The HAND network is working tirelessly to address the growing housing affordability challenge across the Capital Region. Five Minutes With is a series highlighting these members and other stakeholders. This informal conversation delves into their recent projects, the affordable housing industry and more. In the latest edition, we chat with a new addition to our team, LaToya Thomas, HAND’s new Housing Indicator Tool Policy Director. Check out our conversation below, and you can learn more about the Housing Indicator Tool here.
HAND: You have extensive experience in the housing and community development industry – can you tell us about the journey you’ve taken to get to this point?
LT: Sure – it’s been a pretty colorful journey, to say the least. First, for background, I’m trained as an urban planner with a focus in community planning, so that’s the lens under which I have approached my work in the various positions I’ve had over the past 15 years.
The bulk of my career has been spent working either in development or in architecture, and I worked primarily in project management, community engagement, business development, and marketing. I also had the opportunity to work on projects that ranged from affordable and mixed-income housing to charter schools to public institutions, like libraries. This background gave me a really unique perspective, as I was able to work on a mix of projects that were “community-serving” while also being able to sit on different sides of the table as these projects came to fruition and understand the many design, financial, and political considerations that are involved.
Now I am nearly 4 years into Brick & Story (sometimes I call it “The Lab”), as a way to blend my professional experience into a platform that can work creatively and in partnership the development community to bring the people we are serving into the conversation in a truly meaningful and intentional way. Many say we focus on engagement and, while that’s true, we’re really focused on reconnecting people to the built environment and to the steps and processes that impact how the physical fabric of their community looks and feels – particularly because we know that some people have never had the opportunity to be part of the conversation around what happens in their community.
HAND: Can you tell us about your latest role with HAND? What are you most looking forward to over the coming months?
LT: I am collaborating with the HAND team to support the regional rollout of the Housing Indicator Tool. Much of my focus will be to provide education around the tool, design and implement activation events for the larger community to understand the tool, and facilitate policy discussions and help to influence policy decisions so that each jurisdiction is investing in appropriate resources and tools to meet their respective goals.
I am really looking forward to the regional dialogue and exchange that is possible and so badly needed around the issues of housing affordability. I personally believe in the value of shared learning and collaboration when trying to solve problems like this, so I think the HIT presents an opportunity for all of to do so and helps us as a region guide our next steps.
HAND: What is the most important takeaway(s) from your experience thus far that you’re bringing into your new role?
LT: The importance of creative and collaborative partnerships rings loudest here; we often get stuck in our silos within the industry and forget the many different roles we each play in shaping communities, as well as the responsibilities that we have not only to each other as professionals, but also to the larger community of people out there who are impacted by the work we do and decisions we make. We have a real opportunity to develop a true regional approach to addressing housing affordability at our doorstep if we are all willing to work together to understand what we each need to do to get there.
HAND: What do you think is the largest hurdle when it comes to creating and preserving affordable housing across our region?
LT: The lack of a coordinated regional approach is a major factor; our area is unique because int the District we are bordered by 2 states and 4 major counties, but depending on where you are, the real estate landscape can be like night and day. Even the understanding of the need for housing affordability across multiple income levels is not consistent across the jurisdictions. If the region can be thinking about housing collectively – not just from a production side, but also from a financing, subsidy, and policy standpoint – we might be able to tackle our affordability issues and see a bigger impact at the end of the day.
HAND: Do you believe there is a “secret sauce” to addressing housing affordability? If so, what do you think that is
LT: I’ll name one ingredient in the sauce that I think is key, which is the issue of depressed wages for those who are in need of quality housing the most. We can’t have an honest conversation about addressing housing affordability if we aren’t prepared to talk about how to pay wages that allow people to move along the housing spectrum, whether that is moving from rental housing to homeownership or moving out of public housing and into an affordable rental or homeownership option. Housing affordability is not just about providing a roof over someone’s head; it’s also about creating a stable foundation for someone to grow and thrive socially AND economically.
HAND: If you weren’t working in this space, what might you be doing?
LT: Owning and operating a bed-and-breakfast. I’m all about 1) acquiring real estate and 2) creating cool, interesting, and intimate spaces where people can relax and have a meaningful, hospitable experience.
Todd A. Lee, Former Executive Director and CEO of DC Housing Finance Agency
Congratulations are in order! DC Housing Finance Agency has announced three recipients of the 2020 Todd A. Lee Scholarship!
The Todd A. Lee Scholarship commemorates Todd A. Lee, an outstanding District of Columbia legend, and honors his commitment to both affordable housing and education. Mr. Lee was the Executive Director and CEO of the Agency from 2016 to 2020. During his lifetime, his career focus was on innovation, infrastructure/process, and financing in real estate. He came to DCHFA because he wanted to have an impact in the city through the preservation and construction of affordable and workforce housing in the District ofColumbia. The scholarship benefits graduate students that aspire to be future contributors to the field of affordable housing. The scholarship was established in January 2020. More details on each of the recipients below:
Pictured left to right: Jason Harris, Lee Goldstein and
Khaleef Bradford
Jason A. Harris is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in real estate at Georgetown University. He completed his undergraduate degree at Howard University earning a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a minor in Business Administration.
Lee Goldstein is pursuing his Master’s degree in Real Estate and Infrastructure from The Carey Business School at The Johns Hopkins University. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and a Master of Public Administration, Urban Policy from the George Washington University.
Khaleef Bradford is currently attending the University of Maryland where he’s working toward his Master’s degree in Real Estate Development. He previously obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture with a minor in Real Estate Development from the University of Maryland.
Congratulations to all!
Join the Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance on September 17 to honor the 2020 Regional Housing Leaders and celebrate its 15th Anniversary! Working at the intersection of housing policy, advocacy and systems change over 15 years, NVAHA is the regional voice for housing in NoVA. Join housing colleagues, our sponsors, friends and honorees from across the region for this event that celebrates leadership, and the impact of partnerships and regionalism for more just, equitable communities.
Register here for this free, online event.
How District businesses and residents get their energy is facing change as the city seeks a cleaner energy future. Washington Gas is proud to be a member of this thriving community and understands its role in ensuring a sustainable tomorrow as an essential energy provider.
Join Washington Gas at 5 p.m. on July 29, 2020 for a virtual public meeting to learn how the organization can help the District reach its climate goals of becoming carbon neutral in ways that are cost-effective, innovative and community-driven.
The webinar will walk through Washington Gas’ Climate Business Plan and provide insights into how this approach will help our community achieve its climate goals in an affordable and inclusive way.
The event will be the first of many discussions on working together to create policies and regulations to meet the District’s climate targets, while continuing to provide essential energy in a cost-effective manner to the people, businesses and institutions that call the District of Columbia home.
The discussion will focus on how the plan is a roadmap to meet the District’s clean energy goals to lower greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 50 percent by 2032 and to become carbon neutral by 2050.
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Payments: Orders placed on the event registration page are not confirmed until payment is received. A confirmation email will be sent to the email address listed in your registration. If you paid by credit card, a receipt will be sent to the email address listed in your registration. If you mail a check, all payments must be received within seven days of completing your registration form. Checks should be remitted to: HAND, PO Box 48386, Washington, DC 20002
Guest List & Dietary Preference: If your registration includes a luncheon table or multiple guests, please submit guest names and menu choices by May 1, 2020. Submit guest names here.
Housing Expo: Plan to exhibit? Download the Housing Expo FAQs here.
Omni Shoreham Hotel Room Block: For attendees looking to secure overnight accommodations on May 25th, HAND has secured a rate starting at $189 for conference attendees. There are a limited amount of rooms available, so visit this link today to reserve your room. May 10th is the last day to secure a room at the discounted rate.
Ad Submission: The artwork for advertisements should be submitted to annualmeeting@handhousing.org. You can download the ad spec sheet here. Deadline for ad submission is April 13, 2020.
Cancellations & Changes: If you wish to cancel or change your registration for the Annual Meeting & Housing Expo, please send a request in writing to annualmeeting@handhousing.org. All cancellation requests made prior to April 27th will receive a 50% refund. For cancellation requests made after April 27th, no refund will be provided.
Door Prizes: Are you interested in donating a door prize to this year’s Annual Meeting? Email annualmeeting@handhousing.org to coordinate with our team.
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