(from Memo to Members, the publication of the National Low Income Housing Coalition) As predicted, the Senate leadership has decided not to include the NHTF in its most recent iteration of a "jobs" bill. While the form that its jobs legislation will take remains in flux, neither the Baucus (D-MT)-Grassley (R-IA) proposal nor the stripped down version that Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) brought forward contain the NHTF.

(from Housing CA) On January 8, 2010, Governor Schwarzenegger released his proposed 2010-2011 budget. Schwarzenegger proposes $8.5 billion in cuts, $6.9 billion in federal relief, and $4.5 billion in revenue shifts to address the state's $19.9 billion shortfall.

The governor then called an immediate special session of the legislature on the current-year budget due to fiscal emergency.

California Receives $318 Million In New Federal Awards In Recovery Act To States

(from U.S. Housing and Urban Development) U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan announced today that HUD is awarding $2 billion in Recovery Act funding to states, local governments and non-profit housing developers, under HUD's Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP), to spur economic development in hard-hit communities and create jobs. Nearly 60 grantees are receiving awards. A full list of grants awarded today can be found on HUD's Recovery Act website.

(A special thanks to Matt Schwartz and Marilyn Wacks for this update on LIHTC Federal Legislation)

Just before the holidays the House passed the extenders bill with the 9% exchange extension included, but the Senate did not act on it.

It's time to take an important step and make affordable homes our nation's top priority!

SCANPH requests your help to build a stronger voice for nonprofit affordable home builders and advocates - by establishing a communications and mobilization coordinator (CMC) at your site.

We would like your community-based organization to select one of your staff members as your CMC - someone who you can dedicate to receiving Action Alerts and information on campaigns for affordable housing such as permanent source funding and mixed-income housing and acting on them.