Marc Center and Native American Connections invites public comment on the following proposed project to be known as HOME AGAIN-Mesa: A Collaboration Building Better Neighborhoods One Family At A Time.

A consortium of community based nonprofit agencies and a private general contracting firm is applying for at least $5 million dollars in project funding through HUD’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2 (NSP2).  HUD allocated $1.93 billion dollars to be distributed nationwide through a competitive basis to states, local governments and non-profit organizations.  The primary objective of those funds is the redevelopment and stabilization of communities through increased residential sales while providing increased employment.  The immediate objective is to arrest the decline in home values and reduce or eliminate vacant and abandoned properties.  HOME AGAIN’s target area is western and central Mesa.  Applicants must pass two thresholds prior to applying.  The first is the Census Tracts in the targeted region must have foreclosure or vacancy ratings above 18 on HUD’s scale of 1to 20.  Those proposed Census Tracts include 4205.01, 4210.00, 4211.02, 4212.02, 4213.01, 4213.02, 4214.00, 4215.01, 4215.02, 4216.01, 4216.02, 4218.01, 4218.02, 4219.01, 4219.02, 4220.01, 4220.02, 4221.02 and 4221.06.  The individual Census Tracts may be modified over time based on changes to the market conditions at time of acquisition.  The second threshold is the ability and experience in the area of the application.

HOME AGAIN-Mesa: A Collaboration Building Better Neighborhoods One Family At A Time program objectives and eligible uses are but not limited to:  Purchase and renovate residential properties abandoned or foreclosed.  Redevelop demolished or vacant properties. Demolish blighted structures.  Provide homeowner counseling.  Land bank foreclosed properties for future redevelopment.  Funds must be used for households with incomes less than 120% of Area Median Income (AMI) with 25%  of the award used for households with incomes of 50% of AMI or less.

The deadline for the NSP2 application is July 17th, 2009.  All applicants must post their intent to apply for public comment ten days prior to submission.  Public comment made be submitted through the following websites with links to the HOME AGAIN-Mesa: A Collaboration Building Better Neighborhoods One Family At A Time program:
www.marccenter.com
www.nativeconnections.org
or by calling Silent Whistle at 1-877-874-8416
We welcome and encourage your comments.