OTOC Endorses Changes to Inspection Fees
Omaha Together One Community (OTOC) endorses the proposed amendments to the Omaha Municipal Code that would authorize fee increases for code violation re-inspections.
Read moreOne LA-IAF Fights for Community Driven Foreclosure Prevention
While interviewed on KCRW's 'To the Point', One LA-IAF leader Yvonne Mariajimenez asserted that the One LA foreclosure prevention plan "provides a better return for investors than going through with foreclosure." This is the same plan that has been adopted by the City of Los Angeles.
Beltway Bubble, KCRW
Building on Win, TMO Fights Wage Theft as Immigration Strategy
Building on an Austin victory criminalizing wage theft statewide, TMO institutions take the fight against wage theft to the pews.
"For The Metropolitan Organization, the wage theft law is not just about employees' rights; it is a way to carry out immigration reform in the current political climate. The Rev. Kevin Collins (photo right), the organization's co-chairman, says that... they will still benefit from the reform.
[Photo Credit: Wenjing Zhang, New York Times]
Read moreJeremiah’s Soft 2nd Mortgages to Help 1,000 New Homeowners
Four years ago, the Jeremiah Group created, fought for, and won approval for a proposal to set aside $75 million for home ownership in Louisiana (with $52 Million for New Orleans).
The Times Picayune reports that "the $52.3 million 'soft-second mortgage' program has endured many starts and stops over the years. The program was approved nearly four years ago by the state and former Mayor Ray Nagin, but it never got off the ground.
The faith-based Jeremiah Group, however, continued to fight City Hall for the money until it finally became a reality."
[Map Credit: Times-Picayune]
Read moreOne LA / IESC Halts Proposal for Waste Transfer Station
"We believe healthy communities require willing institutions to engage with each other in the public square for the common good..."
-- IESC Statement
Read moreOTOC Wins Rental Housing Reforms in Omaha
"An alliance of Omaha churches and community groups celebrated Tuesday after the City Council unanimously approved measures to increase fees for city building permits and inspections...About 30 members of the group Omaha Together One Community filled ...council chambers as seven of its members testified in favor of the amendments..."We know that many owners respond by fixing the problem. Our concern is with those who do not," said OTOC member Susan Kuhlmann of Omaha."
Since 2003, city fees had stagnated at $41 per re-inspection, a fee so low that 4,000 cases with unpaid fees remain open. The change would increase the fees to $125 per re-inspection over the next three years, high enough for an unpaid fee to appear on a landlord's credit report.
Read moreWTOS Helps Launch Innovative Software Training Project for Low-Income Youth
VIP Leaders Pin Phoenix Mayoral Candidates
AMOS Fights for Quality Healthcare & Celebrates Victories
"'Iowa's revamped mental health care system must include more state workers so that care is easier to access and is funded properly,' an advocate said Sunday..."
Read moreBay Area IAF ‘Reclaims Citizenship’ with 400 Leaders
In a large scale effort to help California IAF leaders address the state's economy and challenges facing state and local officials, over 400 Bay Area IAF leaders convened in an October conference, joined by economists, thinkers, demographers, and other state power players. Leaders told stories illustrating how the downturn has hurt families and communities, reflected on their faith traditions and strategized around local opportunities. The conference helped energize regional strategies around immigration and identify training opportunities on housing and education.