About Metro Community Development

BACKGROUND
In 1992, the concerted housing revitalization efforts of community leaders, nonprofit representatives, government leaders, local lenders and businesses, and with assistance from C.S. Mott Foundation led to the creation of Metro Housing Partnership. Metro was to serve as the housing and community development intermediary in Flint and Genesee County with a focus on providing technical and financial resources, creating public and private partnerships, leading to the creation of stable neighborhoods and communities.

PURPOSE 

  • To identify and select target areas within the greater Flint Metropolitan area  on which to focus the comprehensive revitalization efforts of the Corporation in order to improve physical and socio-economic conditions therein and thereby reduce the burden on the federal, state and local government to provide social and welfare programs to the residents of such areas.
  • To demonstrate the ways in which targeted public/private resources can provide a return on investment to sponsors and financiers through improvement of the overall socio-economic climate of the community.
  • To increase private sector support for affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization through establishment and maintenance of affordable housing financing programs.
  • To build the production capacity of nonprofit housing developers in the greater Flint Metropolitan area through the provision of training, professional and technical assistance and by increasing the availability of financial resources.
    To combat community blight and deterioration in greater Flint Metropolitan area by helping to maintain, improve and increase the supply of affordable housing to lower income residents of the area through educational activities and such financing programs.

VISION: Partnering to Build Strong, Vibrant Communities 
 (adopted at June 4, 2010 by Board of Directors)

MISSION:  To Serve as a Leader and Catalyst to Expand and Enhance Quality Housing and Community Development Initiatives for Underserved People and Communities and to Develop Partnerships in Flint and Genesee County, Leading to the Creation of Stable and Vibrant Neighborhoods and Communities.

VALUES

  • We are flexible and compassionate
  • We are committed to the highest standards of quality
  • We demand integrity in all our endeavors

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

  • Explore alternative solutions that support our mission
  • Respond to unplanned events and information
  • Demonstrate benevolent concern and compassion for the needs of others
  • Maintain client trust through honesty, accountability, and professionalism
  • Proactively respond to inquires and concerns of stakeholders
  • Tenaciously uphold organizational values
  • Value and attract interactions with diverse clients and partners
  • Share knowledge and experience to inspire others to action
  • Transparency with confidentiality preserved


STRATEGIC PLAN
During the fiscal year 2004 - 2005 Metro Housing developed a five year strategic plan with the help of grant funds from BEST Collaborative.

An initial assessment of the organization was done with the help of two consultants. The assessment report recognized Metro Housing in the Lifecycle Stage: as Growth, an indication that Metro is poised and ready to move to a mature stage of organizational development. Given  the past developments and successes, Metro needs to stabilize itself as a contributing force to the revitalization efforts in City of Flint and Genesee County.

The Strategic Plan led to the identification of three focus areas:

  • Housing,
  • Community Development and
  • Partnerships


STRATEGY for ALIGNMENT and REFOCUS
In 2008/2009, Metro Housing Partnership, Inc., changed its name to Metro Community Development, encompassing all of Metro’s activities and better reflecting everything that Metro accomplishes.  We exist to partner with public and private organizations, provide technical and financial resources and promote the creation of stable neighborhoods and communities. 

MCD Board and Staff conducted a review of Strategic Plan with the assistance of BEST and Fund Consulting. In developing a business model that is much more aligned to the economic conditions and changing demographics, MCD had two overarching motivations that board members and staff members feel drive the work that they do: maintaining community stability and stimulating community economic development.  These goals align along what can be referred to as a community development continuum including Asset Building, Community Building, and Coalition Building. 

These goals drive the financial products and development services the organization provides to the investment area and help MCD internally organize. 

It should be noted that the three areas of the continuum are not mutually exclusive and are not intended to create a system of departments within the organization.  Rather, the community development continuum is meant to take a holistic approach to the organization’s mission and determine where the various financial products and development services align with short term and long term goals of MCD.

Asset Building can be thought of at an individual level.  This function encompasses the IDA program, foreclosure prevention, reverse mortgages, down payment and closing costs assistance and any individual lending that occurs.  When using the term “asset” in this context, the continuum is not only describing wealth creation for individuals but is considering the role that the individual plays in maintaining stable communities. 

The Community Building portion of the continuum describes the purpose of MCD at the neighborhood level to stabilize and the types of programs it provides to create vibrant communities.  For example, programs like the youth apprenticeships, work force development, all intervention and evaluation programs, family resource centers and loans to developers whose projects will add to the quality of life within that community.

The third area along the continuum is Coalition Building, which connects to the emphasis on partnerships and advocacy, another core element of MCD’s mission.  As the market study illustrated, many industry partners and potential borrowers in the area view MCD as a bridge between funding opportunities and community residents.  For over a decade MCD has played a critical role in being a fiduciary to federal and state programs for homelessness and development of sustainable affordable housing to non-profits in Flint and Genesee County. This portion of the continuum ties the individual to the end result of stability and development. 

MCD Governance
MCD is governed by a fifteen member board of directors with diverse professional background.

Officers
Chair: Mr. Leon Knott
Vice Chair: Mr. Robert L. Rummel
Treasurer: Mr. Robert Nichols
Secretary: Ms. Julie Hinterman


MCD Staffing
MCD is managed with competent staff led by Ravi Yalamanchi, CEO.

MCD Financial Capacity and Controls
MCD practices transparency in its management and operations. At our website, www.metro-community.org , information pertaining to our financials: Audited financial statements from 2005 thru 2009, IRS form 990 for 2007, 2008 and 2009 and Annual Reports along with the list of our Board of Directors, Purpose, Vision and Mission are available for download. The Board of Directors adopted a Financial Policy and Procedure to be in compliance with grants from Foundations, State and Federal funding sources. The bookkeeping for the organization is maintained internally and submitted to Plante Moran, a CPA firm, to prepare the monthly financial statements. All programs are maintained separately with each having its own bank account for better tracking and effective reporting.

Specific Accomplishments in the Fiscal Year 2008 - 2009

  1. Obtained Supportive Housing Grant of $2.7 million for Flint and Genesee County in partnership with the Continuum of Care agencies
  2. Partnered with MSHDA, County and City to plan and implement a $2.7 million Housing Prevention and Rapid Housing Program and to strengthen the One Stop
    3. Housing Resource Center with funding availability for three years.
  3. Received Technical Assistance Grant of $100,000 from CDFI (U.S. Dept of Treasury)
  4. Developed underwriting guidelines for Foreclosure Prevention Loans and Micro-Enterprise Loans
  5. Obtained a Youth Build Grant of $1.1 million from U.S. Department of Labor
  6. Planned and implemented a Summer Youth Employment Training Program
  7. In June, MCD was recertified by the FHA as a secondary lender to continue to provide second mortgages to borrowers. 
  8. MCD also received the Property Improvement Loan Certification from Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and has been working to provide
    9. PIP loans in collaboration with Fifth-Third Bank.  Plans are also in the pipeline to begin working with Citizens Bank and Chemical Bank to provide property improvement loans in Flint and Genesee County.
  9. Strengthened the Community Collaborative with more partners and established funding for Coordination.
  10. Implemented Tenant Based Rental Assistance in partnership with MSHDA and Genesee County assisting over 60 families in permanent housing.
  11. Provided Asset Building Services to 1,345 families
  12. Ninety-eight (98) Participants graduated from Individual Development Accounts achieving homeownership, education, transportation and microenterprise goals.