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 Community
Housing Initiatives, Inc. (CHI, Inc.) is a non-profit organization
designed to create partnerships with residents and the private and
public sectors in order to enhance peoples’ lives and revitalize
communities through the development and preservation of affordable
housing.
Several important organizational
principles drive the work of CHI and affordable housing development.
First of all, CHI recognizes the unique characteristics of individual
communities and tailors each of its projects toward its citizens.
Importantly, CHI, works very closely with community leaders, business
and industry representatives, and the planning efforts developed
by housing and economic development groups at the local level. In
short, CHI, understands that each development stage must be shaped
by local input and community support.
Secondly, CHI works with
a variety of financing resources and works diligently to leverage
public funds with private resources. Since 1993 CHI, Inc has collaborated
successfully with the Iowa Finance Authority, the Iowa Department
of Economic Development, the Federal Home Loan Bank, local foundations,
and several banks as well as the Low Income Tax Credit and Historic
Tax Credit programs. In addition, CHI, works closely with local
governments in order to maximize "local effort" through tax abatement,
TIF, land or building donations and other strategies which assure
quality housing and financial feasibility.
The CHI Executive Team consists
of professionals trained in housing development, project finance,
accounting, proposal writing, marketing and property management.
Additional services provided by CHI such as architectural design,
market studies, engineering, construction, on-site management and
grounds maintenance are contracted through this agency.
Doug LaBounty, President
Sam Erickson, Vice President
Kris Vodraska, Director of Property Management
Trish Bruning, Director of Finance
Brooke Laird, Property Management Coordinator
Connie Nelson, Asset Management Assistant
Pat Nissen, Accounts Payable
Linda Alexander, Recertification/Inspection Specialist
Chelsea VanderWeide, Leasing Agent
Jennifer Kubat, Accounting Payroll Clerk
Spring Salsberry, Davenport Property Manager
Ardith Stevenson, Property Management Assistant
Tim Bernhardt, Maintenance Coordinator
Mike VanderWeide, Maintenance Supervisor
Terry Crawford, Davenport Maintenance Coordinator
Jerry Miller, Mason City Site Manager
Cynthia Sand, Waterloo Case Manager
Gentille Galbraith, Waterloo Housing Specialist
Mariliegh Fisher, Waterloo Housing Director
Stela Slapac, Waterloo Counselor
Donna Everding, Waterloo Case Manager
 
For the past decade, the mission
of Community Housing Initiatives, Inc. has focused on increasing
affordable housing stock and access to quality housing for Iowans.
A nine-member Board of Directors representing several Iowa counties,
a community action agency, community leaders and representatives
of the low-income sector governs CHI. Governance is established
by CHI's By-laws; however, work is guided by a strategic plan developed
collegially by its staff and board members This non-profit Community
Housing Development Organization (CHDO) is lead by a progressive
Board of Directors who are dedicated to finding new and innovative
solutions to the housing dilemmas facing Iowans of all ages and
abilities. The staff and Board of Directors of CHI, Inc. also strive
to assure that new housing development compliments the economic
development initiatives of each individual community.
Wayne West, Chair
Connie Herpst, Secretary/Treasurer
Greg Cuttell
Beverly Kramme
Doug LaBounty
Mary Jean Montgomery
Heidi Toale
7
Abandoned building converted into housing
15 Counties impacted
18 Cities
25 Neighborhoods strengthened
25 Rental projects constructed
50 City streets improved
656 Housing unites produced
1,500 People housed
70,000 Square feet of retail space added
730,000 Square feet of housing added
15,000,000 Dollars in public financing leveraged
37,000,000 Dollars in private financing leveraged
53,000,000
Dollars invested in Iowa |
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