Board Member Spotlight: Jennifer Anderson

Tell us about your background and why you care about expanding housing opportunities.

Income and opportunity gaps continue to widen. I believe the current economic system shuts out too many people from opportunity, including access to safe and affordable housing.  

The Great Recession brought forward the abusive capital deployment practices in the housing market, with underserved communities the primary victims. After working for many years in the global financial sector, focusing on the mortgage market, my passion for change and justice was ignited after the 2008 housing crisis. 

I currently serve as president of Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF), a national nonprofit working to address social and economic inequity through the creation of new financial solutions that help empower people, build sustainable communities, and inspire systemic change.

Why were you interested in serving on the Family Housing Fund board?

I share the belief that a home is the necessary foundation for health and sustainability. Family Housing Fund’s work and mission is even more important today as we work to address the economic and social challenges spotlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest. Too many people are at risk of losing their homes, and communities of color have been disproportionately impacted. Family Housing Fund serves as a convener for this region, bringing voices together in order to challenge the status quo and bring about change at multiple layers of the housing ecosystem. 

What housing aspirations do you have for the region?

I believe we need to help create strong local ecosystems that holistically support the people who call our region home. Health, housing, and wealth disparities are connected and to truly solve for these challenges, we need bold ideas that drive systemic change.

What is one area where you think people generally fail to think big enough – and what is your vision for change?

We have an opportunity to drive systemic change that solves for the biggest challenges contributing to social and economic inequity in our region. Often, we create solutions that address the problem in front of us but not the underlining causes of these disparities.  To achieve systemic change calls for collaboration – working together with partners and stakeholders in community.  Family Housing Funds is that catalyst for change. 

What do you do for fun?

In my free time, I enjoy cooking and traveling!