Greenlining Fund
With leadership from a Community Advisory Committee, Front Porch Investments’ Greenlining Fund aims to provide intentional reinvestment and direct resources to create homeownership and prevent displacement in areas that have experienced historical disinvestment due to redlining or other disadvantages. It seeks to provide ‘purchase-to-payoff’ support for homeowners and prospective homebuyers in formerly redlined Omaha neighborhoods.
The Greenlining Fund was created in response to needs identified in the 2021 Housing Affordability in the Omaha and Council Bluffs Area Housing Affordability, Needs, and Priorities Assessment. Because this fund focuses on specific geographic areas, heavily populated by historically excluded voices, Front Porch Investments prioritizes participatory grantmaking and program design through a Community Advisory Committee which guides grantmaking and shapes the direction of the Greenlining Fund's initiatives.
Greenlining Fund History
- Fall 2022: Front Porch Investments launched recruitment for the first Cohort of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC). The committee was tasked with informing Greenlining Fund decisions through a participatory grantmaking approach, amplifying community voices in the decision-making process.
- Summer 2023: The CAC used Greenlining Funds to launch a Home Equity Loan Fund (HELF) pilot program, offering 0% interest loans of up to $50,000 to eligible homeowners for home repairs and improvements. This pilot program aimed to stabilize households and address critical housing needs.
- Fall 2024: CAC members concluded the HELF pilot, evaluated its impact and made recommendations for future Greenlining Fund investments. The CAC awarded grant funds to two organizations to launch a no-cost home repair and renovation program for low-income homeowners. The CAC also funded one organization to increase awareness of property tax relief through Nebraska's Homestead Exemption program, reducing property tax burdens for older, low-income homeowners in revitalized neighborhoods.
Community Advisory Committee
Front Porch Investments is committed to equitable redistribution of power and fostering meaningful, equitable partnerships. These values are exemplified through the establishment and ongoing development of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC).
The CAC is composed of individuals from communities historically and currently impacted by redlining and systemic disinvestment. Their lived experience and expertise play a pivotal role in shaping the funding strategies implemented through the Greenlining Fund.
Equitable power distribution is a cornerstone of this approach. With support and resources provided by FPI, the CAC actively informs funding priorities, grantmaking policies, and the strategic direction of the Greenlining Fund. The CAC also plays a key role in decisions about its own membership and future evolution, ensuring that the process remains community-driven and inclusive.
Greenlining Fund Initiatives
The Greenlining Fund, guided by the Community Advisory Council (CAC), is committed to supporting prospective and current homeowners with a focus on wealth creation and displacement prevention. Our current investments include:
Home Repair and Renovation
Forgivable Home Repair Loans
Launched in summer 2023, the Home Equity Loan Fund (HELF) pilot program provided zero-interest financing for eligible households earning under 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI) to make necessary repairs and renovations without financial strain.
No-Cost Home Repair Grants
In 2024, the CAC introduced a no-cost home repair program to assist homeowners earning under 80% AMI. Grants provide funding for critical home renovations and repairs, fostering stability for vulnerable households. In fall 2024, the CAC awarded grants to two nonprofit partners to administer the program and reach eligible homeowners.
Property Tax Relief
In 2024, the CAC awarded a grant to Volunteers Assisting Seniors to raise awareness of Nebraska's Homestead Exemption program, which helps older, low-income homeowners in formerly redlined neighborhoods receive property tax relief to avoid displacement
Down Payment Assistance
Recognizing the barriers to homeownership, the CAC released a comprehensive Down Payment Assistance Resource Guide to help prospective homeowners navigate available funding opportunities and programs for financing their home purchases.
