Dear Colleagues,

It seems like life has been a whirlwind of late, especially in the world of housing. From the angst around the reduction of Low Income Housing Tax Credits and the ability of housing authorities and redevelopment agencies to leverage crucial dollars and tax deductions to create housing solutions, to the natural disasters that have hit many of our communities creating additional housing emergencies, our industry has pushed our creativity, problems solving and coalition building to it's maximum.  And, we have answered, creatively, effectively and quickly. 

I have read of some of the work housing authorities and redevelopment agencies both large and small have done, and on a couple occasions I have used my NAHRO connections to either site visit, or have in depth conversations on truly impressive work to address some of the most urgent housing needs both locally and nationally with the dedicated staff associated with each. And as inspiring as learning of the work others are doing has been, more inspiring Is the shared premise which drives the work. This driving factor, simply put into a mantra, is that HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT. And each day we reassert our commitment, from front line staff to senior leadership, to actualizing this mantra.

 

Recently, NAHRO convened the Board of Governors meeting in Austin, Texas to welcome in 2018.  We were able to reaffirm the mission of NAHRO, strategically plan the direction and the mission of National NAHRO under the leadership of CEO Adrienne Todman, President Carl Richie and Senior Vice President Sunny Shaw.  We also shared some of the work that our respective regional housing authorities and redevelopment agencies are up to.  As I heard the various stories from all over the United States, there was a theme that began to develop; we were doing good work, but the renewed focus on equity, justice, accessibility and succession planning was becoming more evident.

 

In such a divisive time, it's easy for the work we do to be tone deaf to the equity work that remains. Sometimes the elephant in the room remains overlapping historical policy actions that created divided communities, and the necessity for our work to include assessment of this previous work, and concerted efforts to create intentionally inclusive communities in high opportunity areas. I would encourage all of our respective agencies to move forward in breaking down barriers, and continue to advocate for communities in an effort to provide upward mobility, opportunity and inclusion. This in it's truest sense, is equity, and justice.

 

I am very aware, we can not do this alone. But I am encouraged by the membership of NAHRO, by the work of my colleagues and by the direction we are taking as an industry. We will continue to move forward hand in hand, arm & arm, and we will coalition build for vibrant, safe, healthy housing options and alternatives. I look forward to a successful 2018!

 

Sincerely,

 

Cupid Alexander

Senior VP PNRC-NAHRO

Senior Policy Advisor (housing)- Office of Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler

 

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