Program areas at Commonbond Communities
Advantage services: Commonbond is dedicated to providing safe, affordable housing for community members in need. However, as important as safe housing is for residents, Commonbond's Communities are more than shelter -- they are places for residents to gain stability and build community. On-site advantage centers offer programs to address resident needs, with the overall goal of keeping residents stably housed. Transportation and financial barriers are eliminated as these services are offered free of charge. See schedule o for more info on advantage services' accomplishments.advantage services are focused on the areas of: stability and independence; education and advancement; health and wellness; and community building and engagement.stability and independence: staff provide support to help residents maintain housing, including working with property management if rent will be late, accessing emergency or utility rental assistance, and other assistance to prevent eviction. Education and advancement: staff work with adults to help them maintain stable housing and achieve their economic goals through: on-site employment services; financial coaching and counseling; and maximizing income support. During 2022, the program assisted with adult job placements, and more than 60% retained employment for six months or more. Additionally, children and youth have access to academic mentoring through study buddies, homework centers, and enrichment/leadership programs. During 2022, over 93% of youth who participated in study buddies improved their reading level. In addition, 90% of teens who participated in enrichment and leadership programming engaged in future planning.health and wellness: seniors and residents with disabilities benefit from evidence-based health and wellness promotion programs. The goal is to keep residents active and in their own homes. During 2022, over 80% of seniors and residents with disabilities who participated in the evidence-based exercise programs reported have zero falls.community building and engagement: we provide opportunities for community building, including resident associations, community gardens, and intergenerational events. The goal is to empower residents to develop activities that are meaningful in their own Communities, both within housing and with surrounding neighbors. During 2022, over 1,276 residents participated in community building activities.
Community engagement: integral to our work are the relationships that are formed to benefit our resident community and our housing Communities in general. Community members work hand-in-hand with staff and residents at our housing Communities. Hundreds of residents, critical service providers, local business owners, municipalities, community groups, faith Communities, and other neighborhood organizations serve on boards and committees to help foster understanding and support the housing Communities and the people who live there. This model promotes resident leadership and helps break down barriers that sometimes arise between an affordable housing site and its surrounding neighborhood.
Housing development, property management and asset management: since 1971, Commonbond Communities has been providing homes and hope for those most in need in our community. As a premier nonprofit developer and manager of affordable housing, Commonbond is best positioned to address the critical need for more affordable housing in our region. In order to achieve its goal of serving 15,000 per year by 2025, Commonbond has been aggressively growing its real estate pipeline, developing financing tools internally and with stakeholders, and evaluating its existing portfolio for upcoming needs. See schedule o for more info on housing development, property management, and asset management's accomplishments.during 2022, Commonbond owned and managed more than 7,000 units of affordable housing that provided nearly 14,000 people (families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities and other barriers) a place to call home. Nearly 3,300 of these individuals were children.