Over 150 bankers, community development leaders, real estate brokers, organizational heads, NHS homeowners and individuals from various communities turned out for NHS' annual meeting luncheon held at the Radisson Miami.

Keynote speaker Jaimie Ross, Affordable Housing Director for 1000 Friends of Florida, spoke about Sadowski Act legislative updates and affordable housing scenarios. Ross strongly encouraged the audience to continue advocating for affordable housing.

Generously funded by area banks and businesses, sponsors included:

City Builders ($5,000 and above)
Bank United
Commercebank
HSBC Bank U.S.A.

Neighborhood Builders ($2,500 to $4,999)
Citi Bank
Great Florida Bank
Washington Mutual

Block Builders ($1,500 to $2,499)
BankAtlantic
Delta Bank
MFM Construction Corporation
Neighborhood Lending Partners
Regions Mortgage
Republic Federal

Mistress of Ceremonies Patricia Algaze, who is also Vice-Chair of the NHS Board, introduced Oliver Gross, Chair of the 79th Street Corridor Initiative and Director of Development for the Urban League of Greater Miami, who delivered the invocation.

With live jazz generating ambiance and business networking galore, guests lunched on delicious chicken and vegetables, topped with keylime pie. Executive Director Arden Shank touched on the past year's achievements, stating: “It is thanks to the infusion of professionalism and enthusiasm by dedicated staff, and the unswerving commitment of our financial supporters that we have been able to achieve what we have." Shank also touched on NHS Housing Development LLC's building projects in Brownsville, North Miami, and Homestead, with additional potential in East Little Havana and Florida City. With the foreclosure rate in Florida being one of the highest in the country, he also mentioned NHS' efforts that include participation in NeighbowWorks® America's Ad Council Campaign. Part of NHS' outreach discussed also included the formation of a South Florida Homeownership Preservation Task Force with Ana Cruz-Taura, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Miami Branch.

Demonstrating visible results of homeownership training and lending, new homeowners Juan Rojas, Rioz Razzi and Emilean Harrell were presented with gift certificates.

Planning Committee Members included Board Members Maria-Lee Forbes, Ramona Exum, Beverly Kovach, and Luldina Quinones. Geraldine Evans also donated her time on the committee.