Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the NAHRO Access Alliance?
The NAHRO Access Alliance is a cooperative alliance among:

• The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)
• Bank of America
• The Enterprise Foundation
• Enterprise Social Investment Corporation (ESIC)
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
• National Equity Fund (NEF)

What Are the Goals of the NAHRO Access Alliance?
The NAHRO Access Alliance was formed to assist NAHRO housing and community development agency members:

• expand the nation's supply of housing that is affordable to families of low- and moderate-income;
• revitalize neighborhoods through development, acquisition and preservation of viable, affordable housing and community improvements without relying solely on federal programs and funding; and
• create mixed commercial and residential developments, as well as commercial developments to further local revitalization goals.

How Will the NAHRO Access Alliance Achieve This?
The NAHRO Access Alliance will achieve its goals through the coordinated delivery of:

• private capital at competitive rates and terms;
• best practices information;
• state-of-the-art education and technical assistance; and
• financial products that respond to changing needs in the affordable housing and community development industry.

What Is the Size and Scope of this Effort?

• The NAHRO Access Alliance is a national effort.
• The main goal is that an aggregate of at least $200 million in combined loan and equity capital for the transactions of participating local agencies will be funded through the Alliance by the end of its third year.

What Types of Projects Can the NAHRO Access Alliance Help Fund?
The NAHRO Access Alliance gives qualified housing and community development agencies access to capital to meet a variety of local development needs including:

• developing/expanding affordable rental housing, special needs housing, and related services;
• preserving affordable housing;
• acquiring vacant land, buildings, and other facilities for affordable housing and/or commercial use;
• developing homeownership programs;
• revitalizing neighborhoods; and
• enhancing urban economic development through retail revitalization, quality mixed-use developments, initiatives that expand family wage jobs, and other related programs.

Who Can Participate?
Only NAHRO Housing and Community Development Agency members are eligible to participate in the NAHRO Access Alliance. Generally, agencies should be "change ready," meaning that they have:

• a commitment to repositioning or reinventing affordable housing;
• a commitment to the creation, acquisition, or preservation of non-public housing assets;
• a specifically identified housing development concept or acquisition target;
• support from state and/or local government in this endeavor;
• evidence of financial feasibility/readiness to proceed;
• the capacity to participate in leveraged financing or the willingness to grow that capacity; and
• stable, professional leadership.

Who Do I Contact if I Have Questions?

• Contact the NAHRO Access Alliance by e-mail at nahroaccessalliance@nahro.org.
• Or call the NAHRO Access Alliance toll-free at 1-877-866-2476, ext. 254

National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials
630 Eye Street, NW, Washington DC 20001
Toll Free: 877-866-2476 Phone: 202-289-3500 Fax: 202-289-8181
E-mail: nahro@nahro.org
© Copyright 2002 NAHRO