Press Releases

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=110 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="06f006e0erlcgo.jpg"> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="993" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 78 WIDTH="995"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="78" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="995" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=CENTER COLSPAN=2 HEIGHT= 28 ><NOBR><div>                                             <A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="What We Do"><U>What We Do</U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Symbol" >   ·   </FONT><A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Volunteer"><U>Volunteer</U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Symbol" >   ·   </FONT><A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" 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HEIGHT= 9058 WIDTH="744"><div> <B>Press Releases</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>2/25/2008:</B>  <A NAME="iocp_receives_minnesota_housing_award"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#wayzata_minn__at_a_minnesota_housing" TITLE="Press Releases"><U>IOCP Receives Minnesota Housing Award for Homelessness Efforts</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>11/5/2007:</B>  <A NAME="iocp_s_sleep_out_campaign_rallies"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#1152007__interfaith_outreach__" TITLE="Press Releases"><U>IOCP's Sleep Out campaign rallies community around housing for low-income families</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>6/20/2007:</B>  <A NAME="_village_homes_grand_opening"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A> <A HREF="#62007_interfaith_outreach___community" TITLE="Press Releases"><U>Village Homes grand opening</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>3/28/2007:</B>   <A NAME="iocp_elects_new_officers_board_members"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><A HREF="#32807_interfaith_outreach___community" TITLE="Press Releases"><U>IOCP elects new officers, board members</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>10/23/2006:</B><B> <A NAME="_iocp_leverage_dollars_partners_to"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><A HREF="#102306_interfaith_outreach__" TITLE="Press Releases"><U>IOCP leverage dollars, partners to spur affordable housing development in Plymouth</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>6/27/2006:</B>  <A NAME="_iocp_spearheads_broad_based"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A> <A HREF="#102306_interfaith_outreach__" TITLE="Press Releases"><U>IOCP spearheads broad-based involvement to create new affordable housing in Wayzata</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="88565010.png" border=0 width="613" height="1" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B>2/25/2008 Congressman Jim Ramstad and IOCP Executive Director LaDonna Hoy Recognized by Minnesota Housing for Their Efforts Related to Affordable Housing</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Contact: </B>Lenore Franzen</div> <div> 651-442-4271</div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:lfranzen@iocp.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:lfranzen@iocp.org"><U><U>lfranzen@iocp.org</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="wayzata_minn__at_a_minnesota_housing"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>Wayzata, Minn.-At a Minnesota Housing sponsored event February 29, 2008, Congressman Jim Ramstad and LaDonna Hoy, executive director of Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners, are among fourteen individuals, businesses, and organizations that will be recognized for their efforts related to affordable housing. </div> <div> Ramstad will receive the first Jim Ramstad Lifetime Achievement Award for his tenacious leadership on behalf of affordable housing in Minnesota throughout his 18 years in public service. Hoy will be honored with the Outstanding Achievement in Ending Long-term Homelessness Award. Under her leadership, IOCP spearheaded the development of 54 units of affordable housing in Plymouth and Wayzata in 2007; four of those units were designated for the long-term homeless.</div> <div> Other award recipients include Bremer Bank, Center for Energy and Environment, Countrywide Home Loans, Edina Realty, and Minnesota Foreclosure Partners Council.</div> <div> The event, “Partners in Affordable Housing: Policy Workshops and Awards,” is an annual celebration of excellence in affordable housing sponsored by Minnesota Housing. Two concurrent policy workshops in the morning will address housing market trends and opportunities, and the role of the business community in the state's plan to end homelessness. Congressman Ramstad will give the keynote address at 12:30 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony. The event, which begins at 9:30 a.m., will be held at the Saint Paul RiverCentre, 175 Kellogg Blvd. West, St. Paul. To register, go to <A HREF="http://www.mnhousing.gov" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.mnhousing.gov"><U><U>www.mnhousing.gov</U></U></A>.</div> <div> <B>About Minnesota Housing</B></div> <div> Minnesota Housing is a state agency committed to finance and advance affordable housing opportunities for low and moderate income Minnesotans to enhance quality of life and foster strong communities. Over the next two years Minnesota Housing plans to invest more than $1.6 billion to further its four strategic priorities: finance new affordable housing opportunities; preserve existing affordable housing; end long-term homelessness; and increase emerging market homeownership.</div> <bR> <div> To support its efforts to end long-term homelessness, the agency is seeking $30 million in bonding money this legislative session. The money would be used to issue nonprofit bonds to finance permanent supportive housing for persons experiencing or at risk of long-term homelessness. A small portion of the bonding money would be used for persons who are homeless but don't meet the definition of long-term homeless.</div> <bR> <div> <B>About Congressman Jim Ramstad</B></div> <div> As a member of Congress since 1991, Rep. Ramstad has co-authored legislation to create a national affordable housing trust fund, modernize the housing bond and Low Income Housing Tax Credit programs, provide “exit tax” relief to sellers of affordable housing property in order to keep the property affordable, and, most notably, partnered with the late U.S. Rep. Bruce Vento to provide federal matching funds to assist states and localities in preserving federal housing. Ramstad also authored legislation allowing state housing agencies to use mortgage revenue bonds to help hurricane victims rebuild their homes, which became law in the Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act.</div> <div>  </div> <div> Ramstad has been a key supporter of legislation that would expand FHA authority to increase loan limits as well as establish an affordable housing grant fund to be used to purchase homes for low-income families and to fund Section 8 housing. Ramstad supported legislation last year to reform the Section 8 voucher program and authorize 20,000 new vouchers for each fiscal year through 2012. </div> <div>  </div> <div> Ramstad serves on the Steering Committee for Heading Home Minnesota, is actively involved in Wayzata's Habitat for Humanity, and has worked extensively with Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners to create more low-income housing. He has been involved with IOCP's annual “Sleep Out” campaign since its inception in 1996.</div> <bR> <div> <B>About Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners</B></div> <div> The mission of IOCP is to identify and respond to the unmet basic human needs of people in the community and to assist them in moving toward self-sufficiency. IOCP offers information, advocacy, referral, and direct financial and material assistance with housing, food, transportation, child care, and other basic needs. The organization also provides case management, employment counseling, and connections to community resources. In partnership with area businesses, faith communities, schools, health systems, civic and community groups, and government agencies, IOCP works to dismantle key barriers to self-sufficiency and to leverage the best possible outcomes for its clients. IOCP's service area includes Hamel, Long Lake, Medicine Lake, Medina, Minnetonka Beach, Orono, Plymouth, and Wayzata.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#iocp_receives_minnesota_housing_award" TITLE="Press Releases"><U><I>Back</I></U></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="88565010.png" border=0 width="613" height="1" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="1152007__interfaith_outreach__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>11/5/2007  Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners' Sleep Out Campaign rallies community around housing for low-income families</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Contact: </B>Lenore Franzen</div> <div> 651-442-4271</div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:lfranzen@iocp.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:lfranzen@iocp.org"><U><U>lfranzen@iocp.org</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <I>Wayzata, Minn.-</I> Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners (IOCP) is launching its annual Sleep Out Campaign to raise awareness around the need for affordable housing and to raise funds to address the housing needs of low-income families in the western suburbs. The kickoff event, which will be held Saturday, November 10, 2007, at Klapprich Park in Wayzata, attracts hundreds of community members of all ages and is followed by several sleep outs by area businesses, churches, schools, and groups.</div> <div>      </div> <div> In its 12<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >th</FONT> year, the campaign runs from Saturday, November 10, to Sunday, December 23. This year's goal is $1.5 million, and the theme is “Hope and Homes for All.” For up-to-the-minute Sleep Out information and photos, go to <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.iocp.org/id60.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.iocp.org/id60.htm"><U><U>www.iocp.org/id60.htm</U></U></A></FONT>.</div> <div>       </div> <div> “The money this community donates during The Sleep Out is absolutely critical,” said LaDonna Hoy, IOCP executive director. “It represents our housing budget for the coming year.”</div> <div>      </div> <div> “The money we raised last year-more than $1.5 million-allowed us to help families in our community who didn't have other options,” said Hoy.</div> <div>      </div> <div> As part of its housing strategy, IOCP has made creating housing options for the people it serves a top priority. “The most visible impact Sleep Out funds have had are 54 units of affordable housing we completed this past year,” Hoy added. IOCP partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build two twin homes in Wayzata. In Plymouth, IOCP partnered with CommonBond Communities to develop 50 rental townhomes that are affordable to low-income families. </div> <bR> <div> <B>The Kickoff</B></div> <div> The kickoff event is November 10 and runs from 6 to 8 p.m. The program will feature Sleep Out founder Bob Fisher and LaDonna Hoy. Mike Pomeranz, anchor for Kare 11, will emcee the event. Twins great Tony Oliva will be the special guest.</div> <div>      </div> <div> The event is free and everyone is welcome. Panera and Chipotle are donating food, and Tapestry, Wayzata Community Church's contemporary worship band, will provide music. There will be a variety of activities for people of all ages. </div> <div>      </div> <div> Klapprich Park is located at 300 E. Wayzata Boulevard, just east of Wayzata West Middle School, in Wayzata. Parking is available across the street in the Park and Ride lot.</div> <div>      </div> <div> Following the kickoff, representatives from area businesses will gather at the park for the first-ever business sleep out. Participants include Anchor Bank, Business and Estate Advisors, Coldwell Banker Burnet, Edina Realty, Flagship Bank, Graham Jewelers, Otten Brothers, TCF Bank, and U.S. Energy Services.</div> <bR> <div> <B>History of The Sleep Out</B></div> <div> In 1996, local shoe repairman Bob Fisher held a winter sleep out to raise $7,000 to buy Thanksgiving dinners for 100 families IOCP served. Fisher repeated the sleep out in</div> <div> subsequent years, dedicating funds raised to help meet the housing needs of families in </div> <div> the community. During the 11-year history of The Sleep Out, more than 3,200 community members have donated $7.6 million to support IOCP's housing efforts.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Striving to Meet Clients' Housing Needs</B></div> <div> Adequate, affordable housing is a need nearly all of the people IOCP serves face. In its 2006-07 fiscal year, IOCP provided emergency housing assistance 2,268 times to avert housing crises for 706 families. Within those families were 2,107 individuals. Yet each year IOCP runs out of funds budgeted for housing assistance by the 10th of each month and must turn away approximately 400 worthy requests annually.</div> <div>      </div> <div> IOCP also works toward long-term housing solutions for the families it serves. In 2005-06, IOCP prevented 6 families from losing their homes to foreclosure and provided ongoing rental assistance to 12 families while they worked to upgrade their income. </div> <bR> <div> <B>About Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners</B></div> <div> The mission of IOCP is to identify and respond to the basic unmet needs of people in the community, and to assist them in moving toward self-sufficiency. IOCP's service area includes Hamel, Long Lake, Medicine Lake, Medina, Minnetonka Beach, Orono, Plymouth, and Wayzata. IOCP offers information, advocacy, referral, and direct financial and material assistance with housing, food, transportation, child care, and other basic needs. IOCP also provides case management, employment counseling, and connections to community resources. In partnership with area businesses, faith communities, schools, health systems, civic and community groups, and government agencies, IOCP works to dismantle key barriers to self-sufficiency and to leverage the best possible outcomes for the people IOCP serves.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#iocp_s_sleep_out_campaign_rallies" TITLE="Press Releases"><U><I>Back</I></U></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="88565010.png" border=0 width="613" height="1" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="62007_interfaith_outreach___community"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>6/20/07 Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners Spearheads Broad-based Involvement to Create New Affordable Housing in Wayzata</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Contact: </B>Lenore Franzen</div> <div> 952-473-2436 x145</div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:lfranzen@iocp.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:lfranzen@iocp.org"><U><U>lfranzen@iocp.org</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <I>Wayzata, Minn. - </I>A groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, June 27, 2006, will signal the culmination of a five-year, broad-based effort to create new affordable housing in the City of Wayzata. Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners (IOCP), long a provider of emergency housing assistance and an advocate for affordable housing, has brought together key individuals and organizations to develop Village Homes, a four-unit project at 170 Gleason Lake Road, across from Gleason Lake Apartments.</div> <bR> <div> “This is the best kind of partnership,” said LaDonna Hoy, IOCP executive director. “From the community members who participated in the annual Sleep Out fundraiser to the City of Wayzata, the county, a local family foundation, and Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (TCHFH), everyone can take pride and ownership in this project.”</div> <bR> <div> “Partnerships like this make our work possible and provide the opportunity to transform families, neighborhoods and communities one house at a time,” said Sue Haigh, president of TCHFH.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Village Homes Development</B></div> <div> Village Homes will be built by Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (TCHFH) as two twin homes. Each twin home will have a 3-bedroom and a 4-bedroom unit. IOCP will own one of the twin homes and rent the two units to clients seeking affordable housing. TCHFH will sell the other twin home units through its program to qualified buyers. Construction of the twin homes is expected to be completed by spring 2007.</div> <bR> <div> The total cost of the Village Homes project is about $800,000. The Wayzata Housing & Redevelopment Authority applied for and received federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, which totaled $250,000. Hennepin County's Affordable Housing Incentive Fund has designated $195,000 for the development. From money raised through its annual Sleep Out event, IOCP is contributing $50,000. Other funders include the Lipkin Family Foundation and the State Bank of Long Lake. TCHFH's in-kind donations will provide building materials and supplies. Teams of volunteers, which IOCP is recruiting from area churches and businesses, will help with construction.</div> <bR> <div> <B>The Need for Affordable Housing </B></div> <div> Affordable housing refers to housing in which a household pays no more than 30 percent of its annual income on housing. Families who pay more than 30 percent of their income for housing may have difficulty meeting other basic needs, such as food, clothing, transportation, and medical care. This is often the case for IOCP clients. </div> <bR> <div> “The people we serve are in crisis, and often their first step in achieving stability is finding a place to live,” said Kim Vohs, IOCP housing director. “Affordable housing is central to our mission and the long-term self-sufficiency of our clients.”</div> <bR> <div> A full 50 percent of IOCP's annual operating budget is dedicated to housing assistance for individuals and families it serves. The $100,000 that IOCP spends on emergency housing assists each month is typically used up by mid-month. Last year, IOCP provided housing assistance to 655 households in its service area, which includes Hamel, Long Lake, Medicine Lake, Medina, Minnetonka Beach, Orono, Plymouth, and Wayzata.</div> <bR> <div> According to a 2005 report conducted by HOME Line, a statewide tenant advocacy organization, only about one third of all Section 8 units surveyed in suburban Hennepin County had owners willing to rent to Section 8 tenants. This same area also had the lowest percentage of its units with rents qualifying for Section 8. Metro area housing agencies administering Section 8 vouchers reported that most of the waiting lists are closed, with wait times ranging from two-and-a-half to five years. </div> <bR> <div> “The Village Homes development is exactly what our community needs,” said Hoy. “We still have a long way to go, but we are moving in the right direction.”</div> <bR> <div> The groundbreaking ceremony, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 27, 2006, at 170 Gleason Lake Road, is open to the public.</div> <bR> <div> <B>About Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners (IOCP)</B></div> <div> The mission of IOCP is to identify and respond to the unmet basic human needs of people in the communities we serve. We offer financial and material assistance with housing, food, transportation, child care and other basic needs. We also provide case management and employment counseling, along with information, advocacy and connections to community resources. Our partnerships with area businesses, faith communities, schools, health systems, civic and community groups, and government agencies have allowed us to leverage the best possible outcomes for our clients.</div> <bR> <div> <B>About Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity</B></div> <div> The mission of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is to eliminate poverty housing from the Twin Cities and to make decent, affordable shelter for all people a matter of conscience. Volunteer labor, donated materials and contributed funds are used to build and renovate homes in the Twin Cities area. Working under the faith-based principle that no profit should be gained from assisting those in need, Habitat for Humanity charges no interest on the homes that it sells. Since 1985, TCHFH has built more than 600 homes in the seven-county metro area and engages more than 20,000 volunteers a year.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#_village_homes_grand_opening" TITLE="Press Releases"><U><I>Back</I></U></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="88565010.png" border=0 width="613" height="1" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="32807_interfaith_outreach___community"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>3/28/07 Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners elects new officers, board members</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Contact: </B>Lenore Franzen</div> <div> 952-473-2436 x145</div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:lfranzen@iocp.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:lfranzen@iocp.org"><U><U>lfranzen@iocp.org</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> (<I>Wayzata, Minn.-</I>April 25, 2007) At its annual meeting on May 2, 2007, Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners will announce its new officers and board members. Kevin Krueger will serve as chair, Robyn Cook as vice chair, Sandy Ohlsson as secretary, and Sandy Finke as treasurer for 2007. Steve Bohl, Julie Faxvog, Bill Munsell, and Duane Sather join the board as new members.</div> <bR> <div> “IOCP is fortunate to have the guidance of these exceptional community leaders,” said LaDonna Hoy, IOCP executive director. “They share a long-time commitment to helping us respond to the needs of the people in our community.”</div> <bR> <div> Kevin Krueger, vice president at Profinium Financial, began his volunteer work with IOCP at its Food Shelf. A board member for four years, he sees the coming year as a particular challenge. “The needs of our clients keep increasing,” Krueger said. “Our goal will be to expand fundraising avenues to support this need without reducing or depleting total support.”</div> <bR> <div> Having served as board chair for the Minnetonka Center for the Arts for three years, Robyn Cook brings considerable leadership expertise and understanding of board governance to IOCP. She has served on the IOCP board three years, most recently as secretary. An active community volunteer, she sits on the IOCP Housing Committee and is a board member of the Outreach Development Corporation, which guides IOCP's long-term housing efforts. </div> <bR> <div> As vice president of human resources for General Mills, Sandy Ohlsson brings 32 years of business and leadership experience to the IOCP board. She has been on the board for two years,</div> <bR> <div> serving on the Operations Committee both years and as chair of that committee in 2006. Ohlsson has participated in The Sleep Out, IOCP's annual housing campaign, and worked construction for the Village Homes affordable housing project.</div> <bR> <div> In her six years on the IOCP board and as treasurer, Sandy Finke, district manager for Wells Fargo Bank, brings a deep understanding of the organization's financial challenges and goals. She is committed to working with staff to secure a solid financial platform for future growth.</div> <bR> <div> Steve Bohl returns to the board after previous terms as board member and chair. He currently chairs the Housing Committee and is part of the Outreach Development Corporation. As owner of </div> <div> BohLand Development and Hickory Fine Homes, Bohl is eager to help guide IOCP to even more ways of serving the community. </div> <bR> <div> Julie Faxvog has been a volunteer at IOCP for 25 years-nearly since the organization began. She served as volunteer coordinator before the paid staff position existed and sat on a number of committees. Her most rewarding activity has been volunteering at the reception desk, where she has the opportunity to meet and talk with the people IOCP serves.</div> <bR> <div> As executive vice president of UnitedHealth Group, Bill Munsell has extensive experience building and managing businesses. He brings enthusiasm for the mission of IOCP to his role on the board. Recognizing the organization's contribution to the community, he looks forward to helping it build on that foundation and grow stronger.</div> <bR> <div> For the past five years Duane Sather has been involved with IOCP: as food shelf volunteer, Sleep Out participant, Spread Your Wings Gala attendee, golfer in The Earl Cup, and contributor. Now he joins the board to assist IOCP in fulfilling its mission of responding to the needs of people in the community. Sather is senior vice president of commercial banking at Anchor Bank.</div> <bR> <div> Returning board members are: John Adams, Coldwell Banker Burnet; Ellie Bathe, High Five; Tim Bildsoe, RJF Agencies; Bob Beach, Cargill and Black River Asset Management; Eric Blank, Plymouth Park and Recreation; Peggy Douglas, community volunteer; Rob Gales, consultant; Fred Hegele, retired corporate executive; John Hogenson, St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church; Patrick Klinger, Minnesota Twins; Bev Mast, Wilcox Paper Co.; Phil Milne, Moneygram; Bruce Paulson, US Trust Company; Peggy Rasmussen (2006 chair), Countryside Café; Jeanne Rosengren, Merrill Lynch; Ruth Ruffin, District #287; Bill Schaeder, independent securities trader; and Jack Stewart, ev3, Inc. The Rev. Mr. Joe Wierschem continues as an ex officio member and IOCP's business and financial advisor.</div> <bR> <div> <B>About Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners</B></div> <div> The mission of IOCP is to identify and respond to the unmet basic human needs of people in the community and to assist them in moving toward self-sufficiency. IOCP offers information, advocacy, referral, and direct financial and material assistance with housing, food, transportation, child care, and other basic needs. The organization also provides case management, employment counseling, and connections to community resources. In partnership with area</div> <div> businesses, faith communities, schools, health systems, civic and community groups, and government agencies, IOCP works to dismantle key barriers to self-sufficiency and to leverage the best possible outcomes for its clients. IOCP's service area includes Hamel, Long Lake, Medicine Lake, Medina, Minnetonka Beach, Orono, Plymouth, and Wayzata.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#iocp_elects_new_officers_board_members" TITLE="Press Releases"><U><I>Back to top</I></U></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="88565010.png" border=0 width="613" height="1" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="102306_interfaith_outreach__"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>10/23/06 Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners and CommonBond leverage dollars, partners to spur affordable housing development in Plymouth</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Contact: </B>Lenore Franzen</div> <div> 952-473-2436 x145</div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:lfranzen@iocp.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:lfranzen@iocp.org"><U><U>lfranzen@iocp.org</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> (<I>Wayzata, Minn.-</I>October 23, 2006) Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners (IOCP) and CommonBond Communities have leveraged funds from public and private investors to spur the development of 50 new units of affordable town homes in Plymouth. Funders of the $9.4 million Vicksburg Commons project include Minnesota Housing, Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Hennepin County, the Metropolitan Council, IOCP, National Equity Fund (NEF), and local businesses. </div> <bR> <div> The project received mortgage and tax credit funding from Minnesota Housing totaling $7,895,000. The balance of funds came from City of Plymouth-approved tax increment financing through Plymouth Housing and Redevelopment Authority ($500,000), Hennepin County ($400,000), the Metropolitan Council ($300,000), IOCP ($200,000), and local businesses ($10,000). NEF is the syndicator.</div> <bR> <div> “This partnership demonstrates the power of working together to achieve a critical goal,” said LaDonna Hoy, IOCP executive director. “It takes more than one organization to break down the barriers working families in our community face. There is a real need for housing that's affordable on their incomes, and Vicksburg Commons moves us closer to meeting that need.”</div> <bR> <div> Part of a comprehensive Lundgren Brothers neighborhood development, Vicksburg Commons will operate under a housing with supportive services model. CommonBond Communities, the largest nonprofit affordable housing provider in the Upper Midwest, will develop the property and then manage it once it is occupied. IOCP will provide on-site supportive services for families and children. The 50 units are scheduled for occupancy late in 2007.</div> <bR> <div> A groundbreaking ceremony for Vicksburg Commons,<B> </B>located at the corner of County Road 47 and Vicksburg Lane, will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2006, at 4 p.m. The ceremony is open to the public.</div> <bR> <div> <B>IOCP's Commitment and Role</B></div> <div> With money raised during its annual Sleep Out campaign, IOCP contributed $200,000 to the Vicksburg Commons project. The organization also secured the land. John Berg, retired banking executive who serves on the IOCP Housing Committee and on CommonBond's board of directors, negotiated the purchase of the land from Lundgren Brothers. </div> <bR> <div> Once the development is completed, CommonBond will manage the property and IOCP will run an on-site supportive housing and employment services center for residents, linking them to employment, educational, recreational, health, and other resources. Long-term, these services help residents achieve economic self-sufficiency and live healthy, independent lives. IOCP has provided similar services through its <I>CONECT</I> program for seven apartment neighborhoods (786 units) in Plymouth for the past 10 years.</div> <bR> <div> IOCP will also subsidize 10 rental units for clients who are participating in programs to increase their income-earning potential. These units will be designated for very low-income residents who earn less than 30% of the area median income (AMI).</div> <bR> <div> Long a provider of emergency housing assistance and advocate for affordable housing, IOCP is also committed to seeking long-term solutions for the families it serves. Vicksburg Commons is the second affordable housing development in the west metro area that IOCP has spearheaded since June. Construction is underway on two twin homes IOCP is developing in Wayzata with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.</div> <div> <B>     </B></div> <div> <B>About Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners</B></div> <div> The mission of IOCP is to identify and respond to the unmet basic human needs of people in the community and to assist them in moving toward self-sufficiency. IOCP offers information, advocacy, referral, and direct financial and material assistance with housing, food, transportation, child care, and other basic needs. The organization also provides case management, employment counseling, and connections to community resources. In partnership with area businesses, faith communities, schools, health systems, civic and community groups, and government agencies, IOCP works to dismantle key barriers to self-sufficiency and to leverage the best possible outcomes for its clients. IOCP's service area includes Hamel, Long Lake, Medicine Lake, Medina, Minnetonka Beach, Orono, Plymouth, and Wayzata.</div> <bR> <div> <B>About CommonBond Communities (CommonBond)</B></div> <div> CommonBond Communities is the largest nonprofit provider of affordable homes with on-site resident services in the Upper Midwest. CommonBond Communities' 67 apartment and townhome communities serve more than 6,000 people including working families with children, seniors and people with special needs. CommonBond's 4,000 homes are located in 35 regional municipalities. CommonBond Communities has earned a national reputation for excellence in developing and managing quality affordable housing while providing customized resident services administered through Advantage Centers that promote resident success. For more information, go to <A HREF="http://www.commonbond.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.commonbond.org"><U>www.commonbond.org</U></A>. </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#_iocp_leverage_dollars_partners_to" TITLE="Press Releases"><U><I>Back to top</I></U></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="88565010.png" border=0 width="613" height="1" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <B> <A NAME="62706_interfaith_outreach___community"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>6/27/06 Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners spearheads broad-based involvement to create new affordable housing in Wayzata</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Contact:</B> Lenore Franzen</div> <div> 952-473-2436 x245</div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:lfranzen@iocp.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:lfranzen@iocp.org"><U><U>lfranzen@iocp.org</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> (<I>Wayzata, Minn.-</I>June 27, 2006)<I> </I>The groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, June 27, 2006, signals the culmination of a broad-based effort to create new affordable housing in the City of Wayzata. Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners (IOCP), long a provider of emergency housing assistance and an advocate for affordable housing, has brought together key individuals and organizations to develop Village Homes, a four-unit project at 170 Gleason Lake Road, across from Gleason Lake Apartments.</div> <bR> <div> “This is the best kind of partnership,” said LaDonna Hoy, IOCP executive director. “From the community members who participated in the annual Sleep Out fundraiser to the City of Wayzata, the county, a local family foundation, and Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, everyone can take pride and ownership in this project.”</div> <bR> <div> <B>Village Homes Development</B></div> <div> Village Homes will be built by Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity as two twin homes. Each twin home will have a 3-bedroom and a 4-bedroom unit. IOCP will own one of the twin homes and rent the two units to clients seeking affordable housing. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity will sell the other twin home units through its program to qualified buyers. Construction of the twin homes is expected to be completed by spring 2007.</div> <bR> <div> The total cost of the Village Homes project is about $800,000. The Wayzata Housing & Redevelopment Authority applied for and received federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, which totaled $250,000. Hennepin County's Affordable Housing Incentive Fund has designated $195,000 for the development. From money raised through its annual Sleep Out event, IOCP is contributing $50,000. Other funders include the Lipkin Family Foundation and the State Bank of Long Lake. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity's in-kind donations will provide building materials and supplies. Teams of volunteers, which IOCP is recruiting from area churches and businesses, will help with construction.</div> <bR> <div> <B>The Need for Affordable Housing </B></div> <div> Affordable housing refers to housing in which a household pays no more than 30 percent of its annual income on housing. Families who pay more than 30 percent of their income for housing may have difficulty meeting other basic needs, such as food, clothing, transportation, and medical care. This is often the case for IOCP clients. </div> <bR> <div> “The people we serve are in crisis, and often their first step in achieving stability is finding a place to live,” said Kim Vohs, IOCP housing director. “Affordable housing is central to our mission and the long-term self-sufficiency of our clients.”</div> <bR> <div> A full 50 percent of IOCP's annual operating budget is dedicated to housing assistance for individuals and families it serves. The $100,000 that IOCP spends on emergency housing assists each month is typically used up by mid-month. Last year, IOCP provided housing assistance to 635 households in its service area, which includes Hamel, Long Lake, Medicine Lake, Medina, Minnetonka Beach, Orono, Plymouth, and Wayzata.</div> <bR> <div> According to a 2005 report conducted by HOME Line, a statewide tenant advocacy organization, only about one third of all Section 8 units surveyed in suburban Hennepin County had owners willing to rent to Section 8 tenants. This same area also had the lowest percentage of its units with rents qualifying for Section 8. Metro area housing agencies administering Section 8 vouchers reported that most of the waiting lists are closed, with wait times ranging from two-and-a-half to five years. </div> <bR> <div> “The Village Homes development is exactly what our community needs,” said Hoy. “We still have a long way to go, but we are moving in the right direction.”</div> <bR> <div> The groundbreaking ceremony, scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 27, 2006, at 170 Gleason Lake Road, is open to the public.</div> <bR> <div> <B>About Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners (IOCP)</B></div> <div> The mission of IOCP is to identify and respond to the unmet basic human needs of people in the communities we serve. We offer financial and material assistance with housing, food, transportation, child care and other basic needs. We also provide case management and employment counseling, along with information, advocacy and connections to community resources. Our partnerships with area businesses, faith communities, schools, health systems, civic and community groups, and government agencies have allowed us to leverage the best possible outcomes for our clients.</div> <bR> <div> <B>About Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity</B></div> <div> The mission of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity is to eliminate poverty housing from the Twin Cities and to make decent, affordable shelter for all people a matter of conscience. Volunteer labor, donated materials and contributed funds are used to build and renovate homes in the Twin Cities area. Working under the faith-based principle that no profit should be gained from assisting those in need, Habitat for Humanity charges no interest on the homes that it sells. Since 1985, TCHFH has built more than 600 homes in the seven-county metro area and engages more than 20,000 volunteers a year.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Specific questions from the media can be directed to Lenore Franzen at 651-442-4271 or </B><A HREF="mailto:lfranzen@iocp.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:lfranzen@iocp.org"><U><B><U>lfranzen@iocp.org</U></B></U></A><B>.</B></div> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 19 WIDTH="744"><div> <A HREF="#_iocp_spearheads_broad_based" TITLE="Press Releases"><U><I>Back to top</I></U></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>