Generating Real Opportunities for Work Transforming Housing Initiative Announced by President Clinton at Clinton Global Initiative America Meeting
Washington, DC – The National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) and its principal partners, including Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC), NALCAB—National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders and the AFL-CIO Building and Construction Trades Department (BCTD), introduced today an initiative to train workers to return vacant and abandoned properties to productive use. The initiative – Generating Real Opportunities for Work Transforming Housing (GROWTH) – was announced by former President Bill Clinton during the Clinton Global Initiative America meeting in Chicago on Friday.
“The GROWTH initiative tackles the two most critical problems facing America today: jobs and housing. By engaging private capital in stabilizing neighborhoods and putting community residents to work, we’ll be helping the economy return to growth,” said John Taylor, President & CEO of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition. “We’re very pleased that President Clinton and the Clinton Global Initiative have recognized the transformative impact that this initiative will have on neighborhoods.”
“This is bringing private dollars to expand a proven initiative which will allow us to have a deeper and a broader impact in many of the underserved local communities across the country,” said Edmundo Hidalgo, President and CEO of Chicanos Por La Causa. “We are extremely excited to have the support of President Bill Clinton and look forward to collaborating with the Clinton Global Initiative to help more individuals and families reach their dream of homeownership and preserve the fabric of American neighborhoods.”
“We’re excited to be a part of the GROWTH initiative, and to bring our track record of collaboration to stabilize neighborhoods and create jobs across the country. We think the GROWTH initiative will be transformative for communities of color,” said Noel Poyo, Executive Director for NALCAB.
The GROWTH initiative will return at least 4,100 units of single-family housing to productive use while creating job training and placement opportunities for local residents. This project expands on NCRC and its partners’ successes in stabilizing neighborhoods and training and placing over 10,000 workers in 40 states, primarily in union apprenticeships jobs.
NCRC’s unique approach combines the best of existing housing and workforce development practices with new approaches to financing and partnerships with nonprofit developers who understand both the problems and opportunities of redeveloping vacant and abandoned housing.
This four-year initiative will start in Maricopa County, AZ, and in the first year, expand to seven states with high concentrations of real estate owned (REO) inventory. Construction teams will be led by CPLC, a longtime NCRC member, and its local affiliates. In partnership with the BCTD, NCRC will implement a nationally acclaimed standardized pre-apprenticeship curriculum and make living wage jobs available through nonprofit developers and their high-road contractors.
About NCRC
The National Community Reinvestment Coalition is an association of more than 600 community-based organizations that promote access to basic banking services, including credit and savings, to create and sustain affordable housing, job development and vibrant communities for America’s working families. To find out more, visit http://ncrcdev.local
About Chicanos Por La Causa
Chicanos Por La Causa Inc. (CPLC) is a regional community development corporation committed to building stronger, healthier communities as a lead advocate, coalition builder, and direct service provider. The organization promotes positive change and self-sufficiency to enhance the quality of life for the benefit of those we serve. For more information, visit www.cplc.org
About NALCAB:
The NALCAB—National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders represents and serves over 80 members in 30 states that are a geographically and ethnically diverse group of nonprofit community and economic development organizations that are anchor institutions in our nation’s Latino communities. NALCAB’s mission is to build financial and human assets as well as real estate and technology resources in Latino families, communities, and organizations. For additional information about the CPLC/NALCAB NSP2 Consortium, visit www.nalcab.org/nsp2.
About CGI America
President Clinton established the Clinton Global Initiative America (CGI America) to address economic recovery in the United States. CGI America brings together leaders in business, government, and civil society to generate and implement commitments to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, foster innovation, and support workforce development in the United States. Since its first meeting in June 2011, CGI America participants have made more than 100 commitments valued at $11.8 billion. When fully funded and implemented, these commitments will improve the lives of three million people, create or fill more than 150,000 jobs, and invest and loan $354 million to small and medium enterprises in the United States. The 2012 CGI America meeting will take place June 7-8 in Chicago. To learn more, visit cgiamerica.org.
About the Clinton Global Initiative
Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) convenes global leaders to create and implement innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges. CGI Annual Meetings have brought together more than 150 heads of state, 20 Nobel Prize laureates, and hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations and NGOs, major philanthropists, and members of the media. To date CGI members have made more than 2,100 commitments, which are already improving the lives of nearly 400 million people in more than 180 countries. When fully funded and implemented, these commitments will be valued at $69.2 billion.
CGI’s Annual Meeting is held each September in New York City. CGI also convenes CGI America, a meeting focused on collaborative solutions to economic recovery in the United States, and CGI University (CGI U), which brings together undergraduate and graduate students to address pressing challenges in their community or around the world. For more information, visit clintonglobalinitiative.org and follow us on Twitter @ClintonGlobal and Facebook at facebook.com/clintonglobalinitiative.
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