External Economic Stimulus News
NEWS ARTICLES
Week of January 21, 2010
The State of Communities of Color in the U.S. Economy, Center for American Progress
The Center for American Progress releases a policy brief on the increased economic disparities that communities of color are facing as a result of the recession. Although disparities existed prior to the recession, the economic downturn has significantly increased those disparities. In December 2007, the Black unemployment rate was 4.4 percent higher than the White unemployment rate. Now, however, the difference has grown to 7.1 percent.
Week of January 7, 2010
Black Unemployment 86% Higher Than Whites: Leads All Major Groups - December Jobs Report, Black Economic Development
The Black unemployment is an astonishing 15.8 percent, and there appear to be few signs that it will improve soon. Unfortunately, no stimulus programs have been proposed to address the unemployment disparity.
Week of November 19, 2010
Prepared Remarks of Secretary Shaun Donovan at the 2010 Vermont Statewide Housing Conference, HUD.gov
Secretary Donovan vows to end homelessness, by increasing affordable housing and making rental assistance "sustainable."
Week of November 12, 2010
DCA & HMFA Announce Kickoff of Affordable Housing Projects in Franklin Twp., Somerset County, Real Estate Rama
New Jersey is building 140 affordable housing units using ARRA funds. The projects should be completed in 2011 and 2012.
WHEDA, Community Leaders Gather to Celebrate Olga Village Grand Opening, WHEDA
The City of Milwuakee held an openning ceremony for a 20-unit public housing building for seniors. The newly opened building was the first public housing project built in Milwuakee using ARRA funds.
Week of November 5, 2010
HUD Releases Housing Trust Fund Proposed Rule; Calls for Comments, National Council of State Housing Agencies
The $1 billion Housing Trust Fund allocates Recovery Act funding based on formula-determined grants that are designed to benefit primarily low-income families and extremely-low-income families. Comments on the proposed rule are due by December 28.
Massachusetts Weatherizes More Than 6,900 Homes Through Recovery Act, The Real Estate Rama
Kansas has weatherized about 3,750 homes, The Witchita Eagle
Positive reports from Massachusetts and Kansas; both states have met performance benchmarks that entitles them to the full amount that was allocated to those two states.
Economic Recovery and Equal Opportunity in the Public Discourse, The Opportunity Agenda
The Opportunity Agenda releases a report that analyzes public opinion regarding the current economic recovery and the media's coverage of the recovery. The report finds that African Americans receive the second largest coverage, as a segment of the population, behind only middle-income and low-income person. In spite of this, the coverage has not resulted in and equitable allocation of stimulus funds and employment opportunities.
Bad Arithmetic: The Failure of the New York City Housing (NYCHA) Recovery Funds to Create Jobs for Local Residents, Community Voices Heard
A report by Community Voices Heard finds that there is an alarming lack of resident awareness regarding the allocation of Recovery Act funds to local developments; a lack of awareness regarding Section 3 regulations which require the specific allocation of jobs for public housing residents; and a lack of residents who are employed in Recovery Act funded construction, or know someone who is.
