Letter from the Board President
July 1, 2009
During the past fiscal year, Housing Resources continued to offer its programs as usual, with slight expansion in some areas. Some of our achievements were as follows:
- We handled a total of 1,808 telephone contacts and 983 walk ins for our various programs through the front desk, and hired a marketing firm to help us develop and implement an extensive marketing plan.
- In partnership with Mesa County Youth Corps and Southwest Youth Corps, a total of 980 Tier I energy audits were completed this year—an increase of over 100%!
- Fourteen rehab jobs were completed, enabling homeowners to remain self sufficient in their own homes.
- Foreclosure counseling was provided to 103 households this year, with 60% initiating a work plan to avoid foreclosure.
- Through a grant from the El Pomar Foundation, we expanded homebuyer education classes.
- We purchased additional lots to secure an adequate inventory for our Self Help program for several years. Forty-six homes were completed—an increase in production of over 100%!
- Schematic drawings were completed for the new Crawford Commons multifamily project.
- We initiated the process of working towards our LEEDS Existing Building certification, completed approximately 50% of our improvements, and are moving towards our LEEDS monitoring period.
- By doubling efforts towards increased energy efficiency measures and receipt of additional funds from Energy Outreach Colorado, we were able to lower annual utility bills in our Self Help homes by 52%.
- Our 5 rental properties containing 176 total units remained full with 0% vacancy through out the year.
As we move into the future, we continue to work within the goals of our current Strategic Plan:
- Continue to foster community/neighborhood involvement in HRWC developments (both for single- and multi-family) through our rehab, weatherization, and emergency repair programs.
- Evaluate expansion of our homeownership promotion line of business, including pre-purchase counseling, post-purchase counseling, down payment loans and grants to homeowners.
- Expand marketing opportunities for all of our programs.
- Look for opportunities to incorporate “green” into our multifamily properties, and increase production of single family Energy Star-Rated homes.
- Educate the public about what an Energy-Star home means, and educate builders on how to achieve an Energy Star rating.
- Look for opportunities to increase the multifamily rental market.
As we enter our 2010 fiscal year, we believe we are well positioned financially to weather the economic storm and continue to effect positive changes in our community. We expect our programs to see increased demand during this period of economic instability. We hope you enjoy reading about our organization in more detail in the Annual Report.
Sincerely,
Thomas W. Espeland
Board President