Management Innovation: Human Resources

Colorado Housing and Finance Authority:
Aspire to Inspire

Aspire to Inspire (A2I) is a leadership development program for Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) staff. The year-long program supports the development and use of leadership skills at all levels of the organization. It offers hands-on learning, mentorship, and the opportunity to develop new tools and ways of doing business that advance CHFA’s mission. The recommendations and project proposals resulting from A2I program cohorts have meaningfully shaped CHFA’s strategic initiatives.

Connecticut Housing Finance Authority:
CHFA Study Hall: Lifelong Learning at Work

After 2020, going hybrid provided flexibility for CHFA staff but hindered connections. Surveys and focus groups revealed a lack of formal collaboration and knowledge sharing. Many felt isolated. Simultaneously, CT's housing crisis has been front and center as more people than ever are struggling to afford their homes. Enter: Study Hall.

Idaho Housing and Finance Association:
Mastering Leadership: Empowering Through Training

Idaho Housing has developed a comprehensive and standardized training program designed to equip current and future leaders with a profound understanding of essential processes, legal nuances in employment, and strategies for fostering constructive changes among employees. Through our Management Fundamentals 101 training, we are investing in not only the individual growth of our leaders, but also an environment conducive to innovation, collaboration, and long-term success.

Illinois Housing Development Authority:
IHDA Internship Program

Over the past couple of years, the Illinois Housing Development Authority has redesigned and modernized its internship program. Through a new recruitment strategy, to aligning with Fannie Mae, to establishing a mentor program, IHDA seeks to provide the tools and knowledge to those in college to succeed in the world of affordable housing finance and hopefully return to IHDA as a full-time employee.

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency:
PHFA Connect-Connecting People, Process and Technology

For many organizations, the COVID pandemic exposed areas where technology and processes had fallen behind and required updating and it changed the way that staff communicate. As the Agency recently celebrated it’s 50th anniversary, there is also a shift in the workforce as many of the staff that have been with the Agency for decades are retiring. As PHFA transitions from reactionary change to strategic change, the focus is on “Connections” in our relationships, our processes, and our systems.

Rhode Island Housing:
Harnessing Employees for Meaningful Change in DEIB Efforts

With recent shifts in cultural focus, RIHousing has stepped up to ensure that Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) is incorporated into our agency’s every day activities and actions and not just one-off events and initiatives. Armed with insights gained from extensive evaluation of our employees, processes, and culture, we came up with a plan aimed at harnessing the potential of our greatest asset – our employees – to commit to meaningful change.

Virginia Housing:
Paid Parental Leave Program

Virginia Housing is committed to providing a robust benefits portfolio to attract new talent and retain our existing associates. This Parental Leave program was enacted as a part of an overall total rewards program that keeps pace with those benefits being offered in the market. Further, given the changing demographics of the workforce, it is imperative that our benefits complement our overall employee value proposition.