By VOICE & VIEWPOINT NEWSWIRE
State Controller Malia M. Cohen headlined a standing room-only breakfast reception at Housing California’s 2023 Annual Conference held at the newly remodeled San Diego Town and Country Hotel. The conference is Housing California’s premier event and drew over 2,000 professionals from around the state.
The Black Developers Forum (BFD) hosted this signature event bringing together many of California’s Black developers as well as professionals from all facets of the housing industry including affordable, multi-family, and market rate real estate developers, land use planners, financial investors and lenders, housing advocates, and government officials.
“I want to take the personal privilege to recognize and acknowledge the Black Developer’s Forum,” said Controller Cohen. “I am aware of the advocacy, sweat equity, and courage you demonstrated in establishing the state of California’s BIPOC affordable housing pool.”
The BIPOC affordable housing pool is a $115 million fund focused on increasing the engagement of Black and Indigenous people of color in the development of affordable housing in California. BDF takes pride in partnering with the former California Housing Financing Authority Director, Tia Boatman, and the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (TCAC) in creating this historic fund which has at its core diversity, equity, and inclusion within the affordable housing space.
Controller Cohen also emphasized the importance of the BDF partnering with the state leaders to close the 2.5 million housing gap by 2030 while simultaneously ensuring a full spectrum of housing opportunities in California.
As CA’s newly elected State Controller and a member of the TCAC and the Debt Limit Allocation Committee, she committed to working with developers across CA, and in particular the BDF, to identify necessary tools and resources to incentivize the development of new housing in CA.
Many breakfast attendees applauded the BDF for hosting such a meaningful and informative event that showcased the diversity of the housing development business that is often overlooked in mainstream conference events.
Local developer and a founder of BDF, Reese A. Jarrett of E. Smith & Company, and Chairperson and a founder, Cherene Sandidge, also addressed the breakfast reception attendees.
BDF is a non-profit organization anchored in affordable housing and community development, with a to represent Black real estate developers in advocating for policies, funding, access to capital, professional development, research and data, and collaborative opportunities to ensure their development of housing in California while simultaneously building vibrant and economically thriving communities. BDF also advances member achievements across all business sectors.
