Trellis’ Post

📢 We are now the Fund for Housing and Opportunity! 📢 As our nation grapples with our collective identity—what do we value, and what binds us together?—the question of who among us has access to a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home is central to the conversations and political decisions ahead. Rental prices continue to increase, and too many lawmakers continue to prioritize strategies that punish people experiencing homelessness instead of solving the underlying issues. The moment we’re in further crystallizes how people and communities most affected by housing injustice must always be at heart of our work. While our core beliefs and purpose remain the same, those who know us may notice we now have a new name. The change is subtle but meaningful: We are now the Fund for Housing and Opportunity (FHO)—and we continue to be a leading collaborative working to protect renters and solve homelessness. Learn more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g-5azZ36 This change—from “Funders” to “Fund”—is a part of our ongoing effort to modernize our operating structure to reflect FHO’s long-term and ongoing evolution from a funder-centric grantmaking model to more trust-based and restorative philanthropic practices. Through collaborative grantmaking, we can drive greater system-level impact, leverage shared resources, and amplify effective, innovative approaches to housing. We look forward to all we will continue to accomplish—together—toward a future where all renters are protected and secure in stable housing, and everyone has a safe place to call home.

Thank you to Purpose Built Communities for having me present on FCS - Focused Community Strategies Rotational Capital Fund last Friday alongside Sara Toering. The Rotational Capital Fund (RCF) was born out of a dire situation – the 2008 financial crisis. Long story short: as the banking system collapsed, foreclosures began to skyrocket in South Atlanta. And we just couldn’t build houses using the same approach that had worked before. We called people we trusted - real estate agents, developers, real estate attorneys, financiers, etc. and basically said, “Help.” And they did help. Out of those conversations came the RCF. As part of the RCF, those very same people took a risk and invested funds to get FCS’ housing program going again, using a new approach. Now, 15 years later, that approach has allowed us to keep building homes that are affordable to South Atlanta neighbors. It’s made it possible for our housing team to build and rehabilitate 12-18 homes per year. If you want to know the ins and outs of the RCF, feel free to send me an email, I’d love to walk you through it. My main point is that I’m so grateful for the people who stepped in when we needed it. Sometimes in place-based community development work, we face what feel like insurmountable odds. Sometimes, I don’t know the answer. Every time I’ve come to one of those crossroads, partners and neighbors have stepped in to find a way. I’m so grateful that this work of building equitable neighborhoods is one we do together. If you’re facing a tough situation with your organization, I want to encourage you to turn to the people who are already rooting for neighbors to flourish. They are there. And they will journey with you. Keep going. #impactinvesting #communitydevelopment #affordablehousing #nonprofits #nonprofits #community

It’s no secret that the Bay Area has affordable housing challenges. One interesting model for addressing this is a Community Land Trust (CLT). A CLT is a nonprofit organization that manages land and offers housing for the benefit of a community, enabling it to become stronger and more equitable. Read more about CLTs and see some examples in the East Bay at the link below! #redoakrealty #realestate #eastbay #eastbayrealestate #GoodMove #realtortips #affordablehousing #communitylandtrust #blogpost #bayareahousing

HOUSING AS PART OF YOUR MINISTRY The San Francisco Bay Area is in an affordable housing crisis. At present, over 171,000 Californians are experiencing homelessness, and nearly half of Bay Area renters are rent burdened, paying over 30% of their monthly income on housing costs. Episcopal Impact Fund has tailored a program specifically to assist any faith-based institution aiming to tackle the housing crisis in the Bay Area through affordable housing development on their properties. Our ecumenical program builds the capacity of faith-based organizations looking to take the first steps toward development and serve as an extension of your team throughout development – starting with pre-development, feasibility analysis, and establishing relationships with experienced nonprofit housing developers. We offer technical assistance and project management, accompanying faith-based landowners and helping them to discern and make well-informed decisions about the use of their land. https://loom.ly/3xPNW70

One of the roles I serve is to connect non-profit/community-based organizations who support low- and moderate-income communities with Community Reinvestment Act (#CRA) opportunities in California's Central Valley. I work in partnership with my knowledgeable colleagues at the #OCC and #FDIC, such as Spike Keil. Learn more about how we do this in my blog!

Addressing the root causes of hunger means addressing housing. More than 50 percent of renters in Oregon do not have enough money after rent to afford food and other basic necessities. This underscores an essential fact: housing insecurity isn’t just a housing issue — it’s a key driver of hunger. Everyone deserves a safe place to call home and no one should have to choose between buying food and paying for housing. Support the Oregon IDA Initiative, which increases financial stability and builds savings for households: https://lnkd.in/g6MfKi7t Neighborhood Partnerships

Four weeks ago, I embarked on a profoundly transformative journey as the newly appointed Executive Director of Patriot Services Group (PSG), a non-profit dedicated to providing affordable housing to veterans and communities nationwide. With an impressive portfolio of 5,000 apartments across the country. However, as we expanded, relying heavily on management companies and vendors began to dilute our core values and mission, leading to significant challenges. In my short time here, I've delved deep into the organization's operations, confronting pressing issues regarding budgets, growth strategies, and concerns raised by housing authorities that pointed to practices misaligned with our foundational beliefs. This introspection led to a bold decision: -Initiating direct management of our properties -Starting with our substantial holdings in West Virginia -Encompassing 844 apartments This shift towards self-management aims to enhance operational efficiency and allows us to reinvest savings into our communities by avoiding middle management fees. We're making a pivotal change, transitioning staff to direct employment to strengthen our commitment to those we serve. The impact of our work has never been more tangible than in recent weeks as we've navigated heart-wrenching situations involving our tenants in West Virginia and Florida. From families grappling with medical emergencies and the unimaginable loss of a child to a senior veteran adjusting to life as a custodial parent on a fixed income, the challenges our tenants face are diverse and profound. In response, PSG has forgiven $30,000 in debts, offering more than just housing stability but a lifeline during their most vulnerable moments. Our willingness to provide second and even third chances to those overlooked by conventional housing has sparked tears of relief and gratitude, affirming the invaluable role of social work in our mission. Looking ahead, we are excited to announce plans to rebrand our properties, unifying them under a cohesive identity that reflects our values and vision. "A housing first community" will be our guiding principle, a motto that encapsulates our commitment to prioritizing housing as the fundamental step toward stability and opportunity for our residents. As we navigate this journey of growth and transformation, the stories of resilience, gratitude, and community spirit fuel our determination to redefine what it means to provide affordable housing. 

Building something impactful is rarely linear! Our journey with Rock Families First has had it’s ups & downs, but together we're making a difference. Read about the challenges, milestones & what keeps this work going in this thoughtful piece from Jordyn Jenkins, MSW. #Changemaking #Nonprofit #Resilience #UnSystemTheSystem

Want to understand how tenants can gain more control over their housing? Our recent webinar, co-sponsored with Nonprofit Quarterly dives deep into opportunity to purchase policies. Hear from experts in DC, San Francisco, and beyond. Watch the video and read the full transcript: https://bit.ly/3WjtBbd #AntiDisplacement #EquitableHousing #TOPA

Shelterforce #Published3July2024 : #HOW #POLICY #CAN #HELP #TENANTS #PURCHASE #THEIR #HOMES, #A #WEBINAR [#availability :#video, #transcript] "#Laws that give #tenants the #ability #to #purchase #their #own #apartments are popping up across the country. In this webinar, a panel of folks who have been reporting on, fighting for, and using these policies offer their #perspectives #on #this #powerful #anti-#displacement #tool."