For many Oklahoma families, seniors, and households with lower incomes, safe and affordable housing remains increasingly difficult to access. One nonprofit — Housing For Communities, Inc. (H4C) — is working to change that by expanding housing opportunities, strengthening community partnerships, and developing sustainable solutions for households across both urban and rural communities.
Driven by Mission, Grounded in Community
Founded to address housing disparities throughout nine Southern, Southwest, and Great Plains states, Housing For Communities serves communities across Oklahoma and neighboring states through affordable housing development, technical assistance, training, and strategic planning. The organization’s mission centers on supporting the production and preservation of affordable housing – homeownership and rental – through consulting, development, mentorship, and training programs.
With support from a Section 4 capacity building grant through Enterprise, H4C is expanding its organizational reach to meet growing housing needs throughout Oklahoma and Kansas. The funding will support staffing, strategic planning, housing development efforts, and professional consulting services that will allow the organization to scale its impact and better serve households earning at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI).
“Affordable housing is more than a roof over someone's head—it is the foundation for economic mobility, educational success, improved health outcomes, and stronger communities,” H4C Executive Director Andrea Frymire said. “Through this work, we're helping families, seniors, and rural residents access housing opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach while building long-term stability for future generations.”
Urban Access. Rural Seniors. Real Outcomes.
A major focus of the grant supported the creation of a new development director position dedicated to advancing both urban and rural affordable housing initiatives. In urban communities, this position will help nonprofits and community housing development organizations prepare HOME applications, identify funding opportunities, and access resources through the Oklahoma Housing Stability Program.
H4C’s housing work extends beyond planning and advocacy. Its affordable rental and homebuyer programs help income-qualified Oklahomans access stable housing. These programs offer affordable rental options and pathways to homeownership for families who may otherwise be priced out, primarily through the HUD HOME Investments Partnerships Program.
In rural Oklahoma, H4C is prioritizing the development of affordable senior housing through Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) initiatives. One of H4C's key goals is to develop a rural senior housing community with accessible duplex-style units built with aging-in-place design for residents living at or below 60% AMI.
H4C is also pursuing the acquisition of four LIHTC developments, including three in Kansas and one in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Three of these communities consist of single-family homes in rural areas that have reached or surpassed the end of their initial 15-year LIHTC compliance period.
H4C's long-term strategy is to preserve affordability while creating pathways to homeownership for existing residents through education, counseling, and affordable purchase opportunities. By combining preservation with resident-focused homeownership services, H4C aims to convert long-term renters into successful homeowners, helping families build equity, strengthen financial stability, and remain rooted in their communities.
In addition to expanding housing development and homeownership efforts, H4C is investing in strategic leadership and long-term organizational sustainability. Grant funding has supported strategic planning activities focused on identifying future development sites, strengthening partnerships, and aligning organizational resources for continued growth.
Building Capacity, Sharing the Story
H4C is also bringing in specialized consultants to support housing development and community outreach. To elevate awareness through storytelling, H4C captured success stories, including one from David Lewis of Earthly Dwellings, who shares insight into the importance of housing and the impact it has on the communities served.
Housing For Communities believes affordable housing is more than shelter, Frymire said. It is the foundation for stronger families, healthier communities, and greater economic opportunity.
“The Enterprise Section 4 grant is much more than an investment in one organization—it is an investment in housing solutions for multiple communities in multiple states,” Frymire said. “By strengthening H4C's ability to provide technical assistance, training, development expertise, and strategic guidance, Enterprise is helping communities build the local capacity needed to address housing challenges for years to come.
“The result is more affordable homes, more opportunities for homeownership, stronger nonprofit partners, and a greater ability to serve low-income households. That's the true power of capacity building: creating lasting change that reaches far beyond a single project or organization.”
