Community Development Voice is an initiative of the Community Opportunity Alliance, a national nonprofit that builds the community development field. Local community developers speak out on key issues affecting our field and the communities they serve. We share their insights with decision makers and the media.

President Trump’s Inaugural Address

President Trump said “the golden age for America begins now” in his inaugural address. A group of community developers gathered immediately after the address to discuss how Trump's vision could affect pressing challenges like affordable housing, small business growth, and revitalizing lower-income communities. Here are some quotes from their discussion. 

National Community Development Association Leader

"For decades, community development organizations have partnered with the private sector to build affordable homes, support small businesses, and stimulate local economies in communities historically overlooked by the market. This work empowers communities with dignity and agency, allowing them to shape their own futures, while paving the road for more robust private market investment."

"The President’s call for support of Black and Hispanic communities – and his vision for broader American unity – offer an essential moment to invest in the organizations and solutions that work. We hope the next four years offer an opportunity to strengthen the role of community development organizations in advancing opportunity and local economic growth."

"Community development organizations are the trusted bridge between local needs and national priorities. President Trump called for improving conditions in American communities, particularly in urban areas. We hope that this administration will work hand-in-hand with us to drive economic growth."

- Frank Woodruff, Executive Director, Community Opportunity Alliance, Washington, DC

Community Development Financial Institution Leader

“In a merit-based system, economic disparities by race and class too often persist. Community development organizations operate where these inequities are most acute and must be central to the solution to ensure no people or places are excluded from opportunity at the outset.”

"Affordable housing is vital to the business community. To make homes more affordable, we need to combine private investment, public subsidies, immigrant labor, stable supply chains, and solutions to skyrocketing insurance. Community developers are ready, but policymakers must ensure these pieces are in place." 

“Getting down to brass tacks, affordable housing is vital to the business community. If you have an employee and they have no place to go home at night, it’s bad for your business and bad for the economy."

- Katy Davenport, Chief Strategy Officer, CommunityWorks, Greenville, South Carolina 

Micro-Business Lender and Capacity Builder

“I was expecting to hear about small business in the speech. Small businesses employ over half of America’s workforce and are the lifeblood of regional economies. Community development organizations play a critical role in helping these businesses succeed, creating jobs and opportunities where they’re needed most."

- Kersy Azocar, President & CEO, Greenline Access Capital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Nonprofit Leader Supporting Latina Entrepreneurs

“I’m concerned that affordable housing wasn’t raised. Because the market is out of balance here in Hillsborough County, Florida. The average price of a home is $350,000 and $45,000 is the average salary. A subsidy of $150,000 is necessary to make the average home affordable.  Without subsidies, affordable housing would come to a screeching halt.”

"Just as we bring people together across political and class lines in our communities, we must extend that same effort nationally. Instead of letting our issues divide us, our shared values should unite us. Building new relationships in places of power is essential to advancing our work."

- Liz Gutierrez, CEO & Founder, Enterprising Latinas, Inc., Wimauma, Florida

Housing Counseling Organization Leader

"I just want decision-makers in Washington to play nice." 

“I felt President Trump’s speech was hopeful. He talked about serving all Americans. This is in line with community work.”

- Sandy Deters, Housing Counseling Coordinator, Embarras River Basin Agency, Inc., Greenup, IL