Part 1: In this episode of ChangeMakers, Katies speaks with Frank Woodruff, Executive Director of the Community Opportunity Alliance, who shares his journey from a small Wisconsin tourist town to becoming a champion for community-based development. Frank discusses the “80-20 dilemma” in community development funding, where 80% of resources go to only 20% of organizations, and highlights the rising insurance costs threatening affordable housing projects. He explores the impact of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) on neighborhood revitalization, offering examples from Detroit’s urban renewal to Youngstown’s neighborhood restoration. Frank provides insights into the challenges and opportunities in federal funding for community development, emphasizing the need for program evolution to meet changing community needs. The episode showcases the transformative power of community development organizations and the pressing issues they face in shaping America’s communities. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the vital role local initiatives play in community development and the complexities of funding and implementing these crucial projects.

Part 2: In the second part of the ChangeMakers podcast, Frank Woodruff discusses the rebranding of his organization to the Community Opportunity Alliance, inspired by a moment of reflection during the summer of 2020. He shares the organization’s goals, including doubling in size over the next three years and increasing engagement with private philanthropy to support community development. Frank emphasizes the importance of addressing inequities in the field, particularly for organizations led by people of color. He highlights recent successes, such as changes to the HOME program and increased visibility for insurance issues affecting affordable housing. He concludes by emphasizing the bipartisan nature of affordable housing issues and the opportunities for progress in the coming years.