CREJ

May 2022 — Multifamily Properties Quarterly — Page 33 www.crej.com P ast articles in these pages have described the challeng- es of financing and develop- ing affordable housing. This issue will focus on some of the organizations that help make that development possible through their technical assistance, training and, in some cases, funding. Nongovernmental organizations usually are associated with inter- national work or advocacy – think Doctors Without Borders, Heifer International, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Surprisingly enough, there are domestic NGOs that quietly go about providing organizational development advice, technical assistance, training, group buying leverage, insurance and sometimes loans, grants and/or equity in sup- port of capacity building, affordable housing, economic development and infrastructure. Most work primarily with not- for-profit organizations in urban areas, while others focus on rural needs. Some are national and oth- ers regional; all have the same goal – to make their members/clients more effective at what they do and how they do it. There are even a quasi-governmental organization and a state agency that get involved with more than lending money and making grants in Colorado. This issue will shine the afford- able housing spot- light on a few of the organizations that have a pres- ence and make a difference in Colorado. You will read about how they began, how they are funded, how they oper- ate, what they do, with whom they work and the role they play in the creation of hous- ing affordable to Colorado’s low- income families. Read on to learn about Enterprise Community Partners, the Housing Partnership Network, Neighbor- WorksAmerica, Rural Community Assistance Corp. and other orga- nizations out there doing good work that enables others to help enhance and improve their com- munities. We also feature an update on funding resources that will be available soon from the work of Congress, the Colorado General Assembly and a local task force appointed by the General Assem- bly. Good stuff. s Affordable Housing From the desk of Rodger Hara: Nongovernmental agencies’ behind-the-scenes work Rodger Hara Principal, Community Builder Realty Services With a Voice of Triumph - European Tour Preview Performance SPOTLIGHT MAY 7 SAT 7:30 Mahler Symphony No. 5 CLASSICS MAY 13-15 FRI-SAT 7:30 ✣ SUN 1:00 Cleo Parker Robinson Celebration with your Colorado Symphony SPOTLIGHT MAY 20 FRI 7:30 Colorado Symphony Gala FUNDRAISER MAY 21 SAT 6:00 Beethoven Symphony No. 9 with Colorado Symphony & Chorus CLASSICS MAY 27-29 FRI-SAT 7:30 ✣ SUN 1:00 COLORADOSYMPHONY.ORG PROUDLY SUP PORT ED BY PRESENTING SPONSOR MAY AT YOUR SYMPHONY! 34 34 35 Contents CO Legislature makes unprecedented investments Brian Rossbert Stable housing delivers immediate benefits to all Chuck Wehrwein Preservation is essential in fight for affordability Jennie Rodgers NeighborWorks America builds network across CO Lisa Hasegawa Strengthen housing with community engagement Cris A. White Other NGO-like organizations at work in Colorado Rodger Hara 35 36 36 Nongovernmental agencies primarily work with not-for-profit organizations across the state, with some focused in urban areas while others work to meet rural needs.