Black Eyed Peas & Collard Greens: The Poor Takes the Brunt of the Mortgage Crisis

Welcome

We would like to welcome you to Richmond's 1st blog focused on the African American Community. This issue is dedicated to the "People's Platform" and the effort to launch a "Campaign to End Poverty" in Richmond.

We want to make Blackeyed Peas & Collard Greens (BP&CG) the online site of choice for the community. Our dream is to end the "digital divide" by making the internet assessible to the African American community. We see BP&CG as a start.

Why BP&CG, well that goes back to the days of the Pharoahs in Egypt. Within this blog, Tinesha Jackson will share her perspective on the title. I know you will find this interesting.

Lastly, we are asking every visitor to pass the site on to friends, share your thoughts or feelings, post up-coming events and of course come again and drop a line or two.

The mortgage crisis is a direct result of President Bush's pledge to increase minority home ownership during his term as President. He called upon the private sector to make it happen. They responded with a slew of mortgage programs that only made sense to them. They tailored loans to the borrower's ability to pay--under the false belief that over time --when either their earnings and/or credit rating or the value of their property increased --they could sell or refinance their homes. Neither happened. Low income people are often the last hired and the first fired and they were charged unreasonably high closing costs that ate into their equity. I know of one instance where a purchaser owing less then $35,000 on her home ended up with a loan of $108,000 on a house valued at $65,000. After 3 refinances she had paid $42,000 in loan fees. Ironically the house sits vacant because the bank cannot get clear title. The staunch reality is that Bush went to the private sector because the Affordable Housing Industry had failed the many people he intended to serve. We will explore this issue in future blogs.

Community Calender

October 30, 2008 - November 1, 2008 --The Virginia One Church, One Child is sponsoring its 23rd ANNUAL STATEWIDE ADOPTION CONFERENCE “Forging Pathways to Permanency and Well Being” at the Crowne Plaza Hotel 6945 Pocahontas Trail Williamsburg, VA The conference is for persons interested in maintaining stability, safety, and permanence for children involved in the adoption and/or foster care system. The conference will have informative workshops that discuss adoption issues and explore new approaches for parenting and working with children and families.

FOR MORE CONFERENCE INFORMATION CONTACT

VIRGINIA ONE CHURCH, ONE CHILD
(804) 329-3420 OR (800) 440-5090

Thursday, October 16th 5:00p.m-7:00p.m. The North Avenue Library is partnering with the Partnership for Families Northside to host our 2nd Annual Fall Community Fair at 2901 North Ave. This will be an evening of games for children, free food, free books, and toys. Families are encouraged to come out and visit information tables of at least 10 community agencies that make their services available on the Northside. Gift certificates will be raffled for free and the Capital Area Health Network (CAHN) will be providing free immunizations for children 4-18 and free lead poisoning screenings.

For more information contact:
The Partnership for Families Northside
(804) 353-4264

Why Black Eyed Peas & Collard Greens?

The year 2008 represents new beginnings. As we stand on the cusp of new leadership locally, nationally and abroad, we can’t help but to reflect on our history and how this nation was built.

"Black Eyed Peas" symbolize many things but in this case, the small dark portion of the pea is like Black folk. We are viewed as small and not unified and as a result issues that affect our communities are not being heard. More and more, we are slowly diminishing away as a result of AIDS, the "Cradle to Prison Pipeline" and black on black violence. This violence has led to not only a physical but mentally-conscious death. The time has arrived to take a stand! We must reverse the illnesses that have plagued our inner cities for decades. Through the People’s Platform, we have began discussing areas such as Education, Housing, Employment and Crime Prevention to act upon to end poverty.

"Collard Greens" represent the "Economic Growth" of our communities as result of our actions to get those running for political office to address our issues. Empowering our community to overcome and resolve the things which keep us from economic prosperity, we can build (“Healthy & Green”) communities.

"Black Eyed Peas & Collard Greens" has been created for the "People" to be heard through meaningful conversation and debate about issues affecting our community with the intentions of seeing effective and notable results.

Town Hall Meeting Agenda

The "Peoples Platform" evolved from the “Yes We Can” Town Hall Meeting held on Tuesday July 22, 2008 at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Jackson Ward. The meeting was sponsored by C-NEED and the Ebenezer Baptist Church Urban Ministries Committee. Participants reviewed demographic data and C-NEED's positions and within small groups discussions came up with recommendations. The theme of the meeting was “Change Begins at Home” and candidates for Mayor, City Council and the School Board were invited, yet requested to participate as citizens. Over seventy-five persons were in attendance.

The Agenda
Welcome: Reverend Barbara J. Morton, Executive Minister of Church Business Administration, James H. Elam, Planning Team Member
Purpose, and Recognition of Candidates: Glenda “Jackie” Harris, Planning Team Member Restoration of Rights (Rev. Daryl K. Kearney, Pastor Third Street Bethel AME
Overview: Preddy D. Ray Sr., Planning Team Member
Break
Small Group Issues Sessions:· Housing - Lillie A. Estes, Facilitator· Education – Tinesha Jackson, Facilitator· Jobs - Harry H. Bradley Jr., Facilitator· Crime - Raymond C. Cousins Jr., Facilitator
Large Group Discussion and Small Group Reports
Where Do We Go From Here
Meet and Mingle

RESOURCE Information and Links:

Below is information on topics that we feel are important to consider as we establish our People’s Platform and Campaign to End Poverty by 2020. It is a combination of program descriptions and links to websites for additional information. To access the websites simply click on the links or copy and paste them to the status line on the computer. It is our belief that we must end the digital divide and we are therefore advocating the use of the internet to exchange and access information.

General Information on Poverty

www.usccb.org/cchd/povertyusa/State Strategies to Reduce Child and Family Poverty (6/5/2008) - Issue Brief www.2020wi.org/www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/onecampaignaga www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-05-20-city-pov...http://www.citymayors.com/features/uscity_poverty.html

CRIME:

1. Federal Bonding Program:
What Is Fidelity Bonding?
- Insurance to protect employer against employee dishonesty - Covers any type of stealing: theft, forgery, larceny, and embezzlement
- In effect, a guarantee of worker job honesty
- An incentive to the employer to hire an at-risk job applicant
- A unique tool for marketing applicants to employers

Why Is Fidelity Bonding Needed for Job Placement?

1. Employers view ex-offenders and other at-risk job seekers as potentially untrustworthy workers, thereby, denying them job-hire.
2. Insurance companies will not cover risky job applicants under commercial.
3. Fidelity Bonds purchased by employers to protect themselves against employee dishonesty.
4. Being NOT BONDABLE is a significant barrier to employment possessed by the hardest-to-place job applicants; this barrier can be eliminated only by The Federal Bonding Program
5. Job bonding enables the employer to “obtain worker skills without taking risk”.
6. Persons who are NOT BONDABLE can ultimately become commercially BONDABLE by demonstrating job honesty during the 6 months of bond coverageAnyone who cannot secure employment without bondingBonding coverage can apply to any job at any employer in any State

Other Links on Alternatives to Crime

http://www.bonds4jobs.com/index.html http://www.cases.org/Papers/ATIs.htm http://www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/410213_reentry.PDF(Prisoner Reentry in Perpsective: Published by the Urban Institute)
http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/181413.pdf
(But They All Come Back: Rethinking Prisoner Reentry)

Education:

What is a Community School?

A community school is both a place and a set of partnerships between the school and other community resources. Its integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development and community engagement leads to improved student learning, stronger families and healthier communities. Schools become centers of the community and are open to everyone – all day, every day, evenings and weekends.Using public schools as hubs, community schools bring together many partners to offer a range of supports and opportunities to children, youth, families and communities. Partners work to achieve these results:· Children are ready to learn when they enter school and every day thereafter. All students learn and achieve to high standards.· Young people are well prepared for adult roles in the workplace, as parents and as citizens.· Families and neighborhoods are safe, supportive and engaged. Parents and community members are involved with the school and their own life-long learning.To learn more about the Coalition’s vision of a community school, read the section An Enduring Vision in the Coalition’s report, Making the Difference: Research and Practice in Community Schools.
For more information on what it means to be a community school, read Community Schools: Partnerships for Excellence.

JOBS and Wealth Creation:

1. Supplier Diversity Program

The Cincinnati Public School District purchases a wide variety of services, materials and equipment. The Supplier Diversity Program is our effort to expand the opportunities for minority-owned, female-owned and small businesses to participate in this process.The Supplier Diversity Program is an initiative established by the Cincinnati Board of Education to assist Small and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (SDB) who would like to do business with the district. Candidates must be able to show evidence of prior experience, have a performance record in the specified field and provide proof of financial stability.Initiating the Supplier Diversity Program is our commitment to ensure diversity is represented in our sources of suppliers for our district purchases that include:Construction and Related Professional ServicesNon-Construction Professional ServicesServices (Non-Professional)GoodsTo support our mission of educating children, Cincinnati Public Schools is committed to the wise stewardship of taxpayer’s funds when purchasing goods and services needed to complete the district’s mission.Cincinnati Public Schools adheres to rules set forth in the Ohio Revised Code regarding the purchases of goods and services.

2. The HUD Section 3 Program: http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/section3/FAQ08.pdf

Section 3 is a provision of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, which recognizes that HUD funds are typically one of the largest sources of federal funding expended in communities through the form of grants, loans, entitlement allocations and other forms of financial assistance. Section 3 is intended to ensure that when employment or contracting opportunities are generated because a covered project or activity necessities the employment of additional persons or the awarding of contracts for work, preference must be given to low- and very low-income persons or business concerns residing in the community where the project is located.

3. Work Opportunity and Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit Work Opportunity Tax Credit Brochure (PDF)

The Employment Development Department's Work Opportunity and Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit (WOTC) has two purposes:
1. To promote the hiring of individuals who qualify as a member of a target group, and
2. To provide a federal tax credit to employers who hire these individuals.

An employer may qualify for a tax credit of up to $8,500 if the employee is a member of a designated target group and meets that group's specific requirements.
There are nine target groups for WOTC eligibility:
- Qualified recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF).
- Qualified veterans who are receiving Food Stamps.
- Qualified economically disadvantaged ex-felons hired no later than one year after conviction or release from prison.
- High-risk youth ages 18 through 24 who reside in a federally designated Empowerment Zone, Enterprise Community, or Renewal Community.Vocational Rehabilitation referrals.
- Qualified summer youth ages 16 through 17 who reside in a federally designated Empowerment Zone, Enterprise Community, or Renewal Community and have not previously worked for the employer seeking this tax credit.
- Qualified Food Stamp recipients ages 18 through 24.
- Qualified recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Long-term recipients of TANF/Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC).
- Individuals who began work on or after January 1, 1998.)

AFFORDABLE HOUSING:

THE PROMISE OF MIXED-INCOME HOUSING FOR POVERTY AMELIORATION

Since the 1990s, public policymakers have renewed support for mixed-income housing development in low-income neighborhoods as a means toward neighborhood revitalization and poverty amelioration. Research to date finds that, while mixed-income developments in lower income neighborhoods have promoted area revitalization, they have accomplished less for people in these areas who live in poverty. This policy brief focuses on mixed-income projects that seek to de-concentrate poverty in impoverished, urban neighborhoods. It finds that, since these efforts are largely market-based approaches, they have paid less direct attention to lower-income residents and the community-based organizations that represent them. While these shortcomings may be attributed to structural barriers that prevent developers, housing authorities and service providers from implementing effective practices, competency, and resource limitations can be offset by strong community-based advocates working with public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Drawing on this conclusion, it is suggested that community empowerment strategies be
implemented in tandem with mixed-income approaches in order to achieve positive outcomes for lower-income residents. http://www.law.unc.edu/documents/poverty/publications/jimfraserpolicybrief.pdf

Won't You Be My Neighbor?
By: Kari Lydersen

When Chicago’s public housing developments were born in the 1930s, the stated plan was to create idyllic enclaves where low-income working families could develop close-knit communities and thrive. The reality, in Chicago and nationwide, turned out quite differently, thanks to factors including government neglect, police corruption and crime. So in 1992, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development launched its Hope VI program, designating mixed-income communities as the way to redevelop and revitalize public housing. Significant funding was made available for housing authorities nationwide to carry out this model. And it soon became de rigueur for public housing redevelopment from New York to New Orleans to Chicago to Oakland. The Chicago Housing Authority is almost nine years into its $1.6 billion “Plan For Transformation,” started in 1998 with Hope VI funds. In the wake of Hope VI, “mixed income” became a beloved buzzword in government and policy circles nationwide. “When people are isolated on a [public housing] property like Stateway Gardens or [the Robert Taylor Homes], all they see is poor people, people who sell drugs, bad habits,” said CHA Press Secretary Derek Hill. In a mixed-income community, “children may be inspired to be a doctor or nurse or like anyone who lives around them.” The goal of mixed-income communities created through Hope VI is to decentralize poverty by creating pockets where there is an equal distribution of low-, middle-, and upper-income residents, with the idea that, as Hill said, poor people will learn from their more affluent neighbors and enjoy the increased resources and amenities that inevitably flow to higher-income areas. Popular as the concept is among developers now, mixed-income communities are nothing new. In Chicago, they formed after segregation kept minorities from certain neighborhoods. But those types of economically mixed neighborhoods, upon which the CHA is pinning its hopes for transformation, aren’t perfect as tensions and limited interactions between people of varying incomes can limit the inspiration Hill speaks of. And those mixed-income neighborhoods aren’t popular—as many people don’t live in them and the economic mix doesn’t always last for very long.

http://www.chicagoreporter.com/index.php/c/Inside_Stories/d/Won

Other Housing Links:

Policy Link http://www.policylink.org/
Alliance for Healthy Homes http://www.afhh.org/
Youthbuild http://www.youthbuild.org/site/c.htIRI3PIKoG/b.1223921/k.BD3C/Home.htm
HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/

National Fair Housing Advocate Online http://www.fairhousing.com/index.cfm

Other Links:
http://www.dol.gov/cfbci/US Department of Labor Center on Faith based and Community Initiatives
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/01/20080129-8.htmlFact Sheet: The Faith-Based and Community Initiative: A Quiet Revolution in the Way Government Addresses Human Need

Concerns of African-American Males
http://www.citymayors.com/society/us_blackmen.html http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?961+ful+HJ167+pdf
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 167 Offered January 22, 1996 Establishing a joint subcommittee to study the status and needs of African-American males in Virginia

Black Eyed Peas & Collard Greens

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The Poor Takes the Brunt of the Mortgage Crisis

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Our Purpose

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Community Calender

Why Black Eyed Peas & Collard Greens?

Town Hall Meeting Agenda

Where Do We Go From Here?

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