NwONAP News
FY 2008 Quarter II - January 16, 2008

Northwest Office of Native American Programs
909 1st Avenue, Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98104
Ph: (206) 220-5270, Fx: (206) 220-5234
www.hud.gov/washington
Click on "Indian Housing Office"

Inside this issue:

	2008 Regional Indian Housing Summit
	Earned Income Tax Credit
	Online Calendar
	Funding Resources
	Training Opportunities
	Useful Websites
	Staff Assignments

2008 Regional Indian Housing Summit April 30-May 1

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Native American Programs is hosting a Northwest Regional Indian Housing Summit in Grand Mound, WA at the Chehalis Tribe's Great Wolf Lodge on April 30-May 1, 2008.

This interactive, two-day summit will provide the opportunity for tribal leaders, TDHE staff, representatives from local and national lending institutions, state and federal agencies, and other industry experts to come together to discuss Indian housing issues, innovative programs and how to maximize HUD funding. Five break-out track discussions will include:

• Leveraging/Financing - A discussion of what has worked for other regional tribes and how various funding sources can work together to address housing needs of all tribal members.
• Sustainability and Energy Efficiency in Indian Housing Development - A discussion of measures to improve energy efficiency in new housing and creating healthy homes, while building homes that are going to last with the use of sustainable materials.
• Assessing and Documenting Needs - A discussion on what tools and strategies are available to support your application for new resources with reliable data that reflects the needs and demographics of your tribal service area.
• Community Security, Drug Abuse Prevention, and Safety Models - A discussion of successful models to supplement police and other emergency services in tribal areas, in addition to addressing drug/alcohol issues, rehab costs, and juvenile activities.
• Assessing Individual Capacity of Families - A discussion on matching the needs of individuals to appropriate housing programs. Training for renters, financial literacy, home maintenance education and where it fits in the Indian Housing Planning.

The Chehalis Tribe's Great Wolf Lodge at Grand Mound, Washington

No charge to attend.
More information
Virtual tour

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

With tax season just around the corner, now is the perfect time to launch an education campaign promoting the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and IRS-sponsored FREE tax preparation sites. The refund can be combined with asset building activities including homeownership, education, and small business development.

Did you know?

• At $40.9 billion, the EITC is the larger than TANF and food stamps combined.
• Nearly $8 billion went unclaimed in 2007
• As many as 15-20% of workers don't claim the EITC

Every year in Native communities, millions of EITC dollars go unclaimed or get diminished by unnecessary tax preparation fees. EITC reduces the amount of tax owed and often results in a refund to low- to moderate income working families. Even families who did not claim the credit in earlier years may go back up to three years to claim missed credits, in addition to, relatives who are raising grandchildren, nieces, nephews or foster children.

Iris Friday, NwONAP, answers questions at a recent EITC workshop at the Muckleshoot Indian Reservation

EITC Maximum Credit for Tax Year 2007

Earned Income and adjusted gross income (AGI) must each be less than:

• $37,783 ($39,783 married filing jointly) with two or more qualifying children;
• $33,241 ($35,241 married filing jointly) with one qualifying child;
• $12,590 ($14,590 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children.

Tax Year 2007 maximum credit:

• $4,716 with two or more qualifying children;
• $2,853 with one qualifying child;
• $428 with no qualifying children.

FREE Tax Preparation

A significant portion of those claiming the EITC, especially in Native communities, have their refunds diverted to high fees and interest rate charges from Refund Anticipation Loans offered by commercial tax preparers. The IRS supports Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites across the country including in Native communities. The VITA program allows families and individuals to receive every tax benefit available to them by providing free tax preparation for low- to moderate-income families and individuals.

For the nearest VITA site call (800) 829-1040, or visit:

	www.irs.gov/localcontacts/index.html
	www.aarp.org/money/taxaide/
	www.unitedway-wa.org/

Additional Web Resources

	www.irs-eitc.info/spec/ - Marketing materials, flyers and outreach material. Access the EITC Assistant on-line calculation under "Tools and Resources"
	www.oweesta.org/eitc - Marketing materials including ads, flyers and W-2 mailing stuffers and download booklet "A Tribal Leaders Guide to Launching a Native EITC Campaign" & "A Guide to Claiming the EITC"
	www.irs.gov/eitc - Tax forms and EITC information
	www.firstnations.org/EITCwb.asp - Download "Building Native Communities: A Guide to Claiming the EITC"
	www.nfec.info - National Financial Education Coalition
	www.cbpp.org/eic2007/ - Tax Credit Tool Kits
	www.nfec.info - National Financial Education Coalition
	www.cbpp.org/eic2007/ - Tax Credit Tool Kits

NwONAP Online Calendar of Events

Be sure to bookmark the Calendar of Events.

Funding Available

Complete listing found on NwONAP Calendar of Events

Training Available

Complete listing found on NwONAP Calendar of Events

Useful Websites

	HUDClips - A library of HUD forms, handbooks, notices and guidebooks
	PIH Notices Applicable to Native American Programs
	NAHASDA Program Guidance

Staff Assignments

For contact phone numbers and email visit: www.hud.gov/local/shared/working/r10/nwonap/staff.cfm?state=wa