CAHEC has released its fourth annual ESG Impact Report, detailing meaningful progress in sustainability, community investment, and organizational resilience throughout 2025. The report builds on prior years' foundations and now reflects the full scope of CAHEC and its affiliates—CAHEC Management, Inc. (CMI) and CAHEC Properties Corporation (CPC)—offering a clearer, more complete picture of how the organization advances its mission of thriving communities with affordable housing and equitable opportunities for all.
This year's report features a refreshed materiality assessment that incorporated perspectives from internal and external stakeholders across CAHEC and its affiliates. The updated assessment reinforces community impact as a core priority, providing a stronger foundation for CAHEC's ESG strategy and more accurately reflecting the organization's expanded scope and impact.
Key 2025 highlights include continued voluntary alignment with leading frameworks: the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB FN-AC), and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). CAHEC New Markets received a $75 million New Markets Tax Credit allocation from the U.S. Department of the Treasury's CDFI Fund, bringing cumulative NMTC awards to $345 million and investments to $270 million. These investments support high-distress communities, with actual and projected outcomes including more than 3,500 jobs created, 5,400 student seats, 1,650 childcare spots, and 662 shelter and recovery beds.
The organization also reported strong portfolio results: $162.1 million in equity raised, 39 communities and 1,650 units syndicated, $374,100 in community investment grants, and 4,694 residents served. Employee-driven community engagement through the Team Outreach program saw team members contribute 1,340 volunteer hours across 13 partner organizations.
Dana Boole, President & CEO of CAHEC, said, "Our refreshed materiality assessment confirms what drives us. Community is still at the core of everything we do, and our accountability to stakeholders matters more than ever. This report provides a stronger foundation to measure what matters and illustrate the full scope of CAHEC's impact."
The release of this report matters because it demonstrates CAHEC's commitment to transparency and accountability in its community investment efforts. The expanded materiality assessment ensures that stakeholder voices are heard, which can lead to more effective allocation of resources and better outcomes for the communities served. The significant New Markets Tax Credit allocation and the resulting job creation, educational opportunities, and support services underscore CAHEC's role in driving economic development in high-distress areas. For readers, this means increased access to affordable housing, employment, and essential services in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. The report also highlights CAHEC's voluntary alignment with global reporting standards, setting a benchmark for other community investment organizations. As CAHEC continues to expand its impact, stakeholders can expect greater accountability and measurable progress toward equitable opportunities for all. For more information about CAHEC's contributions to affordable housing and surrounding communities, visit CAHEC's website.
