Discovering something new that excites you is a fantastic feeling.  I love watching my 2½ year old experience this wonder almost every day.  Unfortunately, I don't make these new discoveries for myself nearly as often as I'd like.  One new "discovery" that I'm very happy to have made, thanks to her recent Grammy Award, is Esperanza Spalding's music.  For serious jazz lovers and followers of the local Portland music scene, I know I'm coming a bit late to the party.  But that is the beautiful part about discovery!  No matter how long others have known of and enjoyed her talents, she is a new and exciting treasure to me.

I can't pretend that housing development is as magical as the floating high notes of Esperanza's voice or the deep strumming of her bass, but I do hope that the stories in this newsletter help you discover something new about Innovative Housing that excites you.  We have been part of the local housing scene for over 25 years, using a complicated yet harmonious blend of funding sources to create homes for low-income individuals and families.  The fact that you are on our mailing list means that you know who we are, but you might not know that IHI housed nearly 2,000 people in 2010, or that in 2009 and 2010, some of the toughest economic times we've seen, IHI closed on $8.1 million worth of construction and permanent loans to acquire and preserve 264 affordable rental homes.  In this newsletter you can read about our newest housing development, find out how IHI's resident services program is helping families improve their physical health, and learn about community partners who are working alongside IHI to help individuals and families succeed.

I discovered my passion for affordable housing 18 years ago.  My heart literally pounds faster when I think about a mother sleeping better at night because she knows her children will wake up in a safe place, or someone regaining a measure of self worth lost while living on the street when they move into their own home.  We all hear the call of different songs and there is plenty of good work to go around.  If you share my zeal for housing and want to learn more about IHI or be a part of what we are doing, please visit our website at www.innovativehousinginc.com.

I hope that 2011 holds some exciting new discoveries for you and that as you go about the daily rhythm of life you connect with something that makes your heart sing.  We can't all be Esperanza Spalding on the bass, but if each of us picks our own instrument and plays with passion, we will definitely make the world a more beautiful place.

In 2011, IHI and our residents are committing to health!  IHI is working closely with resident parents and youth to launch Healthy Generations, a new program designed to help families develop and sustain healthier lifestyles.  This includes reducing physical, social and psychological barriers to increased exercise, improved nutrition, and improved air quality for the whole family.  

A father and daughter prepare a healthy meal together.

During the last year we have heard from residents who want to improve their personal health and make the health of their families and housing communities a priority.  A significant number of IHI residents suffer from obesity, chronic illnesses, and preventable diseases.  Many are noticing new health problems or dealing with worsening conditions, and parents are concerned about the development of poor health habits in their children.  Healthy lifestyle changes often take a backseat for families struggling to afford food and housing.  In community surveys at our family properties, residents list cost, disabilities, depression, and lack of energy, transportation, and information as primary barriers to eating better, getting more exercise and reducing indoor air pollutants. 

IHI is identifying resources and ways that we can support individual and community-wide changes at our housing sites.  Resident Services staff are meeting with families to brainstorm ideas to help them overcome barriers and make healthy living easier, accessible, and even fun.  We've come up with some great ideas already!  Families are excited about community meals and recipe exchanges, walking groups, increased access to local community centers, and teen tobacco prevention.  Residents want to learn more about ways that food and exercise can fight depression and improve overall mental health.  They have also asked for resources to address indoor air quality, including information about chemical-free cleaning products.  Residents' commitment to improving air quality includes overwhelming support for smoke-free housing and IHI will be making that change at two of our family properties in the upcoming year. 

Healthier lifestyles not only improve quality of life - they also lead to improved economic and social opportunities.  IHI is thrilled to help parents and their children make these important changes together!

On the last Saturday of every month, when food stamps and funds are running low, volunteers from the Peace and

Social Justice Team of St. Agatha's Catholic Church in Sellwood prepare a hearty meal and serve it to residents of the Clifford Apartments.  In January 2010, the group responded to a request by one of IHI's Resident Services Coordinators to help reduce food insecurity and build community at The Clifford Apartments. That same month, undaunted by a looming renovation project and the lack of a community kitchen, the team organized groups, took up a special collection from the parish, and served their first meal.

A volunteer from St. Agatha's and a Clifford resident.

For over a year, even when construction on the building meant less than ideal conditions, twenty volunteers spent a few hours each month shopping, cooking, serving meals and eating with Clifford residents.  Residents - many of them formerly homeless - are thrilled to have such a valuable service offered where they live.  Charlie, a resident, expresses the sentiments of many people, "It gets tough at the end of the month when I run out of money.  I appreciate St. Agatha's providing me a great meal to last me through the hard times."  Joanne, another long-time resident, says, "They always bring something delicious.  I like it when they serve soup, it's easy to eat.  But my favorite is the homemade cookies."

Jerry Harp, moderator of the Peace and Social Justice Team, says one of the most important outcomes of the meals is that they provide opportunities for residents to build their own community.  IHI could not agree more.  Providing a healthy meal is important, but the greatest value comes from the opportunity for residents to gather with their neighbors and from knowing that others in the community care about their well-being.  IHI thanks the St. Agatha's volunteers for generously sharing their time and resources and becoming a part of The Clifford community.