As the economy deteriorates and the number of individuals and families without shelter increases, homelessness prevention advocates know that providing transitional and supportive housing is only the beginning of helping at risk families achieve lives of self-sufficiency. Affordable housing with supportive services is the true key to ending homelessness. This is the mission of THC Affordable Housing, Inc. (THCAH).

THCAH has three active projects in Ward 4. The first is a renovation of a 32 unit abandoned building purchased in 2007. With construction drawings complete and building permits secured, THCAH expects to close on tax credits and bond financing by the fall of 2009, allowing renovations to begin in September.

THCAH's second project is Webster Gardens, located across from St. Paul's Church, Rock Creek Parish. Originally constructed in 1921, Webster Gardens is the first garden-style apartment constructed in the District. Deferred maintenance over the years has allowed the property to fall into serious disrepair.

THC Affordable Housing Inc., has partnered with Somerset Development Company, LLC and the Webster Garden Tenants Association to preserve the 52 unit complex as both affordable rental housing and as a historic landmark. THCAH's goal is to stabilize the site and complete renovation in the next year, helping many elderly tenants remain in their homes.

THCAH's third project will assist the resident owners of a housing Cooperative at 1363 Peabody Street, NW to remain in their property and out of foreclosure. Working with Housing Counseling Services, THCAH has helped the Co-op secure a $100,000 grant from the Neighborhood Investment Fund to make needed repairs to the property.

CNHED Taking Proactive Approach to the Federal Stimulus

The Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED) has been hard at work since the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("federal stimulus") to ensure that the District gets its fair share and uses it effectively to stimulate neighborhood based economic activity.

In early February, CNHED met with staff of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton's office to express concern about the allocation formulas used to determine the District's share of the stimulus. On February 11, CNHED presented testimony before the DC City Council at a hearing called to examine proposed federal stimulus legislation then pending before Congress. CNHED's testimony focused on the District's need for jobs and investment in affordable housing and neighborhood-based economic development. Included in the testimony were the results from a survey CNHED conducted of its members, showing that there were $100 million of what was called "hammer ready" affordable housing, fa�ade improvement and home purchase projects ready to proceed within the next year if stimulus money was made available.

Later in February, CNHED met with the Office of the City Administrator; the office charged with overseeing the District's allocation and oversight of stimulus funding. CNHED presented a more detailed survey that demonstrated that more than half ($54 million) of the surveyed projects could be ready to begin construction or close on home sales within three months.

The Federal Stimulus remains a top priority for CNHED. On March 19, CNHED's monthly meeting provided an overview of the stimulus package and insight into how nonprofit associations around the country are engaging constituents and partners to advocate with government officials around its use. CNHED has also created a working group to focus solely on advocating that the District utilize the federal stimulus for community investments in affordable housing and neighborhood-based economic development.