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Accomplishments (as of 12/31/08)

The Collaborative has a well-established history of getting things done. Some of our accomplishments include:

  • Established the first and only U.S. Treasury-certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in El Paso. (Community Loan Fund provides access to loan capital to underserved low- and moderate-income households.)
  • Implemented a Technology Empowerment Program to help low- and moderate-income households obtain new computers (April 2008). Program being watched nationally for possible replication.
  • Disbursed > $1,091,050 in loans to nonprofit organizations (bridge loans and pre-development loans) and low-income individuals/colonia residents (consumer, housing & infrastructure installation)
  • Disbursed >$79,000 of grant funds to colonia residents for architectural design work to build, rehabilitate or reconstruct their homes, and nearly $80,000 of grant funds to reduce the amount of loan funds needed for infrastructure installation.
  • Completed two Downpayment Assistance Programs funded by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) that assisted 50 low- and very-low income households to become first-time homebuyers (13 were for households with disabilities). Currently administering a third project.
  • Implemented a TDHCA Contract for Deed Conversion with Rehab Program – 10 households at or below 60% AMFI assisted. Recently awarded a second project to be implemented in 2009-2019.
  • Awarded El Paso’s first matched-savings program (Individual Development Accounts Program) in 2001 under the federal Assets for Independence Act—assisted 150 households with first-home purchase, post-secondary education or small business development. Currently administering a second project that began in 2005. Combined programs total $760,000.
  • Completed a financial literacy/housing counseling manual for organizations that serve rural/colonia residents with funding from the National Endowment for Financial Education
  • Awarded 2004 Texas Best Award of $10,000 from Texas Rural Communities, Inc. for development of the financial literacy/housing counseling manual designed for colonia residents
  • Completed a 3-year AmeriCorps*VISTA contract to assist with asset development programs and currently administering a second 3-year contract.
  • Provided free tax preparation to nearly 1,700 LMI households since 2003.
  • Obtained grant funding from Center for Neighborhood Education/HSBC for four consecutive years to conduct financial literacy workshops. More than 1,500 people attended as of 12/31/08
  • In partnership with the Center for Environmental Management – (the Energy Center) at the University of Texas at El Paso provided energy efficient upgrades and/or Energy Star appliances for LMI households.