Our Equity Statement

At HDC, our goal is to make equity as much a part of our everyday operations as it is a part of our work to provide equitable access to stable, safe and affordable housing. We believe that empowering marginalized communities requires acknowledging racism’s presence and centering equity.

In January 2018, HDC partnered with the Center for Equity and Inclusion for a year-long training and facilitation on racial equity. This work has been one of the most difficult things we’ve taken on. We knew it would be a challenge, and it has made us stronger. Through this work we have learned that "equity" is just a word unless we are willing to change how we operate. Embracing equity requires us to think and act in ways that are different from business as usual; more than just examining our intentions, it’s about understanding our impact. We have had to slow down to understand the individual, cultural, and institutional forces that cause and perpetuate racial disparities.

We began our equity journey with an intentional focus on race and racism. We acknowledge that we need to take a thoughtful look at how race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, class, disability status, geography, age and other identities experience bias and oppression. And we acknowledge that racism is embedded in the institutions and systems within the affordable housing industry, within HDC, within our communities, and within ourselves.

A large part of our equity work includes a deep dive into seeing how white culture and white privilege are at play every day. We continue to explore the dominant white culture traits at HDC and how these traits work to create unspoken advantages for those with power. To counteract these advantages, we recognize the need to position ourselves as learners so that we keep asking questions, not assuming we know the answers.

We know that this will require us to slow down and be vulnerable. We are committed to approaching our daily work in a different way. One that promotes inclusive decision making, providing and being willing to receive feedback, and calling out racial and power inequities. 

We see our role as working to create a culture at HDC where taking time to ask questions and build relationship with each other and our partners is the norm. 

We believe that positioning ourselves as learners, slowing down, and nurturing strong relationships will lower barriers to equity so that all people can experience safety, health and prosperity. We will do our best to share the power and resources that come with being part of HDC. We expect it will be uncomfortable. We acknowledge that we do not have all the answers. We will learn from our mistakes. This work is worth it. Our shared future is at stake.