When the Covid-19 shutdown began, we knew the impact on residents, communities and our partners could be devastating. The people affected most by the pandemic are Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) as well as workers who make the least money in America and were already struggling to make ends meet with limited access to health care.

Emergency Relief

In response, we acted quickly to mobilize our nationwide team and contact partners on the ground around the country. Their top concern: the health and safety of their residents and staff. They were also worried about their own operations and financial viability, as well as how to navigate the new Covid-19 programs, policies and regulations and access government financial relief.

We launched the Emergency Action for Resident and Partner Stability program to offer nonprofit community partners flexible support, including:

  • Emergency grants of up to $150,000 to help organizations stay afloat and meet the immediate needs (such as rent, utilities and resident services) of the families and individuals they serve.
  • Immediate and long-term guidance on resilience planning and financial strategies, as well as other technical assistance and training to help community-based nonprofits remain viable.
  • Aid for organizations seeking critical government relief funds and other interventions that can help address resident and community needs.

Many corporations, foundations and individuals generously donated more than $11.7 million to the program, including Ballmer Group, Capital One, Center for Disaster Philanthropy, City National Bank, Colorado Health Foundation, JPMorgan Chase, The Kendeda Fund and Wells Fargo.

Our philanthropic partners responded to our urgent call for support in an incredible way. Their generous and quick action fueled the Emergency Action for Resident and Partner Stability program into being and reached communities who needed help immediately.
Jacqueline Waggoner

Policy Leadership

At the start of the pandemic, everything was changing rapidly. Our Policy team provided late-breaking guidance and analysis for residents, affordable housing owners and small businesses on receiving funding through the CARES Act, changes to the eviction moratorium and other federal and local legislation.

Hope Communities staff holds a food drive for residents during Covid.
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Hope Communities

At Hope Communities in Denver, where the majority of residents – 92% – are people of color, our emergency relief program provided much-needed funding and technical assistance for business continuity. We helped them remain afloat despite the loss of rental income – in fact, they were able to increase their support to residents, including coordinating Covid testing and vaccination clinics and distributing 18,600 meals through its food program. Through it all, the Hope Communities kept rents flat and their finances stable.

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