ROCK’s Post

The successes Forward Community Investments achieved in 2023 inspire us to build an even greater influence across Wisconsin this year. We aim to grow our capital base to escalate our impact, establish more strategic partnerships to expand our geographic reach, invest in our people to advance operational excellence, and, as always, continue to spur conversation about the importance of fighting to reduce racial, social, and economic disparities statewide. In 2023, our collective dedication to FCI’s mission resulted in significant positive impacts, including: - $9.7 million in new loans to 20 borrowers - FCI funding for projects in 18 Wisconsin counties - $35.1 million in New Market Tax Credits for 4 statewide projects. Invest today and join us in making a greater impact in 2024: https://bit.ly/2UhR3oZ

The D.C. region needs to build 320,000 new homes this decade. It’s not close. Here’s my latest for The Washington Post: I analyzed the D.C. region’s housing production data from HAND, a housing nonprofit, and the Urban Institute, a public policy think tank. It shows we’re not close to reaching the target that regional lawmakers and housing experts set before the beginning of the decade. Here’s some of the data summarized in a map. Full story here: https://lnkd.in/eMy3xCBF

We’re pleased to share a new impact report for the East Metro Main Street Economic Revitalization Program, which supported 42 Saint Paul nonprofits and businesses that faced immense challenges the past four years due to the pandemic, civil unrest and other obstacles. With support from F. R. Bigelow Foundation and other funding partners, the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development granted $3.7 million to nonprofits and $3.3 million to businesses in the Snelling-University-Rice Cultural District, the East Side community and along West Seventh Street in Saint Paul. 100% of the funded projects serve communities that have been historically under- and dis-invested by traditional funding, and 85% of the projects are owned or led by people of color. We’re proud to have been a partner in this program and support the vitality of East Metro communities. Read more about the projects and their impact → https://hubs.ly/Q02x4vmn0 #EastMetroMainStreet #SaintPaul #CommunityDevelopment #StPaulMN

In 2019, the Freedom West Board, representing 382 shareholders and approximately 1,000 residents, participated in a visioning session facilitated by the Institute of the Future to develop a set of Guiding Principles that serve as our roadmap plan to achieve the community driven Freedom West 2.0 plan to: Rebuild: All 382 existing units at Freedom West co-op units with brand new units at no additional monthly housing costs to the residents. Empower: The nonprofit co-op with a 40+ year economic self-sustainable engine including additional sources of real estate ownership income and profit participation in the market rate development. Involve: Freedom West Homes’ input in the design of the replacement units, the overall site plan, and community benefits. #sanfranciscorealestate #affordablehousing

Want to learn more about Community Land Trusts (CLTs)? Join us on Feb. 13th for an online webinar on CLT basics, CLT strategies for acquiring and preserving housing, the CLT landscape in California, and more. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gyRMhu7n This event has been designed to aid community members, nonprofit staff, government employees and elected officials who are looking to learn about how community ownership and CLTs are creating an alternative to the speculative real estate market and could be put to use in their neighborhood, town, or region.

So what is Houston’s secret? The turning point came in 2011, when Houston had the fifth-highest number of homeless people in America. That’s when the mayor at the time, Annise Parker, a numbers-driven policy wonk, introduced hardheaded new initiatives that her successor, Sylvester Turner, sustained. What unfolded wasn’t a triumph of compassion so much as one of evidence, management and impeccable execution, and in that, there are probably broader lessons for governing. There were arguably three elements. First, the city had strong political leaders who herded nonprofits so that they worked in unison rather than competing. Second, Houston’s lack of regulation makes it easy, quick and cheap to build new apartments: Building a small one-bedroom can cost less than $200,000, while Los Angeles spent as much as $837,000 per apartment for people who were homeless. Third, Houston focused less on general help, such as handing out jackets or providing counseling, and more on moving people into apartments and providing ongoing care to keep them housed.

The April issue of FOCUS Magazine highlights Cinnaire. For over 30 years, the community development financial organization has made high-impact investments and given loans to developers and nonprofits, focusing specifically on economically and racially marginalized communities that too often get passed over for capital. Learn more about Cinnaire's legacy of investing in people and places on page 14: https://lnkd.in/egThbC4

Housing insecurity and justice system involvement can be a vicious cycle with long-lasting effects for individuals, families, and communities as well as government systems. This report, created in collaboration with the Housing Solutions Lab at NYU Furman Center, with support from Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, explores ways that the justice system and housing agencies can partner to break this harmful cycle. 📖 Read the full report to find out how cross-sector collaborations can succeed: https://lnkd.in/e8Ukb5aG

Three individuals and/or organizations will be honored at the upcoming ACHANGE symposium June 20-21. The awards categories are: Innovation in Housing Design and Development: recognizes the creativity, originality and breakthrough thinking in developing housing, whether single family, multifamily or a derivative thereof, Recognition will be given to the individual/organization/business that is transforming the affordable housing landscape in their community. Best in Housing Revitalization: recognizes the individual/organization/business that has taken a formerly blighted or neglected property and redeveloped the property into quality housing for people with modest incomes. Best in Community Economic Development Partnership: recognizes a private/public partnership that has/is improving the quality of life options within their community. Awards competition rules: Open to anyone who performs work related to affordable housing in Arkansas, even if located elsewhere. Nominations may be accepted for individuals, public or nonprofit organizations, or private-sector businesses. Nominations must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Projects must have been performed in Arkansas. Please contact ACHANGE at admin@achange.org for more information.

We are leaning in and committing to adapting and evolving our practice...because you said so! https://lnkd.in/di6yAgHR #economicjustice #economicequity #wealthbuilding #systemschange