Director's Message
September 11, 2009
To: Employees and Partners of Oregon Housing and
Community Services
From:
Victor Merced
Re: Director’s Bulletin —
- Strategic Plan Update
- Minority Contracting: It’s Time is Now
- The Economy: Getting to Recovery
- Plan Now: Housing Opportunity Forums
- Nonprofits Coming Together
Strategic Plan Update
Oregon Housing and Community Services has updated its strategic plan.
Most notably, the vision has been expanded to express clearly that services are a key element along with housing. The new vision: “All Oregonians have housing and services that meet their needs.”
Please take a close look at the plan past and present – http://www.ohcs.oregon.gov/OHCS/DO_StrategicPlanning.shtml.
Minority Contracting: It’s Time is Now
Now is the time to support minority and women contractors.
Oregon is in the grip of recession. Contractors are hurting financially, especially minority and women contractors.
Their businesses tend to be smaller and without a substantial financial cushion.
OHCS partners, I urge you to hire minority contractors and encourage hiring of minority subs for your OHCS financed projects.
Just over a year ago, Governor Kulongoski signed Executive Order No. 08-16 encouraging state agencies to promote diversity and equal opportunity. “This means,” said the governor in his order, “we must foster an inclusive business climate that supports economic growth in all sectors, including Oregon’s minority and women owned businesses.”
I, along with members of the OHCS executive team, met recently with Raleigh Lewis, certification manager of Oregon’s Office of Minority, Women, and Emerging Small Business. He expressed deep concern about the looming problem.
“It’s more important now than ever to hire minorities and women because the economic slump has had a greater effect on their contracting businesses than on others,” Lewis told us. “This makes them more vulnerable to failure.”
It is important that we work to prevent failure of these businesses. We need to use their services now so they will be here for us when the economy improves.
This is especially critical in rural areas of the state where fewer minority businesses can be found. As you may know, the federal HOME funds leveraged by OHCS for multifamily project financing in rural areas carries a requirement that project managers reach out to minority contractors.
For excellent background, please go to the directory of certified firms at the Office of Minority, Women and Emerging Small Business.
The Economy: Getting to Recovery
Economic news these days is mixed. The experts are offering hope that the recession is on the cusp of a turnaround as the decline of key economic indicators begins to level off.
But big challenges surely remain ahead of us. (view Charts)
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities report in their latest analysis that state budget problems will persist for some time along with high rates of unemployment nationally – http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=711.
This makes clear how critical the housing and services we provide to Oregonians are and will continue to be.
We have the opportunity to make the most of the work we do. This includes identifying how to be good stewards of the new funds that will flow from the Housing Opportunity Bill. This is a task we take seriously as we solicit input from you.
Plan Now: Housing Opportunity Forums
The Housing Opportunity Bill Forums will start next week. Please plan to attend and bring your ideas about the implementation of House Bill 2436. This is the legislation that provides a dedicated source of revenue for Oregon Housing and Community Services:
- Roseburg, 1 – 4 p.m., Monday, September 21 —
Douglas County Commissioners’ Chambers
Room 216
1036 SE Douglas
- Bend, 1 – 4 p.m., Wednesday, September 23 —
Deschutes County Government Building
Barnes Sawyer Room
1300 N.W. Wall
(Corner of Lafayette and the Parkway)
- Pendleton, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Thursday, September 24 —
Pendleton Parks and Recreation Center
Foundation Room, Gymnasium Building
500 SW Dorion
(West of City Hall)
- Portland, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 29 —
The Portland Building
2nd Floor Auditorium
1120 SW 5th Avenue
- Salem, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m., Friday, October 9 —
North Mall Office Building
Room 124A
725 Summer St. NE
Please send written comments on implementing House Bill 2436 to:
Lisa Joyce, Manager of Policy and Communication
Re: Housing Opportunity Bill Implementation Forum
Oregon Housing and Community Services
725 Summer St. NE, Suite B
Salem, OR 97301
Lisa.Joyce@state.or.us
503-986-0951
Find more information at www.ohcs.oregon.gov.
Nonprofits Coming Together
The Civic Engagement Conference is right around the corner.
“Connecting the dots…linking ideas with action,” will be held October 1-3 at the Salem Conference Center.
Oregon Volunteers! is planning the show, and the organization’s Commissioner Bandana Shrestha is predicting an excellent turnout of more than 400 Oregonians.
The conference agenda includes the annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards Luncheon, the venue for recognition of regional and statewide winners who have contributed outstanding service to their communities.
The Web site says it all. Sign up there: www.oregonvolunteers.org
It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life, that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Victor Merced, Director
Phone 503.986.2005
Email: victor.merced@hcs.state.or.us
www.ohcs.oregon.gov
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