es and promote growth” es and promote to encourage to encourage opportuniti 888-245-2994 www.hud.gov P.O. Box 11010P.O. Box www.español.hud.gov www.español.hud.gov Casper, WY 82602-5001 150 East B Street, Room 1010 1010 Room Street, B East 150 FY 2005 Annual Report Annual Report 2005 FY Wyoming State Office Office State Wyoming U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Development Urban and Housing of U. S. Department “Bringing HUD and Wyoming community resources together resources together Wyoming community and HUD “Bringing Message from the Staff
Welcome to our FY 2005 Annual Re- circle. So, we invite your input into HUD Investment in Wyoming FY 2004-5 port. The Casper Field Office closed our coming year management plan and out another successful fiscal year with look forward to working with you on several accomplishments and record our shared goals. Finally, we would setting funding in some program areas like to thank all our partners and grant-
— this year homeless funding broke ees for your dedication. You provide CPD the $1 million dollar mark for the first hope and open doors to many Wyo- SFH PH time! During our staff retreat to the ming citizens, who would otherwise be MFH Wind River Reservation, we celebrated shut out. We look forward to another NAP our many successes, but also realized successful year and partnership. FHEO that we have a lot of work remaining to complete our mission — to increase homeownership, support community development, and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimi- CPD - Community Planning & Development nation. As we visited with several of SFH - Single Family Housing our partners on the Reservation, we also recognized that we cannot accom- PH - Public Housing plish our mission without you! Al- MFH - Multi Family Housing though in this past year, we have gained several new partners and grant- Casper Office Staff NAP - Native American Programs Left: Mary Coleman, Maria Rodriguez, Chris Stearns ees, we need to continue to expand the FHEO - Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity
Increase Homeownership Opportunities
Today, homeownership is at an all-time Mae, we provided a re- high. For American families the pur- verse mortgage training chase of a home is a primary source of for lenders, housing coun- personal wealth and prosperity. In or- seling agencies and non- der to expand homeownership opportu- profit organizations serv- nities in Wyoming, our office partici- ing the elderly in Chey- pated in several homeownership events. enne. A public radio inter- Homebuyer fairs provided first-time view was also conducted and minority homebuyers a chance to in Riverton where listeners learn about the home buying process could call in and ask ques- and available programs. Our efforts tions about the HECM DE Underwriting Training Radio interview in Riverton have helped keep Wyoming’s home- (reverse mortgage) pro- ownership rate above the national aver- gram. Even though homeownership Forum to educate immigrant advocates, age. We participated in the annual rates are high and minority homeown- beneficiaries, social service, education Road Show providing training to lend- ership rates have in fact increased, and health care providers about HUD ers throughout Wyoming communities homeownership for native Americans housing programs. To make the home on updated HUD/FHA programs, loan and minorities still lag behind. In order buying process less complicated, our products and services. We provided to narrow this gap, we provided assis- office continued working with our training on predatory lending, energy tance to the Indian Housing Coordina- state housing counseling task force. efficiency, underwriting and appraisal, tion Committee by participating in cul- We provided training and attended and housing counseling. We also pro- tural events such as the Pathways quarterly meetings. vided an overview of the reverse mort- Homeownership Fair in Ethete. We gage program for CPA’s and senior participated in the first Latina fair in citizens at senior centers in Casper and Casper. Our office gave a presentation Buffalo. In conjunction with Fannie at the Wyoming Immigrant Access
Page 2 FY 2005 ANNUAL REPORT Promote Decent Affordable Housing
Housing comes in many forms, from affordable rental housing directory that sulted in four grant applications. To homeownership, to single-family rent- provides access to a single list of af- help HUD-assisted renters make pro- als and multifamily developments, to fordable rental housing projects in the gress toward self-sufficiency, we coor- meeting the special needs of our most state. We provided a toolkit and train- dinated with our Regional Public Hous- vulnerable citizens. Many families ing to our local officials on America’s ing Office to provide training to our have insufficient income to support Affordable Communities Initiative housing authorities on Family Self- mortgages in areas where they live. which seeks to reduce regulatory barri- Sufficiency (FSS), Individual Develop- Therefore, HUD continues to support ers that impede the development and ment Account (IDA) programs and the affordable housing for families and availability of affordable housing. The use of the Housing Choice Voucher for individuals that rent through public and Wyoming Community Development homeownership. The state now has assisted housing programs. One of our Authority (WCDA) and the city of Cas- IDA programs in three areas and is objectives was to work with the Wyo- per were nationally recognized for their progressing toward statewide coverage. ming Community Development Au- efforts to reduce regulatory barriers. We partnered with en- thority (WCDA) and Rural Develop- To increase opportunities for the eld- ergy-efficiency organi- ment (RD) in preserving local housing erly and persons with disabilities, our zations to provide infor- stock and expiring contracts. This re- office (in cooperation with our Re- mation to our customers sulted in saving at least one, possibly gional Multifamily Office) provided about ways to improve two, multifamily projects. We also 202/811 training to multifamily own- energy efficiency and worked with our partners to create an ers, landlords and nonprofits that re- conservation.
Strengthen Communities
This goal focuses on HUD programs Community Development Block Grant that improve economic conditions and (CDBG) funds were used to assist with promote community development. replacing doors, windows, painting, Multifamily staff provided technical replacing or repairing roofs. Our of- assistance to Riverside Plaza II, a sen- fice participated in the annual small ior project, to open a neighborhood business and Native American business networks computer center. Residents conferences to share information about will develop computer skills and have the government contracting process. access to the internet. This year World We participated in the annual Coalition Changers and the city of Casper cele- Casper HUD office presents a capacity build- for the Homeless “Walk in Your brated the rehabilitation of its 300th ing grant award of $150,000 to the Wind River Shoes” fundraiser to raise awareness of Development Fund. (left: Lisa Wagner, Letitia house. homelessness throughout the state. Underwood, Pat Bergie, Scott Ratliff)
Ensure Equal Opportunity in Housing
In celebration of the 37th anniversary of fair housing. We held several work- vide guidance of the Fair Housing Act, our office dis- shops on Fair Housing and Fair Hous- for persons tributed toolkits to Mayors of Wyo- ing Accessibility for our industry part- with disabili- ming, the Governor and Tribal offi- ners. These workshops offered critical ties, housing cials. This toolkit provided informa- information on the Fair Housing Act as providers, and tion about fair housing to help reduce well as more specific technical infor- building and discrimination in the sale, rental, and mation on design and construction re- design profes- Pathways Homebuyer Fair financing of dwellings as well as other quirements. Our office participated in sionals to en- housing-related transactions. We set the disabilities Mega Conference in sure that our up a public display to raise awareness Cheyenne. We set up a booth to pro- programs are accessible to everyone.
VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2 Page 3 Embrace High Standards of Ethics, Management and Accountability
This goal focuses on the overall efficiency Our staff participated in several internal and effectiveness of our office. We are and external trainings for our personal committed to improving our performance enrichment, program knowledge and to and delivering results to our customers. maintain high individual performance. Our office published quarterly newsletters Our office visited the Wind River Res- and the end-of-year report to keep our part- ervation to meet some of our partners ners and customers informed about our and to improve communication and activities and upcoming educational oppor- employee involvement. We collabo- tunities. This year HUD celebrated ten rated with our regional office on focus years on the web. We maintain our local group sessions to solicit input on our website as a valuable resource, providing customer service. As a result, we de- our citizens with online services and mak- veloped and implemented a customer ing government information easier to find service plan in order to increase cus- Debbie Wilson, Vice-Pres. of WY Assn of and use. We provide our partners with tomer satisfaction. To improve internal Housing & Redevelopment (WAHR) was our guide on our trip to the Wind River quality training and information through communications, our staff is involved Reservation. satellite broadcasts, webcasts and our inter- in decisions on planning and develop- net site to help improve their performance. ing a workable management plan. Thank You, Debbie!
Promote Participation of Faith-Based and Community Organizations
Faith-based organizations and other grass- Train-the-Trainer workshop for non- eligible uses of McKinney Homeless roots groups provide the public important profits and others. The program helps funds, grant administration and finan- services. HUD wants to increase their in- trainers learn how to provide class- cial management. Our office was on volvement in our programs with educational room instruction for adults outside the hand to help answer questions and pro- seminars, technical assistance and by work- financial mainstream to develop finan- vide one-on-one technical assistance. ing closely with them. As the federal liaison cial knowledge and use banking ser- We coordinated and participated in to the Governor’s Advisory Board on Faith vices effectively. We attended The consultation meetings with the cities of Initiatives, we participated in several events Institute for Youth Development Casper, Cheyenne and the State. Our throughout the year to conduct (IYD) grants conference de- goal is to increase partnerships between outreach to inform potential part- signed to help faith-based and faith-based/community organizations ners on HUD opportunities. Wyo- non-profit organizations com- and HUD’s traditional grantees. In col- ming Faith Initiatives received a pete for federal grants. In laboration with the Montana HUD Of- continuing Compassionate Capital partnership with our Denver fice a free grant application workshop Fund grant. We partnered with HUD Office, Technical As- was held in Billings. Wyoming faith- Federal Deposit Insurance Corp sistance Collaborative (TAC) based organizations were invited to (FDIC) to hold a Money Smart Money Smart Train-the presented a training on the attend and receive one-on-one training. Trainer workshop Looking Ahead…... What: Loss Mitigation Program Training What: Part 58 Environmental Training When: November 14-15, 2005 When: November 16, 2005 What: Energy Saving Seminar Where: Casper HUD Office via Tandberg Where: Casper HUD Office via Tandberg When: November 8, 2005 system system Where: Colorado Housing & Finance Author- Time: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Time: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm ity, 1981 Blake Street, Denver Topics: Loss mitigation program overview, Topics: Types of environmental determi- HUD is offering a free energy seminar to help early delinquency servicing requirements, nations, categorical exclusion not subject building managers, maintenance staff and general program requirements, special for- to Part 58.5 but subject to Part 58.6, cate- others to operate more energy-efficient apart- bearance agreements, loan modifications, pre- gorical exclusion subject to part 58.5, envi- ment buildings foreclosure sale, partial claims, etc. ronmental assessment, lead-based paint To register, call Cecily Channell at (212) 564- To register, please call our office at toll free To register, please call Howard Kutzer at 5800 ext. 13 or e-mail [email protected] (888) 245-2994 (303) 672-5285 Ext. 1305