Stories
Living Resiliently: In the Wake of Hurricane Helene, LISC’s Sam Ruark Reflects
LISC’s new director of green initiatives is helping lead a groundbreaking effort to decarbonize the nation’s affordable housing and help low-income communities build resiliency in the face of the harmful impacts of climate change. Here, after personally weathering Hurricane Helene in the intentional “ecovillage” where he lives in North Carolina, Ru [...]
Power to the Changemakers: LISC’s Tatia Ash on Capacity Building with Respect
As capacity builders, we hope to help strengthen grassroots organizations so they can effectively—and independently—drive progress in their communities. To do that, argues LISC senior program officer Tatia Ash, we must not only guide but also listen deeply, show respect, and share power.
Tiffany Durr Named President of LISC Fund Management
Durr has served as interim president of LFM since May and in that time has ushered in a series of new investors and project closings. "She understands how to connect with investors on questions of risk, return and impact as well as how to make connections with developers, community organizations and city leaders to generate the best possible outcomes,” said Michael Pugh, LISC president and CEO.
Dallas Housing Opportunity Fund Reaches $41.5 Million
With new investments from BOK Financial, Charles Schwab Bank, and KeyBank, the Dallas Housing Opportunity Fund will expand its support for quality affordable housing across the city. In partnership with the City of Dallas, LISC Fund Management and TREC Community Investors, the fund has already supported nearly 500 units of affordable housing.
Moving Toward $1 Billion: What’s Next for the LISC Entrepreneurs of Color Fund
In the blog below, Steve Hall, EOCF National Director and LISC Vice President of Small Business, explores what’s next for the Entrepreneurs of Color Fund as it hits its $500 million goal—ahead of schedule. Hall describes a borrower-informed strategy for the next three years that will build on and leverage climate resiliency and artificial intelligence efforts to expand loan products and get more capital into the hands of entrepreneurs who need it.
NFL Foundation – LISC Grassroots Field Grant Program Funds 15 New and Refurbished Community Football Fields
Over the last 25 years, LISC has teamed up with the NFL Foundation to award nearly $65 million in grants to create or refurbish more than 435 community football fields where youth can play and stay active. The latest round of the Grassroots Field Grant Program will fund new fields or field enhancements in 15 cities and towns across the U.S.
Mass Timber Housing Brings Sustainable and Affordable Hope to a New Haven, CT Community
Beulah Land Development Corp. is working in partnership with New York-based construction company Spiritos Properties, and housing nonprofit HELP Development Corp., to develop vacant lots at 340 Dixwell Ave. into a 69-unit mixed-use project. The $28 million project was partly financed by the National Equity Fund (NEF)—a LISC affiliate focused on LIHTC and other housing investments. 340 Dixwell is the first Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) project on the East Coast utilizing mass timber, an eco-friendly alternative to steel and concrete, and will include 55 affordable units for low-income households earning 60 percent or less of the area median income, and an additional 20 units for people experiencing homelessness.