)
aWard
Advocacy Campaign, Community outreach, education (Consumer/ReALtoR), Financial Assistance

Florida ReALtoRs and its partners are educating Florida legislators on the importance of increased funding for workforce housing. the program will also assist local associations in developing closing costs grants for low-income families, courses to promote employer-assisted housing (eAH) benefits to business communities, education for potential homebuyers on various workforce housing programs, an affordable housing summit, firsttime homebuyer assistance for those who meet the low income criteria, and building Habitat for Humanity homes.
tarGet M arket
$138,030 Florida REALTORS is eligible to receive an additional $141,970 which will be requested to support additional local association workforce housing programs.
cOntact
sadowski education effort: Legislators involved with housing appropriations and leadership. Local efforts: First time homebuyers, low income households, ReALtoRs who will be made aware of the various workforce housing programs available throughout the state of Florida and will assist potential buyers in finding the right programs.
Vani Ungapen Director of Global Business and Legislative Research Florida ReALtoRs 200 south Monroe street tallahassee, Florida 32301-1824 850.224.1400 extension 2502 850.224.0702 FAX [email protected] www.floridarealtors.org
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YEAR ONE
PrOGr a M suM M arY
Jamie Potts had worked at the local Publix grocery store in Port
st. Lucie, Florida for seven years. she had a great credit history and had even managed to set aside some savings. In the fall of 2009 she was also living in an overly-expensive, one-bedroom apartment, and she was pregnant with her first child. Like many in Florida, hard-hit by the recession, the dream of homeownership was still alive if now somewhat more distant. Nearly 20 years ago the state of Florida decided to dedicate a portion of the states real estate transfer fee to workforce and affordable housing. But in recent years that foresight had been undermined by budget pressures and the dedicated funding was diverted to meet more pressing general revenue obligations. the Florida ReALtoRs developed a two-pronged program to address workforce housing. First, in coordination with its nearly one dozen partners in the sadowski Coalition, Florida ReALtoRs is mounting a comprehensive education program, aimed at informing Florida state legislators of the long-term value of supporting workforce housing and seeking to restore the transfer fee set-aside. second, Florida ReALtoRs is allocating funding to local ReALtoR associations to assist first-time and low-income homebuyers in ways best defined by local conditions. For example, the ReALtoRs Association of st. Lucie (RAsL), one of eight local associations to receive Ira Gribin Grant funding through Florida ReALtoRs in 2009, targeted its efforts to residents who qualified under HUDs Low Income Guidelines. RAsL is making $2,500 grants to potential homeowners to cover closing costs. Helping these buyers is also helping to revitalize and stabilize low and moderate income residential housing. In september of 2009, Jamie Potts knew she was having a baby boy and wanted to raise him in a house with a backyard to play in and a bedroom of his own. With RAsLs assistance, and a check for $2,500 towards closing costs, Jamie was able to purchase her home and even had enough to install new carpets and paint her new homes rooms. Less than a month later Jamies son Logan was born, coming home to a house with a backyard and a room he could someday call his own.
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haWaIÌ
hawaiì association of reaLtOrs (har) 9,037 members

PrOGr a M na Me
ReALtoRs stimulating Workforce Housing in Hawaiì

PrOGr a M t YPe
Hawaiì Housing Finance & Development Corporation (HHFDC), County Housing Agencies (oàhu, Maui, Kauaì and Hawaiì), Hawaiì Homeownership Center, Building Industry Association-Hawaiì, Hawaiì Association of Mortgage Brokers (HAMB), Hawaiì Bankers Association, Hawaiì escrow and title Association
aWard
education (ReALtoR /Consumer), Web-based Resource Center (Consumer), Resource Guide (Consumer), Community outreach, Public Awareness
$60,000
cOntact
Hawaiì is instituting a new program, ReALtoRs stimulating Workforce Housing in Hawaiì, that will be a combination of education and professional assistance created to instill consumer confidence on how to begin the process of homeownership. Hawaiìs workforce will be informed on how to take advantage of tax credits, downpayment assistance programs, buy back interest, seller concessions, and the various programs being offered by FHA, VA, UsDA, and state and County Housing Authorities.
tarGet M arket
Myoung oh Director of Government Affairs Hawaiì Association of ReALtoRs suite 220 1136 12th Avenue Honolulu, Hawaiì 96816-3793 808.733.7060 extension 104 808.737.4977 FAX [email protected] www.hawaiirealtors.com
Hawaiìs service industry workforce, comprising renters, potential first-time homebuyers and other potential home buyers, who are unaware of the resources and tools available to enter the affordable housing market.
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YEAR ONE
PrOGr a M suM M arY
Workforce housing affordability is a pressing issue

in every state, and the affordability gap for working families can be difficult to assess. But a novel way to quantify the disparity between workforce incomes and home prices was developed by a non-profit housing advocacy organization, Home Hawaiì. Rather than just compare salaries to prices, the analysis asked: How many people would it take by occupation (combining their incomes) to purchase a medianpriced home? they discovered, for example, that in Honolulu it would take 2.33 physical therapists to afford a loan for a median-priced home. similarly, it would take 3.33 police officers and 4.07 elementary school teachers to qualify for that same loan. As a Bank of Hawaiì economist put it, simply, Hawaiì and Honolulu are suffering from a supply imbalance. the Hawaiì Association of ReALtoRs (HAR) was only too aware of the difficulty of finding affordable workforce housing and knew this was a challenge faced on all of the states islands. After receiving the Ira Gribin Grant to launch its ReALtoRs stimulating Workforce
Housing in Hawaiì program, HAR conducted research and organized discussions among Hawaiì real estate professionals, which concluded that the most effective message was to make a direct link between the availability of the tax credit and the importance of using a ReALtoR, thereby stimulating both home sales and directing business to member ReALtoRs. As a result, HAR initiated a media campaign on tV, radio, and in print spotlighting the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit, with an engaging line: First-time homeowners have 8,000 reasons to buy now. this was reinforced with the creation of a new website (hawaiihousingprograms.org) aimed entirely at potential first-time homebuyers. HARs program has also focused on education for both ReALtoRs and potential home owners, informing them of programs offered by FHA, VA, UsDA, and others to overcome the hurdles of home buying. since launching its campaign, HAR has seen changes in its market. As of November 2009, oàhu, Kauaì, Maui, and the Big Island, have experienced an increase in both single-family homes and condominium sales compared to the same period a year ago, which many are attributing to first-time homebuyers and the federal tax credit. Honors for creating awareness of the tax credit surely go, at least in part, to HAR and its stimulating campaign.
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IdahO
Idaho association of reaLtOrs (Iar) 7,500 members

PrOGr a M na Me
Ada County Association of ReALtoRs (ACAR), ReALtoRs Community Foundation, Idaho Housing and Finance Agency (IHFA), Neighborhood Housing services (NHs), Intermountain Multiple Listing service (IMLs)
aWard
Welcome Home Idaho

PrOGr a M t YPe
$60,000 education (ReALtoR/Consumer), Financial Assistance

PrOGr a M descrIPtIOn cOntact
Idaho is enhancing its existing Welcome Home program by adding homebuyer education and counseling and ReALtoR education on employerassisted housing (eAH). It is also providing downpayment assistance through the Idaho Housing Finance Agency in the form of a First time Homebuyer tax Credit Advance loan that will reimburse the borrower the interest on the tax credit advance when the loan is fully repaid.
tarGet M arket
Miguel Legarreta Director of Public Policy Ada County Association of ReALtoRs 9550 West Bethel Court Boise, Idaho 83709-0569 208.947.7226 208.376.0363 main 208.377.8066 FAX [email protected] www.idahorealtors.com
Workforce group that falls in the 80% to 140% of average area income; this includes young professionals, first time homebuyers, the service industry, police and teachers. over 60 percent of all ownership demand for high cost areas will come from households earning less than $75,000 per year.
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YEAR ONE
PrOGr a M suM M arY
sometimes a good idea needs a little help.

When Congress passed and the President signed the First-time Homebuyer tax Credit of up to $8,000, it was generally hailed as an enormous benefit to first-time homebuyers. the difficulty lay in the fact that the credit would not be paid until the new homebuyer received his/her federal income tax refund, which might be months after closing. While the credit might have made the home affordable, few first-time buyers could afford to put up an equivalent amount or wait for the refund. In order to make the tax credit available to first-time homebuyers at the time of closing, ReALtoRs in Idaho worked to resolve the problem by partnering with the Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA) and developed a loan program to bridge homebuyers until they received their refund. these loans were available for up to 5% of the sales price, not to exceed $7,000 and, most importantly, the money was available when it was needed; at the time of closing. When the Idaho Association of ReALtoRs (IAR) received its Ira Gribin Grant, which was enhanced by a contribution from the Intermountain Multiple Listing service, they developed a way to make the IHFA bridge loans even better. In partnership with Ada County Association of ReALtoRs (ACAR) and the ReALtoRs Community Foundation,
a program was developed to pay off the interest and fees associated with the IHFA loans, provided that new homeowners repaid the loans on time. the net effect was a zero-percent loan and a smoother transition into first-time homeownership. the grant, which gave rise to IARs Welcome Home Idaho program, is also supporting homebuyer counseling and education as well as ReALtoR education focusing on employer-assisted housing. this latter effort, modeled on NARs employer-Assisted Housing Class (formerly Home From Work), has already trained over 50 ReALtoRs and resulted in meetings with a number of large employers, including the City of Boise (1,600 employees) and Idaho Power (2,000 employees). IAR is also conducting regular seminars with elected officials and business leaders about the benefits of eAH programs. Whether making the First-time Homebuyer tax Credit a more realistic option or building on the employer-Assisted Housing Class to achieve local results, ReALtoRs in Idaho continue to give good ideas the extra help they sometimes need.
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ILLInOIs
Partnership for home Ownership (PfhO)/Illinois association of reaLtOrs (Iar) 50,000 members
PrOGr a M na Me
Illinois state treasurer, local cities and municipalities

aWard
$160,000 Illinois state treasurers Dollars and sense Program; employer-Assisted Housing (eAH) Program
PrOGr a M t YPe cOntact
education (ReALtoR/Consumer), Financial Assistance, Public Awareness, toolkit

Laurie Clayton Partnership for Homeownership Illinois Association of ReALtoRs P.o. Box 19451 springfield, Illinois 62794-9451 217.529.2600 800.370.6697 217.529.3904 FAX [email protected] www.iar.org
Illinoiss program will: provide training for ReALtoRs to become HUDapproved housing counselors; tailor homebuyer education and information to focus on affordable mortgages; provide low-interest loans to help working Illinois homeowners facing challenges stay in their homes; produce a toolkit to assist cities, municipalities, or employers to create an employer-assisted housing program.
tarGet M arket
First-time homebuyers; existing, working Illinois homeowners; employers, municipalities and cities seeking to establish employer-assisted housing initiatives.
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YEAR ONE
PrOGr a M suM M arY
Developing partnerships is a key criteria element for

the Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grants, and in the state of Illinois its apparent that partnerships were leveraged in order for Partnership for Homeownership (PFHo) to create the effective programs funded in part by Illinois Ira Gribin Grant. PFHo, created by the Illinois Association of ReALtoRs (IAR) in 1996 to help assist low-income, rural Illinois residents achieve the dream of homeownership, has gone on to administer several multi-million dollar mortgage programs (in excess of $130 million), provide pre-purchase homebuyer counseling to over 1,500 Illinois residents, and is a HUD approved housing counseling agency. PFHos reputation and expertise in administering loan programs and providing quality homebuyer counseling led to partnerships with the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) and the Illinois state treasurer, and the launch of several programs to help working individuals become homeowners and to maintain long-term homeownership. PFHo program includes three main components: PFHo/IAR will train ReALtoRs as HUD-approved pre-purchase counselors so they can conduct homebuyer education classes for firsttime homebuyers in venues across the state. one program available
to buyers is IHDAs Home start program, which helps first time home buyers achieve the dream of homeownership affordability through its affordable mortgage and downpayment assistance loans. Dollars & sense, a course developed by the Illinois state treasurer, which will educate working Illinois homeowners on existing mortgage resources. this is combined with the Finally Home program, which provides loans to help troubled borrowers stay in their home. Materials will be distributed to 50,000 Illinois ReALtoRs to publicize these resources. An employer-Assisted Housing toolkit, based on the award-winning Quincy/Blessing Hospital model, created by PFHo for cities, municipalities, or employers that wish to improve or establish an eAH initiative. the toolkit will include easy to use guidelines, policies, and forms to implement or enhance workforce housing assistance. PFHo will coordinate with 37 local ReALtoR associations to deliver the toolkit and the NAR employer-Assisted Housing Class. PFHo has set aggressive goals for its programs, and will work cooperatively with its partners to secure funds to financially sustain its programs for the long-term benefit of workforce families.
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kansas
kansas association of reaLtOrs (kar) 8,900 members

PrOGr a M na Me
Housing and Credit Counseling Inc., Consumer Credit Counseling service, Inc.
aWard
Kansas Housing opportunity website www.YourKansasHome.org

PrOGr a M t YPe
$60,000
cOntact
Web-based Resource Center (Consumer)

KAR created a comprehensive, consumer-oriented website (YourKansasHome.org) to assist working individuals and families who want and need more information about the home buying process and homeownership assistance programs. It will include information on foreclosures and short sales. It will capitalize on market research and website development conducted by other state ReALtoR associations.
tarGet M arket
Luke Bell Vice President, Government Affairs Kansas Association of ReALtoRs 3644 sW Burlingame Road topeka, Kansas 66611-2050 785.267.3610 extension 2133 800.366.0069 [email protected] www.kansasrealtor.com
the outreach efforts for this web-based resource center are targeted towards households who: 1. have not purchased a home because they are concerned they do not have the funds for downpayment and closing costs or who could not qualify for a residential mortgage; and 2. individuals or families earning between 80 percent to 120 percent of area median income who are on the margin of homeownership affordability.
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YEAR ONE
PrOGr a M suM M arY
the Kansas Association of ReALtoRs

(KAR) is 90 years old this year. And while longevity alone is laudable, in KARs case what is most noteworthy is the intelligence one might even say wisdom with which it pursues its work on behalf of the real estate industry in Kansas. take the deliberate and thoughtful approach it took to designing and implementing its Ira Gribin Grant program, the Kansas Housing opportunity website YourKansasHome.org. their stated goal was to establish a comprehensive and consumeroriented website on home buying resources, short sales, and foreclosure prevention. that is not a unique objective, but the way they implemented this vision shows considerable skill. First, KAR took to heart the dictum about not reinventing the wheel. KAR conducted thorough and wide-ranging research to identify elements and functions of other ReALtoR sites that might be useful to its own effort. In some cases, KAR talked directly with these other associations, seeking either guidance or licensing agreements. For example, KAR looked to Illinois for its use of statistics, to Wisconsin for its Ask a REALTOR button, and to NARs HouseLogic site for presenting maintenance tips, among several others.
second, KAR understood that simply providing detailed descriptions of multiple homeownership assistance programs would not be enough; users of the site needed a means to identify precisely which programs would be beneficial to them. Working with the Kansas City Regional Association of ReALtoRs, KAR will license a program that allows users to enter their individual information and be presented only with programs appropriate to their situation. third, KAR has sought to target its audience narrowly and not try to be all things to all people. Noting that many of the housing assistance programs in Kansas are designed for or marketed to primarily lowincome households, KAR has instead targeted potential homeowners in the 80 120% AMI range, many of whom have not purchased a home because they lack funds for downpayment and closing costs. YourKansasHome.org is still a work in progress, but as each new element is added it promises to grow steadily in both utility and value.
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MaIne
Maine association of reaLtOrs foundation (Mar) 4,502 members

PrOGr a M na Me
Go MAINe Commuter Connections (Maine Department of transportation), hoMeworks, Inc., Androscoggin Bank, Gorham savings Bank, Kennebec savings Bank, Machia savings Bank, the First, N.A.
aWard
Live Where You Work Program

PrOGr a M t YPe
$50,000 Financial Assistance, Homebuyer education

Maines new Live Where You Work program provides downpayment and closing cost assistance to homebuyers seeking to relocate closer to service center communities to reduce/eliminate their daily commute to employment. these no-interest loans, of up to $5,000, are repayable over 60 months.
tarGet M arket
suzanne Guild executive Director Maine Association of ReALtoRs Foundation 19 Community Drive Augusta, Maine 04330-8005 207.622.7501 207.623.3590 FAX [email protected] www.mainerealtors.com
Households earning less than 100% area median income (AMI) are eligible; marketing will be targeted to individuals whose daily work commute is at least 60 miles.
24
YEAR ONE
PrOGr a M suM M arY
of all the states, Maine has the longest average

commute; 30% of the states workforce commutes to work more than 30 minutes each way, 15% spend more than an hour traveling in each direction. there is little public transportation available in Maine, so families endure the costs and challenges of keeping high mileage vehicles operational and are not able to save the up-front money needed for a home purchase. the Maine Association of ReALtoRs (MAR) Foundation developed the Live Where You Work program to help homebuyers access homeownership closer to their employment. With the Ira Gribin Grant monies, the Foundation sought to offer 0% interest loans, of up to $5,000, that could be repaid over 60 months, to cover downpayment and closing costs for individuals who commute at least 30 miles one way to work. As the program got underway, two opportunities/ challenges presented themselves. the first challenge required a change in the Maine Association of ReALtoRs Foundations traditional business model; to transform from a 100% grant-making organization to an organization with a mix of grant programs and its first-ever loan program. to implement a loan program that would be self-sustaining, required that the MAR Foundation become a Maine-licensed supervised Lender. over a
six-month period, the Foundation developed several internal systems for loan servicing and quality control, secured a Lender Bond, and completed its loan officer training and registration with the state. the second challenge was how to get the word out about this new initiative. thinking strategically, the MAR Foundation is forming an innovative partnership with Go MAINe, a program of the Greater Portland Council of Governments, sponsored by the Maine Department of transportation and the Maine turnpike Authority, seeking to speak directly to and appeal to the states thousands of commuters. About one in every 130 residents of the state receive Go MAINes electronic newsletter, which will be used to describe the new program. Go MAINe will also offer space on its website and will introduce the MAR Foundation to the states largest employers to leverage its communications efforts. Live Where You Work became operational in February 2010. the Foundations experience with the Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grants program provided them with financial resources in a time of economic struggle, gave them energy to look at Maines housing needs in a new and innovative way, encouraged them to establish new partnerships (banks, Maine Department of transportation, Go MAINe), gave them confidence that they could alter their business model to include lending, and helped them design a program that will assist Maine families to secure affordable housing closer to their employment.
25
MarYLand
Maryland real estate education foundation Inc., t/a Partnership for housing foundation (Phf) 29,000 members
PrOGr a M na Me
Local ReALtoR associations, local chambers of commerce, social services, veterans organizations
aWard
$100,000
Maryland Home Makeover

PrOGr a M t YPe
cOntact
education, Financial Assistance

PHF is expanding its existing Maryland Home Makeover program to complete necessary home repairs and improvements to ensure the comfort, safety, health, security, and long-term affordability of the dwelling for individuals, households, or surviving families of police, firefighters, eMt, veterans, community/everyday heroes, and developmentally-disabled or physically challenged persons.
tarGet M arket
Fern Dannis Director of Housing Programs Maryland Association of ReALtoRs suite 200 200 Harry s. truman Parkway Annapolis, Maryland 21401-7348 800.638.6425 443.716.3510 FAX [email protected] www.mdrealtor.org
Individuals, households, or surviving families of Police, Firefighters, eMt, Veterans, Community/everyday heroes, and developmentally-disabled or physically challenged homeowners with homes requiring work or retrofitting or new homeowners.
26
YEAR ONE
PrOGr a M suM M arY
Availability and affordability are often the focus of

workforce housing initiatives, but in Maryland, the Maryland Real estate education Foundation Inc., t/a Partnership for Housing Foundation (PHF), is applying its Ira Gribin Grant to improve and ensure the comfort, health, and security of those already living in workforce housing. Patterned after the popular television program Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, PHFs initiative, Maryland Home Makeover identifies , individuals, households or surviving families of police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, veterans, community heroes, and developmentally-disabled or physically-challenged persons whose homes are in serious need of repair or improvement. The Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grant is allowing PHF to continue this work, which may be as simple as installing ramps and accessibility improvements for the disabled or as extensive as a full-scale makeover, says Ilene Kessler, President. to leverage its grant funding and extend its ability to provide assistance, PHF has also begun an education and awareness campaign to bring the housing needs of the states workforce to wider attention, to invite new partners to join its efforts, to promote the involvement of and
raise the image of ReALtoRs in the state generally. Already, PHF has produced a video about the first makeover (available on CD), aimed at local ReALtoR associations and potential partners, explaining its efforts and encouraging viewers to identify potential recipients for assistance. PHF is particularly interested in assisting veterans and their families. 2000 Census figures show that of those over 18 years old living in Maryland, more than 13% (over 542,000 people) are civilian veterans. this years Census may well show that those figures have now increased, both in absolute and percentage terms. In addition to simply repairing these homes, PHF will look to improve the dwellings energy efficiency and green profile, as well as ensure its long-term affordability by implementing repairs that will require minimal maintenance in the future.
27
MIssIssIPPI
Mississippi association of reaLtOrs (Mar) 5,700 members

PrOGr a M na Me
Mississippi economic Council, Mississippi Manufacturers Association, Mississippi Hospital Association, Homebuilders Association of Mississippi, Mississippi Development Authority, Mississippi economic Development Council, Mississippi Home Corporation
aWard
employer-Assisted Housing (eAH) Initiative

PrOGr a M t YPe
$60,000
education (ReALtoR ), Community and employer outreach, Public Awareness

cOntact
MARs employer-Assisted Housing Initiative will leverage legislation passed in Mississippi in 2008, allowing employers to provide a housing benefit to employees without resulting in a tax consequence for the employee. the initiative will include: training on eAH for ReALtoRs in 21 local boards, creation of a statewide eAH committee to administer an employer outreach and education plan, and the establishment of an ongoing process to educate employers and community leaders on eAH issues and opportunities.
tarGet M arket
John Phillips Vice President of Professional Development Mississippi Association of ReALtoRs P.o. Box 321000 Jackson, Mississippi 39232-1000 601.932.5241 extension 14 800.747.1103 601.932.0382 FAX [email protected] www.msrealtors.org
the target market for this program is ReALtoRs, state chambers of commerce, employers, community leaders (i.e., mayors) and other elected officials.
28
YEAR ONE
PrOGr a M suM M arY
the Mississippi Association of ReALtoRs

(MAR) works hard to affect policies favorable to a robust real estate industry. In 2008, for example, after concerted advocacy on its part, it saw the state implement employer-assisted housing legislation enabling employers to provide downpayment and/or closing cost assistance to employees, with no tax consequence for participating employees. this had the potential to allow more residents to become homeowners and at the same time gave employers an attractive benefit to help retain workers. In a state whose housing industry and labor force are still heavily affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, this state program was a clear win-win. the challenge was that few employers and even fewer residents knew anything about this program. And faced with a declining budget and limited resources, MAR was not in a position to mount the kind of awareness campaigns needed to bring eAH to the attention of these two groups, who might otherwise have benefited greatly from its use. MARs Ira Gribin Grant should help change that.
MAR is implementing a three-pronged awareness campaign, seeking to: 1. educate and train ReALtoRs on employer-assisted housing and provide them with the tools, skills, and resources to call on local employers. 2. establish a state association level body to promote and guide ReALtoR employer-assisted housing activities. 3. establish an ongoing process to educate and engage employers and community leaders on employer-assisted housing issues and opportunities. And lest anyone question the importance of this program, they need only listen to the words, and the obvious pride, with which MAR describes its potential: The ripple effect to turning legislation into action for our state a state that is often last in so many regards could put us first in terms of company retention, relocations and expansions. this in turn would increase the need for housing and put Mississippi first in the minds of college graduates seeking a place to establish roots.
29
MOntana
Montana association of reaLtOrs (Mar) 4,100 members

PrOGr a M na Me
NeighborWorks Montana, Montana Board of Housing, local boards

aWard
Affordable Workforce Housing Public Awareness Campaign

PrOGr a M t YPe
$50,000
cOntact
Advocacy Campaign, Community outreach, education (ReALtoR ), speakers Bureau

MARs Affordable Workforce Housing Public Awareness Campaign will educate and inform ReALtoRs and consumers and at the same time shape public policy on workforce housing. the Campaign includes continuing education for ReALtoRs on workforce housing affordability, local housing summits community conversations hosted by local boards to increase public awareness on workforce housing impacts and solutions, and a ReALtoR speakers Bureau providing presentations to community organizations on workforce housing issues.
tarGet M arket
Glenn oppel Government Affairs Director Montana Association of ReALtoRs 1 south Montana, M-1 Helena, Montana 59601-5112 800.477.1864 406.441.4861 406.443.4032 main F406.443.4220 [email protected] www.montanarealtors.org
the focus of MARs program is to ensure the availability of affordable workforce housing for Montanas workforce earning 80 to 120 percent of the median family income in their area. MAR seeks to do this through education, community outreach and raising public awareness to help shape policy.
30
YEAR ONE
PrOGr a M suM M arY
Like many states in the intermountain west, over the past

decade Montana has experienced unprecedented growth fueled by the real estate sector of the economy. As is often the case, this growth has come with challenges. one challenge that has clearly emerged from these years of economic boom is workforce housing affordability in Montanas growing communities. Market forces combined with regulatory uncertainty have led to a growing gap between prevailing wages and housing prices. With assistance from the NARs Ira Gribin Grant, the Montana Association of ReALtoRs (MAR) is pursuing a public awareness campaign to increase understanding about the challenge of workforce housing affordability. the program engages ReALtoR members, the general public, and elected officials in a conversation about the factors that influence the cost of workforce housing in Montanas growing communities and the potential solutions. MARs three-part awareness campaign begins by developing new continuing education opportunities for its membership. With the grant, MAR has developed a new course that focuses on educating ReALtoRs about issues that influence workforce housing affordability. the course will be offered in five regional locations to ensure maximum participation and awareness of critical housing issues. the second part of MARs continuing education efforts consists of offering and underwriting recertification of MARs current Workforce Housing specialists in four regional locations.
these courses will give ReALtoRs the background they need to share their knowledge of workforce housing issues and programs at housing summits or community conversations hosted by their local board. In order to provide solid data on housing issues, ReALtoRs are working with the University of Montanas Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) to create a housing affordability index comparing the median-priced home to the median family income for each community. the BBeR director has agreed to appear and present the results at each event. After each housing summit or community conversation, ReALtoRs will work with local officials to establish a housing task force to conduct a housing needs assessment to be utilized in the communitys growth policy. this post-summit effort will ensure that the community adopts sustainable solutions to workforce housing affordability challenges. the third element of MARs program is speaker training for ReALtoR members. MAR will offer five regional sessions to train ReALtoRs to present 20-minute talks on workforce housing affordability issues to various local community groups. these presentations will enable ReALtoRs to frame the discussion and promote ReALtoR solutions. the statewide scope of MARs program is ensuring that an on-going conversation about affordable workforce housing will occur among its members and the community.
31
neVada
nevada association of reaLtOrs (nVar) 16,474 members

PrOGr a M na Me
Nevada Rural Housing Authority, Reno Housing Authority, Housing Authority of the City of Las Vegas
aWard
security Deposit Program

PrOGr a M t YPe
$80,000
cOntact
Financial Assistance
NVARs new security Deposit Program provides rental assistance via zero-interest loans of up to $500 to assist working, low-income renters in covering the initial security deposit needed to rent an apartment. Participants will have 12 months to pay back the loan.
tarGet M arket
Karen Walker Government Affairs Assistant Nevada Association of ReALtoRs suite 200 760 Margrave Drive Reno, Nevada 89502-3560 775.829.5911 extension 115 800.748.5526 775.829.5915 FAX [email protected] www.nvar.org
this security deposit program is designed to assist members of the community who are employed and who earn up to 80% area median income. this program is tailored to serve working individuals who need assistance moving into the first rung of the housing ladder (rental housing), but whose income may exceed the level for public assistance.
32
YEAR ONE
PrOGr a M suM M arY
of all the Ira Gribin Grants made during the first year
of the program, only Nevadas plan deals exclusively with rental housing. For many people in the states workforce, rental housing is the only housing that might be affordable, and sometimes even that is a stretch. In 2009, the U.s. Department of Labor statistics indicated that a high concentration of employment in the state was in the service, food preparation/serving, building and grounds cleaning, and sales industries. Most of these jobs are probably associated with Nevadas gaming industry. the median income for these jobs is between $9.07 and $12.82 per hour. other, slightly higher-paying jobs are in the office and administrative support, construction, and transportation and management industries, which have median incomes of between $11.67 and $37.50 per hour. With an unemployment rate over 13%, it is unlikely that there will be pressure to increase these wages anytime soon.
For many people earning wages in these ranges, it can be difficult to save enough for both the first months rent and a security deposit. the Nevada Association of ReALtoRs (NVAR) security Deposit Program is designed to assist working families by providing interest free loans to cover their security deposits. Working with three Nevada housing authorities (one in Las Vegas, one in Reno, and one for rural areas of the state), NVARs program targets renters earning up to 80% of the area median income. each of the housing authorities sets their own policies on loan payback, with the intent to have the payments made in monthly installments, to be completed within one year of the agreement date. the goal of NVARs security Deposit program is to help families avoid having to incur credit card debt or delay moving into a rental property because of the challenge of substantial up-front costs generated by moving into a new rental. NVAR believes this program and its members can help many of these families transition from renters to homeowners over time.
33
neW JerseY
new Jersey association of reaLtOrs housing Opportunity foundation, Inc. (nJarhOf) 50,000 members
PrOGr a M na Me
New Jersey Association of ReALtoRs (NJAR), NJAR Government Research Foundation, NJAR Local Boards, New Jersey Community Capital, New Jersey Housing Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA), tD Bank, small Business Administration (sBA), Internal Revenue service (IRs)
aWard
Helping Hands towards Homeownership Program

PrOGr a M t YPe
$160,000 Community outreach, Homebuyer Counseling, education (ReALtoR/Consumer)

Building on existing programs, NJARHoF will educate ReALtoRs and workforce homebuyers on the housing resources and tools available to working families in New Jersey. these resources include financial literacy workshops, homebuyer counseling, homeownership tax benefit classes, NARs employer-Assisted Housing (eAH) Class, NARs expanding Housing opportunities class, New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agencys Live Where You Work program, and community outreach through tV, radio, and print and electronic media outlets and webinars.
tarGet M arket
teresa tilton Director of Member services and Federal Liaison New Jersey Association of ReALtoRs P.o. Box 2098 edison, New Jersey 08818-2098 732.494.4718 732.494.5616 main 732.494.4723 FAX [email protected] www.njar.com
First-time homebuyer working families with households earning 50 150% of median household income will be the target audience. Additionally, the program will serve ReALtoRs who can assist these working families in purchasing their first home.
34
YEAR ONE
PrOGr a M suM M arY
The catch phrase knowledge is power

couldnt be more relevant than when it comes to the home buying process. Numerous studies have cited that lack of information is one of the top barriers to homeownership. In order to address this homeownership barrier in New Jersey, the New Jersey Association of ReALtoRs Housing opportunity Foundation (NJARHoF) is launching a multi-component education program with assistance from the Ira Gribin Grants program. the Helping Hands towards Homeownership programs purpose is to inform ReALtoRs and consumers on the housing resources and tools available to workforce families in their pursuit of homeownership. As part of this program, NJARHoF is conducting focus groups throughout the state that include ReALtoRs, employers and consumers, in order to develop messaging that its members can use to reach potential workforce first-time home buyers. NJARHoF is also coordinating webinars and classes throughout the state, and leveraging its partnerships and working relationships with a long list of non-profit housing organizations and state and government agencies in order to inform its members and consumers on topics such as financial literacy, employer-assisted housing, and tax-benefits of homeownership. through its education efforts, the goal is to reach 1,800 ReALtoRs and consumers in an eight-month period.
In addition, NJARHoF plans on implementing a successful earned media campaign by leveraging the New Jersey Association of ReALtoRs existing public education campaign titled Get the Real story to help inform more consumers that buying a home can be a positive experience. their marketing plan includes traditional media outlets like tV, radio, and press events, as well as podcasts, Facebook, Youtube, and an online ad campaign targeted to social networking sites. the impact of this program will continue beyond the Ira Gribin Grant allocation, since the foundation plans on allocating its funds to future education classes, doing continuous updates to the New Jersey Association of ReALtoRs website on housing assistance and resources in the state, and leveraging its partnerships to help more people become homeowners in the state of New Jersey. through these efforts, NJARHoF is bringing to fruition the phrase knowledge is power.
35
nOrth carOLIna
north carolina association of reaLtOrs housing Opportunity foundation homes4nc 41,167 members
PrOGr a M na Me
Local ReALtoR associations, North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, FHA, Nonprofit housing organizations throughout the state
aWard
$140,000
cOntact
Workforce Housing Program

PrOGr a M t YPe
Community outreach, Public Awareness, Website (ReALtoR/Consumer), education (ReALtoR/Consumer)

Diane Greene Director of Community outreach North Carolina ReALtoRs Housing opportunity Foundation 4511 Weybridge Lane Greensboro, North Carolina 27407-7877 336.808.4234 800.443.9956 336.299.7872 FAX [email protected] www.ncrealtors.org
North Carolinas Workforce Housing Program created a Workforce Housing Certificate program; will educate the public through local workforce housing fairs and workshops for major employee groups; will provide a one-stop, web-based resource that can be used by ReALtoRs, housing partners, and consumers to learn about affordable housing programs; and will conduct a publicity campaign to inform consumers about the web site and the availability of workforce housing certified ReALtoRs.
tarGet M arket
First-time homebuyers in the workforce earning less than area median income.
36
YEAR ONE
PrOGr a M suM M arY
Workforce Housing programs often focus

on assisting public safety (e.g., police and firefighters) or public service personnel (e.g. school teachers or municipal workers) live in the communities they serve, but less frequently consider those who support the local resort and tourism industries. But in a state like North Carolina, with mountains and beaches, history and resorts, travel and tourism contribute over $22 billion annually to the states economy. the workers who support these industries, also, deserve to live where they work and the North Carolina Association of ReALtoRs Housing opportunity Foundation (Homes4NC) is working to make that happen. targeting first-time homebuyers earning less than the median area income, Homes4NC launched the NC ReALtoRs Workforce Housing Program with its Ira Gribin Grant. to leverage that grant further, Homes4NC secured an additional $50,000 in funding from Bank of America, the programs 2010 signature sponsor. In the first phase, Homes4NC focused on ReALtoR education. Beyond simple familiarization with workforce housing issues, the program requires 16 hours of standardized education on federal, state, and local housing programs, all leading to a Workforce Housing specialist certification. to catch the attention of potential homebuyers, Homes4NC has already produced a branded handout, banner, and brochure (customizable by local associations) and a new North Carolina Workforce Housing specialist logo. Coinciding with these other initiatives, Homes4NC is undertaking a large-scale revision of its website (currently underway) which will include a searchable database for users to find housing programs and resources, and Workforce Housing specialists available in their local areas. the final piece an extensive public awareness campaign will kick-off in conjunction with National Homeownership Month in June to drive consumers to the website and to the WHs-certified ReALtoRs that can help them become homeowners. the momentum from these initial successes has now prompted Homes4NC to consider incorporating additional program components to assist first-time workforce homebuyers like down-payment grants and mortgage protection insurance.
37
OreGOn
Oregon association of reaLtOrs hOMe foundation (hOMe foundation) 15,500 members

PrOGr a M na Me
oregon Bankers Association, Portland Housing Center

aWard
$80,000 HoMe sweet Home Program

PrOGr a M t YPe cOntact
education (Consumer), Financial Assistance

oregons Home Foundation will make available forty $2,000 downpayment grants for first-time homebuyers. Lenders will provide a $500 match. Buyers are required to complete at least eight hours of homebuyer education. the program is being marketed through the websites, an electronic newsletter, a quarterly magazine, and conferences. the HoMe Foundation is partnering with the Portland Housing Center and other regional housing centers to provide home buyer education.
tarGet M arket
Jenny Pakula Vice President Business Development and Member outreach & staff Counsel oregon Association of ReALtoRs P.o. Box 351 salem, oregon 97308-0351 503.362.3645 800.252.9115 503.362.9615 FAX [email protected] www.oregonrealtors.org
First-time homebuyers earning 100% or less than the area median income; ReALtoRs who will be made aware of this new financial product and how it could benefit their clients.
38
YEAR ONE
PrOGr a M suM M arY
While new ideas and innovative approaches to solving

problems are rightly applauded, sometimes the effort it takes to put them into practice is not equally valued. Fortunately, the oregon Association of ReALtoRs HoMe Foundation has both sides of the equation covered, with both the new concepts and the ability to bring them to fruition. HoMe sweet Home is the Foundations new program, formed in conjunction with the oregon Bankers Association (oBA) and the Portland Housing Center. the programs outline was simple enough: provide first-time homebuyers, with an income of up to 100% of the area median income, with $2,000 zero-percent, downpayment assistance loans. And each partner had a well-defined role: oBA would administer the loan requests, distribute the funds, and increase the assistance with an additional $500 for each homebuyer; the Housing Center would hold the note and deed of trust, and act as the lender; and the HoMe Foundation itself would provide the initial funding via their Ira Gribin Grant and market the program to potential homebuyers through its ReALtoR members.
the seemingly simple matter of providing borrowers with the appropriate disclosures set the program back several weeks as oBA, like any association, needed to get member agreement before committing to the proposed process. the disclosure issue, along with some potential ResPA concerns from the bankers, proved to be a larger challenge than originally anticipated. Undeterred, the HoMe Foundation worked with all parties involved to reach agreement on a change to the program which simplified the process for all parties involved. Under this new structure, buyers will receive a $2000 grant to assist with their downpayment. to ensure the sustainability of the program, the HoMe Foundation will donate a portion of the funds it receives each year to the HoMe sweet Home Program so grants under this program will continue to be allocated each year. With the exception of the conversion from a loan to grant program, all other pieces of the program will remain the same. All program documents and marketing pieces are currently under reconstruction to reflect the changes. It is often the unexpected issues that can slow down an otherwise promising undertaking and it is equally often the focus and persistence of key individuals who work the problem that brings successful resolution.
39
PennsYLVanIa
Pennsylvania association of reaLtOrs (Par) 32,367 members

PrOGr a M na Me
Individual municipality and/or redevelopment authorities, Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania

aWard
the Community Reinvestment Project (CoRe)

PrOGr a M t YPe
$120,000
cOntact
Research, Redevelopment, Web-based Resource Center (Consumer)

Pennsylvania is launching the CoRe program, a state-wide effort by PAR to encourage local municipalities and/or redevelopment authorities to enter into agreements with ReALtoRs in order to market and sell unused government-owned properties, so they can be converted into affordable workforce housing.
tarGet M arket
Jennifer shockley Assistant Director Government Affairs Pennsylvania Association of ReALtoRs 500 North 12th street Lemoyne, Pennsylvania 17043-1213 800.555.3390 717.561.8796 FAX [email protected] www.parealtor.org
PAR seeks to provide affordable workforce housing for key target audiences, such as teachers, police officers, fire fighters, health care workers, retail clerks, administrative personnel and other moderate income workers who are essential to the economic vitality of a city or region and the success of its businesses, institutions and governmental functions. the specific audiences served by CoRe will differ based on the needs of each individual municipality.
40
YEAR ONE
PrOGr a M suM M arY
It is one of the stark and frustrating ironies

of the current recession that there is a severe affordable housing shortage in the country at the same time that thousands of foreclosed and abandoned homes and other dwellings sit empty and unused. the Pennsylvania Association of ReALtoRs (PAR) estimates that in their state alone there are tens of thousands of such government-owned properties. With an eye to turning these properties into workforce housing for key target audiences such as first-time homebuyers, teachers, firefighters, and police officers, PAR has initiated CoRe: the Community Reinvestment Project. Inspired by the Greater Baltimore Board of ReALtoRs sCoPe (selling City-owned Properties efficiently) program, which has overseen the sale of over 250 properties by the city, PAR is now engaged in creating a similar program for the entire state of Pennsylvania. the concept involves municipalities, government agencies, or local housing authorities working with local ReALtoRs to market and sell government-owned properties to investors or owner-occupants who agree to make the property habitable. A major challenge, already being tackled, is the collection of baseline data. With 67 counties and over 2,500 municipal governments (as well as a number of boundary-overlapping housing authorities), simply assembling an inventory of these government-owned properties is a tall order. once identified, the properties will be keyed and mapped so that local leaders can clearly see the impact these unused buildings have on the surrounding areas. All of this information will be available on a PARdeveloped website. CoRe has already been piloted in Philadelphia, where PAR identified over 19,000 government-owned properties, varying widely in their physical condition. the pilot was successful and has already led to an agreement to put over 350 properties up for sale through CoRe. PAR anticipates expanding the CoRe project to additional municipalities in the next few months as additional parameters for the program are established. PA ReALtoRs are excited about the opportunities CoRe presents, from providing homeownership to currently underserved groups, solidifying a revenue source for municipalities, and helping to develop and stabilize communities.
41
tennessee
tennessee association of reaLtOrs (tar) 23,000 members

PrOGr a M na Me
tennessee Real estate educational Foundation (tReeF), Local associations (23), tennessee Housing Development Agency, tennessee Department of economic and Community Development
aWard
Homeownership options for tennessees Workforce

PrOGr a M t YPe
$100,000 education (ReALtoR), Web-Based Resource Center (ReALtoR/Consumer)

the Homeownership options for tennessees Workforce program will develop an accredited, continuing education program for ReALtoRs across the state, leveraged and disseminated through a train-the-trainer approach. It will develop an on-line resource center website for both ReALtoRs and consumers, and develop and implement an advertising and PR campaign to support the education and website initiatives at both the state and local level.
tarGet M arket
Charles Pug Scoville Director of Communications & education tennessee Association of ReALtoRs 901 19th Avenue south Nashville, tennessee 37212-2137 615.321.1477 615.321.4905 FAX [email protected] www.tarnet.com
Lower-income citizens employed in downtown areas and higher-income suburban communities, including first-time homebuyers, potentially with less-than-ideal credit histories.
42
YEAR ONE
PrOGr a M suM M arY
In some states, workforce housing is an accredited specialty,

like resort, appraisal, Green Designation, or many others. But if 20% or more of the ReALtoRs in a state all share the same specialty, it starts to become something other than a specialty and more like a baseline, expected credential. And thats exactly what the tennessee Association of ReALtoRs (TAR) hopes to achieve with its Homeownership Options for tennessees Workforce! program. tAR, in cooperation with its educational arm, the tennessee Real estate educational Foundation (tReeF), plans to train 4,500 of the states ReALtoRs in its Homeownership options course over a three year period, and an even greater number of ReALtoRs in the years to follow. Funding from tARs Ira Gribin grant will support the first three years of the program. tAR and tReeF have been teaming on ReALtoR education for over 40 years, advancing distance learning and instructor training methods on the web and in workshops and conferences.
to meet their aggressive schedule and achieve widespread workforce housing training throughout the state, tAR and tReeF are training and equipping six instructors (at least one from each region of the state) to deliver their six-hour, Ce-accredited Homeownership options program. this training, as well as a subsidy for local associations offering this program, are being funded through the Ira Gribin Grant to encourage as many offerings as possible at the local level. tAR and tReeF have also launched a new website (www.tnhomeassist.com) to educate both ReALtoRs and consumers about homeownership options in tennessee. In its early stages now, the site will eventually become a central resource center for information on financing and other assistance to tennesseans looking to purchase an affordable home. the website will be funded by Ira Gribin Grant monies for the first three years and then maintained by tReeF. the third component of tARs program is advertising and public relations. Developing courses and building a website resource center will have little impact on workforce housing if they are not known and utilized. tAR is developing a press kit and press releases for traditional information distribution channels, as well as e-cards and special events to reach a far wider audience.
43
WashInGtOn
Washington reaLtOrs (Wr) 20,414 members

PrOGr a M na Me
Washington state Housing Finance Commission, Department of Financial Institutions

aWard
Workforce Housing opportunities to stimulate Washingtons Housing Market

PrOGr a M t YPe
$100,000
cOntact
education (ReALtoR/Consumer), Public Awareness

Washington ReALtoRs has expanded its existing Quality of Life initiative using focus groups to develop workforce housing messaging. Based on the focus group results, WR created a public awareness campaign to educate consumers on workforce housing programs and opportunities. It also educates ReALtoRs on how to reach the target market through NARs new expanding Housing opportunities course.
tarGet M arket
Nathan Gorton Director Government Affairs Washington ReALtoRs P.o. Box 719 olympia, Washington 98507-0719 360.943.3100 800.562.6024 360.357.6627 FAX [email protected] www.warealtor.org
First-time homebuyer segment of workforce housing market, defined as median income workers who serve our communities.
44
YEAR ONE
PrOGr a M suM M arY
It may be an urban legend, but the reply attributed to

bank robber Willie Sutton when asked why he robbed banks Because thats where the money is! makes a point applicable to media campaigns, too: You have to take your message to your target audience. First-time homebuyers tend to be younger and more comfortable with the web generally and social media particularly. so when the Washington ReALtoRs (WR) decided to focus their Ira Gribin Grant on workforce housing opportunities to stimulate Washingtons housing market, they zeroed-in on viral videos. Initially though, WR was looking at a television advertising campaign, but the results from its focus groups turned them in another direction. Instead of airing commercials on tV, WR produced six videos which they released to their members and local associations for use on their websites and to distribute through links in Facebook and twitter, etc. As they reported: Our focus groups told us that first-time home buyers want information fast, simple, and clear. this generation is impatient and wants a ReALtoR who can save them time. they want a ReALtoR who is up with technology and can do things over email and fax, focus groups indicated. WR also realized that a media campaign is best waged on multiple fronts and by multiple means. so in addition to the videos, they created banner ads and public service announcements. they built a new
website with homebuying calculators and other tools intended to be relevant to first-time homebuyers. WRs Issue Fund chipped in $65,000 for two radio campaigns; one to advertise a state-wide open house and the other to promote an extension and expansion of the first-time homebuyer tax credit. WR also offered a class, $8000 Reasons to Buy, in the form of live webinars, online videos and disks to every member-broker in the state and drew hundreds of students interested in providing first-time home buyers with up-to-date information. An unexpected benefit of this kind of all-hands effort was described by WR this way: After a terrible year for the housing market and our members, the Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grant breathed a new sense of mission and purpose into our staff and our organization. Almost every staff department got involved in program activities and it boosted excitement and team effort among us all.
45
WIscOnsIn
Wisconsin reaLtOrs association (Wra) 14,000 members

PrOGr a M na Me
Wisconsin Housing and economic Development Authority (WHeDA)

aWard
$80,000
cOntact
Wisconsin Workforce Housing Initiative

PrOGr a M t YPe
Web-based Resource Center (ReALtoR /Consumer)
Wisconsins program will create a comprehensive website including descriptions of current employer-assisted housing (eAH) offerings, information on how to create an eAH program, and training materials from the NAR employer-Assisted Housing course. It will train an additional 100 ReALtoRs, lenders, and counselors to be eAH certified. It will educate and engage at least 10 new employers on eAH with the goal of enrolling at least five employers in an eAH program by January 2011.
tarGet M arket
tom Larson Director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs Wisconsin ReALtoRs Association suite 201 4801 Forest Run Road Madison, Wisconsin 53704-7337 608.241.2047 800.279.1972 608.241.2901 FAX [email protected] www.wra.org
the target market for this program includes ReALtoRs, employers, lender partners, counseling agencies and consumers.
46
YEAR ONE
PrOGr a M suM M arY
one key to learning has always been having just enough

information to peruse. If there is too little information it may not be of any practical use. on the other hand, if information is provided in too much detail, it may simply be overwhelming and equally limiting to learning. Websites make it easy to amass extraordinary amounts of information and sites have grown to hundreds and even thousands of pages. Visitors to such sites can easily get lost and learning-discouraged. the Wisconsin ReALtoRs Association (WRA) and its Ira Gribin Grant partner, the Wisconsin Housing and economic Development Authority (WHeDA), have been partners in encouraging workforce housing initiatives throughout the state for several years, so it was natural for them to team up again to implement Wisconsins Ira Gribin Grant to promote employer-assisted housing. Both the WHeDA and the WRA websites cover dozens of topics relating to housing both in Wisconsin and nationally, so recognizing the right-sized lesson for websites, they decided to create a new site devoted exclusively to eAH issues.
the new website is expected to inform and educate more real estate professionals, lender partners, local government officials, employers, and employees on the value of homeownership and employer-assisted housing. Up until now, the materials WRA/WHeDA have offered on eAH and its workforce housing initiative have been provided in hard copy format or via email. Now all these materials will reside in one easily accessible location the new website to grow interest and demand for the program. ReALtoRs, employers, lender partners, counseling agencies, and consumers are all expected to make use of the site. the site will not only provide information on current eAH program offerings in the state, but will also provide information on how to create an eAH program, and training materials from the eAH course. Associated with this, WRA and WHeDA expect to train an additional 100 ReALtoRs, lenders, and counselors within the state to be eAH certified. In addition, they aim to educate and engage at least 10 new employers, and enroll at least five in an eAH program by January 2011. the website is scheduled to go live in May 2010.
47
fOr MOre InfOr M atIOn
Please refer to the guidelines and frequently asked questions on www.realtor.org/iragribingrant. Application materials for the grant program and other supporting materials are also available on this site. If you have questions, please contact Lora McCray at 202-383-7560 or [email protected].

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Tackling Workforce Housing State By State

STATUS AND PROGRESS REPORT | Year One

Tackling Workforce Housing State By State

Copyright 2010 National Association of ReALtoRs

the Ir a GrIbIn WOrkfOrce hOusInG Gr ants PrOGr a M

When it comes to development housing,

Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grants: Tackling

tHe AVAILABILItY oF WoRKFoRCe HoUsING,

the Ira GrIbIn WOrkfOrce hOusInG Grants

z Status and Progress Report z

Workforce Housing State by State

natIOnaL assOcIatIOn Of reaLtOrs

the Ira Gribin Workforce Housing Grants Program

the Ira GrIbIn WOrkfOrce hOusInG Grants

z Status and Progress Report z

natIOnaL assOcIatIOn Of reaLtOrs

hOW Gr ants are aWarded

the Ira GrIbIn WOrkfOrce hOusInG Grants

z Status and Progress Report z

YeAR oNe GRANts

california association of reaLtOrs (c.a.r.) housing affordability fund 183,885 members

Mortgage Protection Program

First-time homebuyers with W-2 (no self-employed borrowers).

the Ira GrIbIn WOrkfOrce hOusInG Grants

z Status and Progress Report z

PrOGr a M suM M arY

Purchasing your first home can be a daunting

natIOnaL assOcIatIOn Of reaLtOrs

delaware association of reaLtOrs (dar) 3,800 members

Delaware Umbrella Program

the Ira GrIbIn WOrkfOrce hOusInG Grants

z Status and Progress Report z

PrOGr a M suM M arY

In any profession, there are terms of art, words or phrases

natIOnaL assOcIatIOn Of reaLtOrs

florida reaLtOrs 115,000 members

sadowski education effort (see), Florida Workforce Housing Umbrella Program

Advocacy Campaign, Community outreach, education (Consumer/ReALtoR), Financial Assistance

the Ira GrIbIn WOrkfOrce hOusInG Grants

z Status and Progress Report z

PrOGr a M suM M arY

natIOnaL assOcIatIOn Of reaLtOrs

hawai`i association of reaLtOrs (har) 9,037 members

ReALtoRs stimulating Workforce Housing in Hawai`i

the Ira GrIbIn WOrkfOrce hOusInG Grants

z Status and Progress Report z

PrOGr a M suM M arY

Workforce housing affordability is a pressing issue

natIOnaL assOcIatIOn Of reaLtOrs

Idaho association of reaLtOrs (Iar) 7,500 members

Welcome Home Idaho

$60,000 education (ReALtoR/Consumer), Financial Assistance

the Ira GrIbIn WOrkfOrce hOusInG Grants

z Status and Progress Report z

PrOGr a M suM M arY

sometimes a good idea needs a little help.

natIOnaL assOcIatIOn Of reaLtOrs

Illinois state treasurer, local cities and municipalities

education (ReALtoR/Consumer), Financial Assistance, Public Awareness, toolkit

the Ira GrIbIn WOrkfOrce hOusInG Grants

z Status and Progress Report z

PrOGr a M suM M arY

Developing partnerships is a key criteria element for

natIOnaL assOcIatIOn Of reaLtOrs