H.O.P.E. AWARDED $125,000 NATIONAL GRANT FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Competitive CDFI Technical Assistance (TA) Award will strengthen H.O.P.E.’s focus on increasing equity and economic opportunity in underserved communities Oxon Hill, MD (September 28, 2020) – Housing Options & Planning Enterprises, Inc. (H.O.P.E.) announced today that it was awarded competitive funding from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Program (CDFI) and the Native American CDFI Assistance Program, which enables community CDFIs to strengthen their ability to provide economic investments to underserved communities in southern Maryland. “H.O.P.E. is honored to receive this important award from the CDFI Fund,” said H.O.P.E. Executive Director, Donna Hurley. “It is a highly competitive grant, and we are excited about the opportunity to drive our focus on equitable economic development, financial empowerment and community wealth-building throughout the southern Maryland region.” This year’s CDFI Awards were highly competitive, with a nationwide pool of 357 organizations in 45 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. H.O.P.E. is one of only two organizations in Maryland to receive the CDFI Fund’s Technical Assistance (TA) award, and one of seven to receive funding under the 2020 round of the Community Development Financial Institutions Program. The CDFI Technical Assistance (TA) award helps to build the capacity of awardees to become a certified CDFI within three years of receiving the grant. CDFIs aim to expand economic opportunities in low-income communities by providing access to financial products and services for residents and businesses. “With increased negative economic impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including significant reductions in income, a rise in unemployment, potential foreclosures and evictions, it is critical that local communities have the resources to seize economic opportunity, and this award helps H.O.P.E. develop its capacity to ensure those resources are available,” said Antoine Thompson, H.O.P.E.’s Board President. In the last five years, H.O.P.E. has assisted more than 6,000 residents with financial coaching, supportive housing, homeowner retention and homebuyer education. In 2018, H.O.P.E. successfully developed and sold its first property, the “Walker Mill House” – a four-bedroom, single family home made affordable to a family earning 50% of the area median income. In June 2021, H.O.P.E. will celebrate its 15-year anniversary with the launch of a new five-year strategic plan and community loan fund initiative. For more information about sponsoring or attending the celebration, or to learn more about the organization, please visit www.hopefinacial.org. ### About Housing Options & Planning Enterprises, Inc. H.O.P.E.’s mission is to ensure equal access to housing for all through counseling, education, advocacy and community revitalization. Our services foster self-sufficiency, sustainable housing, and economic development. H.O.P.E. is committed to empowering our communities to achieving an enhanced quality of life. There’s always help with H.O.P.E.! – learn more at www.hopefinacial.org.

  • Posted on Oct 5, 2020

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Housing Options & Planning Enterprises, Inc.(H.O.P.E.)
6188 Oxon Hill Road, Suite 700
Oxon Hill, MD 20745

301-567-3330 (Office)
301-710-0607 (Fax)