Enterprise Conference Tackles Affordable Housing Gap
Columbia, Md. (November 13, 2006) – Thousands of low-income families nationwide will ultimately benefit from the Enterprise Forum and Network Conference held in Los Angeles, Oct. 24-27, where community development experts obtained practical tools and information to tackle the nation’s affordable housing crisis in their local communities. Enterprise is a national organization that works to fuel neighborhood revitalization through its financial, development and technical resources.
Working with housing developers, investors, local governments and others in Los Angeles, Enterprise has helped create over 6,100 affordable homes and rental units serving low-income people and the formerly homeless. Forty percent of this housing represents homeownership for families and individuals who might not otherwise have been able to own a home.
The week-long conference kicked off with a celebration of Enterprise’s milestone 200,000 homes at Gateways Housing, a supportive housing community for formerly homeless individuals. "[Enterprise’s] investment and energy have been essential components of many of Los Angeles' affordable housing programs," said Eric Garcetti, president of the Los Angeles City Council. "The example that Enterprise and Gateways provide for the city and the world inspires hope and makes us believe that one day, every person in this nation will have a roof over their head," he said.
A Gateways Housing resident described how she felt living in a brand new apartment, after fleeing an abusive relationship and suffering with mental illness and addiction. "After years of living on the street, I finally have a safe place to call home and the help and support I need to change my life," she said.
"With the help of countless partners, Enterprise has reached a major milestone by providing 200,000 families with safe, decent, affordable places to call home," said Enterprise Chairman Bart Harvey. "The celebratory event was the start to a very successful conference with excellent speakers, teachers, workshops and networking opportunities."
Addressing community development professionals from all over the country, Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa said, "We welcome you to Los Angeles to explore and create broad-based community development efforts to improve the lives of people in need. Thank you for the opportunity to share our efforts here in Los Angeles to increase affordable housing, promote green building, and improve educational opportunities for the communities that need it most."
Dynamic keynote presentations, interactive sessions and tours of community development properties throughout the city provided attendees with strategies and approaches to preserve affordable housing and economic development.
"Transforming neighborhoods is possible with the right tools. Enterprise offers integrated financial resources like tax credit equity, grants and loans combined with technical expertise and business models to help revitalize communities," said Jeff Donahue, president and CEO of Enterprise Community Investment, Inc. "By sharing ideas, strengthening partnerships and forming new relationships, Enterprise helps its many partners put solutions to work in their communities."
The Forum and Network Conference offered more than 40 workshops for community developers and investors involved with every level of neighborhood revitalization. Topics ranged from green building strategies and policy efforts to supportive housing models and economic development. Financing sessions included tax credit equity, double-bottom line funds and preservation transactions. Enterprise’s work in the Gulf Coast was also profiled, as the organization is committed to provide $200 million to help create more than 10,000 healthy, sustainable homes in the region by 2008.
Actor Hector Elizondo, screenwriter Antwone Fisher, Liz Murray of the Lifetime film "Homeless to Harvard," and Christopher Gardner, president and CEO of Gardner Rich & Co. shared personal stories about homelessness, perseverance and the importance of having a place to call home. Gardner’s autobiography is the subject of an upcoming Columbia Pictures film, The Pursuit of Happyness, starring Will Smith.
The MetLife Foundation Awards, the Home Depot Foundation Award of Excellence for Affordable Housing Built Responsibly, along with the Jim and Patty Rouse Awards (named for the Enterprise founders), showcased the innovative work of community development professionals across the country. The Excellence in Urban Journalism Award recognized reporters for their coverage of social and racial inequities that cause poverty in inner cities. Bank of America was also recognized for its $1 billion investment in affordable housing with Enterprise.
Enterprise is a leading provider of the development capital and expertise it takes to create decent, affordable homes and rebuild communities. For more than two decades, Enterprise has pioneered neighborhood solutions through public-private partnerships with financial institutions, governments, community organizations and others that share our vision. Enterprise has raised and invested $7 billion in equity, grants and loans and is currently investing in communities at a rate of $1 billion a year.
Visit www.enterprisecommunity.org or www.enterprisecommunity.com to learn more about Enterprise’s efforts to build communities and opportunity, and to meet some of the half a million people we have helped.
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