Congratulations to the three HAN members, Kaiser Permanente (Hawai’i), Memorial Hermann Health System, and SSM Health who completed the Expanding Place-based Investing Cohort (EPIC), co-led by HAN and the Center for Community Investment. EPIC teams worked together over 18 months to understand community investment needs and frameworks, develop impactful community partnerships, and build a place-based investing strategy that advances positive community health outcomes. Key outcomes include:
- Kaiser Permanente coordinated efforts with local funders, community partners, and government officials to address barriers to affordable housing development, and piloted a training and technical assistance program for nonprofit affordable housing developers. Coupled with a $10 million investment to rebuild up to 32 homes in fire-stricken Maui, this investment is helping to shape a long-term strategy for developing workforce housing in the Hawaii market.
- Memorial Hermann Health System committed $10 million for affordable housing in Houston, strengthened banking and community partnerships, and increased organizational capacity to advance place-based investing and other anchor mission commitments.
- SSM Health met with a broad range of community stakeholders, secured an allocation for place-based investing, and developed the necessary policies and guidelines for place-based investment within their organization.