People

Mitchell Sviridoff, a national leader in urban social policy and philanthropy and the first president of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, died of kidney failure on October 21.

For three decades, Mike (as he was widely known in the community development field), played an important role in developing strategies for lifting people out of poverty and reviving decaying neighborhoods. A former president of Connecticut's AFL-CIO, he was the creator and administrator of antipoverty programs in New York City and in his native New Haven, CT. Mike was also a Ford Foundation official and a professor of urban policy at the New School.

He is survived by his wife, Doris, two daughters, one grandchild and one great-grandchild.

Norman J. Glickman (NHI board member) has been appointed University Professor by the Rutgers Board of Governors. From 1989 to 2000, he was the director of Rutgers University's Center for Urban Policy Research and State of New Jersey Professor of Urban Planning, a special position created by the State of New Jersey's Fund for Excellence. Robert W. Burchell and David Lisotkin have been appointed co-directors of the Center.

Alle Ries is the new assistant executive director with the Morningside Area Alliance in New York. She was formerly Newark Community Development Network's West Side Park Community director.

Cushing Dolbeare, founder of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, and Bart Harvey, Enterprise Foundation chairman and CEO, are among 22 members recently named to the Millennial Housing Commission. The Commission has been formed by Congress to create a practical blueprint to resolve America's affordable housing crisis. Diana Greenwood, Rogers & Associates, 310-552-6922.

HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo and the Minnesota Housing Partnership were recently honored for their excellence in housing advocacy at the National Low Income Housing Coalition's Annual Leadership Reception.

William C. Bostic, executive director of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), has been elected to the board of the National Housing Conference.

State Farm Insurance has awarded $25 million in grants and loans to Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), which will use the money to rebuild distressed urban neighborhoods across the country. The insurance company's commitment will also support three LISC programs that assist local community developers: The Neighborhood Main Street Program, The Retail Initiative, and The Community Security Initiative. Fraser Engerman, State Farm Insurance, 309-766-0859; Mike Patterson, LISC, 212-455-9800.

The Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation in San Francisco is developing a $5 million project to provide permanent housing for an often overlooked population - homeless youth. Eligible youth, ages 18 to 24, who earn no more than $18,000 a year will pay a third of their monthly income to live in one of 24 renovated studio apartments, which are expected to be completed within a year. (San Jose Mercury News, 10/13/00)

The Departments of Treasury, Justice (DOJ), and HUD have announced an agreement to increase compliance with the Fair Housing Act by establishing a monitoring and compliance process for low-income housing tax credit properties. DOJ and HUD will provide notice to the IRS and state housing finance agencies when fair housing enforcement actions involve tax credit property owners. The IRS, in turn, will notify property owners that a finding of discrimination could result in the loss of tax credits. The federal agencies will also work together with the private sector to ensure properties are built and operated in a manner consistent with the Act. Peggy Johannsen, HUD, 202-708-0980.

Congress has appropriated $90 million for Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation's (NRC) FY 2001 budget. The appropriation represents a $15 million increase from last year. Two set-asides are included: $5 million to be used for a homeownership program for Section 8 voucher holders and $2.5 million for endowing the George Knight Scholarship Fund. The scholarship fund will allow small nonprofit organizations unable to otherwise afford training to attend NRC's Neighborhood Reinvestment Training Institutes. www.nw.org.