Community Housing Partners is collaborating with two NeighborWorks organizations to create a curriculum for a web-based, green property management training program. A $150,000 grant from NeighborWorks America’s Collaborative Model program will aid efforts made by the collaboration between CHP, Community HousingWorks of San Diego, Calif. and Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership. The group will work together to create an online education program that will teach environmentally-responsible management skills to  property managers .

Here is the press release from Community Housing Partners.

Christiansburg, Va. – With a $150,000 grant from NeighborWorks America’s Collaborative Model program, Community Housing Partners (CHP) will work for the next two years with two additional NeighborWorks organizations to assemble and develop curriculum for a comprehensive web-based, green property management training program.

CHP, Community HousingWorks (CHW) of San Diego, California; and Slayton, Minnesota-based Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership (SWMHP) are teaming up to create a unique distance-learning education program focused on environmentally-responsible property management education and training.  The pilot program will be developed and delivered over an 18-month period and will initially impact over 7,000 multi-family rental homes across six states and five climate zones.

By leveraging the three organizations’ combined expertise in green affordable housing property management, eco-friendly construction, energy efficiency, and environmental stewardship, the collaborative will create and implement a comprehensive, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-approved curriculum for the Credential for Green Property Management™ (CGPM™)—a certification established by the National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) and National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI).

CHP will become a HUD Office of Affordable Preservation (OAHP)-recognized trainer and offer classroom-based training to NeighborWorks member organizations.  Additionally, CHP will utilize its experienced staff to create a digital curricula platform which will allow the information to be readily accessible via the web and customized to serve maintenance and property management staff (either in-house or third party), regardless of geography, climate, and property type.

“We are thrilled about the opportunity to partner with other NeighborWorks organizations who share our commitment to sustainability,” said CHP Director of Corporate Development Kimberly Strahm.  “Our goal is for property managers to understand that environmental stewardship does not end when a building is completed. In order to ensure a property’s long-term sustainability, it is important that management and maintenance staff are properly trained and actively engaged in on-going maintenance and preservation. It is equally critical that these staff involve the residents in the charge to create a healthy and green living environment.  We think this collaborative effort will be very effective in achieving that objective.”

About NeighborWorks America
For nearly 35 years, NeighborWorks America has created opportunities for people to improve their lives and strengthen their communities by providing access to homeownership and to safe and affordable rental housing. In the last five years, NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $19.5 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation’s leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals.  For more information, go to www.nw.org.

About Community HousingWorks (CHW)
Founded in 1982, Community HousingWorks (CHW) combines the proud history of Community Housing of North County and San Diego NHS, which merged in 2002. CHW helps people and communities move up in the world through opportunities to own, rent and achieve.  CHW activities include: building and maintaining multi-family affordable housing developments; providing asset-building classes and coaching; offering realty and lending services; supporting youth education; and building leadership skills through training and support. Together, these programs help clients own, rent, and achieve. CHW’s comprehensive service model reaches over 8,000 children and adults annually.  Additional information may be found at www.chworks.org.

About Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership
The Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership is a nonprofit community development corporation serving thirty counties in rural Minnesota whose mission is to create thriving places to live, grow, and work through partnerships with communities.  The Partnership strives to make homeownership possible for more people by designing and building quality homes at affordable prices; maintains the vitality of small communities through the rehabilitation of homes, rentals, and businesses; and supports communities by sharing its expertise.  For more information, visit www.swmhp.org.

About Community Housing Partners
Community Housing Partners (CHP) is a 501(c)(3) community development corporation established in 1975 to serve the needs of low-income  and low-wealth individuals in the southeast. Our mission is to create affordable, green, sustainable housing opportunities and services for the people and communities we serve. CHP’s activities include sustainable development, architectural design, construction, energy services, homeownership, housing management, and resident and youth services.

CHP is a chartered member of NeighborWorks® America, and a member of both the Housing Partnership Network and the Federation of Appalachian Housing Enterprises.  To learn more about CHP, visit www.communityhousingpartners.org.