8 Elm City 2020 Annual Report
WHAT WE HAVE BUILT TOGETHER The year 2020 will always go down in history as a year that changed and challenged us as an agency and as a community. The tremendous impact of COVID-19 highlighted the importance and strength of essential workers in our communities as well as exposed a lot of the socio-economic iniquities and disparities across our nation. It brought to the fore this idea of what is deemed as essential work and showcased the reverence, dedication and commitment that comes with answering the call of our most vulnerable populations – showing what is and always has been backbone of our society. As the world locked down and changed before our eyes, we were left to confront what we know is a necessary service to our community – the need for safe, decent, and affordable housing.
“We at ECC/HANH have a successful model of building community without walls. We do it by creating quality housing. We do it by creating communities where subsidized and market renters and homeowners live side by side invested together. We do it by offering the supports and services needed to help families dream of their future and then take the steps necessary to make those dreams happen. We do it inclusively, we do it together and we will continue to do it.”
We are proud to be part of the essential league of service people that serve over 6,100 households every day. During the year, we shifted protocols and operations to keep our residents and staff safe and we shifted the lens internally to find ways to fully embody our mission and vision by reexamining our strategies and reinvesting in our infrastructure. The quick-thinking and creative strategy of our team was not without its fair share of firsts, learning curves, and growing pains. Inevitably, there was also a lot of loss and mourning that we felt this year – in our communities and families – that still ripples in the work we do every day.
We became more aware that we are essential housing heroes on the frontline and that we have one of the most dedicated and knowledgeable teams in the industry. Many of our staff shifted to working remotely however many to this day have not physically left their posts despite the dangers that come with showing up in offices and residents’ homes. No matter where we work – we all wear the same pride that comes with our mission – to make a positive difference in the lives of residents of the City of New Haven and to create sustainable, affordable communities of choice.
Dr. Karen DuBois-Walton, President
Like many who are living through this time, we are forever changed by 2020. We learned many lessons along the way that have changed the way we do business for the better. We adapted, innovated, and provided the opportunities and fertile ground for lasting change. We looked at ourselves and leaned into our own values and collective vision. We maintained our focus and strengthened our partnerships. We grew as a team, together.
In this year’s annual report, we take a moment to pause and reflect upon some of this year’s takeaways and successes. We know that our work is not done and that it is just beginning in many ways. As we continue to answer our community’s call, we will also continue our journey towards advocacy, equity and the fight for meaningful housing policy change that are a mainstay of this agency’s essential work.
