Building Beyond Barriers | 2024 Annual Report

BEYOND BARRIERS BUILDING

2024

renewal, revitalization, and resilience

BUILDING BEYOND BARRIERS

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN & CEO

W. Spencer Ragland Chairman of the Board

As we look ahead to 2025, we are honored to celebrate Navigate Affordable Housing Partners’ 45th anniversary.

Lisa McCarroll President & CEO

For over four decades, our commitment to expanding housing options, revitalizing communities, and empowering individuals has only strengthened This milestone reflects our team’s dedication, the support of our partners, and the resilience of those we serve. We have consistently built beyond barriers, overcome challenges, and made a difference for thousands of families.

In 2024, our focus on renewal, revitalization, and resilience delivered impactful results across our core initiatives We engaged in critical community development and further reinforced our partnerships at the federal, state, and local levels Through our efforts, we reaffirm our mission to ensure that everyone has access to safe, healthy, and revitalized housing

Some of the highlights from 2024 include:

Transforming North Titusville Statewide Housing Support Performance-Based Contract Administration (PBCA) Bessemer Emergency Repair Program

45 YEARS OF SERVICE

As we celebrate our 45th anniversary in 2025, we remain focused on our future: building more robust, more resilient communities and ensuring that affordable housing is accessible We look forward to continuing this journey with you and, together, creating meaningful and lasting change for generations to come.

Spencer & Lisa

OUR BOARD

Lenus Perkins

Hugo Isom

Teresa Shufflebarger Perry Shuttlesworth

W. Spencer Ragland Chairman

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING: FEDERAL

Ensuring Access to Affordable Housing

At Navigate Affordable Housing Partners, our government contracting work is more than a responsibility it’s a lifeline for individuals, families, and seniors across the nation Every voucher represents stability for a family, a safe place for a child to grow, or a senior aging with dignity in their home Through close collaboration with key stakeholders, we ensure that affordable housing is not just a concept but a reality for over 84,000 households

SECTION 8 PAYMENTS: PERFORMANCE-BASED CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR

Behind every dollar we disburse is a story- a family staying off the streets, a single mother rebuilding her life, or an elderly couple finding peace in their golden years. By ensuring compliance with HUD regulations and providing vital support to property owners and agents, we are not only administering housing programs we are revitalizing communities, fostering stability, and creating opportunities for a better future.

At Navigate, we understand that owning and managing affordable housing isn’t just a financial responsibility It’s a commitment to providing stability and opportunity for families in need We also know that challenges like vacancies, unpaid rent, and tenant damages can create financial strain Last year, we paid owners $1.7 million in claims.

TOTAL: $1,650,383

MANAGEMENT & OCCUPANCY REVIEWS

Every family deserves a safe, quality place to call home. Management and Occupancy Reviews (MORs) ensure properties meet the standards for safe, compliant housing. These reviews help protect families from unsafe living conditions and ensure landlords uphold their commitment to providing secure, stable homes.

TOTAL: 530 MORs

RESIDENT CONCERNS

Behind every concern is a family seeking stability and support. At Navigate, we recognize that addressing resident concerns is essential for maintaining safe, high-quality housing and fostering trust in our communities Whether it’s resolving maintenance issues, clarifying lease terms, or addressing safety concerns, we work closely with residents and property managers to find solutions that protect families and uphold the integrity of affordable housing We address three primary types of resident concerns, shown below with examples

Life-Threatening

Urgent risks to safety

Gas leaks

Electrical hazards

Blocked windows/doors

Non-Life-Threatening

Concerns affecting housing quality

Peeling paint

Missing handrails

ResidentComplaints

Harassment & fraud

Not accepting applications

Bribery

EDUCATION & INFORMATION

Our website, NavigateHousing.com, continues to be a trusted hub for information, reaching thousands across the country. Tuesday Tips, our award-winning weekly video series, empowers industry professionals, while the Knowing More series helps residents better understand their rights and responsibilities.

In 2024, our reach and engagement soared.

99,000+ visitors accessed NavigateHousing.com for guidance.

55K+ views and 1.7K hours of watch time on YouTube.

7,000+ views on the “Knowing More” episode about tenant background checks.

7.23% engagement rate on LinkedIn, surpassing nonprofit industry benchmarks

Navigate administers the Critical Repair Program for the City of Bessemer using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.

For one Bessemer resident, caring for her adult brother, who has Down Syndrome, has always been a labor of love. But the steep front steps of their home posed a daily challenge, making it difficult and often unsafe for her brother to come and go freely

“He loves his ramp,” she shares. “I’m not afraid for my brother to come out and go by himself anymore. Before, I had to be behind him or in front of him on the stairs. Now, I just let him come on out and go down the ramp. It’s great!”

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Breathing New Life Into North Titusville

In 2024, our focus on renewal, revitalization, and resilience took on new meaning, marking a transformative year Through innovative construction methods, cultural preservation, and economic activation, Navigate Communities, LLC, breathed new life into North Titusville We turned challenges into opportunities for a thriving, resilient community. Our approach shattered barriers by delivering sustainable, affordable housing, and igniting economic growth.

Fortis: Efficiency, Sustainability, and Affordability

This year's flagship project involved Navigate Communities’ construction of four new homes using SIPs in the Goldwire Heights subdivision These homes represent the future of affordable housing The Fortis model incorporates energy efficiency, sustainability, and reduced build times while maintaining affordability SIPs allow homes to be built in as little as 45 days, a fraction of the time for traditional construction, typically lasting 4-6 months

Implementing SIPs in North Titusville showcases a proactive response to the nationwide affordable housing shortage, which calls for 7 million new housing units. These homes provide immediate shelter and also reduce utility bills, thanks to superior insulation and energy efficiency This solution allows middle-income families to thrive in the housing market

Preserving the Past: Rehabilitating Older Homes

Alongside the SIP homes, we rehabilitated several older homes in North Titusville. Many of these homes, while structurally sound, had fallen into disrepair due to decades of neglect. Our rehabilitation focused on restoring these homes to livable conditions and preserving their historical and cultural significance.

This preservation effort aligns with our broader goal of community stabilization. Restoring these homes both for rent and for sale ensures long-term affordability for local residents while maintaining the neighborhood's unique architectural and cultural fabric By retaining these structures, we help preserve the identity of North Titusville while providing modern, safe, and affordable housing options that will continue to benefit the community for years

Economic Development at Marc Steel

One of the most transformative developments in North Titusville this year is the activation of the Marc Steel site This former industrial site has been repurposed into a hub of economic and cultural activity Throughout 2024, the site hosted various community-based programs, including markets, workforce training sessions, and pop-up events that have brought new jobs and economic opportunities to the area.

The Marc Steel site also became home to the groundbreaking Joe Minter is Here exhibit. This immersive art installation showcased over 30 pieces of never-before-exhibited work by the renowned artist

Joe Minter is Here/Titusville Community Day

Folk Artist Joe Minter at Marc Steel

TITUSVILLE EMPOWERMENT SERIES

Helping Inform the Community

At Navigate Affordable Housing Partners, we are committed to improving the quality of life for the residents of Titusville, particularly our elderly population. The Titusville Empowerment Series represents a vital part of that commitment, offering a series of workshops designed to empower residents with essential knowledge on issues that directly impact their well-being and security.

From financial literacy to understanding legal guardianship, we aim to provide practical tools that help our seniors maintain independence and safeguard their futures. These sessions, hosted at the Titusville Library, include discussions on managing finances, avoiding scams, handling debt collectors, and learning about elder abuse prevention

This series is about empowering individuals and

-ERICFANCHER,COUNSELANDCOMPLIANCEOFFICER

Eight Sessions, including: Financial Literacy Workshops

Legal Guardianship Information

Elder Abuse Prevention

Avoiding Scams and Identity Theft

ASSET MANAGEMENT

Navigate Asset Management (NAM) is our property management division, dedicated to expanding affordable housing opportunities.

FOUR WINDS EAST

14 one-bedroom units

Elderly and disabled residents

5TH COURT COTTAGES

12 two-bedroom units

Single-family cottages

ST. CHARLES VILLAS

112 two to four bedroom units

Multifamily townhomes

NAVIGATE GIVES BACK

Support

Nonprofits

Support for 5 Nonprofits 2 First-time Recipients

Housing & Rental Assistance

In 2024, Navigate Affordable Housing Partners invested $4 7 million to support community revitalization and empower individuals across Alabama, Mississippi, Connecticut, and Virginia through Navigate Gives Back grants.

EDUCATION

At Navigate, we believe that strong schools are the foundation of thriving communities. Since 2019, we have proudly partnered with Booker T. Washington K-8 School in Titusville, providing ongoing support for general academics and STEM education both inside and outside the classroom