Ambassadors
In recognition of support and guidance toward the mission of providing housing for the working poor, GHF designates strategic individuals who have worked directly, or intend to work directly, to assist with the GHF mission.
The main responsibility of a GHF Ambassador is to offer guidance and advocacy for GHF. GHF is a United Nations NGO partner devoted to facilitating the improvisation of affordable housing through alliances between public, private, academic, foundational, community, and governmental organizations. Valuable global solutions begin with powerful knowledge, effective expertise, and proven strategies. GHF identifies successful initiatives based upon Research, Education, Application of Best Practices and Professional Collaborations.
In recognition of service to GHF, individuals receive ambassador certification from GHF
Alan Tong
Ari Feldman
Gerard W. Bakker
Jose Boyd
Lutine de Boer
Susan and Sheldon Good
Zaigham Rizvi
Leveraging the Power
In response to a challenge from the United Nations Commission on Human Settlements, GHF has developed a program designed to leverage the power and effectiveness of Public-Private partnerships.
From its inception, GHF has partnered with the United Nations to address housing issues which provide affordable housing for the working poor.
Following “Twenty Years of Providing Homes Through Productive Partnerships” presentation at the UN, highlighted by Filiep Decorte, Deputy Director of UN- Habitat’s New York Liaison Office, the GHF Directors established the GHF Ambassador Program.
Building Effective Networks
Ambassadors are enthusiastic and dedicated to the realization of the GHF mission.
Ambassadors are passionate about our cause and committed to keeping abreast of new and relevant issues that may impact the low-income housing community.
Ambassadors have the ability to participate in fundraising activities and to seek the contributions of time, money and/or in-kind support from individuals and corporate partners.
Ambassadors provide information on relevant opportunities and projects within the GHF scope of influence.
History
The Global Housing Foundation is a nonprofit corporation established in 1999 by United Nations Scroll of Honor recipient, E. Rene Frank, and organized in 2006 under the laws of the State of Delaware, and is exempt from U.S. Federal Income Taxes under Section 501(c)(3). The Foundation is a United Nations/UN-Habitat NGO partner with Special Consultative Status organized to provide a framework, clearing house and network for ideas, information and solutions pertaining to affordable housing. Financial contributions are the primary sources of revenue for the Foundation.
Challenge
Our commitment is to leverage the combined expertise and knowledge of global real estate industry leaders and spearhead the creation solid alliances between public, private, academic, community and governmental organizations to work towards a common goal of providing the working poor with the opportunity of owning a safe and affordable home.
Overview
Ambassadors enable the development of adequate and sustainable housing for the working poor and promote property rights, homeownership, economic development, women’s rights and best practices aspired to within the Millennium Development Goals. Ambassadors are not empowered to officially represent the views and positions of GHF, except when specifically directed to do so by the Board of Directors. Ambassadors identify opportunities which promote the Habitat Agenda as set by the United Nations Human Settlement Program which highlights the importance of security of tenure, safe drinking water, clean sanitation, affordable financing, family continuity, gender equality, safe havens for children, and a sustainable environment.
Objective
GHF leverages the expertise and resources of the public and private real estate community to facilitate the construction of affordable housing.
Process
The GHF Residential Real Estate Developer Alliance Program is tailored around the special needs of real estate developers and is specifically designed to deliver project benefits and enhancements that directly transfer into value-added components for housing projects. This model identifies opportunities for municipal participation with land, infrastructure development, appraisals and tax incentives. It seeks to utilize local labor, materials and funding sources. The social and environmental benefits are immense. There may be no greater contribution to society than to transform an individual or family from being part of the problem into becoming part of the solution. Building financial equity through home ownership produces a household that contributes to the community. Incorporating a work-force housing feature into residential real estate developments delivers the following results:
- Added Security
- Less Commuter Time & Expense
- Increased Value Proposition for Potential Customer Prospects
- Enhanced Corporate Social Responsibility, Good Will and Project Respect
- Benefits of GHF Alliance Branding
The GHF Pay-it-Forward Program
GHF makes a commitment to provide funds toward the construction costs to augment the land component provided by the alliance for the workforce housing units. Once the titles of the homes are transferred to the occupants, GHF and the alliance entity are reimbursed from the proceeds provided by the preferred mortgage banking arrangement. Although the time and cost to develop alliances is an enormous challenge for GHF, once these strategic relationships are established, they may remain in effect for multiple projects and thus leverage benefits and rewards.
The Global Housing Network
GHF has developed the world’s digital clearing house for information pertaining to affordable housing. Accessed via the internet at globalhousing.net the Global Housing Network showcases projects, ideas and solutions to workforce housing challenges.