Neighborhood Partnerships

Neighborhood Partnerships is pleased to announce that applications are now available for the second round of our Advocates College, thanks to the commitment of our lead trainer, Patrick Bresette of Demos, and the generosity of our funders. The first Advocate’s College was a huge success, and has had immediate benefits for participants. We’ve written about the first round of the Advocate’s College on our blog here, here and here—read all about it! Round Two of the Advocate’s College will:

• First and foremost, our goal is to support established leaders and communications professionals who are working to create an Oregon which offers its diversity of residents opportunities to thrive, pathways out of poverty and disenfranchisement and adequately supported public systems and structures as shared tools for these goals.
• Second, we want to train and support an emerging cadre of leaders and communicators as they work on issues and in cross-issue coalitions to develop messages and materials that resonate and move an advocacy agenda. We will select participants who have a clear issue focus and advocacy or campaign plan, a commitment to strategic communications, and a recognition that building public support for governmental action and resources is an underlying priority. This session of the advocates’ college will prioritize individuals who are doing grass roots organizing or voter engagement.
• And third, we intend to improve communications across issue silos. We want to build our ability to advance a broadly shared view of what it takes to build a state and communities where opportunity is real, asset building is a priority and citizens are engaged in creating the future. We hope to support one another’s efforts to address critical needs, and together address the underlying resource and public will challenges that hamper all of our success.

Dates:
Sessions will be held in Portland from 10 am to 4 pm on four dates:

• Thursday October 27, 2011
• Thursday December 8, 2011
• Thursday January 12, 2012
• Thursday March 15, 2012

Patrick Bresette of Demos will be our lead trainer, assisted by Dr. Liana Winett of Portland State University and Janet Byrd of Neighborhood Partnerships.

Selection Criteria:
Download the full description of the Advocate’s College. The application is now available, and is due at Neighborhood Partnerships by September 9, 2011. Our application and pre-training questionnaire are designed to help us select the cohort most able to put these skills into use, and to tailor our sessions to support their progress.

Questions about the Advocate’s College, the application process or anything else? Email Alison or read more about it.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 26, 2011

For More Information:
Alison McIntosh
(503) 816-2882

HOMELESSNESS INCREASES AGAIN,
DESPITE FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDS

Homelessness has increased in Oregon again.  The State of Oregon Department of Housing and Community Services released the annual Point In Time Counts yesterday, showing homelessness has increased 29% since the count conducted in 2009, despite federal stimulus funds designed to prevent increases in homelessness due to the recession.  The State of Oregon can and must do more to protect those among us most affected by the economic downturn.

“In Oregon, we believe everyone needs a place to call home.  As we work together to solve the current budget crisis, the Legislature needs to prioritize providing basic needs to those most impacted by the ongoing recession and should consider an increase to the Emergency Housing Account,” said Janet Byrd, Chair of the Housing Alliance, “The on-going recession, high unemployment and continued wave of foreclosures in Oregon continues to make it more difficult for hard working Oregonians to find a safe, decent and affordable place to call home.  Far too many of our friends, neighbors and children are experiencing homelessness today in Oregon.”

According to the report released yesterday by the State Department of Housing and Community Services, homelessness increased 29% in Oregon from 2009.  As the recession continues, more and more Oregon families find themselves homeless for the first time.

“Every year it is becoming more difficult for hard working Oregonians to find decent homes they can afford,” said Sharon Miller, Executive Director of Neighbor Impact in Redmond.  “We saw increases in homelessness despite an infusion of federal stimulus funds designed to prevent this very situation.  These federal funds are nearly gone, and we’re left with an on-going recession, fewer state resources and continued high unemployment.”

“Hardworking people should be able to afford housing and still have enough money for groceries and other basic necessities,” said Jackie Schad, Executive Director of ACCESS, Inc in Jackson County.  “Too many families across the state can’t afford a safe, stable place to call home.  We’re calling on the State Legislature to increase funds for emergency rent assistance to help protect families and children affected by the recession.”

In 2009, as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Oregon received $15 million to be spent between 2009 and 2011.  These funds were to be used to help people either prevent or end their homelessness through short-term rental assistance.  The money was quickly and effectively used in Oregon for this purpose, but despite these additional funds, the need far outweighed the availability of these funds.  Oregon has a similar fund, the Emergency Housing Account, which is slated to receive $5.8 million in general funds according to the Governor’s Requested Budget.  Increases to the Emergency Housing Account would go directly towards preventing and ending homelessness throughout Oregon.

The report is a compilation of a count conducted each year across the United States, required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  The report counts families, children and individuals staying in shelters, on the street, in cars and other places which aren’t providing a safe or stable place to call home.

An earlier report released by the Housing Alliance and the National Low Income Housing Coalition showed that the cost of renting an apartment in Oregon has continued to increase.  The average fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Oregon is $822—a number that has increased 35% since 2000.

For additional information, visit http://www.ohcs.oregon.gov/OHCS/DO/newsreleases/2011/05-24-11-NewsRelease.pdf.

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The Housing Alliance brings together advocates, local governments, housing authorities, community development corporations, environmentalists, service providers, business interests and all others dedicated to increasing the resources available to meet our housing needs to support a common statewide legislative and policy agenda.  To find out more about the Housing Alliance, go to: http://www.oregonhousingalliance.org/

Yesterday, Oregon Thrives held a General Meeting in Salem.  Oregon Thrives members and partners met to hear updates on the Oregon Thrives Legislative Agenda, get an inside line on happenings at the Legislative session, and learn from Patrick Bresette of Demos.

Patrick gave an overview of some of his latest research on how we can talk effectively about the vision we have for our state and our communities, and use language to help us move our states back into alignment with our hopes and visions for the kind of community we want to be.  He also talked about some of the work groups in other states are engaged in around their budgets and public structures.  You can download his presentation here.

We also presented advocates with language to use when talking about the budgets as well as a call to action!  Check it out below and use it today.

Oregon can make choices that will help us Thrive…

Oregon has a history of being a vibrant and prosperous state because of our solid and stable middle class.  We know this didn’t happen by accident.  Generations of public investments created a solid infrastructure for business to grow, an education system to offer opportunity, public systems that underpin community life and a set of public services available when people lose work, become disabled or need assistance to get back on their feet.  We know that these foundations of our middle class have been shaken by the recent recession and the resulting state budget cuts, but we know this is a problem we have the tools to solve.

The recent state revenue report, by projecting additional revenue, casts a few rays of light on an otherwise dark outlook for that foundation.  We applaud the Governor and Legislature for their plan to commit those new dollars to fill the holes in the DHS and Public Safety budgets.  At the same time, we see that current plans would still leave our public systems in shambles and put tremendous strain on the very families who are already most affected by the on-going economic recession.

We have better options. We can continue to find efficiencies in how our state does business.  We can use our reserves to prevent our state from falling further behind.  We can find new ways to pay for maintaining and rebuilding our communities.  We can create communities of opportunity so that no one is left behind.

Oregon has tremendous resources at its disposal – hard working people, ingenuity and financial tools that can all be brought to bear to build a more prosperous future for Oregon.  The decisions we will make in the next few weeks reflect our commitment to making that future a reality.

TAKE ACTION for a thriving Oregon!

As we near the end of the Legislative Session, we need to raise our voices and take a stand for the state we want Oregon to be.  The deepest recession in decades is still hurting our communities.  We can act now to make life better for those who have borne the brunt of the economic recession.

We must make it our priority to re-build a strong middle class in Oregon.  At pivotal moments in our state’s history we have chosen to build a brighter future for ourselves and our children.  The May 12th Revenue Forecast gives us that opportunity, and presents us with the information we need to make wise decisions.  Let’s be sure that we make decisions and choices that will move us forward together as a state, reflect the priorities of Oregonians, and position us for a future that offers opportunity for all Oregonians.

Invest General Fund and Reserves to Meet Immediate Needs:

We can keep the foundations of our economy sound and pave the way to future prosperity.  The job growth that is pulling us out of the recession won’t continue if we don’t maintain the health and stability of our public systems.  Whether it is education, infrastructure, or the many services that keep our communities strong, it’s these investments in ourselves that fuel a good business climate and sustain a strong middle class.

Invest in Department of Human Services Core Programs including TANF

Maintain Oregon Youth Authority Beds

Preserve Key Services for Seniors and Disabled

Increase the Emergency Housing Account to prevent homelessness

Increase  the General Fund Food Program

Allocate Rainy Day and newly projected funds to meet additional Human Services needs – HB 3642

Allocate Education Stability Funds to keep schools open – HB 3641

Use public resources in the most efficient ways possible:

Support Access to education for Oregon Students – SB 742 would make sure Oregon High School graduates pay in-state tuition whether or not they are documented residents.  Call your Representative today to urge action on SB 742!  Let’s help hardworking Oregon students get access to a college education and a brighter future.

Increase Resources Available for Priorities:

Impose a higher tax on Tobacco products

What you can do:

What you can do:

1. Call your Legislator Today:

   To find your legislator’s contact information, look here:
   http://www.leg.state.or.us/index.html

   Not sure who your legislator is? Look it up here:
   http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/

2. Write a Letter to the Editor:

   A few hints:

   Keep it short: 3 to 4 paragraphs (150-250 words; check requirements)

   Respond quickly

   Mention the reason for the letter in the first sentence

   Limit the contents to 1 or 2 key points

   Say why it matters (Values), specify what needs to be done (Policy), and ask those with the power to make it happen to act (Responsibility)

   Use framed messages, social math, and simplifying models

   Include your name, address, & phone number

TALKING POINTS: Use one of these to help you get started when you phone or write.  Don’t forget to ask for a specific policy solution or step to be taken.

We can keep the foundations of our economy sound and pave the way to future prosperity.  The job growth that is pulling us out of the recession won’t continue if we don’t maintain the health and stability of our public systems.

We can act now to make life better for those who have borne the brunt of the economic recession.

Our state has tremendous resources at its disposal – hard working people, ingenuity and financial tools that can all be brought to bear to build a more prosperous future for Oregon.  The decisions we will make in the next few weeks reflect our commitment to making that future a reality.

We must make it our priority to re-build a strong middle class in Oregon.  At pivotal moments in our state’s history we have chosen to build a brighter future for ourselves and our children.  The May 12th Revenue Forecast gives us that opportunity, and presents us with the information we need to make wise decisions.  Let’s be sure that we make decisions and choices that will move us forward as a state, reflect the priorities of Oregonians, and position us for a future that offers opportunity for all Oregonians.

Please Join Us!
Oregon Thrives General Meeting

Please join us on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem Church at 5090 Center Street NE, Salem, OR 97317 from 2 – 4 pm for the Oregon Thrives General Meeting.

Oregon Thrives is a coalition of organizations and agencies working together to create healthy and prosperous communities where everyone has access to jobs, education, nutritious food, stable homes and services that protect and promote health and wellness.  We all have a stake in addressing the challenges our communities and neighbors are facing as a result of the recession.

Oregon Thrives, along with many of our partners are pleased to bring Patrick Bresette of Demos to Oregon.  Please join us as we hear more about the work of Demos and learn from their research about communications.   We will talk specifically about the budget and what advocates have done in other states to move forward in these tough times, and what messages, values and themes resonate with voters and Legislators. We’ll even send you out with talking points about the budget and protecting those most impacted by the economic downturn.

We will also hear an update on the Oregon Thrives legislative agenda and hear updates on the political landscape.  We’ll have time for discussion, so please come prepared to share more about your work this legislative session.

On the agenda:

Welcome and Introductions

Overview of Oregon Thrives and Update on the Oregon Thrives Legislative Agenda

Oregon Legislature & Budget Update

Wisdom and Sources of Optimism, Patrick Bresette of Demos

Questions and Discussion

RSVP today to Gail!  gail@caporegon.org or 503-316-3951

How long has it been since you’ve written a Letter to the Editor?  Now is a great time to write a letter to the editor—last weekend saw two great editorials, one by the Oregonian Editorial Board, and the other by the Co-Chairs of the Human Services Coalition of Oregon about Oregon’s budget and our need to protect families and children during this recession.

We here at Neighborhood Partnerships were pleased to read these two editorials, and are working on our letters to the editor in support of these ideas.  In our letters, we will be calling on the Legislature to do more to protect our neighbors and Oregon’s families.  If you’d like to write a letter, here are some tips:

• Reference the article you’re responding to in the first sentence.

• Talk about the Oregon we want to have!  Perhaps you want to live in an Oregon where we protect those most affected by the economic recession; or an Oregon where we offer opportunity for all of our residents; or an Oregon where families are supported in times of crisis and given opportunities to contribute.

• Call on decision makers to solve the problem!  We can protect families and children and other critical safety net programs.  We have stability funds and rainy-day accounts for moments like this—is leaving an ending balance in these times acceptable?  Should any increases in the revenue forecast be dedicated to protecting the social safety net?  What do you think the solutions are?

• If you think the safety net is important, don’t forget to mention why!  If we want an Oregon that offers opportunity for all its citizens, we must come together to create that future now; cuts to the safety net will only lead to further and more damaging costs down the road, including increased foster care placements and more families falling into homelessness.

The week before also saw two other editorials, one by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s Executive Director David Leslie and Dave Brauer-Rieke, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and one by the Reverend Chuck Currie on the cuts to TANF.

Here are the nuts and bolts:

• For the Oregonian, Letters to the Editor need to be 150 words or less.  They may be edited for clarity/brevity.

• Include your name and address.

• Send them to: letters@oregonian.com

Questions? We can help! Email us.

Tax credits are a popular topic these days.  Many people are concerned about the amount of foregone revenue to the state as a result of tax credits, and ask whether the state could better spend these funds on basic services. Tax credits and deductions cost us almost as much as direct spending does. Given the size and scope of the current budget deficit, many believe that it would be wise to allow some or all tax credits to expire to increase revenue to the state in 2011-2013.

The story surrounding tax credits, state budgets and expenditures is complicated. Many tax credits serve a specific public purpose, and were designed to create incentives for a certain outcome or behavior.  There are many types of tax credits – some are purchased by individuals or corporations who have a tax liability with the state – i.e., they owe money to the state.  Others are tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) which is a refundable credit available to low income families with children.  Some are both state and federal deductions, such as the home mortgage interest deduction, and some are state credits, such as the $50 credit for contributions to political causes.

In 2009, the Legislature created a process by which all state tax credits would sunset. Sunset will force review of credits before credits are renewed the Legislature.  This process calls for all tax credits to be reviewed by a policy committee, and then by a Joint Tax Credit Committee.  The committees are being asked to answer questions about each of the tax credits, such as “what is the public policy purpose of this credit?”; “Who benefits from this credit?”; and “Is this tax credit an effective and efficient way to achieve this policy goal?”.

Neighborhood Partnerships has more than a passing interest in this discussion.  NP serves as the agent of Oregon Housing and Community Services for the Oregon Individual Development Account Initiative, which is funded through a state tax credit.  Those with tax liability can reduce that liability by making a donation to NP.  These donations are pooled, and then used to provide matching funds to Oregonians with low incomes and limited assets who have taken financial education classes and have saved money to purchase an asset such as a first home, a small business or an education. The Oregon IDA Tax Credit is set to sunset on January 1, 2016 and will be reviewed by the Legislature during the 2015 session. This tax credit helps build the assets of Oregonians while also changing financial behaviors.  Assets help families get ahead, save for emergencies and create a better future for their families.

NP also convenes the Housing Alliance, which is advocating for three tax credits this session. Two help to build affordable housing, providing direct benefit to low income renters.  The first is the Oregon Affordable Housing Tax Credit, or OAHTC.  This tax credit can be used to build new housing for low income Oregonians, to preserve existing affordable housing, or to help manufactured home park residents purchase their parks.  The second is the Farmworker Housing Tax Credit.  This tax credit helps build safe, stable and affordable housing for farm workers and their families to ensure they can live close to where they work.  The Housing Alliance is also supporting efforts to expand the Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC, which puts money directly back into the hands of low income Oregon families with children.

Neighborhood Partnerships supports the new, systematic look at tax expenditures and tax credits.  We welcome the opportunity to answer questions about the effectiveness, benefit and impact of the credits that we care about, and we expect anyone advocating for any credit to answer these questions as well.   We hope and believe that the Legislature will determine which tax credits provide a public benefit and advance policy goals, and forgo the revenue accordingly.

We know that the decisions we make today – about tax credits or tax expenditures, about raising taxes and about cutting budgets – will shape our state for years to come.  Taxes are part of our common responsibility, and also help to create our community well-being.  They support the public structures that ensure all Oregonians have access to opportunity, and they keep the public structures we all depend on sound and working well. The state budget must build our future, create jobs and provide opportunities while ensuring that benefits reach every community in Oregon, starting with those most affected by the economic downturn. There is no simple answer – everything must be on the table and discussed.  We all have a stake, and we’re all part of the solution.  If we want an Oregon that offers opportunity for all its residents, we need to come together to create that future now.

Here at Neighborhood Partnerships we’re very focused on the legislative session.  (See our previous recap here.)  The State Legislature is in full swing in Salem, and unfortunately, with the budget shortfall predicted for the next biennium, many programs are anticipating cuts.  This includes a program we are very concerned about, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF.  It’s time to tell Legislators how devastating these cuts could be.

In good times and bad, Oregon has worked together to create strong communities, and we’ve pulled together to overcome hardship.  Oregonians believe in protecting those most affected by the economic downturn.  We need to act to protect families and children, and give children an opportunity to succeed in life.

The economic downturn has already hurt too many families.  All families have critical moments of needing assistance, but too many Oregon families are now left without personal safety nets to protect them during these times.  The Governor’s budget included a proposal to create a life-time 18 month time limit for families receiving TANF.  While many families who access TANF need only an average of two years of assistance, some will need support again in the future or for longer periods.  This time limit will make these families even more vulnerable to homelessness and other problems.

Protecting funding for the TANF program will keep Oregon families safe and stable during times of economic crisis and will prepare parents and children for a better future.  It will also protect our state from additional costs in homeless services, child welfare and foster care services.

On Tuesday, April 5 at 5:30 p.m. in Salem, the Joint Ways & Means Subcommittee on Human Services will hold a hearing and hear public testimony on the budget which includes TANF.  Please consider coming to this hearing.  If you work with families that receive TANF or are currently receiving TANF, we would love to have you.  It really does make an impression on Legislators to see packed hearing rooms – we need to show them that we care about what happens to all Oregon families!

If you or someone you know has benefited from TANF or any of the other related programs such as post-TANF or pre-SSI, please contact Alison and consider either coming to testify in person or submitting written testimony.

We hope to see you on Tuesday, but this is not the end!  There will be more to do! The Ways & Means Co-Chairs have now released their budget, and the next step in this process will likely be for the Ways & Means Committee members to travel around the state conducting public hearings.  This is a great way get involved and to tell the Joint Ways & Means Committee how budget cuts will hurt your community.  Stay tuned to the Neighborhood Partnerships blog or sign up for e-mail alerts from the Housing Alliance to hear as these are announced.

If you have questions about what’s happening in Salem or want to know more about what’s proposed for TANF, let Alison know.  You can also find out more about the proposed cuts here.

On Monday, February 14, one hundred and fifty advocates and partners from all parts of the state gathered in Salem at the State Capitol to celebrate Valentine’s Day and the State’s Birthday.  Oregon Thrives and its partners joined together to thank legislators for their service to Oregonians and delivered valentines.  We met individually with nearly three quarters of our State Legislators, and shared our vision of Oregon.

Oregon Thrives’ main message was that a variety of issues impact our communities, and these issues are interconnected and interwoven. This message in particular seemed to resonate with legislators who are grappling with a budget shortfall of over $3.5 Billion for this biennium.  We spread the message that Oregon Thrives envisions an Oregon with healthy and prosperous communities in which everyone has access to family wage jobs, quality education, nutritious food, stable homes and services that promote health and wellness.  Oregon Thrives believes that in the coming legislative session, we must deal with the state budget in a way that protects those most affected by the economic downturn while building jobs and pathways out of poverty to help families that are struggling. By thinking strategically about critical public investments that can be made to help families meet their basic expenses and build opportunities for their future, Oregon Thrives believes that we can improve economic stability for our families, our communities and our state.

Over lunch, attendees were joined by Senators Diane Rosenbaum and Frank Morse and by Representatives Dennis Richardson and Peter Buckley.  Senators Rosenbaum and Morse spoke about human services funding in this biennium. Representatives Buckley and Richardson talked about budget realities.

Have a Heart Day was a huge success, and we were so happy to partner with Oregon Thrives for this great event.  To learn more, you can listen to a radio show about the day, or check out the Oregon Thrives agenda.  The agenda is broad and includes a wide variety of items which are critical to the future of our state.  Agenda items range from issues impacting housing and homeownership to education to food security to community accountability.  Oregon Thrives members include Community Action Partnership of Oregon, Neighborhood Partnerships, the Oregon Food Bank, Partners for a Hunger Free Oregon, and others.

Oregon Thrives is a coalition of organizations and agencies working together to create healthy and prosperous communities where everyone has access to jobs, education, nutritious food, stable homes and services that protect and promote health and wellness.

We all have a stake in addressing the challenges our communities and neighbors are facing as a result of the recession.  Oregon Thrives’ 2011 Legislative Agenda includes strategies to help Oregonians access opportunity: housing and home ownership, financial assets and income, food access and security, business and jobs, education, health care, and community accountability.

The Oregon Thrives 2011 Legislative Agenda envisions an Oregon with healthy and prosperous communities where everyone has access to family wage jobs, quality education, nutritious food, stable homes and services that promote health and wellness.  Specifically the agenda includes:

Housing and Homeownership: We all need a place to call home in order to succeed in life.

Food Access and Security: Good nutrition helps families learn, work more productively, stay healthier and focus on opportunities to thrive.

Businesses and Jobs: Earned income is the first step towards a better future.

Financial Assets and Income: To enable Oregonians to weather unexpected financial storms, and to rebuild our middle class, Oregon families must be able to earn a living, save for the future, and protect those savings.

Education/Early Education: Education promotes civic responsibility, advances economic competitiveness and expands economic opportunity.

Health Care: We can improve community health, lower health care delivery costs and strengthen schools, businesses and homes.

Community Investment & Accountability Policies: Oregon’s revenues must be adequate to fund essential investments in our collective future.

Download the full agenda to learn more about the specific policies and proposals we’ve included on our agenda to help all Oregonians thrive.

Please join Oregon Thrives for our Lobby Day on Monday, February 14, 2011 in Salem at our State Capitol.  Join us as we thank legislators for their service and talk about ways to pull together to overcome hardship and build a better future for Oregon.  RSVP today, or read more about it here.

Some people call me a message maven, some a message enthusiast.  Either way you get the message that I’m passionate about the framing and strategic communications work that Neighborhood Partnerships has been engaged in for the past several years—first through the Housing Alliance and then more broadly through our Strategic Communications Initiative and the Advocacy College and Leadership Salon that began last September.

One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to get this message out.  I’m excited about the possibility of working with more groups and coalitions.  If you are interested in an introductory session on framing and messaging, give me a call.  Learning that different ways of communicating are more effective has transformed the way I approach legislative meetings, fact sheets and brochures, in fact almost everything I write and speak about.  Why?  Because I’ve experienced that it works, when other strategies haven’t.

And frankly, the stakes are higher this year after the lingering Oregon recession has left too many of our families, communities and businesses struggling at the same time that it has decimated our state’s revenue sources.

In the coming legislative session, we must deal with the state budget in a way that protects our future, builds jobs and opportunities and protects those hardest hit by the economic downturn here in Oregon.  These are the principles that will help us uphold the values that many Oregonians hold dear.  Communicating that effectively and in a way that it can be heard is critical to our shared future.  So if you want to be heard, if you want to influence others, this messaging training is fundamental for effective advocacy.  I want to help get us there. Call me at 503.226.3001 x103 (and leave me your message) or you can email me your message.