As part of a new policy brief, “In Good Faith: Reimagining the Use of Land Contracts,” Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan and Enterprise Community Partners interviewed community development organizations, nonprofits and other mission-driven organizations that are rewriting the narrative around land contracts.

Enterprise Community Partners, a part of a coalition of community organizations who has started the Chicago Flats Initiative to help keep those families in their homes.

If the Senate proposal becomes law, doubled or tripled values — and tax bills — would be standard, and there would be no basis for appeal. Properties like Maple Park Place would be in instant and severe financial trouble.

FrontLine Service will operate as the lead onsite service provider, while Enterprise Community Partners and A Place 4 Me will serve as convening partners for the collaborative initiative.

Of the $99.4 million budgeted for five years, about $40 million is expected to be distributed in loans and $40 million is to be spent as grants, said Mark McDermott of Enterprise Community Partners. The balance would cover the program’s administrative costs and some initial landlord costs, such as for lead testing.

In a virtual hearing called “Building Back Better: Investing in Equitable and Affordable Housing Infrastructure,” leaders from Enterprise Community Partners, the National Low-Income Housing Coalition and PolicyLink spoke to the importance of housing as a catalyst for equity and opportunity.

If the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act introduced is enacted affordable housing developers would be able to impact rural, tribal and high-cost communities, as well as extremely low-income and formerly homeless residents.