A Commitment to Capacity
A Commitment to Capacity
Print Copy: $5.00
This report examines HAC’s loan fund on the occassion of its fortieth year of funding rural affordable housing.
June, 2012
A Commitment to Capacity
Print Copy: $5.00
This report examines HAC’s loan fund on the occassion of its fortieth year of funding rural affordable housing.
June, 2012
After nearly five years of economic crisis, foreclosure, and declining home values, indicators are finally pointing to the beginnings of a housing recovery. Yet this recovery is not occurring in all places at the same speed. An untold number of rural Americans are still struggling after what was the worst economic recession since the 1930s. Even before the crisis, many rural households and communities struggled with housing problems. While much of the country sees a housing rebound, problems of distress remain in rural America longer than elsewhere because of a lack of economic vitality and diversification. To make things more challenging, federal support for affordable housing is under increasing financial pressure and has been diminishing when it is needed the most.
It is clear that HAC’s role as an intermediary organization and lender is more crucial than ever. Despite decreases in federal funding, a still-struggling economy, and a rural housing market undergoing recovery, HAC continues to further its mission of providing safe, secure, and affordable housing across rural America in some of the most distressed regions of the country. Like all nonprofit organizations, we have made adjustments as we face an uncertain political future and harsh economic realities. But we remain committed to working with partner organizations across the nation and to continue providing housing through our loans and grants, training and technical assistance, and research and information.
HAC has learned the importance of continual dialogue with rural housing practitioners who provide us with firsthand accounts of the need that exists in communities across rural America. With their input, we have been able to help create effective policy and programmatic responses to some of the most challenging issues facing rural affordable housing providers.
Through this landscape, HAC strives to create tangible change for the poorest individuals and families in the most rural parts of America. This annual report demonstrates the ways in which HAC continues to help strengthen rural communities during these challenging times. There is still much more to do, and we are proud to work with you to improve housing and lives in your community.
HAC was founded in 1971 to improve housing conditions for the poorest of the poor in the most rural of places. At its founding, HAC’s board and staff knew that building the capacity of local communities would be central to meeting this charge, as local groups would not be able to meet the dire housing needs that existed without first building their own skills. HAC was created to provide these communities with the financial, informational, and technical resources that would ultimately enable them to create affordable, sustainable housing options for rural low-income residents.
In 2011, HAC celebrated its 40th anniversary and throughout the year has had the opportunity to reflect on its ongoing commitment to building capacity in rural communities. In the context of today’s economic and housing problems, the needs of low-income communities have become even more pronounced.
HAC has been steadfast in its support of rural communities and has focused its resources on strengthening the communities that are often suffering the brunt of these economic challenges. This year’s annual report highlights the impact of HAC’s work, specifically illustrating how HAC’s programs have built capacity in rural America.
Looking back over the past year, as well as the past 40 years, HAC is reminded that its success is a reflection of strong relationships with its external partners. HAC maintains these relationships not only through programming, but also through ongoing dialogue with the network of organizations that are working across the nation to create affordable housing. In 2011, HAC completed its stakeholder survey, hearing from more than 270 partners in communities across the nation. These survey respondents shared their insights on how they use HAC’s programs, how their communities have been impacted, and how HAC can improve its delivery of services. We appreciate the time and effort that participants took in providing input, and we look forward to implementing some of what we learned through the process.
In 2011, HAC is proud to have:
HAC looks back on 2011 with pride, knowing that through partnership we have made significant strides in our effort to build capacity, support affordable housing development, and strengthen rural communities. Ever mindful of the challenges ahead, we remain hopeful that 2012 will bring even greater successes.
The housing and financial markets were hard hit in 2010 and this has had a profound impact on the affordable housing sector. With government budgets in the red across the nation, common funding sources are being cut and organizations are scrambling to find new sources of revenue to assist the large number of families and individuals in need of affordable housing. This past year has reminded the Housing Assistance Council (HAC) and many of its partners of the significance of collaboration and partnership. In this environment, it is vital that organizations join together to share resources and learn from one another in order to survive.
The 2010 National Rural Housing Conference (NRHC) epitomized the strength of collaboration in these difficult times. For the first time, the NRHC was held jointly with the Rural Community Assistance Partnership’s annual meeting and training conference, allowing the more than 900 people registered to participate in workshops and exchange ideas. In working together to learn important skills and gain insights on current programs and policies, rural housing stakeholders also expressed new appreciation for the partnerships that have kept them afloat during these lean years.
Partnership has always been central to HAC’s success. As an intermediary organization, HAC is built on the many relationships it has developed on the national, state, and—most significantly—local level. This year’s annual report, Collaboration: The Key to Building Rural Communities, highlights the many ways that HAC has partnered during the year to help rural communities meet their housing goals.
Some important examples include the following:
As HAC looks forward to its 40th anniversary in 2011, we appreciate our continued partnerships with the many organizations that are working to improve rural housing conditions. As we work with these organizations, we gain valuable insights into the needs of these communities and learn the best ways to support these efforts. Everyday, we are reminded that together, we can build rural communities.
The Housing Assistance Council completed another successful year in 2009. Amidst continued economic pressures, HAC has worked to assist the organizations whose constituencies are feeling these financial hardships most acutely. Housing markets across the country are still grappling with high foreclosure rates and many communities are also experiencing double-digit unemployment.
In this economic environment, HAC’s role is especially vital. As an intermediary organization, HAC understands that our strong local partnerships are the foundation of our success. Through these connections, HAC assists local organizations in crafting tailored solutions that meet the needs of their constituencies. By having ongoing dialogue with local communities, expressing and advancing rural interests, and helping to create policy and programmatic responses, HAC has been able to institutionalize needed change.
When rural stakeholders require guidance or resources to create affordable housing solutions, HAC engages in a way that respects local processes, needs, and context. HAC realizes that it is ultimately the community itself that is the best assessor of its needs, and we strive to provide the necessary tools that can bring local endeavors to fruition. This year’s annual report, Promoting Local Solutions, underscores this guiding belief and highlights HAC’s various roles from a local perspective.
Some of HAC’s accomplishments over the year include:
In this annual report, we highlight examples of how local organizations have used HAC’s resources to create affordable housing opportunities and bring about change in rural communities.
We look back on 2009 with pride, as HAC and our partners have been able to make visible strides in rural areas across the nation. HAC remains committed to strengthening rural communities and ensuring that our local partners thrive. Mindful of the work yet to be completed, we head into 2010 with optimism and determination.
If you have a general question or are not sure which office to contact, please contact only the National Office at hac@ruralhome.org or 202-842-8600 and HAC staff will determine who is best able to respond to you.
If you are sure you know which staff person you want to reach, staff e-mail addresses are available here.
National Office 1025 Vermont Ave., N.W. Suite 606 Washington, D.C. 20005 Tel.: 202-842-8600 Fax: 202-347-3441 E-mail:hac@ruralhome.org |
||
Western Office VACANT |
Southeast Office
|
|
Midwest Office |
Southwest Office |
HAC has a highly knowledgeable and experienced staff, well versed in housing, economic, and community development. HAC staff have extensive experience in including all aspects of federal housing programs, housing rehabilitation, program administration, economic development, cross-cutting regulations, project financing, financial management, infrastructure, construction, and organizational management.
Addresses, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses for HAC offices are available here.
Executive OfficeDavid Lipsetz, CEO, david@ruralhome.org Loan FundEileen Neely, Director of Loan Fund, eileen@ruralhome.org Research and InformationLance George, Director of Research and Information, lance@ruralhome.org |
Rural Housing Services, Inc.Jorge Diaz, Portfolio Manager, jorge@ruralhome.org Training and Technical AssistanceSoutheast Office Shonterria Charleston, Director of Training and Technical Assistance, shonterria@ruralhome.org Southwest OfficeAnselmo Telles, Senior Housing Specialist, anselmo@ruralhome.org Midwest OfficeStephanie Nichols, CHDO Project Manager/Housing Specialist, stephanie@ruralhome.org Finance and Administration DivisionKarin Klusmann, Director of Finance, karin@ruralhome.org |
If you have a general question or are not sure which office to contact, please contact only the National Office at hac@ruralhome.org and HAC staff will determine who is best able to respond to you. Sending e-mails to more than one address will slow down HAC’s response because staffers will have to take time asking each other who is going to respond.
Communities across the nation have been devastated by the current economic crisis. Rising mortgage foreclosure rates, mounting personal debts, and skyrocketing unemployment have increased the need for stable, affordable housing. However, these same economic trends have made it even more difficult for local nonprofits to create needed housing opportunities for low-income residents. In the current economic environment, the Housing Assistance Council’s work as an intermediary organization is even more important.
By definition, intermediary organizations serve as a bridge between two entities. HAC uses knowledge, financial and technical resources, and access to connect rural communities to the larger housing sector. And, despite the challenges, there were many successes this year. This annual report highlights the links HAC was able to forge over 2008. It is also a testament to the phenomenal partners HAC works with across the nation and their dedication to improving rural communities.
Some of HAC’s accomplishments over the year include:
HAC’s ongoing partnership with local communities is the foundation on which it is able to fulfill its mission. By listening to local communities and communicating the issues we hear, HAC is able to contribute to the national dialogue in a way that reflects the needs and interests of rural communities. In March 2008, HAC completed a survey of stakeholders and learned about the issues impacting rural communities and how HAC’s products and services can better serve those needs. Feedback from the most recent survey is provided throughout the annual report.
It is with great pride that HAC continues to stand with rural communities and build the bridges that result in stronger local organizations, increased housing opportunities, and better communities. HAC is proud of the work we have done together in 2008 and excited about making new connections throughout 2009.
It is a pleasure to report that 2007 brought the Housing Assistance Council (HAC) opportunities to expand its traditional work and to develop new resources for its local partners. This year HAC received the largest loan ever made to its loan fund, new resources to address rural homelessness, an excellent rating from a new assessment system, and requests for consultations on several housing initiatives in Congress. HAC’s work this year also involved foreclosure prevention, rental preservation, green building, and self-help homeownership, a new web-based resource for local organizations, and a number of successful training sessions.
Specifically, HAC’s accomplishments in 2007 include the following.
As always, this year local organizations throughout rural America made good use of HAC’s loans, grants, trainings, technical assistance, and information resources. The importance of HAC’s role as an intermediary remains clear. HAC makes available resources that local organizations would not otherwise be able to access, enabling them, in turn, to provide decent, affordable homes in their own communities.
Through Partnership … Progress: 35 Years of Building Rural Communities
Marks HAC’s 35th anniversary with a detailed review of the achievements of HAC’s loan fund.
2006, 28 pages, ISBN 1-58064-148-2