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Housing Colorado News
Leadership Profile Series: Shawn McKenna
Shawn McKenna is the Founder and CEO of ProLink Solutions, a company that specializes in enterprise software solutions for housing finance agencies and businesses all across the affordable housing industry. With a background in banking, finance, and software development, Shawn has a proven track record as an entrepreneur and innovator, and ProLink has won many accolades under his leadership. Shawn has led the company to create award-winning solutions for its clients. He is a new volunteer on the Housing Colorado Legislative Committee, helping review the many affordable housing bills expected this legislative session. Learn more about Shawn.
Committee Spotlight: Publications Committee
The Publications Committee is a subcommittee of the Conference Planning Committee and is responsible for creative brainstorming, editing, proofing and approving the Housing Colorado NOW! Annual Conference mailer, program and attendee directory. Learn more about how this committee puts together these conference-related materials in this month’s Committee Spotlight.
In Case You Missed It! Meet the Board Networking Event
Members of Housing Colorado gathered in the Rox Room at Lodo’s Bar downtown on February 18 to meet with the Housing Colorado Board of Directors. Over 70 attendees met on an unusually warm February afternoon to network with one another and connect with the board. The event, sponsored by CohnReznick, also featured a quick presentation from board members about what to expect in 2016. See what you missed at this month's event.
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Policy Update
Bill Report
Learn more about the current bills presented in the legislative session that impact the housing industry and what position Housing Colorado is taking on each bill.
State Update
2016 Legislative Session already an active one, with big issues still to come
The 2016 Legislative session has been underway for nearly two months and we’ve seen many bills pertaining to affordable housing policy. Here is a quick snapshot of the action so far:
- Two proposals aimed at assisting housing authorities have already been introduced and have considerable support this session. HB 16-1069 modifies state statute to enable local municipalities to adjust the length of terms for volunteers serving on housing authorities boards. This bill has passed both the House and Senate, and is awaiting the Governor’s signature. HB 16-1006 seeks to clarify qualifying tax exemptions for housing authorities. While this is considered a “statutory clean-up bill” it nevertheless has significant impacts on the bottom line for housing authorities’ construction costs, saving thousands of dollars or more in many cases. This bill has passed initial House committees and is expected to be introduced in the Senate soon.
- The Homeless Bill of Rights, a bill that was introduced in the 2015 session, has been introduced once again this year. HB 16-1191 establishes the Colorado Right to Rest Act, which would govern access to public spaces for individuals experiencing homelessness. While this bill has raised some concerns among opponents regarding public safety issues, it does provide an opportunity to discuss homelessness in Colorado, and the lack of resources to effectively address the issue. This bill is awaiting its first hearing in the House.
- Mobile home legislation has also had a reprise this session, with the introduction of SB 16-057. This bill addresses multiple areas in statute with the goal of preserving mobile communities as a critical component of the affordable housing inventory in Colorado. This bill died in committee; however it did provide an opportunity to educate lawmakers about the need for affordable home ownership in Colorado and the inventory at risk.
The legislative session is expected to get even busier in the coming weeks with two of our biggest priorities – funding for affordable housing and reform to construction defect law – still waiting introduction. Lawmakers from both the House and Senate continue to work on a number of bills that relate to these two issues. Housing Colorado has developed a fact sheet that details two of the funding proposals we expect to see, and will be updating members on these bills as soon as they are introduced. In the meantime, members are encouraged to follow all the action this session with our bill report and updates in our eNews and For Members Only.
Federal Update
The Housing Opportunities through Modernization Act
Early this month, the House unanimously passed the Housing Opportunities through Modernization Act, H.R. 3700. The bill is intended to strengthen and improve federal rental assistance programs by: expanding access to desirable areas for low-income tenants, addressing homelessness, reducing administrative burdens, bolstering work incentives, and providing funding for renovations. The Senate will now consider this meaningful bipartisan proposal.
Want to learn more about H.R. 3700? Click here to register for a free webinar on Thurs. Mar. 3 from 1-2p.m. MST hosted by The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities that highlights the resolution’s impacts on tenants and applicants.
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Housing Colorado's Upcoming Events
TABOR: What it means for Colorado
Tuesday, March 8 from Noon- 1:00 PM
Online Webinar
Cost: $10 members, $20 non-members
In 1992 voters added tax and budget policy to the Colorado Constitution that limits the authority of elected officials to adopt policies that can adapt to changing economic circumstances. With the growing economy and new Coloradans arriving every day, is TABOR still working for Colorado? Come learn how TABOR affects tax and economic policy as well as new legislation being proposed during this legislative session.
Sponsored by:
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Affordable Housing Community News
News:
Tax Season
- Habitat for Humanity of Colorado is on the 2015 state tax returns as a part of the checkoff donation list! Learn more at www.habitatcolorado.org.
Events
- WEBINAR: A Band, A Beer, A Brownfield, “Funding Downtown Development” Downtown Colorado, Inc.
March 15, 9:00-10:00am
Your town’s unique individual story is critical to selling an inspiring vision to motivate investment. Join us to hear how the EPA Brownfields program can play a key role in crafting a marketing strategy. You’ll hear about project branding, virtual visualization techniques, and engaging outreach techniques that you can use in advancing redevelopment.
Job postings:
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