Housing

"Helping make affordable housing and homeownership a reality through cost-effective partnerships and programs"

Program Focus

CLF’s Housing efforts are focused on community-based solutions to the four specific problem areas outlined below:

Moderate- and Middle-Income Homeownership Support

Problem: Moderate- and middle-income households (60-150 percent of median income) struggle with homeownership self-sufficiency yet cannot access traditional low-income subsidies. As a result, owner-occupied residences and mixed-income neighborhoods are rapidly disappearing in urban areas.

Innovative Low-Income Rental Models

Problem: Current low-income rental models are either not client-directed (municipal housing authorities, for example), subject to market and business tension (private rental management), or don’t offer the possibility of improving the neighborhood or the renter’s opportunities.

Sustaining Volunteer-Based Homeownership Programs

Problem: Self-help, volunteer-built, and community-developed housing programs can be handicapped by a lack of professional, skilled workers; physical sustainability in the finished housing product; internal financial limitations; and an inability to access conventional mortgage financing.

Long Term Supported Housing

Problem: Programs for people who struggle with substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and poverty issues are typically expensive and offer only short-term support and housing. As a result, there isn't enough time or funding available to adequately address underlying problems; build essential work and life skills; and provide the medical, emotional, and social assistance these populations need to avoid chronic homelessness, hospitalization, and incarceration.