Dear John,
As we near the end of yet another eventful year, this brief note is largely inadequate to capture my understanding of the range of accomplishments and experiences occurring for our staff, members and partners. Please join me along with the GSN staff in celebrating the progress and many victories of a significant number of our members, some of which are outlined in the content of this newsletter.
Encouraging trends that we’ve noted this year include an expanding number of new engagements with state and local governments seeking to financially support CLTs and other shared equity approaches. Among those exciting efforts, advocacy by our Colorado members and numerous partners resulted in the passage of Colorado’s Proposition 123, making $300M per year available for affordable housing. A growing number of philanthropic funders are also actively engaged with our staff team in learning and exploring ways to support the expansion and impact of our shared equity sector. Among those, Grounded Solutions is excited to welcome the Melville Charitable Trust as one of our newest funders, based on a recent multi-year grant commitment to support our next ForEveryoneHome policy cohort.
I’m also extremely thankful to look back on this year, cherishing the memories of our national Policy, Practice, Power convening in Washington, D.C., and visits to our members and community partners in a wide variety of places, such as San Juan PR, Fayetteville AR, Los Angeles CA and Pueblo CO. In addition, our network has expanded to new high of over 260 members this year, with 46% of organizations indicating they are led by a person or people of color.
Along with signs of hard-won positive progress across our network, there was also unfortunately profound sorrow for those we lost in our communities this year. Our hearts go out especially to Mrs. Shirley Sherrod and her family in Albany GA, regarding the loss of CLT founder Charles Sherrod. His incredibly meaningful lifelong work and many Civil Rights Movement leadership contributions were highlighted in multiple national news features by the Washington Post, NBC Today, and New York Times. One statement I found particularly impactful to share with all of you:
“His story reminds us that the work of racial justice is ongoing, that it occurs in rural spaces as well as urban ones and that it can look like political organizing, preaching, farming or just the ordinary miracle of Black love in America.” - Perspective by Ansley L. Quiros – New York Times, Oct. 13, 2022
2023 promises to be pivotal in many ways, as we all continue to grapple with the increasing challenges of various economic headwinds in an already precarious housing market. Our National Policy team is already evaluating the potential of newly proposed federal legislation and policies. One particularly significant action is the recent introduction of the Stop Wall Street Landlords Act, which is intended to deter future institutional investments in single family homes. As currently proposed, the bill would block corporate investors from claiming certain tax breaks, bar the GSEs from assisting certain large private investors in financing, impose a transfer tax on the sale value of new single family home purchases and establish a new tax credit to help affordable housing developers build and rehab homes in low-income areas.
Given the universal human need for periodic rest and rejuvenation, our Grounded Solutions offices will be officially closed from Dec. 23rd - Jan. 2nd. On behalf of our dedicated staff and amazing board, wishing you and your families all a wonderful holiday season and happy new year!!!
In solidarity,
2022 Grounded Solutions Network Housing Conference
We were thrilled to have our conference back this year and be able to meet face to face to share insights, inspiration and paths forward on our journey to make our cities and regions more equitable and inclusive.
The Sector Growth team has been busy this year! By the numbers, our conference and learning events reached more than 750 individuals. Our place-based TA team has worked alongside local housing practitioners, policy makers and community members in 20+ locations. We’ve also responded to more than 350 help desk requests.
Check out our highlights from the year - including some breaking news!
The Policy team provides an overview of the Implications of the 2022 elections and the FY 2023 budget as we wrap up the year.
We have submitted public comments to CFPB on a loss mitigation solution that incorporates shared equity conversion, to FHA on challenges in accessing small balance mortgages, and to FHFA on the Enterprises’ Duty-to-Serve Plan Modifications.
We have wrapped up data collection for Grounded Solutions Network’s nationwide, comprehensive census of community land trusts and nonprofits with shared equity homeownership programs.
We want to extend our deepest gratitude to every one of the practitioners who participated in this lengthy but vital survey. Your time and effort have made an invaluable contribution to the field!
2022 has been a challenging year across the board, but Grounded Solutions Network’s 262 Members continue to have wins and gains to celebrate.
Take a look at a small sample of what has captured our attention over the past year.
Join our Network!
Are you inspired by the breadth and scope of the change that Grounded Solutions Network members are creating but have not yet joined as a member? Now is the time. By joining Grounded Solutions as a member, you are joining more than 250 organizations and individuals who are committed to increasing our collective affordable housing impact. Our membership includes community land trusts, local governments, nonprofit organizations, national networks, community development finance organizations, health advocacy organizations, and more. While our membership is diverse, what unites all is a shared vision of equitable communities organized around the values of inclusion, stewardship, and self-determination.
Career Opportunities
While our team has grown significantly in 2022, we aren't done yet!
Check out our open positions and join our mission to build strong communities that are equitable, inclusive and filled with opportunity for all.
Where we live matters.
We bring together an extensive network of partners and member practitioners from local communities who have a deep understanding of best practices in community land trusts, shared equity housing, local housing policies such as inclusionary zoning, and more.
At Grounded Solutions Network, we know what policies and strategies work to build and preserve housing opportunities, and we help communities use them.
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