NHPF’s 7th Annual Symposium In order to create the affordable housing of the future, a healthy built environment that works for all, our industry must incorporate innovation where construction, demographics, and government action meet. Demographically, US population shifts—from the aging of Baby Boomers and Millennials to the influx of Generations Y and Z—bring new challenges in home design requirements and affordability. The constant threat to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and other housing finance programs sharpens our awareness of the vital role government policy and elected officials play. This year’s Symposium, The Future of Affordable Housing: Interconnecting Construction, Demographics, Government, and Innovation, asks all of us in the affordable housing industry to let our imaginations run free and explore the possibility of a future with abundant, resilient housing that is affordable to people at all income levels and appropriate to where they are in their lives. Join us for an evening of lively discourse and expert opinion to help affordable housers draw up blueprints for a future filled with sustainable, inventive housing for generations to come. Our keynote speaker will be Wemimo Abbey, the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Esusu, the leading financial technology company helping individuals save money and build credit, one of only a few Black-owned start-ups in the world to be valued at $1 billion. NHPF presents its Affordable Housing Advocacy Award to two champions of legislation supporting LIHTC, Suzan DelBene, Representative (D- WA) and Brad Wenstrup, Representative (R-OH) . NHPF presents its Affordable Housing Trailblazer Award to the young affordable housing visionary referred to as a “YIMBY with a conscience.” At 29 years old, Donahue Peebles III is out to change housing development via his tireless work aimed at curbing the effects of gentrification and closing the racial wealth gap.
Former Cleme Manor Resident Returns to Give Back and Spread an Important Message to Children Delores McGruder lived in Cleme Manor for twenty-five years and returned this past fall to bring joy and educational activities to current young residents and their parents. While she lived at Cleme Manor, Delores took advantage of financial literacy programs that taught her how to save and eventually helped her purchase a home of her own. She was more than a neighbor you could rely on for a cup of sugar—she befriended many of the residents and shared her support whenever she could. Even after she left Cleme Manor, Delores continued to look for more ways to give back to residents. This past fall she applied for and received a grant from the Urban Transformation organization to host four meetings at Cleme Manor where children and their parents could participate in educational, artistic and recreational activities. She also provided healthy snacks to the 122 youth and adults who participated. McGruder dubbed this effort the Mustard Seed Program , inspired by a conversation with an HPD officer who shared her vision of helping children in the community. A mustard seed is known to be one of the smaller seeds but grows into a large plant firmly rooted in the ground. The program was offered through Operation Pathways, The NHP Foundation’s subsidiary providing onsite resident services. In December, this culminated with a fun holiday party where Houston City Council Member Letitia Plummer came and provided meals and gifts to participants. The Council Member said, “ Mustard Seed became part of the community; really doing great things with the kids. Delores McGruder is someone I respect highly.”
Our Symposium 2023 Co-chairs are NHPF Trustees Glynna K. Christian and Charu Singh .
THE NHPF QUARTERLY MARCH 2023
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