Affordable HEALTH (Housing Equity and Long-Term Health) Initiative
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and deepened health and housing disparities across the country, as millions of the most vulnerable families lack the ability to shelter in place safely and affordably. This is especially the case for households and communities of color.
While concentrating on critical relief measures in recent months, the housing industry is now focusing on the need to develop affordable multifamily housing that is more responsive to resident health needs and more resilient to future health emergencies.
With support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, NCSHA is working with other affordable housing leaders to advance opportunities for financing healthier multifamily affordable housing. The NCSHA initiative will explore development- and neighborhood-level changes that demand consideration in light of the pandemic; the importance of resident needs, racial equity, and community participation in development planning and funding decisions; and various options for financing new health-related strategies. The initiative will prioritize the interrelated health and housing needs of households and communities of color.
Recognizing that a number of housing and health organizations are working toward a similar goal, the NCSHA initiative will add value to emerging industry best practices by promoting what’s working, enhancing HFA policies and practices to encourage healthier communities, and identifying new financing approaches.
National Advisory Group
NCSHA has convened a diverse advisory group of national leaders who bring deep expertise in multifamily affordable housing financing, development, management, resident services, and public policy. The group will advise NCSHA on current practices and knowledge in the field and assess opportunities to advance healthier affordable housing through financing, program development, and public policy. The group includes the following members:
- Rochelle Beeks, President & CEO | POAH Communities, LLC
- Dana Brown, Vice President, Multifamily | Fannie Mae
- Daryl Carter, Founder, Chairman, and CEO | Avanath Capital Management
- Kimberlee Cornett, Director, Impact Investments | Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
- Eric Enderlin, President | New York City Housing Development Corporation
- Kristin Faust, Executive Director | Illinois Housing Development Authority
- Joanna Frank, President and CEO | Center for Active Design
- Sharon Wilson Géno, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer | Volunteers of America
- Jason Hartke, Executive Vice President of Advocacy and Policy | International WELL Building Institute
- Jennifer Ho, Commissioner | Minnesota Housing
- Scott Hoekman, President and CEO | Enterprise Housing Credit Investments, LLC
- Chrystal Kornegay, Executive Director | MassHousing
- Lori Little, President, Chief Executive Officer | National Affordable Housing Trust
- Michelle Norris, Executive Vice President of External Affairs | National Church Residences
- Ruth Ann Norton, President and CEO | Green & Healthy Homes Initiative
- Andrea Ponsor, President and CEO | Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future
- Milton Pratt, Executive Vice President | Michaels Development Company
- Margaret Solle Salazar, Director | Oregon Housing and Community Services
- Bob Simpson, Founder | Simpson Impact Strategies
- Stacy Spann, Executive Director | Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County, MD
- Steve Walker, Executive Director | Washington State Housing Finance Commission
For More Information
Contact Program Director James Tassos with questions.
Resources on Sustainable and Healthy Housing
Support for this project was provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.