Hatha

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The North Texas Housing Coalition (NTHC), is a is a Dallas based 501 C3 non-profit HUD-approved housing counseling agency made up of more than 300 organizations and individuals working together to improve and increase affordable housing in the North Texas region.
For more than 19 years, the NTHC has provided leadership, guidance and education to both the public and private sectors on how housing affects issues such as healthcare, transportation, education and crime.
TACDC sat down with North Texas Housing Coalition Executive Director, Albert Martni, to learn more about NTHC.

How did NTHC get started?

Martin: "NTHC was founded in 1992 as the Dallas Affordable Housing Coalition. In 1994, they received a one million dollar HUD grant that was used to implement their strategic plan to increase the supply of affordable housing units in North Texas."

What were your greatest accomplishments last year?1

Martin: "The NTHC and Fannie Mae opened the new Mortgage Help Center (MHC) in North Texas. The MHC, in conjunction with the NTHC, will provide free counseling services for struggling homeowners who have loans owned by Fannie Mae. This new help center is important to North Texas and the communities we serve by providing a lifeline to families who might be facing foreclosure. "

What are your goals for this year?

Martin: "NTHC would like to service more than 2500 families through the Homeownership Center. They would also like to serve more than 400 individuals through the Financial Education Coaching program. NTHC would also like to see the capitalization of their community development financial institution."

What do you see as the most important issue for your community?

Martin: "We see the most important issue being the strategic plan for affordable housing in North Texas and the development and implementation of that plan. NTHC is a non-profit alliance of groups and individuals who are dedicated to increasing and improving affordable places to live within North Texas.
Our goal for NTHC is the developing and implementing of a broadly accepted vision and strategic plan for an adequate supply of affordable housing in North Texas. Our priority within the community is to proote safe, quality, and affordable working class housing in North Texas."

Tell us something about NTHC that others may not know.

Martin: "NTHC was designated as a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) certified homebuyer-counseling agency.
NTHC is an approved Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) homebuyer- counseling agency through The Enterprise Foundation."

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What do you enjoy most about working for NTHC?

Martin: "As executive director, I enjoy the opportunity to serve others. I enjoy helping others see a greater potential in themselves than what they might previously have thought. My passion is helping others and by working with those families and individuals who need it most, I am doing what I most love.

My proudest moment at NTHC was at the Housing Summit in 2004 – I am proud of all the success that the Housing Summit received that year."

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How can people get involved with NTHC?

Martin: "Join the North Texas Housing Coalition and be part of an influential voice in shaping the future of affordable, working class housing public policy. Grow professionally through attendance at our annual housing summit and educational programs with presentations by housing and community leaders.
Attend our monthly membership meetings and take advantage of networking opportunities with our growing network of affordable housing professionals and community leaders."

What events should interested organizations and individuals attend?

Martin: "Since 1998, the NTHC has been hosting a Housing Summit which is a daylong information sharing and business education forum that helps to develop big picture solutions to affordable, working class housing issues in North Texas. This Summit is open to the public. "

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TACDC would like to perosnally thank Mr. Albert Martin for taking the time out of his schedule to talk with us, and we encourage all of our members to become a member of North Texas Housing Coalition.

For more informaion on NTHC please visit their website at www.NTHCINC.org.
To contact Albert Martin, please email him at amartin@nthcinc.org