Lydia Smith

Lydia Smith is Vice President at National Equity Fund, Inc. (NEF) responsible for identifying LIHTC equity investments with affordable housing developers of color nationwide. In 2020, NEF launched the Emerging Minority Developers Fund (EMDF) a $147 MM fund to build the financial capacity and experience of developers of color by helping them overcome high barriers to entry in accessing Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) to develop affordable housing.

Lydia’s affordable housing experience spans a decade working in both the Accounting and Asset Operations departments for NEF. She is passionate about making Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity more accessible for qualified developers of color. She is committed to growing awareness about NEF’s work with developers of color as well as and driving education on the need for forward-thinking resources to support underrepresented developers of color. For more information about EMDF please visit the NEF’s website.

HCC24 Session: Promoting Racial Equity with the Housing Credit

HCC22 Session: Plenary Session: Furthering Equitable Development and Management