New Orleans, LA – August 27, 2025 — Community Housing Capital (CHC) celebrated its 25th anniversary with a festive Customer Appreciation Event during the NeighborWorks America NeighborWorks Training Institute, drawing borrowers, investors, and partners from across the country.
The evening, hosted by Dana Chestnut, CHC’s Chief Lending Officer, and Debra Turner, CHC’s Chief Loan Administrator, featured music, networking, and a spirited awards program honoring the organizations and partners shaping affordable housing nationwide. The program also spotlighted CHC staff and Board members, whose leadership is critical to advancing the organization’s mission, and included remarks from featured speakers such as Marietta Rodriguez, President & CEO of NeighborWorks America.
Hosts Debra Turner and Dana Chestnut pose for photo
Embracing the spirit of the city, the celebration carried a New Orleans theme, complete with live entertainment by a local band led by jazz vocalist Naydja CoJoe. The event also featured impact videos produced by Viewpoint Project, showcasing interviews with borrowers as well as residents whose lives have been transformed by affordable housing investments. The event was made possible with support from event sponsors JP Morgan Chase and U.S. Bank.
Jazz vocalist Naydja CoJoe and band perform at CHC’s Customer Appreciation Event in NOLA.
Borrowers Take Center Stage The program spotlighted CHC’s customers with awards in several categories, each carrying a cash prize to support their ongoing work. Winners included:
- DHIC (NC): Customer History Award ($5,000)
- CAPC / New Jersey Community Capital (NJ): Best Single-Family Strategy ($5,000)
- DreamKey Partners (NC): Best Multi-Family Strategy ($5,000)
- Self-Help Enterprises (CA): Best Preservation Strategy ($5,000)
- Comite de Bien Estar (AZ): Best Overall Community Development Strategy ($10,000)
Marietta Rodriguez, President & CEO of NeighborWorks America, and Julie Porter, President of DreamKey Partners, present the $10,000 CHC Community Development Strategy Award to Tony Reyes of Comite de Bien Estar.
Together, these organizations represent decades of work building and preserving affordable homes, creating ownership opportunities, and advancing housing policy across the nation.
Advocacy Recognized
CHC also presented a special award to highlight the importance of policy leadership in advancing affordable housing. The National NeighborWorks Association (DC) received the Policy Strategy Award ($5,000) for its unwavering advocacy. NNA’s board and staff have championed federal funding, regulatory reform, and policy priorities that strengthen NeighborWorks organizations and expand affordable housing opportunities nationwide.
Investors Recognized for Commitment
In addition to borrower awards, CHC introduced Investor Awards to honor the institutions whose patient, mission-driven capital has fueled CHC’s lending over the years. This year’s honorees were:
- JP Morgan Chase: Best Investor in CHC and in Transactions
- Bon Secours Mercy Health: Best Non-Bank Investor
- Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta: Best Government Sponsored Enterprise (GSE) Partner
These investors exemplify creativity, persistence, and mission alignment, making it possible for CHC and our borrowers to deliver impact nationwide.
A Milestone Moment
The New Orleans event was both a celebration and a reflection on CHC’s journey since 2000. Over 25 years, CHC has financed affordable housing developments across the country, helping thousands of families access stable, affordable homes. The anniversary gathering underscored the vital role of partnerships between lenders, developers, investors and advocates in tackling the nation’s housing challenges.
A wonderful mix of event attendees…CHC staff, board members, award winners, and friends captured together.