Affordable housing organizations led by Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) continue to encounter barriers to resources like loans, grants and technical support that impede their business growth compared to white-led organizations.
To break these inequitable practices and level the playing field, we launched Equitable Path Forward, a five-year, $3.5 billion nationwide initiative targeted to help dismantle the deeply-rooted legacy of racism in housing – from the types of homes that are built to where they’re built, who builds them, who has access to them and the wealth they generate.
We will influence the affordable housing industry by investing in capital, grants and program support over the next five years to advance strategies that will:
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Fill the capital gap created by decades of systemic racism by intentionally investing in BIPOC-led affordable housing organizations.
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Strengthen BIPOC-led development businesses through consulting services.
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Support existing BIPOC leaders and increase the talent pool in order to create career pathways for future BIPOC leaders in the real estate industry.
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We've initiated a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process to solicit consultants for the Equitable Path Forward: Advisory Services (EPF AS). The program is designed to support BIPOC-led organizations in the affordable housing industry accelerate their housing development capabilities and strengthen their operations through consulting services.
This RFQ is to establish a group of qualified consultants who can assist the selected nonprofit and for-profit affordable housing organizations selected to participate in the New York program and the overall national Equitable Path Forward initiative with individualize consulting activities specific to each organization.
The consultants’ work will be directly contracted by Enterprise. This RFQ is due by October 1, 2021.