Latest news with #NancySmith
Associated Press
23-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Lincoln Avenue Communities Breaks Ground on its First Build-to-Rent Affordable Housing Development in Maricopa, Arizona
MARICOPA, Ariz., May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lincoln Avenue Communities (LAC), a mission-driven acquirer and developer of affordable housing, broke ground this week on The Ranches at Gunsmoke Apartments, a ground-up development that will provide 271 units for individuals and families in Maricopa earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income. 'We are excited to break ground on LAC's first Build-to-Rent development and to partner with WNC & Associates to bring high-quality affordable housing to Arizonans,' said Ben Taylor, LAC vice president and project partner. 'The Ranches at Gunsmoke will provide sorely needed units in one of the nation's fastest-growing metro areas.' The Ranches at Gunsmoke is LAC's first Build-to-Rent (BTR) development and will consist of two- and three-bedroom duplexes and standalone homes, with each unit featuring a patio, walk-in closets, and private fenced backyards. Communal amenities will include a fitness center, pool, grilling areas, a clubhouse, and rental storage units. Additionally, a solar carport system will be installed to offset approximately 50% of the community's electricity usage. Construction is expected to be completed in 2026. 'We're excited to see this new community taking shape thanks to Lincoln Avenue Communities,' said Maricopa Mayor Nancy Smith. 'This new development addresses the needs of those who work in the city of Maricopa, whether they're hourly workers, teachers, new police officers, or even our retired senior citizens who want to be a part of a community in which they don't have to take care of the property itself.' The development's financing includes back-to-back construction and permanent loans from Citibank, $65 million in tax-exempt bonds issued by the Arizona Development Authority, and $49 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) and solar equity from WNC. About LAC: Lincoln Avenue Communities (LAC) is one of the nation's fastest-growing developers, investors, and operators of affordable and workforce housing, providing high-quality, sustainable homes for lower- and moderate-income individuals, seniors, and families nationwide. LAC is a mission-driven organization with a presence in 28 states and a portfolio of 170+ properties comprising 30,500+ units housing 80,000+ residents. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Lincoln Avenue Communities
CBS News
27-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Justice Department halts funds for programs for victims of hate crimes, child abuse, school violence and more
CBS News has obtained a list of 365 federal grant programs halted this week by the Justice Department, disrupting programs to help victims of hate crime and sex trafficking, children who've suffered violence, and refugees. The department also paused programs aimed at reducing school shootings, efforts to combat domestic terror and an Emmett Till cold case initiative in the Southeast. At least some of the grants were halted in memos sent Tuesday to nonprofit organizations by the Justice Department. The memos alerted program operators that the projects no longer "effectuate" Justice Department priorities. The cancellation of the federal grants caused disruptions at some nonprofit programs, according to organization leaders who spoke with CBS News. The head of a nonprofit that helps youth crime victims in Oakland, California, called the funding freeze a "devastating blow." Nancy Smith told CBS News she made plans to lay off 10 employees from her national "Activating Change" nonprofit, which helps provide sign language interpreters and legal aid to crime victims with disabilities and hearing impairments. Smith said 40% of her budget disappeared overnight. The list was provided by a federal source with oversight over the agency's funding of federal grant programs. Programs halted by Justice Department Obtained by CBS News The Justice Department told CBS News at least two of the grant funds, however, for the National Center for Victims of Crime in Maryland and The National Network to End Domestic Violence in Washington, D.C., have been restored since last week's memo was sent. The National Center for Victims of Crime, in Landover, Maryland, warned CBS News on Thursday that it planned to shutter its national crime victims hotline because of the cancellation of its Justice Department grant. The hotline receives approximately 16,000 calls from crime victims every year. But one day after a CBS News report about the prospect that the hotline would be shuttered, the organization's director notified CBS News that the Justice Department restored the grant money. A Justice Department spokesperson told CBS News the organizations that have lost their grant funding awards will have 30 days to appeal the decision. "We are confident that these cuts are consistent with the administration's priorities while at the same time protecting services that tangibly impact victims," the spokesperson said. The list of 365 grant programs notified of grant cancellations includes a broad array of initiatives to help crime victims and prevent violence. The impacted organizations include a San Francisco-based organization that seeks to reduce hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, a New York organization that works to reduce school shootings, the "Emmett Till cold case investigations and prosecution program" in New Orleans, the "Matthew Shepard and James Byrd hate crimes training and technical assistance" initiative for crime reduction in Florida, a Michigan group that supports re-entry for young offenders and a Virginia group that helps human trafficking and sex victims. Renee Williams, the executive director of the National Center for Victims of Crime, said she's grateful the Justice Department restored her grant funding, but told CBS News "our partners are still battling." Williams said the organization's crime victim hotline is a critical tool for those who suffer violence. Williams told CBS News, "After calling us, countless victims indicated that they had nowhere else to turn, but found hope, help, and comfort from our services." Joe Griffin, executive of director of California-based Youth Alive! told CBS News the interruption of his group's federal grant would have a devastating impact on community initiatives. "To do this ahead of summer, when we know there will likely be an uptick in violence, is really troubling," Griffin said. "We need our government to show up for our young people the way we do—every day, without fail." Other projects that were notified of terminations of their federal grants include the following: A Memphis, Tennessee, group that helps provide victims advocacy and support for non-English speaking crime victims An Atlanta project that supports crime victims under the age of 18 A Bronx, N.Y. initiative to prevent overdoses A Chicago-based study of elder-abuse victims A Florida project to help ensure the safety of correctional officers A Virginia-based project to help human trafficking victims.
Int'l Business Times
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Justice Department Terminates $811M In Grants — Which Services Are Affected?
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is reportedly terminating $811 million in federal grants, affecting hundreds of programs across the country—including those supporting domestic violence victims, trauma recovery and police training. According to internal DOJ documents and two sources familiar with the matter, 365 competitive grants are being terminated. These grants, which were valued at $811 million when awarded, are typically paid out over a three-year period. However, it remains unclear how much of that funding had been disbursed before the termination. The grants were primarily managed by the DOJ's Office of Justice Programs (OJP), which had received approval to award approximately $3 billion in total competitive grants during the 2024 fiscal year, according to an exclusive report by Reuters. Impact On Key Justice Agencies The grant terminations span multiple agencies: Office for Victims of Crime lost approximately $71 million, affecting services for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. Bureau of Justice Assistance, which funds programs for local police departments and correctional facilities, saw cuts totaling $535 million. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention experienced $136 million in cuts. National Institute of Justice, which funds criminal justice research, lost nearly $59 million in grants. Domestic Violence Victims To Be Hit Hard A closer look at the terminated grants from the Office for Victims of Crime reveals the cancellation of crucial support services for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. One such organization, Activating Change, which supports victims with disabilities, lost five grants totaling over $2 million. According to Executive Director Nancy Smith, the canceled funding included grants for American Sign Language interpretation for domestic violence survivors and training for police on how to investigate trafficking crimes involving people with disabilities. Describing the grant termination a political act, Smith stated: "This punishes deaf and disabled survivors, silences marginalized voices, and dismantles vital support for those already facing the greatest barriers to safety and healing." Other eliminated grants funded programs on criminal justice reform, recidivism reduction, and support for formerly incarcerated individuals. Reckless Cuts Draw Backlash And Reversals The grant cancellations sparked immediate backlash from advocacy groups and lawmakers, some of whom labeled the move "reckless." In response to growing criticism and media attention, the department reversed several of the terminations. After media report on Thursday highlighted specific grant terminations, a DOJ official announced that seven victim services grants would be restored. Despite the sweeping reductions, Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that the DOJ was "discerning" in its decision-making process and emphasized that the department would "continue to ensure that services for victims are not impacted."
The Herald
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Herald
US justice dept grant cuts valued at $811m, people and records say
Activating Change, a nonprofit that supports domestic violence victims with disabilities, lost five federal grants totaling more than $2m (R37.6m), said executive director Nancy Smith. One of those paid for American sign language interpretation services for domestic violence victims, while another trains police on how to investigate trafficking crimes against people with disabilities. Another recipient that lost funding is the central Iowa trauma recovery centre, which received support from Republican senator Charles Grassley. Other types of canceled grants funded programmes from criminal justice research to efforts to help reduce recidivism and support people after they leave prison. A justice department official said on Thursday night the grant to the Iowa-based trauma recovery centre was being restored, but the department would not restore the grants to Activating Change because of its affiliation with the Vera Institute of Justice. The Vera Institute of Justice, an independent nonprofit, was recently targeted by billionaire Elon Musk's department of government efficiency as part of its cost-cutting effort. "The justice department's reckless cuts to their federal grants endanger the victims' safety," the Vera Institute of Justice told Reuters in a statement. "It is unconscionable that this administration would put partisan politics over the wellbeing of victims of crime," the group said. Smith said in a statement that terminating her group's grants represented a "political act". "This punishes deaf and disabled survivors, silences marginalised voices, and dismantles vital support for those facing the greatest barriers to safety and healing," she said. Of the $811m in total cuts, about $71m (R1.3bn) comes from grants offered by the office for victims of crime, according to a spreadsheet of the grants seen by Reuters. The justice department cut roughly $535m (R10bn) to programmes from the bureau of justice assistance, which funds programmes to support many local police departments and correctional facilities, the data shows. The federal agency cut about $136m (R2.5bn) from the office of juvenile justice and delinquency prevention, and terminated nearly $59m (R1.1bn) in research grants funded by the national institute of justice. Reuters
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Crossroads businesses frustrated by city's parking rules
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Business leaders in the Crossroads District are fed up. First, it was crime. Now, they say parking is a disaster, and they fear it could drive away customers and hurt their businesses. 'We need somebody to give us a break down here in this area and let us do some business,' said Nancy Smith, managing partner at Extra Virgin and operator of Farina, both popular spots in the district. Jackson County approves ordinance requiring Frank White to follow judge's order on property taxes This isn't the first time a major Downtown Kansas City neighborhood has raised concerns. Less than six months ago, River Market businesses successfully changed the city's parking rules. Now, Crossroads leaders are pushing for the same following a difficult situation during First Fridays this past week. Smith isn't alone in her frustration. For many, parking has become a growing issue that extends beyond just customers. Smith says the situation has impacted her employees as well. Smith says people are being ticketed even when the meters aren't working. This past Friday marked the kickoff of the First Fridays event in the Crossroads, a monthly event that draws tens of thousands for food, art and entertainment. But while the event brings excitement and vibrancy to the area, it also highlights the parking challenges businesses are facing. Smith took to social media to share her frustrations, tagging Mayor Lucas in a Facebook post, saying: 'Incorrect signage still posted. People are getting tickets even after the post time. Businesses will close— is anyone paying attention?? Anyone in office going to help out businesses??' When asked if they are running out of options she responded: 'We do, and yes, I'll say that 100% because we've tried to address things,' Smith explained. The things she's looking to address: Crime Parking Incorrect signage posting 'There's a group of us that are really running out of options and would like some help from the city.' A major concern for Smith and others is the extension of paid parking hours pushing past the old 6 p.m. cutoff and into the weekends in some areas. 'There is plenty of dining options out in the suburbs where parking is plentiful and free in the evenings,' she said. With their busy spring and summer seasons on the horizon, Smith is speaking out in hopes of finding a solution before things get worse. Lawsuit filed after Kansas City metro man, DACA recipient is deported to Mexico 'Daytime, nighttime customers, I just feel like we've been fighting this uphill battle with the parking and the ticketing and the incorrect signage,' Smith said. 'We shouldn't be discouraging people from coming here by having paid parking seven days a week and into the evenings. That's just hurting all of us.' FOX4 reached out to the city of Kansas City for comment. They confirmed that they are in conversation with Smith and are working with the parking division to address the issue. They plan to provide more information later this week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
