Through a series of competitive grants, HUD has gathered the resources of a number of technical assistance (TA) providers to supply guidance or training for various those participating in HUD programs. The TA providers are firms, for profit and nonprofit organizations, and government agencies.

Since 2001, UEDA has successfully attracted more than $580,000 in grants and contracts to provide technical assistance. Working with more than 35 groups and individuals in the southeastern region of Wisconsin, UEDA has provided more than 5,250 hours of technical assistance to improve and strengthen eligible housing agencies and projects.

UEDA'S ROLE
Since 2001, UEDA has been awarded annual grants to improve and strengthen eligible affordable housing agencies and projects throughout Wisconsin. Recognized by the City of Milwaukee as one of the few providers to provide direct technical assistance solutions that are client-centered, innovative and comprehensive, UEDA finds its services in high demand.

UEDA can make grants available to any eligible Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO), Home Investment Partnership (HOME) programming, and Supportive Housing Project (as defined by McKinney-Vento Act) which is deemed reasonable and necessary by the local HUD field staff and participating jurisdiction.

UEDA's Approach
Technical assistance (TA) offered through UEDA may include either: direct technical assistance or pass though grants for CHDO's. TA can be focused building the individual capacity of an organization in areas such as accessing technology, legal assistance, accounting and financial management, organizational and professional development, which allows the agency to become better equipped to manage its programs. Alternatively, TA can also be useful in terms of housing program design or seeking assistance to develop collaborative housing projects.

UEDA strives to provide this help in a format which is client-centered, innovative and comprehensive. Key outreach methods for this assistance include:

• UEDA Membership Events & Communication Tools such as Community Development Brown Bag sessions, Quarterly Gatherings, monthly Membership E-Bulletin and Membership Listserv. Becoming a member of UEDA means you have access to the latest information and opportunities in economic and community development.

• Annual Community Development Summit - A regional annual event hosted and convened by UEDA, it draws more than 200 professionals from this sector. Events like the Summit are designed to challenge the status quo, bring new ideas, and offer suggestions to solve regional problems. This event is designed to be discussion of issues faced by community development professionals as opposed to technical training.

• Other Statewide Community Development & Housing Events - At events like this, UEDA has an opportunity to present and respond to the needs that the planners identified as material to the evolution of sound community development housing projects.

• Networking and Collaboration with other statewide TA service providers – UEDA staff communicate regularly with others in this sector, utilizing a systemic approach to problem solving and referrals to partnering technical assistance resources. The Milwaukee Community Development Intervention Team (McDIT) can provide assessments and TA to organizations facing unanticipated change.

UEDA's members will be offered to participate in technical assistance services for any eligible project.

CHDO
CHDOs are private, community-based nonprofit corporations whose purposes include the provision of decent, affordable housing to low-income people. To be certified as a CHDO, an organization must meet certain legal and organizational characteristics described in the HOME regulations at 24 CFR Part 92.2.

A certain portion of federal HOME funding is set aside for housing developed, sponsored or owned by CHDOs. UEDA not only assists nonprofit organizations as they enter the field to become CHDOs, but also offers strong support to CHDOs as they grow and expand.

HOME
HOME is authorized under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, as amended. Program regulations are at 24 CFR Part 92. The HOME program final rule is available electronically. Additional information about the HOME program can be found by visiting their website.

HOME provides formula grants to States and localities that communities use-often in partnership with local nonprofit groups-to fund a wide range of activities that build, buy, and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for rent or homeownership or provide direct rental assistance to low-income people.

HOME is the largest Federal block grant to State and local governments designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income households. Each year it allocates approximately $2 billion among the States and hundreds of localities nationwide through formula grants. Often in partnership with local nonprofit groups, HOME funding provides a wide range of activities that build, buy, and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for rent or homeownership or provide direct rental assistance to low-income people.

HOME programs are designed to reinforce several important values and principles of community vitality:

• HOME's flexibility empowers people and communities to design and implement strategies tailored to their own needs and priorities.
• HOME's emphasis on consolidated planning expands and strengthens partnerships among all levels of government and the private sector in the development of affordable housing.
• HOME's technical assistance activities and set-aside for qualified community-based nonprofit housing groups builds the capacity of these partners.

MCKINNEY-VENTO ACT HOMELESS / SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
In the early 1980's most programs to address problems associated with homelessness were created, funded and administered at the grass-roots level. Pressure was growing to address the problems of homelessness in a tangible way.

Later that same decade, emergency relief provisions for shelter, food, mobile health care, and transitional housing were introduced. In 1987 after the death of its chief Republican sponsor, Representative Stewart B. McKinney of Connecticut, the act was renamed the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and signed into law.
The McKinney Act originally consisted of fifteen programs providing a range of services to homeless people, including the Continuum of Care Programs: the Supportive Housing Program, the Shelter Plus Care Program, and the Single Room Occupancy Program, as well as the Emergency Shelter Grant Program. These programs are all contained within Title IV and eligible for technical assistance grants through UEDA.

Though amended several times since its passage, the McKinney Act has stood the test of time, and provides the best first step to address the needs of a population that is, by and large unknown and underrepresented. Revitalization of distressed communities relies in great part on our ability to effectively service to this population in need of decent and affordable housing.

ACCESS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
If your agency needs Technical Assistance, please contact any of the following people to discuss eligibility for grants. All grants must be approved by UEDA, your participating jurisdiction staff and the HUD field office.

If your agency wants to examine its need for the availability of technical assistance, please contact UEDA and we would be happy to discuss your needs and the ability to access grant funding to solve your issue.
We appreciate your feedback on TA needs so that our office is able to make the most effective use of the funds.