Unprecedented. Difficult. Heartbreaking. The words that come up when people discuss 2020 are rarely positive. But as a pandemic and economic hardships spread across the United States, NeighborWorks network organizations moved quickly, created new partnerships, worked long hours and offered new services to help residents in their communities. As we begin a new calendar year, we asked a few leaders across the network to share some of their thoughts about the year we just completed, and about the year ahead.
"In 2021, I am most looking forward to being able to collaborate and interact in person with my team, board members and the residents that we serve. In light of all of the challenges that we have faced this past year, it will be important to be able to connect more intimately with our residents for meaningful dialogue around how we can improve the delivery of new housing units, housing counseling and support services while simultaneously putting racial equity and inclusion at the forefront of all we do." Yolanda Winstead, CEO, DHIC, Inc., Raleigh, North Carolina
"Looking ahead to 2021 brings me hope and joy! We will be picking up a building permit the first week of January to build a 480-unit family and senior deal in Las Vegas. This is a $110 million, low-income housing tax credit ‘twinning' deal with both 9% credits and 4% tax-exempt bonds. This is one of the three projects we have planned for 2021. Nevada ranks last in the U.S. in affordable rental housing affordability with only 19 affordable apartments for 100 needed." Audra Hamernik, president, Nevada HAND, Inc., Las Vegas, Nevada
"How are we, as a Native/CDFI/501c3/NeighborWorks organization, going to be able to support the needs of our communities when the COVID-19 relief funds totally dry up or fail to be effectively dispersed? We are fortunate the clients who purchased homes we constructed have secure incomes. However, how can we help others in our community who are less fortunate? How do we help those who have lost their jobs and will potentially be evicted? And how do we continue to effectively work and protect our staff and clients during the time it will take to eliminate the virus? But we will continue to work. And we will adhere to very strict internal practices in regard to office lockdown and social distancing. Zoom and DocuSign are our friends." Rollin Wood, executive director of Native Partnership for Housing, Gallup, New Mexico
"This past year has been extremely challenging due to our already distressing situation on the island. We are hoping for and working toward a better year, full of opportunities and second chances to get our communities back on their feet. We are amazed at how our communities and staff have been handling these events, putting up their best faces and managing like champions all the struggles related to natural disasters and pandemic crisis. 2021 will be a promising year to make things happen and provide resources to fulfill nuestra gente (our people's) hopes and dreams." Elizabeth Colon Rivera, executive director, Ponce Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc., Ponce, Puerto Rico
"In the first year of my tenure as executive director, I have been faced with the unprecedented challenge of a global pandemic and its effect on the housing market in our area. Looking back, I am proud of my staff for their ability to adapt to a new working environment without sacrificing excellent customer service during this difficult time. Looking forward to the New Year, my greatest hope is that our lives return to normal with the development of a vaccine; but until then, my greatest joy is in knowing that I am surrounded by staff, board members, and of course NeighborWorks representatives such as [Relationship Manger] James Ross, who will rise to any occasion and that together, we will help our clients to have a prosperous New Year. Beverly Massey, executive director, Universal Housing Development Corp., Russellville, Arkansas
"Our concern is everybody's health, safety and wellness and making sure we're able to make that a priority. From a work perspective, we need to think through recovery. I term it sometimes as a reincarnation. We need to keep the souls of our community intact. How do we make sure our residents are housing secure? My hope is to be able to promote housing security for New Jersey residents in 2021." Wayne Meyer, executive director, New Jersey Community Capital,
New Brunswick, New Jersey
"2020 has been incredibly difficult for so many families. I think most of us are frankly happy to welcome the new year. Although I'm very proud of what we've been able to accomplish this past year, 2021 will call us to work creatively, and with greater focus, to deliver for the BIPOC [Black, Indigenous, People of Color] communities we're privileged to serve. I'm hopeful that we will continue to be a vital link in helping the community thrive and prosper." Darryl Smith, executive director, HomeSight, Seattle, Washington
"My hope for next year is that we continue to be committed to our health, social justice and ending systemic racism even when there is not a threat. 2020 was the worst of times while being the best of times. We saw the best of each other while we went through the worst times." Carrie Davis, executive director, Wealth Watchers, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida
"Everyone at Beyond Housing is hoping that 2021 brings health and happiness for those we serve. We will continue to stand with our families, hear their needs and hopes, then find the resources to help them either deal with a crisis or achieve their dreams. COVID-19 will be with us, but it will not deter us from delivering our mission. As those we serve remain remarkably resilient, we will remain unwavering in our support to help them live their best lives." Chris Krehmeyer, president and CEO, Beyond Housing, St. Louis, Missouri
Share your own hopes for the year ahead on social media by tagging @NeighborWorks
Further reading: Here's what leaders hoped for last year at this time.
01/01/2021
