Community Outreach & Marketing

• Meet with city housing officials to make them aware of the Clearinghouse; to determine the focus of each city's housing programs; to monitor the funds available for affordable housing; to form partnerships between cities, non-profits and financial institutions in developing affordable housing projects.

• Identify and work with non-profit agencies in their efforts to develop affordable housing projects and programs.

• Solicit the participation of financial institutions and other corporations in the Clearinghouse.

• Identify and eliminate barriers to affordable housing.

Education Committee

Objectives:

• Develop and coordinate first-time homebuyer education seminars.

• Announce conferences and training events of benefit to the membership of the Clearinghouse.

• Develop training programs for non-profit groups to help them understand the lending process.

• Assist the Executive Director in securing guest speakers at the monthly meetings.

• Sponsor a CRA Roundtable in which lenders discuss and share CRA related issues that will help in improving each member's CRA program.

• Provide a forum for dialogue and information sharing on the latest CRA issues among Clearinghouse lender members and other lenders looking to develop a relationship with the Clearinghouse.

• Initiate discussion of CRA and related topics that can enhance a member's CRA program.

• Provide an opportunity for non-profit Clearinghouse members to present investment and service opportunities.

Advocacy Committee

Objective:

Advocate for legislative and public policy issues which promote creation and sustenance of affordable housing and initiate and sustain activities toward this goal.

Action Plan:

• Advocate for the creation of decent, safe affordable housing for the most needy and lowest income population.

• Support efficient and effective CRA legislation and activity.

• Contact legislators and other appropriate officials to discuss housing needs and issues.

• Monitor local housing activities and be active in local jurisdictions.

Policy Statement:

Committee has authorization to speak for the Affordable Housing Clearinghouse and act on its behalf regarding:

• Strengthening state housing element law

• Tax credit financing

• Bond issue finance

• Non-discrimination issues regarding lending and public policy

• Federal, state, and local funding programs for affordable housing

• Tax policies affecting land use and affordable housing

The Committee is sensitive to the diverse makeup of the organization and will seek the approval and/or opinion of the Board or other committees as appropriate.