Yesterday, NHC, in partnership with NHC Member Partner the Housing Partnership Network and the Affordable Housing Institute (AHI), hosted a World Habitat Day-related event covering a new study, Mission Entrepreneurial Entities (MEEs): Essential Actors in Affordable Housing Delivery, which examines the characteristics of MEEs, their role and importance in housing delivery, and their principles of success.
MEEs are defined as private companies – usually nonprofit housing companies – whose focus is on change-making that involves developing sustainable organizational and financing infrastructure for the creation of affordable housing. By converting ideas and resources into tangible results, in the form of successful housing developments and outcomes, these organizations play an important part in developing communities and also serve to influence change in both policy and economic realms.
Panelists for the event included:
- Gaynor Asquith, principal, arc4 Consulting, Manchester United Kingdom;
- Thomas Bledsoe, president, Housing Partnership Network;
- Ray Christman, former CEO, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta;
- Carol J. Galante, deputy assistant secretary for multifamily programs, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development;
- Michael Pitchford, president and CEO, Community Preservation and Development Corporation;
- Debra Schwartz, director of program related investments, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; and
- David Smith, CEO, CAS Financial Advisory Services (moderator)
If you missed the presentation, or would like to view information from the study, please see the resources below.
MEE Study Presentation
MEE Report Extracts and Selected Exhibits
More About World Habitat Day
The United Nations has designated the first Monday of October every year as World Habitat Day, with the idea being to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right of all to adequate shelter. The day is also intended to remind the world of its collective responsibility for the future of the human habitat.