At CAHEC, nearly a dozen employees have been part of our team for 15 years or more. These dedicated individuals are often the first people who come to mind when someone mentions our organization. Through our Faces of CAHEC campaign, we set out to uncover what’s kept them here all these years - and their insights reflect exactly why they’re such an essential part of who we are. We’re kicking things off with our first feature: Bonnie Gravitte, Director of Asset Management.

What does affordable housing mean to you? Working in our industry means you have the opportunity to change lives! When residents live in our housing, they have the ability to plan for the future. Lower rents mean they can save more, which ultimately allows them to pursue their dreams.

What has been one of your favorite moments at CAHEC? I love the travel component of my job. Through that, I've met and maintained relationships with so many wonderful people. I remember one resident who had a Big Mouth Billy Bass fish that sang "Take me to the River" when you pushed the button. Every time I visited, I knew he looked forward to me being there so we could sing the song together. Unfortunately, he passed away, but his family asked the site manager to give the fish to me the next time I was at the property. I still have it, and it's one of the things that reminds me that relationships with people are the most important part of this job.

What's one piece of advice you'd give someone who is looking at affordable housing as a career choice? Our industry can be incredibly rewarding but it's also complex. Become familiar with fair housing, tax credits, rural development, and various funding mechanisms (like Section 8 and HOME). Attend conferences to make connections and engage with various stakeholders, and make sure you have a local network. Your state housing finance agency, local housing coalitions, and apartment associations are all a great start!

The 2024 Investing in Communities: CAHEC at Work is now available online! Take a minute to explore this interactive platform and learn how we are positively impacting the residents and communities within our footprint.

Wayne Gretsky, NHL Legend, once said, “Move yourself where the puck is going to be and not where it is now.” Each fall we prepare budgets and goals, forecast headwinds, and evaluate our presence within the marketplace. We meticulously undertake this drill, only to repeat it one year later. While the exercise is commonplace, it has the risk of overshadowing one’s vision, purpose, and competitive advantage. It’s these latter points - where the puck is going - that allows one to persevere in the face of resistance. - Dana Boole, President & CEO

CAHEC has added the following properties to our portfolio:

Glenwood Court - Eden, NC; 32-unit Acquisition/Rehab for families; Developer: Pendergraph Development

Sedgefield Apartments - Mooresville, NC; 36-unit Acquisition/Rehab for families; Developer: Fitch Irick Development

CAHEC New Markets has added the following investments:

Anna Julia Cooper School - Richmond, VA; the new lower school building will increase the school's capacity by 43% with additional classrooms as well as expanded space for art and music programs, a gym for athletics and afterschool activities, and a new athletic and playing field.

Harry Chapin Food Bank - Fort Myers, FL; the construction of a new 97,000 SF warehouse and distribution center is projected to increase food distribution by 30%, expand wraparound services, and improve community disaster resilience. The facility will have rentable community meeting rooms and upgraded volunteer spaces, more storage for dry and frozen goods, and will be built to withstand up to Category 5 hurricanes.

Nourish Up Hunger Hub - Charlotte, NC; the rehabilitation of a 90,000 SF warehouse that will help the organization increase people served by its food pantry programs by 46% and Meals on Wheels by 400%. Key components include the expansion of dry, cool, and frozen storage spaces, a teaching kitchen for educational programming, a commercial kitchen for fresh food preparation, and new office space for employees.

Congratulations to the following properties on achieving 100% occupancy:

Fernhill - Conover, NC