Thank you to our partners at Inclusive and CDBA for sharing data on CDFI Bank and CDFI Credit Union branch locations. In addition, about 100 of our CDFI Stories come from OFN’s story database.
The impact that CDFI credit unions can make in lower income areas by providing financial tools for the community raises the financial independence of individuals in that area and then lessens the amount of ongoing aid that needs to be provided by the government directly to those communities.
Native CDFIs are crucial to provide the financing, investment and literacy services to improve economic and social conditions in Native communities where inadequate or non-existent mainstream financial services are commonplace. We are seeing the positive impacts of Native CDFIs across Alaska and Indian country through increased homeownership, profitable Native-owned small businesses and community improvement projects. Supporting Native CDFIs will build stronger, more resilient communities and better the economy for the nation.
CDFIs provide an important unique opportunity support communities by creating opportunities for underbanked companies and individuals to pull themselves up by their bootstrap by creating new businesses, housing and strengthening financial composites
Throughout our tenure as a CDFI, (since 2010), KyHFH CDFI has been able to support our 31 nonprofit affordable housing entities with 0-2% loans for the construction of affordable single family housing units, capital equipment, staffing needs, energy efficiency upgrades, land acquisition, infrastructure, commercial property and neighborhood revitalization. Without the funding, support and brand of the CDFI, serving low-income clients, neighborhoods and entire counties in Kentucky would not be possible. To date, Habitat in KY has provided close to 8,000 units of affordable housing that serves a population who earn 80% and below the AMI, but also, our largest client base earns 30-60% AMI. Many of our clients transition from renters to first-time homebuyers as well as moving from a pre-1976 mobile home to a traditionally built housing unit, making their lives safer, more affordable and energy efficient. Who else could provide this type of support as well as improvements to our communities than a CDFI. Without the CDFI Fund, none of this would have taken place in the past, currently or in the future.