The Community Builders 50th
Since its founding in 1964, Pat Clancy, Bob Whittlesly, and Bart Mitchell have led the non-profit development firm, launched in the South End. It's now operating nationwide to bring affordable and market-rate housing coupled with community services to struggling neighborhoods. Yesterday, they celebrated their 50th at the State Room downtown. Bob, 94, was TCB’s first director and expects to see new types of partnerships to bolster federal housing efforts. Pat, who followed him and served for 40 years, focused on building TCB into a lasting organization. Now Bart is expanding into new markets. The event raised $175,000 for Community Life, TCB’s resident services program.
US Secretary of HUD Shaun Donovan talks to TCB's Willie Jones. HUD participated in TCB’s first project and since then, the US poverty rate has fallen 40%, Shaun says. But apartment rents have spiraled so high, that we’re in the midst of the worst affordability crisis. Meanwhile, HUD’s budget has been cut in half. More than ever, HUD is searching for innovative solutions and “increasingly looks to TCB” to collaborate, Shaun says.
