Unlocking Potential: Lowering Barriers and Empowering Emerging Developers

This presentation will review an evaluation report by the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund of Minnesota’s efforts from 2021–2025 to pair Emerging Developer Programs with Naturally Occurring Affordable Housing (NOAH) Preservation initiatives. It will explore recommendations for creating an inclusive environment for emerging real estate developers by directly addressing barriers to entry. Through case studies, it will highlight the successes of GMHF and other ecosystem partners in investing over $59.5 million to support emerging developers and their projects.

Attendees will learn about multiple pathways into the industry, technical assistance, innovative financing solutions, public-private partnerships, grant programs, and tailored supports that increase access for new or small-scale developers. It is a call to action to take steps towards creating a development landscape that builds the capacity of emerging developers and increases affordable housing production.

The presenter will be Irene Ruiz-Briseño, Senior Program Manager with the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund. She is responsible for all aspects of GMHF’s Emerging Developers Program, and plans, implements, and coordinates all program activities, including providing technical assistance and connecting participants to grantmaking and financing. She also serves as Vice Chair on the Minnesota Habitat for Humanity Board and as Treasurer on the Affordable Housing Connections Board. Irene has a Bachelor of Arts in Planning and Community Development from Saint Cloud State University and completed the Affordable Housing Leadership Graduate Certificate Program at Hamline University. She is also a certified Housing Development Finance Professional with Grow America (formerly the National Development Council).

This free event is part of a monthly seminar sponsored by Destination Medical Center and the City of Rochester.