Founded in 1976, Community Economics (CEI) provides technical expertise in the field of nonprofit, community-based affordable housing finance and development. Through direct technical assistance to nonprofit developers and as leaders in local, state, and national housing policy issues, CEI is at the forefront of the affordable housing movement, developing creative solutions and resources to meet the housing needs of low-income households.
CEI is expert in all aspects of financing the construction and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing. Since the inception of the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program in 1987, CEI has developed expertise in the use of the federal and California state tax credits. CEI has assisted nonprofit sponsors in the production of more than 55,000 affordable homes in more than 900 developments in California, Washington, Hawaii and other states.
CEI works with clients from the earliest conceptual stages of development through the completion of construction and commencement of operations to evaluate financial feasibility, identify federal, state, local, public and private capital and operating sources, select LIHTC investors, and navigate the use of federal and state tax credits. Through project-specific technical assistance, customized trainings, and long-term relationships with clients, CEI enhances the capacity of the nonprofit housing development community.
This grounding in the technical details of development strengthens CEI’s ability to influence affordable housing policy on the local, state and national levels. CEI staff are regularly consulted by policymakers on legislation and regulations, and serve on the boards and policy committees of California’s major advocacy organizations such as Housing California, Nonprofit Housing Association of Northern California, and California Coalition for Rural Housing.
Our Mission
Community Economics, Inc.’s mission is to increase the supply of permanently affordable housing serving the lowest income households.
We undertake this mission through:
1) providing technical assistance in the development and financing of permanently affordable housing to nonprofit developers, public agencies, and tenant organizations; and
2) policy development, education, and research with housing advocates, policymakers, and the lending and investment community.