February 5th, 2012

Programmatic Activities

AHAND works to develop collaborative programs and activities that strengthen and support efforts addressing common issues faced by neighborhood-based housing producers. These activities strive to promote the most efficient use of member and community resources to maximize outputs and avoid the duplication of services.

Monthly Meetings

AHAND's monthly meetings serve as a forum to allow members, affiliates, and visitors to discuss issues that affect affordable housing production in Metro-Atlanta. The topics of discussion vary widely but have recently included: Combating Mortgage Fraud, Preventing Mortgage Foreclosure, and the City of Atlanta's short and long term goals for affordable housing. Recent guests have included:

Luz Borrero, City of Atlanta Deputy Chief Operating Officer [*]Terri Lee, Director, City of Atlanta Bureau of Housing [*]The Honorable Lisa Borders, Atlanta City Council President [*]The Honorable Arthur Ferdinand, Fulton County Tax Commissioner, and [*]Gregory Giorneli, President, Atlanta Development Autority

Policy Matters

As the name implies, "Policy Matters" seeks to increase awareness about public policies that affect the ability of non-profit affordable housing producers to meet their respective mandates. The primary goal of the initiative is to strengthen the voice of Atlanta-based affordable housing providers and, by eliminating encumbering policies, improve their ability to function efficiently and serve their respective neighborhoods. Policy briefs, community forums, and legislative activities serve as this initiative's primary instruments.

Visibility Initiative

AHAND's visibility initiative seeks to increase the profile of its member organizations and the important work they are doing to revitalize Atlanta's underserved communities. Our visibility initiative focuses on a series of events and publications that focus on elected officials, policy makers, and other individuals and organizations that benefit from a greater familiarity with Atlanta's Community Development Corporations. Recent events and publications include:

Community Revitalization Breakfast [*]Community Economic Development Day [*]Community Development Matters Newsletter: Volume II, Issue III [*] Community Development Matters Newsletter: Volume II, Issue IV [*] Affordable Housing Conference, 2005

CED Co-op

In an attempt to leverage the collective buying power of our members and affiliates, AHAND has developed a Community Economic Development Co-op. By aggregating services, the Co-op seeks to reduce the cost of the standard services that AHAND member organizations rely on in the production of affordable housing and their day-to-day operations.

Please take advantage of the listed providers, as it is CRITICAL to the success of this initiative!

For additional information regarding the CED Co-op, click here.

Atlanta Micro Fund

AMF was established in 1999 as a subsidiary of AHAND and works to address poverty and unemployment in communities served by AHAND members and Affiliates. The organization is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and a U.S. Small Business Administration Micro Loan Intermediary, which provides funding and business management assistance to start or expand a micro business.

Micro businesses generally have revenues up to $250,000 and capital needs up to $35,000; and 5 or fewer employees.

For additional information on the AMF, click here.