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July 2015 - Volume 13, Issue 3                 

   

MEET THE FLORIDA COMMUNITY LOAN FUND

Florida Community Loan Fund (FCLF) is a non-profit lending institution based in Orlando and serving the state through a network of offices. As a mission-driven lender, we make sure that every one of our loans demonstrates significant social impact to low-income persons or communities.

For 20 years, FCLF has provided flexibly structured financing for non-profit organizations throughout Florida that provide social services and housing, creating high social impact in low income communities, including homeless and other at-risk individuals.

Our statewide staff also provides expertise and technical assistance. We have worked side by side with 120 high-performing organizations, through loans ranging from $20,000 to $20 million for a total financing of $215 million. FCLF has helped to create more than 100 community facilities and 3,500-plus housing units.

You can read success stories from many FCLF borrowers and projects on the Meet Our Borrowers section of our website.Here are a few examples.


HOUSING PROGRAMS, MIAMI  
$1 million FCLF line of credit loan. 20+ single family homes.

Housing Programs is closing the gap of affordable homeownership for low-income families. In Miami-Dade County, 41 percent of households are cost burdened; nearly 20 percent pay over 50 percent of their income for housing. In response, Housing Programs provides new, affordable homes for ownership, and, in the process, increases property values, and reduces crime.

With a loan from FCLF, Housing Programs is building new homes in Liberty City and Overtown, on vacant lots donated by Miami-Dade County. The new home owners receive financial and credit counseling and may be eligible for first-time homebuyer assistance programs.


"We are very grateful and proud to work with FCLF, an organization that helps us better serve the community by providing affordable housing for low-income families." - Isaac Simhon, Executive Director, Housing Programs


HOUSE OF ISRAEL, POLK COUNTY
$205,000 FCLF Loan. $325,000 Total Project Cost.
Four apartments with social services available.

House of Israel, a faith-based organization, provides housing and programs to formerly homeless women, many of whom have suffered from alcoholism, drug addictions, and mental health disorders.

Since 2000, more than 125 women have taken advantage of educational opportunities, and 80 percent have successfully reintegrated into their communities.

An FCLF loan is helping build a four-unit apartment building. In this rural Florida community, House of Israel provides a safe home and counseling to women who otherwise might not have that opportunity.    




LITTLE HAITI GATEWAY, MIAMI
$1.7 million FCLF Loan. $4 million total project.
80 affordable rental apartments

The Little Haiti neighborhood of Miami is predominantly low-income, with a mix of single- and multi-family homes, as well as businesses. Once known for high crime and drug use, the community has undergone a transformation over the last few years. Homes were renovated and the area was improved as part of a City of Miami redevelopment plan.

The Little Haiti Gateway complex was purchased in 2003 by Carrfour Supportive Housing, which undertook extensive renovations and reserved 70 of the 80 apartments for formerly homeless individuals. In addition to safe, affordable, furnished housing, Little Haiti Gateway also offers services such as life skills training, job search and placement, and referrals.

FCLF provided $1.7 million to refinance a previous loan and help maintain affordability for these rental homes.

"As a mission-driven developer, we celebrate every opportunity to provide permanent supportive housing for the homeless -- each property, whether new or renovated, takes us one step closer to preventing or ending homelessness." 

- Stephanie Berman-Eisenberg,  
President and CEO, Carrfour Supportive Housing    

FCLF became Florida's first certified statewide community development financial institution (CDFI) in 1996, and in 2014 was one of three CDFIs awarded the national Wells Fargo NEXT Opportunity Award.

To learn more about FCLF financing, visit our website, www.fclf.org.



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Adrian Dominican Sisters
1257 East Siena Heights Drive  
Adrian, Michigan 49221-1793 
Telephone: 517-266-3523   
pab.adriandominicans.org