U.S. Caribbean

Island communities in the U.S. Caribbean face unique housing challenges as well as significant climate risks. Together with local and national partners, Enterprise works to improve access to affordable homes and strengthen community resilience throughout Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

We’ve stood beside nonprofit and housing partners in the Caribbean, delivering over $3.36 million in grants to support 26 organizations, 7 in the U.S. Virgin Islands and 19 in Puerto Rico, strengthening local leadership and nonprofit infrastructure. To date, Enterprise has closed on three Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) developments in the islands (San Juan, PR, San Germán, PR, and St. Thomas, USVI), totaling investments worth over $78 million and producing 242 units and over $3.3 million in loan funding. These investments support predevelopment and rehabilitation of housing and local partners to create lasting solutions in housing and economic resilience. Enterprise is proud to stand with them in building a stronger, more equitable Caribbean.

Our Enterprise Advisors team supports the critical work being done across the U.S. Caribbean in the following areas:

Strategy Development – We support local agency partners in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to develop and implement strategies to support disaster recovery, climate resilience, and affordable housing development.
Capacity Building and Technical Assistance – We provide capacity building funding and technical assistance support to nonprofit organizations, affordable housing providers, and other local stakeholders to support the development of the region’s housing and community development ecosystem.
Climate Resilient Communities – We develop information resources and tools and convene local and national experts and stakeholders from the public- and private-sectors to promote climate resilient communities across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Enterprise U.S. Caribbean team and grantees of the U.S. Virgin Islands Housing Ecosystem Development Grants Program together in front of a gazebo overlooking the ocean

Featured Program

USVI Housing Ecosystem Development Grant Program

The USVI Housing Ecosystem Development Grant Program was launched by Enterprise Community Partners in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York to support affordable housing developers across the U.S. Virgin Islands. The program provides grant funds, technical assistance, and networking opportunities to strengthen organizational capacity and advance local affordable housing development efforts. Seven organizations representing all three islands (St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John) have been support through the program since its launch in 2023.

Learn About the Program

Elizabeth Colón, director of Ponce NHS, with Shaun Donovan, CEO of Enterprise

Partner Spotlight

Ponce Neighborhood Housing Services

For more than 25 years, Ponce Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (Ponce NHS) has provided community development, community outreach, and financial education services to low and middle-income communities on the southern coast of Puerto Rico. Ponce NHS has partnered with Enterprise through several initiatives including Enterprise’s Nonprofit Leadership Development Institute and HUD Section 4 Capacity Building Grant program. These activities have helped increase Ponce NHS’ capacity to serve their community. In turn, the organization has shared information resources, best practices, and lessons learned with other non-profits in the region through participation in Enterprise-hosted training and networking events.

Featured Training and Tools

Puerto Rico Non-profit Leadership Development Institute

The cohort received technical assistance, one-to-one staff mentoring, peer learning with other grantees and help with capacity building to ensure they are prepared to support their communities over the long term.

Learn more about the institute

Keep Safe Workshops

This series of workshops provided guidance on how communities can adapt to and be protected from extreme weather events.

Learn more about Keep Safe.

CDBG-DR Training and Resources

Tools and resources were developed for Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Grantees to design and implement economic revitalization activities that promote economic recovery after a disaster, improve long-term economic resilience, and address the needs of underserved communities.

Enterprise U.S. Caribbean team on a site visit in Puerto Rico — The team on a site visit in Puerto Rico. Learn more about the impact of our work in the region.

All Resources

Report

A Decade of Impact: Strengthening Puerto Rico's Nonprofits for Growth and Resilience

Over the past ten years, Puerto Rico’s non-profit housing and community development organizations (HCDOs) have made remarkable strides in growing their organizations, building community resilience, and addressing critical housing challenges. These accomplishments are a...

Toolkit

Keep Safe, A Guide for Resilient Housing Design in Island Communities

Keep Safe helps identify the best ways to adapt a home or residential facility as well as everyday practices to the perils of climate change. You don’t need financial reserves or construction expertise to make changes that protect you and the people you love from...

Training

CDBG-DR Nuts and Bolts: Puerto Rico

This special webinar presentation covers the nuts and bolts of the CDBG-DR Program and includes: A presentation on compliance requirements and on-the-ground implementation of CDBG-DR programs; Panel of Nonprofit Leaders in Puerto Rico currently working with the...

Training