MESSAGE FROM CDFI FUND DIRECTOR JODIE HARRIS

As the new Director of the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund), I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead an organization with such a strong history of facilitating investment and lending in distressed and underserved communities across the country.

It is also particularly exciting to be part of the CDFI Fund team again. I have worked with the CDFI Fund in various capacities over the last 12 years, and I know firsthand the dedication and talent the CDFI Fund staff bring to their jobs each day. I am proud to contribute to this important work!

Since it was established, the CDFI Fund has distributed almost $3.2 billion through a variety of award programs, allocated $54 billion in New Markets Tax Credits, and guaranteed $1.5 billion through the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program. At the same time, the CDFI network has grown by leaps and bounds to more than 1,100 certified CDFIs located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico.

CDFI Fund award recipients have successfully leveraged billions in private sector investment to create jobs, build affordable housing, build essential community facilities, provide financial counseling, and invest in neighborhood revitalization initiatives. Last year alone, CDFI Program awardees reported originating more than 280,000 loans and investments in excess of $11 billion; financing of more than 33,000 units of affordable housing; and funding nearly 16,000 businesses - all in distressed and underserved communities without access to traditional lending or banking institutions.

Maintaining this momentum will be my first priority as CDFI Fund Director.

I know there are many questions regarding the impact the recent government shutdown will have on the work of the CDFI Fund-compliance and reporting deadlines (including the availability of the CDFI Fund's Awards Management Information System (AMIS)), award announcements, and the opening of application rounds are just a few, among the many, concerns being raised.

CDFI Fund staff are working hard to ensure that the effects of the recent shutdown are minimized. However, the length of the shutdown requires that we take some time to assess, evaluate, and then implement a course of action to adjust for it. Please be assured that we will be in touch with updates and information in the very near future.

I look forward to working with all of you.

Jodie Harris
CDFI Fund Director