CDN MEMBERS PRODUCE AND PRESERVE HOUSING

·       CDN Member organizations developed or rehabilitated 775 units of affordable rental housing and 153 new affordable homes for sale in 2006 in Multnomah County.  Additionally, CDN Member organizations helped over 600 households become first time homeowners and counseled over 3,000 prospective first time homebuyers.

·      CDN  Member organizations own 6,316 units of affordable rental housing in Multnomah County, with over 60% of the resident households comprised of seniors, people with disabilities and hardworking families earning under 30% Median Family Income. 

ADVOCACY FOR WINNING RESOURCE STRATEGIES

·      CDN secured a 30% set aside of Portland urban renewal area funding for affordable housing. More than $27 million per year will be dedicated to housing below 80% MFI on an ongoing basis, with the greatest portion dedicated to housing serving households under 30% MFI.

·      Working through AHN, CDN successfully advocated for $11 million in new City of Portland resources in 2006 as part of AHN, bringing the total to $24 million towards the $30 million Housing Investment Fund goal.

·      CDN was a co-leader in creating the Oregon Housing Alliance that has completed substantial coalition building and outreach work to pass a $100 million in new funding agenda for the 2007 legislative session.

FOCUSING COMMUNITY ATTENTION ON HOUSING SOLUTIONS

·      CDN’s Communications Program generated significant media coverage in Portland, the region and the state.  Media outlets included newspapers, as well as an even broader audience through radio and television. In 2006, we were able to generate 43 media stories that ran on radio, newspaper, or television, and got 14 letters to the editor published. 

·      Working with Affordable Housing NOW!, CDN coordinated the AHN Speakers Bureau, utilizing the values-based, poll-tested housing messages to effectively re-frame public policy discussion and build support for housing among decision makers.

SUCCESSFULLY MOBILIZING ADVOCATES

·        CDN, AHN! and the Housing Advocates Group coordinated a local Housing Justice Day rally that included over 200 participants and featured Portland’s Mayor and Multnomah County’s Chair as key speakers.

·        Working with Affordable Housing NOW!, CDN mobilized and coordinated over 300 community members as part of the AHN 2007 Housing Opportunity Campaign.  Community members gave public testimony to commissions and to elected officials, attended hearings, participated in budget forum and rallied outside City Hall.

·        As part of the AHN 2007 Housing Opportunity Campaign, CDN coordinated the delegations representing 15 different organizations that made weekly trips to City Council bearing pieces of an “affordable housing puzzle” during the City of Portland’s 06-07 Budget cycle.

STRENGTHENING A HEALTHY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRY

·      Peer support, training and focused input on policy and program design through active Working Groups help nonprofits run effectively and efficiently. Formal groups include Property and Asset Management and Resident Services.  Informal groups include Housing Development, Event Planning, and an Executive Director’s group. 

·      CDN was a key leader in the creation of the Pacific Coast Advocate Network for CDC associations in Washington, Oregon and California.  The Pacific Coast Advocate Network is shares successful policy and industry support practices.

RECORD TURNOUT TO CELEBRATE CDN MEMBER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

·      Over 400 people including elected and government officials, business and community leaders, community developers and low-income people celebrated CDN’s success at our Annual Awards Banquet.

NETWORKING AND INFORMATION SHARING

·      Monthly CDN forums, an information packed website, and bi-weekly email newsletters keep CDC staff and the community well informed about policy, funding, and other changes in the affordable housing industry.

·      CDN maintained relationships and facilitated regular strategic and problem solving discussions with key industry partners including local, regional and state government bodies, and private sector and nonprofit organizations.

Proposed Policy Councils