Message from Traci: Stories from our extended work family
Dear friends,
Holidays are a time to slow down and connect with family. In this spirit, we’ve reached out to our extended work family to hear their stories.
Maria Elena Guerra took the helm of Farmworker Housing Development Corporation (FHDC) as its executive director in 2016. Under her leadership, the 31-year-old Woodburn-based organization has enlarged its mission and expanded its housing portfolio, while maintaining its identity as an organization focused on organizing communities of color and indigenous people to build prosperity and create systemic change.
HDC’s relationship with FHDC and MEG (Guerra's preferred nickname, pronounced "Meg") goes back many years, and we are honored that she took time to speak with us, at length, in October. In our interview with MEG, posted today, she offers her thoughts about FHDC’s past, present, and future and about policy changes that could make Oregon’s affordable housing system work better for all.
Next, we’re delighted to share a partial recap of the panel discussion, “What Development Teams Can Learn from Asset Managers.” HDC Senior Asset Management Project Manager Liz Winchester organized and moderated the panel for the Housing Oregon Industry Support Conference in September.
The discussion produced so many useful insights that we are spotlighting them in a series of blog posts. Part 1, released earlier this week, offers advice on what development teams can do, as part of the design and construction process, to ensure affordable housing developments are set up to succeed during the operational phase. Thanks to panelists and PAMWG members Natalie Thornton, Brian Shelton-Kelley, and Holly Vander Schaaf.
If you’re in the habit of spreading extra love and kindness this time of year by making personal gifts to community organizations, I encourage you to put a housing organization (or three) on your list! And when you have time, I hope you’ll enjoy and learn something new from our latest posts.
Warm regards,