Advancing Communities

Join us for this month's episode of Cinnaire's Advancing Communities Podcast, featuring the asset management series AM With A&M. Hosted by April Priebe and Miranda Bialk, this series dives into strategies, insights, and resources for professionals working in the field of asset management. In the US, only 12% of asset or fund management positions are held by women, with less than 2% of teams being led by women. In this episode, April and Miranda invited the women at Cinnaire to discuss their experiences working in asset management. Guests for this episode include: Andrea Johnson, Asset Manager; Amy Pool, Compliance Specialist; Lora Brantley-Gilbert, VP of REO and Special Assets: Cassie Oracz, Asset Manager; Brooke Allen, Stabilized Asset Manager; Pam Darke, Stabilized Asset Manager; Jillian Wilson, Fund Analyst; Beth Baar, VP of Stabilized and Construction Assets; Karen Benson, Compliance Specialist; and Jen Wendtland, Fund Manager. Tune in to hear:  Challenges women have faced in the field Strategies they have implemented to overcome gender-biased situations; The benefits that come from having diversified professionals serving as property managers, asset managers, compliance specialists, inspectors and developers in a traditionally male-dominated industry; And support systems available, including the Michigan Women in Affordable Housing Network (WAHN) and inclusive employers like Cinnaire.   About Our Hosts: April Priebe manages special assets for Cinnaire, and Miranda Bialk is the Manager of Stabilized Assets. Together, they bring over 22 years of experience in affordable housing and asset management.  

Join us for a special episode of Cinnaire's Advancing Communities Podcast, featuring the asset management series AM With A&M. Hosted by asset management experts April Priebe and Miranda Bialk, this series dives into strategies, insights, and resources for professionals working in the field of asset management. In this episode, April and Miranda welcome Peter Giles, Senior Vice President of Public Funding, and Max Novak, NMTC Program Manager, both from Cinnaire. With a combined 20 years of experience, Peter and Max break down the intricacies of New Market Tax Credits (NMTC) and their role in driving impactful community development projects. Tune in to learn: The key differences between NMTC and LIHTC investments The guidelines and qualifications for NMTC eligibility The benefits and challenges of managing an NMTC portfolio How developers and investors can tap into the NMTC program to support community-focused projects Don't miss this insightful discussion about leveraging NMTCs to build stronger, more equitable communities. About Our Hosts: April Priebe manages special assets for Cinnaire, and Miranda Bialk oversees construction and lease-up projects. Together, they bring over 22 years of experience in affordable housing and asset management. To listen to Advancing Communities Podcast, click below for: Google Podcasts Apple Podcasts

Cinnaire's Advancing Communities Podcast includes a special asset management series called AM With A&M. Asset management experts April Priebe (A) and Miranda Bialk (M) bring together thought leaders, policy makers, and others to discuss issues, share strategies and provide resources to professionals working in the field of asset management (AM). In this month's podcast, April and Miranda invite Kristin Bolan, manager, special and stabilized assets, Cinnare, to discuss how asset managers identify emerging risks and work to stabilize troubled assets.  Kristin has been with Cinnaire for six years, where she has served as an asset manager, special assets/stabilized assets and now oversees Cinnaire's stabilized equity portfolio including special assets and their asset managers. In this podcast, you'll learn: Steps to identify an emerging risk What triggers a project to get on the watchlist How to stabilize an asset to emerge off the watchlist. The importance of having a proactive asset management team with open communications among partners  

Cinnaire's Advancing Communities Podcast includes a special asset management series called AM With A&M. Asset management experts April Priebe (A) and Miranda Bialk (M) bring together thought leaders, policy makers, and others to discuss issues, share strategies and provide resources to professionals working in the field of asset management (AM). In this month's podcast, April and Miranda invite Joseph Hankes, Senior Asset Manager for the Wisconsin Housing Preservation Corp. to talk about asset management from the developer's perspective. As a senior asset manager, Joseph is responsible for developing and maintaining strategic asset management, financial management, and risk management activities for WHPC, the largest owner of affordable rental housing in the State of Wisconsin. In this podcast, you'll learn about:     •    The importance of collaboration between the asset management team and the development team, particularly in the early stages of development     •    What to consider when assessing risk levels from the construction phase through lease-up     •    What demarcates the construction phase from the lease-up phase     •    The importance of monitoring actual outcomes vs. projections to ensure compliance, particularly in the first year.     •    How to develop contingency plans if compliance is endangered     •    And how a Tik Tok challenge sparked an asset management crisis. On the next episode of AM with A&M, April and Miranda will discuss emerging risk and special assets. About Our Moderators: April is an asset manager for Cinnaire's special assets and Miranda is an asset manager for construction and lease up. Together they have over 22 years of experience working in affordable housing, specifically with property and asset management.  To listen to Advancing Communities Podcast, click below for: Google Podcasts Apple Podcasts Joe Hankes's bio – Episode 3 Joseph is a Senior Asset Manager for the Wisconsin Housing Preservation Corp., a nonprofit affordable housing owner and developer with assets of $620M consisting of over 8,993 units located throughout the State of Wisconsin. In his role he is responsible for developing and maintaining strategic asset management, financial management, and risk management activities for the company's portfolio. He helps oversee portfolio performance, stakeholder reporting, and insurance administration. Working with external and internal partners, his responsibilities include oversight of third-party management companies, capital planning, and refinancing/disposition of assets. Joseph received a BA in General Management from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.  He is also a Certified Asset Manager (CHAM) and holds a Novogradac Property Compliance Certification (NPCC). Joseph enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, hiking, reading, basketball and cooking. He lives in Beaver Dam WI with his wife, son, and daughter.

Cinnaire's Advancing Communities Podcast includes a special asset management series called AM With A&M. Asset management experts April Priebe (A) and Miranda Bialk (M) bringing together experts in the asset management industry to discuss issues, share strategies and provide resources to professionals working in the AM field  In this month's podcast, April and Miranda invite Beth Baar, Manager, Construction & Lease Up with Cinnaire to explain the vital role Asset Management plays within the affordable housing industry. She discusses the importance of having open conversations with partners to identify issues and solutions that will be productive and meaningful for all.     As a syndicator, Cinnaire balances the needs of both investors and developers to ensure compliance of Section 42 program tax credit investments for affordable housing. In this podcast, you'll learn:   How asset management is related to syndication;   How AM's construction and lease Up teams work to mitigate risks to ensure a project maintains LIHTC compliance during the building process;  The value of selecting an experienced contractor and property manager;  The importance of managing the project once it's determined to be a stabilized asset;   The role of the asset manager throughout the 10- to15-year compliance period;  The challenges facing the real estate industry due to skyrocketing insurance rates.      About Our Moderators:  April is an asset manager for Cinnaire's special assets and Miranda is an asset manager for construction and lease up. Together they have over 22 years of experience working in affordable housing, specifically with property and asset management.   To listen to Advancing Communities Podcast, click below for: 

Introduction to Asset Management with April and Miranda   In their new series on Cinnaire's Advancing Communities podcast, AM With A&M, April Priebe (A) and Miranda Bialk (M) will be introducing listeners to the world of asset management (AM). April is an asset manager for Cinnaire's special assets and Miranda is an asset manager for construction and lease up. Together they have over 22 years of experience working in affordable housing, specifically with property and asset management.   The AM With A&M podcast is designed to discuss issues, share strategies and provide resources to professionals working in the AM field. Topics will include an introduction to the fundamentals of AM, how to manage troubled or stressed assets, and how to view AM through the syndicator's lens.   Each month, April and Miranda will be inviting leaders in the industry to share their insights. During the next podcast, they will be sitting down with Beth Baar, Cinnaire's manager of construction and lease up.   Follow Cinnaire on social media to learn about upcoming podcasts.   To listen to Advancing Communities Podcast, click below for:   Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts  

Cinnaire's Advancing Communities Podcast 2023 Episode 2 brings together Monty Childs, Senior Vice President, Cinnaire, with thought leaders, policy makers, and developers who are making an impact on the community development and affordable housing industries. In this episode, Monty moderates a panel discussion on how Housing Authorities can reposition and restructure their portfolios to make them more affordable and successful. Panel experts include Peter Levavi, Executive Vice President, Brinshore Development; Karly Brinla, VP of Development, Brinshore; Ron Clewer, Illinois Market President, Gorman USA; and Amber Skoby, HPS Consulting Leader, D3G. The panelists discuss how Housing Authorities can leverage Section 8 funds, RAD Section 18 Demo/Dispo and RAD Section 18 Blend to increase predictability in financing and rent adjustments. Traditionally, the federal government has underfunded Section 9. By converting to Section 8, housing projects can generate a more reliable funding stream, be used to raise debt and equity and in some cases result in higher funding. Representatives from Brinshore, Gorman and D3G described projects they have successfully converted to RAD, detailing how they were able to extend capital funds and even transfer assistance to a new construction site. To listen to Advancing Communities Podcast on Repositioning Public Housing, click below for:  Google Podcasts (2023 Podcast: Episode 2)  Apple Podcasts (2023 Podcast: Episode 2)

The Advancing Communities Podcast features Cinnaire team members conversations with thought leaders, policy makers and others who are making a difference in the community development industry.  In this episode, Richard Rothstein, the author of two important books -- The Color of Law: a Forgotten History of How our Government Segregated America, and a new book Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under The Color of Law.  In The Color of Law, Richard provided a convincing and authoritative history of how explicit government policies at the federal, state, and local levels drove residential segregation on the basis of race. He also demolished the “de facto” segregation myth – still held by many – that racial segregation in our neighborhoods is the result of choices being made outside the law. His new book, Just Action, co-authored with his daughter and policy expert Leah Rothstein, provides a blueprint for starting to reverse this harmful legacy. While acknowledging that doing so will not be easy and will require a new civil rights movement, Richard and Leah Rothstein have given us both an inspirational call to action and some concrete steps that we all can take to get started in our own communities.  At Cinnaire, many of the communities we serve are highly segregated, and we know that our partners share our commitment to creating healthier communities for all people. We hope that this conversation will help educate and inspire you to take action on that shared commitment.  

Cinnaire's Advancing Communities Podcast brings together our Chief Strategy Officer, Jim Peffley, with thought leaders, policy makers, and others who are making an impact in the community development and affordable housing industries. Our guests share their experiences and perspective on a range of topics, each supporting the belief that all people deserve the opportunities provided by living in healthy communities.   In this episode, Jim sits down with Dionna Sargent, Vice President of Community Development at Cinnaire who launched Jumpstart Wilmington, a program that was designed to train and equip aspiring developers with information and resources needed to revitalize their communities. Jim and Dionna are joined by Cassandra Sifford and Wali Rushan, two Jumpstart Wilmington graduates who are currently developing projects in Wilmington. Cassandra and Wali share how their experience with Jumpstart Wilmington has impacted their development projects.    Check out the podcast as Jim, Dionna, Cassandra, and Wali discuss:   What inspired Cassandra and Wali to participate in Jumpstart Wilmington The tools they learned through the program and how they are using those tools to support their development goals How Jumpstart training helped to navigate development challenges The impact they hope to make for communities as a result of Jumpstart The role mentors, speakers, and community members played throughout the program

Each month, Cinnaire's Advancing Communities Podcast brings together our Chief Strategy Officer, Jim Peffley, with thought leaders, policy makers and others who are making an impact in the community development and affordable housing industries. Our guests share their experiences and perspective on a range of topics, each supporting the belief that all people deserve the opportunities provided by living in healthy communities.    In this episode, Jim sits down with Ken Weinstein, founder of Jumpstart Germantown, and Dionna Sargent, Vice President of Community Development at Cinnaire who launched Jumpstart Wilmington. The three discuss the purpose and goals of the Jumpstart program which was designed to train and equip aspiring developers with information and resources needed to revitalize their communities. In 2016, Ken Weinstein created the Jumpstart Germantown program and since then, over 1000 aspiring developers have graduated from the program, which has served as a model for other programs throughout and surrounding Philadelphia.  Jumpstart Wilmington, the first program to launch outside of Philadelphia, welcomed its first cohort in October 2020 and has graduated 60 aspiring developers thus far.   Check out the podcast as the three discuss:  The purpose  of the Jumpstart program and why it was created  The components of the program and key development topics  The application and program selection process  The role of mentors and ongoing training for participants  The outcomes of the Jumpstart program       Click here to listen to Episode 24 of Advancing Communities! 

In this episode of the Advancing Communities Podcast, Cinnaire’s Chief Strategy Officer Jim Peffley continues his three-part series examining a growing crisis in the affordable housing industry where private equity funds or other investors are seeking above windfall returns at Year 15.  By ignoring Right of First Refusal agreements and forcing owners to either make large payments to retain ownership or force a sale, these profit motivated investors are jeopardizing mission-focused organizations and our nation’s affordable housing stock.    In this discussion, Jim is joined by Dr. Willie Logan, President and CEO of Opa-Locka Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit builder of affordable housing communities in northern Miami-Dade, FL. Last year, Opa-Locka CDC won a landmark lawsuit against HallKeen Management, a large property management company, over ownership stakes of Aswan Village Apartments in Miami. Jim and Willie discuss the Aswan Village case and the implications the litigation has for affordable housing owners across the country facing similar troubling situations. They also provide insight into how owners and developers can protect themselves and their affordable housing properties from these troubling practices.  Read more about Opa-Locka’s fight to protect affordable housing here.  

Each month, Cinnaire’s Advancing Communities Podcast brings together our Chief Strategy Officer, Jim Peffley, with thought leaders, policy makers and others who are making an impact in the community development and affordable housing industries. Our guests share their experiences and perspective on a range of topics, each supporting the belief that all people deserve the opportunities provided by living in healthy communities.  In this episode, Jim sits down with a panel to discuss CDFIs101, a virtual learning and networking series developed to bring young diverse professionals – tomorrow’s leaders – into the CDFI industry.  CDFIs are today’s impact investors leading the way as our communities and our nation recover from the Covid crisis and address systemic racial inequities. At the same time, thousands of young professionals are now more motivated than ever to find impact careers dedicated to social, economic and political justice.   In this episode Jim talks with the organizers of CDFIs101 - Mark Pinsky, founding partner of CDFI Friendly America; Lenwood Long, CEO of the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs (AAACC); and Bria Moss-Wilkerson, communications and operations manager at CDFI Friendly America, who is also an experienced young entrepreneur and a CDFI borrower. The panel discusses the CDFIs101 program specifically designed to bring growing CDFIs together with young professionals seeking careers with social impact.   Check out the episode and share it with graduating students and young professionals in your life seeking impact careers!

The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program has been a significant source of new multifamily housing for more than 20 years, providing more than 2.2 million units of affordable rental housing. As LIHTC investments mature, however, the affordable housing industry is becoming alarmed at growing efforts by private equity and other investors to secure unplanned payments as a condition for exiting the investment, threatening the properties’ long term affordability and draining resources from mission-focused organizations.        In this episode of Cinnaire’s Advancing Communities Podcast, Cinnaire’s Chief Strategy Officer Jim Peffley is joined by Scott Short, CEO of RiseBoro Community Partnership, a non-profit organization based in Brooklyn, NY, committed to neighborhood revitalization. RiseBoro, like a growing number of non-profit affordable housing developers, is engaged in a legal battle with an investors to retain the property rights to Stockholm Manor, an affordable housing development in Brooklyn, NY. The case is being followed closely in the industry by owners and developers concerned with the growing threat to our nation’s supply of affordable apartments by private sector entities seeking to extract additional capital beyond the tax credits the program was designed to provide.      Jim and Scott discuss the challenges RiseBoro faces with Stockholm Manor to retain property rights as the LIHTC matures and maintain it as affordable housing in a community experiencing a 24% poverty level. If precedent is set with a loss in this case, some investors will become further emboldened to test the financial limits of nonprofit partners and ownership of millions of units of affordable housing could change hands from community-based, mission-driven nonprofits to profit-driven corporations. Listen in as Jim and Scott discuss this important case and provide insight into how owners and developers can protect themselves and their affordable housing properties from these abusive practices.    You can read more about RiseBoro’s fight to protect affordable housing here and also join RiseBoro’s Coalition of Support for the Stockholm Manor case, which will have implications to protect low-cost housing not only in NYC, but set a precedent to protect affordable homes across America for decades to come.  

In this episode of Cinnaire’s Advancing Communities Podcast, Cinnaire’s Chief Strategy Officer Jim Peffley is joined by NASLEF’s Bobby Rozen, a longtime advocate for affordable housing in Washington who was involved in the crafting of the original Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program in 1986 and has been closely involved with the evolution of the program over the past 30 years. Jim and Bobby discuss an alarming and growing trend in the LIHTC industry – efforts by private sector entities seeking to extract additional capital from owners or developers of affordable rental properties beyond the tax credits the program was designed to provide. These profit motivated investors have come to view the nation’s affordable housing stock as a source of capital and above market returns to the detriment of people the LIHTC program was designed to serve. Listen in to this thought provoking and informative discussion where Jim and Bobby describe these problematic trends, discuss their implications and strategize ways the industry can address these challenges to protect our affordable housing stock and the communities we serve. During the conversation, Jim and Bobby cover: A brief overview of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program and its structure for investments The trend of private equity investors acquiring syndicators to leverage limited partner interests and extract capital from properties beyond the intended tax benefits Potential implications for the nation’s affordable housing stock as capital is extracted for profit How owners and developers of affordable rental housing can protect themselves and their partnership agreements Current efforts underway to address the challenge and preserve affordable housing and LIHTC investments

This special edition of Advancing Communities is a recording of a webinar Cinnaire hosted this week highlighting the impact of the 2020 election on federal policy and what it means for the affordable housing and community development industries. The webinar featured Cinnaire CSO Jim Peffley along with Bobby Rozen from the National Association of State and Local Equity Funds and Shannon Ross with Housing Partnership Network.    Bobby and Shannon sit down with Jim Peffley to share their perspective as we enter a new administration highlighting how we can work together to support healthy communities. The discussion includes:   How will the closely divided Washington shape the legislative landscape? What will the change in administration mean for the Community Reinvestment Act and other regulatory policies? What can we expect when it comes to key affordable housing and community development legislative priorities, like the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC)? What trends are emerging in the LIHTC industry?

COVID-19 posed many challenges for affordable housing owners, managers, and tenants in 2020. In this Advancing Communities Podcast, Cinnaire CSO Jim Peffley checks in with Paul Spencer, President & CEO, KMG Prestige and Dana Hanchin, President & CEO, HDC MidAtlantic, two organizations actively engaged in the management of affordable rental properties in a number of states. Paul and Dana were guests on Episode 14 of our podcast in April, less than a month into the pandemic, where they discussed the challenges they anticipated facing and their plans to lead their teams and the properties they manage through unprecedented times.   In this informative and inspiring follow-up, Paul and Dana return to discuss their experience and what they've learned after nine months navigating through Covid. They candidly share the impact this year has had on residents and their services, the programs that have provided relief, and what they anticipate for 2021. Josh Ghena, Cinnaire's Vice President of Asset Management, joins the conversation to share his perspective on Covid's impact on the residents and properties within Cinnaire's portfolio. 

Cinnaire’s Advancing Communities Podcast brings together our Chief Strategy Officer Jim Peffley with thought leaders, guests, policy makers and others who are making an impact in the community development and affordable housing industries across the country. Our guests share their experiences and perspective on a range of topics, each supporting the belief that all people deserve the opportunities provided by living in healthy communities.  In this episode, Jim talks with Gary Cunningham, President and CEO of Prosperity Now. Prosperity Now is a national coalition of African American CDFIs committed to closing the racial wealth divide and dismantling systemic racial and economic disparities. Gary shares his experience and perspective on the challenges Black owned businesses face in access to capital and technical assistance; Prosperity Now’s multi-faceted approach to addressing the history of racism in lending at the federal, state and local government levels and the many ways Covid-19 has emphasized the economic inequalities and transfer of wealth in communities of color.   

Cinnaire’s Advancing Communities Podcast brings together our Chief Strategy Officer Jim Peffley with thought leaders, guests, policy makers and others who are making an impact in the community development and affordable housing industries across the country. Our guests share their experiences and perspective on a range of topics, each supporting the belief that all people deserve the opportunities provided by living in healthy communities.    In this episode, Jim talks with Jim King, CEO & President of FAHE and Chrystel Cornelius, CEO at Oweesta Corporation, both leaders of Partners for Rural Transformation (PRT). PRT is a national coalition dedicated to advancing economic mobility in persistent poverty areas in rural America. Jim and Chrystel share their experience and perspective on the reasons why persistent poverty is so prevalent in rural America; how this in turn impacts all of America and actions PRT is doing to strengthen rural communities in general, and specifically in light of COVID-19 and recent events.     Check out Episode 16 of Cinnaire’s Advancing Communities Podcast here! 

In this COVID-19 Special Series episode of Advancing Communities Podcast, Cinnaire CSO Jim Peffley talks with Steve Spears, CFO of Mercy Housing, a national nonprofit developer, manager, and lender of affordable housing properties. Jim and Steve discuss the challenges diverse organizations like Mercy Housing face and how they are navigating through the COVID crisis. This timely conversation addresses the biggest issues facing organizations in the affordable housing industry right now, including: Assessing COVID-19 risk and the impact on rental collections The impact on affordable housing deals in the development process How lending for affordable housing is adapting to address COVID challenges Applying learnings from the housing market collapse in 2008/2009 to the current market crisis  

In this Special Series Episode of the Advancing Communities Podcast, Cinnaire CSO Jim Peffley digs deep into the impact of COVID-19 on CDFIs and the partners we serve. Five experienced CDFI leaders candidly share their strategies, best practices and experience on navigating and learning through COVID-19 and beyond. The podcast is a recording of a webinar and addresses frontline perspectives on: Experiences they are addressing with the crisis as leaders in the industry Perspectives on what they each learned from the financial crisis of 2008/2011 and how that learning applies to COVID-19 Advice for CDFIs as they navigate COVID-19 challenges A framework for viewing the next three months and next year Panelists: Jim Peffley, Chief Strategy Officer, Cinnaire Adina Abramowitz, Founder, CDFI Friendly America Mark Pinsky, Founder, CDFI Friendly America Donna Gambrell, CEO, Appalachian Community Capital Eric Weaver, Senior Advisor, Opportunity Fund  

Cinnaire’s Advancing Communities Podcast brings together thought leaders, policy makers and others who are making an impact in the community development and affordable housing industries. Our guests share their experiences and perspective on a range of topics, each supporting the belief that all people deserve the opportunities provided by living in healthy communities. In episode 1, Cinnaire’s Jim Peffley sits down with Fannie Mae’s Jeff Hayward who shares his perspective and wisdom on everything from achieving personal goals and overcoming adversity to what defines a healthy community and the importance of diversity at Fannie Mae and every workplace.

COVID-19 has created many challenges for affordable housing owners, managers, and tenants. In this Special Series episode of Advancing Communities Podcast, Cinnaire CSO Jim Peffley digs deep into some of these challenges with Paul Spencer, President & CEO, KMG Prestige and Dana Hanchin, President & CEO, HDC MidAtlantic, who each lead companies managing affordable apartment communities. Paul and Dana share their perspective from the front lines as they experience the pandemic's impact on their teams, and the lives of the thousands of individuals and families in the apartments they manage. They address the practical challenges the crisis has posed and share how they are leading with intention and focus on the two biggest priorities at this point, protecting staff and providing a safe community for all residents. Paul Spencer, President & CEO, KMG Prestige Paul's company is a recognized leader in the multi-family property management sector, with over 35 years of experience. KMG Prestige is a third-party property management company, hired by owners of multifamily properties to provide management services for their apartment communities.  Dana Hanchin, President & CEO, HDC MidAtlantic HDC MidAtlantic is a diversified nonprofit real estate development company. The company develops affordable multifamily properties, manages those properties, and provides resident services.  

The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in a dramatic and unprecedented policy response from Washington. What does this response mean for affordable housing and community development? In this episode, Cinnaire CSO Jim Peffley is joined by a panel of national community development policy advocates -- Jennifer Vasiloff, Chief External Affairs Officer at Opportunity Finance Network (OFN); Shannon Ross, Vice President Government Relations at Housing Partnership Network (HPN); and Chris Neary, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy. These individuals are working to secure support for affordable housing and community development efforts as part of the federal government's response to the COVID-19 crisis. On the heels of an unprecedented $2.2 trillion relief package passed by Congress, Jim and the panel explore what's been provided to date and what's being discussed as possible policy responses going forward, including support for CDFIs, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, and other important federal programs.   Listen as our panel of advocacy experts weigh in on these key subjects and more: How Congress has responded to the crisis to date -- and what that means for affordable housing The latest on the new small business and nonprofit lending program Potential future policy responses for CDFIs and affordable housing How the initial federal response and economic stimulus package differs from programs initiated in 2008/2009 Strategies for advocating for additional community development and affordable housing relief in the next bills Listen to this up-to-the-minute discussion in our Special COVID-19 Response Podcast Series, (recorded March 30, 2020) to help you manage through these critical issues facing the affordable housing and community development industries.

Join Cinnaire CSO Jim Peffley and longtime CDFI industry leaders Adina Abramowitz and Mark Pinsky for this extremely relevant discussion on the COVID 19 pandemic and early thoughts regarding how it is impacting the affordable housing and community development industries. Jim, Adina and Mark discuss the latest developments and share perspective on: Strategies on how CDFIs should communicate and lead through this rapidly evolving situation. Areas of our work that will be impacted most significantly near term and long term. How the current financial crisis is similar to 2008 and how CDFIs are in a position of strength to respond now. Insight on how funding providers to CDFIs – banks and foundations – are preparing to respond. How we as CDFIs can band together to support our communities and partners through this time of uncertainty and turmoil. Listen to this up-to-the-minute discussion, (recorded March 23, 2020,) on managing through these critical issues facing the affordable housing and community development industries. Adina Abramowitz has been a leader of a CDFI and helped develop the Opportunity Finance Network trade association for CDFIs. Mark Pinsky is a strategist, author, and advisor on public purpose finance and was previously CEO of OFN. Together, Mark and Adina founded CDFI Friendly America and both consult with CDFIs nationally. You can contact Adina Abramowitz at adina@consultingforchange.com and Mark Pinsky at markpinsky@gmail.com.

In this episode, Jim sits down with Laura Wilburn, executive director of the Urban Bike Project of Wilmington, Inc. Urban Bike Project supports the community by providing opportunities for bicycling as a healthy, affordable and practical means of transportation. Urban Bike focuses on education and self-reliance by providing bikes, self repair facilities and training to youth and adults in low income areas. The Urban Bike Project is a thriving center of community activity and a hub for community meetings, special events and Wilmington youth. Jim and Laura discuss biking as an affordable means of transportation, a vehicle for a healthy lifestyle and the many ways access to bicycling and training can positively impact communities.

Each month, Cinnaire’s Advancing Communities Podcast brings together our Chief Strategy Officer Jim Peffley with thought leaders, policy makers and others who are making an impact in the community development and affordable housing industries. Our guests share their experiences and perspective on a  range of topics, each supporting the belief that all people deserve the opportunities provided by living in healthy communities. In this episode, Jim sits down with Kevin Nowak, executive director at CHN Housing Partners in Cleveland, to talk about transitioning families from renters to homeowners through the Lease Purchase Program. CHN is nationally recognized for its Lease Purchase Program – a 15 year pathway to homeownership for low-income individuals and families – and is eager to help other cities and organizations replicate the model. Cinnaire is currently partnering with CHN on a pilot program in Detroit designed to transfer ownership of 188 single-family affordable homes to renters. Jim and Kevin discuss the components of the program, success stories and best practices to model the program in markets across the U.S. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @Cinnaire. Thanks for listening!

Each month, Cinnaire’s Advancing Communities Podcast brings together our Chief Strategy Officer Jim Peffley with thought leaders, policy makers and others who are making an impact in the community development and affordable housing industries. Our guests share their experiences and perspective on a  range of topics, each supporting the belief that all people deserve the opportunities provided by living in healthy communities. In this episode, Jim sits down with Adina Abramowitz, founder of Consulting for Change and a pioneer and recognized leader in the CDFI industry. Adina consults with CDFIs nationwide and served with Opportunity Finance Network, guiding the organization’s strategy to develop CDFI growth. In this wide-ranging conversation, Adina discusses CDFIs as a tool to bring about social justice in housing and communities, the role they play as a correction to capital markets and the challenges they face going forward. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @Cinnaire. Thanks for listening!

Each month, Cinnaire’s Advancing Communities Podcast brings together our Chief Strategy Officer Jim Peffley with thought leaders, policy makers and others who are making an impact in the community development and affordable housing industries. Our guests share their experiences and perspective on a range of topics, each supporting the belief that all people deserve the opportunities provided by living in healthy communities. In this episode, Jim sits down with Tim Hunnicutt, founder and CEO of Zero Day, a non-profit organization providing housing and critical supportive services for struggling veterans. Tim shares the story of Zero Day and the role housing, job training and therapeutic services play in transitioning military veterans into a healthy and productive civilian life. Through Zero Day, Tim has served hundreds of returning veterans. Tim also shares his work with Cinnaire to develop Silver Star Apartments, an affordable living community providing housing and support services to veterans in Battle Creek, MI. The development was the first affordable housing community for veterans in Michigan and has become a model for affordable veterans housing nationwide. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @Cinnaire. Thanks for listening!

Cinnaire’s Advancing Communities Podcast brings together our Chief Strategy Officer Jim Peffley with thought leaders, policy makers and others who are making an impact in the community development and affordable housing industries. Guests share their experience and perspective on a range of topics, each supporting the belief that all people deserve the opportunities provided by living in healthy communities. In episode 5, Jim is joined by Judge Harvey Hoffman and Mike Hirst, two individuals who have led the Permanent Supportive Recovery Housing initiative in the State of Michigan. The program is one of the first in the country to address the nation’s opioid epidemic at the Treatment Court level with long term sober housing and recovery support services. Harvey and Mike recently worked with Cinnaire, the Treatment Courts and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority to launch Andy’s Place in Jackson, Michigan, the first of several Permanent Supportive Recovery Housing projects planned in the state. In this episode, Mike and Harvey discuss Andy’s Place and how the Permanent Supportive Recovery Housing model can be a long term solution for addressing opioid addiction in Michigan, and across the country. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @Cinnaire. Thanks for listening!

Cinnaire’s Advancing Communities Podcast brings together our Chief Strategy Officer Jim Peffley with thought leaders, policy makers and others making an impact in the community development and affordable housing industries. Our guests share their experiences and perspective on a range of topics, each supporting the belief that all people deserve the opportunities provided by living in healthy communities.   In this episode, Part 2 of 2, Jim continues his conversation with Dan Selekman, a recently retired police officer with the City of Wilmington, DE. As a member of the Wilmington police force, Dan became well known for his approach to community policing in the West Center City neighborhood, an area that had experienced a rise in shootings and violence.  Tune in as Dan tells his story along with the powerful lessons he learned about community policing and engaging people.

Cinnaire’s Advancing Communities Podcast brings together Chief Strategy Officer Jim Peffley with thought leaders, policy makers and others who are making an impact in the community development and affordable housing industries. Our guests share their experiences and perspective on a range of topics, each supporting the belief that all people deserve the opportunities provided by living in healthy communities. In this episode, Jim is joined by Dan Selekman, a recently retired police officer with the City of Wilmington, DE. Dan is well known in Wilmington for his approach to community policing in the distressed Center City neighborhood, an area that had experienced a rise in shootings and violence.  As he engaged with residents there, he built a strong bond based on compassion and human connection and as a result the community experienced a a significant decrease in gun violence and improvement in overall public safety. Dan's approach to community policing is a model being replicated in cities seeking to create healthy communities nationwide. Tune in as Dan tells his story along with the powerful lessons he learned. 

Cinnaire’s Advancing Communities Podcast brings together our Chief Strategy Officer Jim Peffley with thought leaders, policy makers and others who are making an impact in the community development and affordable housing industries. Our guests share their experiences and perspective on a range of topics, each supporting the belief that all people deserve the opportunities provided by living in healthy communities. In this episode, Jim discusses community revitalization with Wilmington, DE Mayor Mike Purzycki. Purzycki shares his thoughts on the critical importance of creating healthy, thriving neighborhoods as the foundation for improving the City. The challenges facing some of Wilmington’s neighborhoods – poverty, blight, crime, school performance and joblessness – are not unique to Wilmington but are American problems. Tune in as Jim and Mayor Purzycki discuss taking these issues head on and improving communities and people’s lives through neighborhood investment and revitalization.

Cinnaire’s Advancing Communities Podcast brings together our Chief Strategy Officer Jim Peffley with thought leaders, policy makers and others who are making an impact in the community development and affordable housing industries. Our guests share their experiences and perspective on a range of topics, each supporting the belief that all people deserve the opportunities provided by living in healthy communities. In this episode, Jim sits down with Reverend Terrence Keeling. Reverend Keeling is pastor of Central Baptist Church and president of the Central Baptist Community Development Corporation (CBCDC) in Wilmington, DE, one of Cinnaire's Priority Cities. Tune in to hear Jim and Reverend Keeling discuss the mission and purpose of the CBCDC, what makes a healthy community, barriers to success in community development,  how to overcome those challenges, and designing programs that provide communities and people opportunities for empowerment.

Cinnaire’s Advancing Communities Podcast brings together our Chief Strategy Officer Jim Peffley with thought leaders, policy makers and others who are making an impact in the community development and affordable housing industries. Our guests share their experiences and perspective on a range of topics, each supporting the belief that all people deserve the opportunities provided by living in healthy communities. In this episode, Jim sits down with IFF CEO Joe Neri to discuss community development lending. IFF began more than 30 years ago and is considered a pioneer in the CDFI lending world for its unique approach to lending and rating risk for nonprofits. Nonprofits are at the heart of IFF’s mission, and its goals is to help organizations build net assets through ownership of their facilities. A majority of IFF’s loan recipients – providers of early childhood education, workforce development, affordable housing, health care, and other vital human services – operate in low-income communities and/or communities of color.  Jim and Joe Neri discuss IFF's unique approach to lending, the impact of redlining and institutional racism on nonprofits, and how IFF puts organizations that are led by and/or deeply serve people of color on the trajectory for success.

Each month, Cinnaire’s Advancing Communities Podcast brings together our Chief Strategy Officer Jim Peffley with thought leaders, policy makers and others who are making an impact in the community development and affordable housing industries. Our guests share their experiences and perspective on a range of topics, each supporting the belief that all people deserve the opportunities provided by living in healthy communities. This month, Jim sits down with Richard Rothstein, author of The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America, to examine the decades-old local, state and federal housing policies that mandated segregation, violated the constitution and created racially homogeneous neighborhoods in cities across the country. Rothstein outlines with precision and fascinating insight how segregation in America - the incessant kind that continues to dog our major cities and contributed to so much social strife - is the byproduct of explicit governmentally created and enforced racist policies. Listen as Richard draws from his own research along with the scholarship of a generation of historians and sociologists whose documentation of the federal role in urban segregation including government redlining has been so central to our understanding of the recent urban past.  

Each month, Cinnaire's Advancing Communities Podcast brings together our Chief Strategy Officer Jim Peffley with thought leaders, policy makers and others who are making an impact in the community development and affordable housing industries. Our guests share their experiences and perspective on a range of topics, each supporting the belief that all people deserve the opportunities provided by living in healthy communities.  This month, Jim sits down with Richard Rothstein, author of The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America, to examine the decades-old local, state, and federal housing policies that mandated segregation, violated the constitution and created racially homogeneous neighborhoods in cities across the country. Rothstein outlines with precision and fascinating insight how segregation in America - the incessant kind that continues to dog our major cities and contributed to so much social strife - is the byproduct of explicit governmentally created and enforced racist policies. Listen as Richard draws from his own research along with the scholarship of a generation of historians and sociologists whose documentation of the federal role in urban segregation including government redlining has been so central to our understanding of the recent urban past.