Nine-month program co-sponsored by the Mel King Institute, MACDC and CHAPA
NeighborWorks® Housing Solutions (NHS; www.nhsmass.org), the leading housing service provider in southeastern Massachusetts, announced today that Noelle Humphries, associate real estate development director for NHS, recently completed the 2020-2021 Community Development Mentoring Program, which was co-sponsored by the Mel King Institute for Community Building, the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC), and the Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA). Humphries finished the nine-month program as a mentor focused on real estate development earlier this spring.
The Mentoring Program is designed to promote and support a culture of learning and mentoring within the community development field. The program enhances the preparation of mid- to senior-level professionals of color who demonstrate leadership potential, for advancement and growth into positions of leadership and authority, by facilitating effective and meaningful relationships between and amongst community development professionals. The program has a racial equity lens by looking at the implicit bias and racism that exists in our work.
The 2020-2021 Mentoring Program cycle focused on those who have or are pursuing a career in housing, with the goal of supporting the pipeline of project managers, real estate directors, asset managers, property managers, and others joining the community development field to build networks of professionals and to support professionals of color in housing careers. In all, 13 pairs of mentors and mentees completed the program in March.
The Mel King Institute for Community Building fosters vibrant and thriving Massachusetts communities by advancing the skills, knowledge and leadership ability of professional practitioners and volunteer leaders in the community development field. MACDC is a membership organization that seeks to build and sustain a high performing and adaptive community development sector that is supported by private and public investment and sound public policies while advancing racial and economic equity. CHAPA’s mission is to encourage the production and preservation of housing that is affordable to low- and moderate-income families and individuals and to foster diverse and sustainable communities through planning and community development.
Humphries has more than 20 years of experience in housing development, and specifically with multi-family housing development. Her primary focus has been the preservation and production of affordable housing utilizing tax credit equity and soft financing. At NeighborWorks Housing Solutions, Humphries is involved in all aspects of the development process, including acquisition, financing, closing, design, construction management, and initial property operations.
Humphries has been with NHS for nearly two years, and during this time has played a key role in the development of multiple affordable housing developments, including five state-of-the-art units of housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Quincy, 48 units of modern-style housing in downtown Brockton (which will also feature first-floor restaurant or retail space; (ribbon-cutting scheduled for June 24), and eight units of housing for formerly homeless veterans in Marshfield which will be opening in November 2021.
“We’re so glad that Noelle could participate in this important program,” said Robert Corley, CEO of NeighborWorks Housing Solutions. “We enjoy a great partnership with MACDC and CHAPA, and we were delighted to participate in this program. In order to strengthen housing security and ensure housing opportunities for everyone, we need professionals that can act as mentors in the community. This program works to not only recruit diverse professionals but will also give everyone the tools they need to succeed and thrive. We look forward to supporting Noelle’s ongoing role as mentor, and appreciate her stepping up to take on this additional responsibility.”
About NeighborWorks® Housing Solutions
NeighborWorks® Housing Solutions is the leading housing service provider in southern Massachusetts. NHS has more than 70 years of combined experience in the community development field and provides services to more than 11,000 households in more than 75 cities and towns across the region. In addition to building and managing 786 units of housing for veterans, homeless families and others in need, the agency offers a wide range of housing services, including foreclosure prevention counseling, home rehabilitation loans and grants, financial coaching and first-time homebuyer workshops. For more information, contact Serenity Belo, Resource Development Director, at 617-801-5217 or sbelo@nhsmass.org, or visit: www.nhsmass.org.
