As Commissioner Ann Green completes her eight years of service on the Housing Catalyst Board of Commissioners, we wanted to uplift her contributions to Housing Catalyst. Commissioner Green has been an unwavering voice for residents. For years, she has walked across the street from her home at the Village on Bryan to monthly Board meetings at the Housing Catalyst office on Mountain Avenue. We are grateful for her dedication to the organization.
Looking back at her time on the Board, Commissioner Green says:
“It’s been fun for me, and I will never regret it. I’m so fortunate to have been in this position and had this opportunity. I’ve meet so many wonderful people and learned so much!”
Commissioner Green will continue to be involved in guiding Housing Catalyst as a member of the Audit & Finance Committee when her term ends in January 2025. Visit the Housing Catalyst’s Board of Commissioners page to learn more about the Board and the current Commissioners.
“I Will Treasure This Experience”
Commissioner Green has lived in many different cities across the country and moved to Fort Collins in 2010. She came to visit her sister for six weeks, and when her sister asked her to stay, she did! Commissioner Green moved into Village on Elizabeth, where she stayed for six months before moving to Village on Bryan. She says Fort Collins has become her home, and her work as a Commissioner is one of the ways she gives back to her community.
With a background in finance, Commissioner Green has enjoyed learning from current CFO Tonya Frammolino, and previous CFO, Duane Hopkins. Meeting the members of the Board and getting to know the variety of professions and backgrounds they bring has been her favorite part of her time. She says, “I will treasure this experience.”
Shifting the Perspective on Affordable Housing
One of Commissioner Green’s favorite memories from her time on the board was being involved in choosing the new name for the organization, Housing Catalyst. The agency was originally formed in 1971 as the Fort Collins Housing Authority. In 2017, it was time for a new name that better described the expanded scope of our work.
The rebranding from the Fort Collins Housing Authority to Housing Catalyst reflects broader changes in how affordable housing is perceived. While we remain the Public Housing Authority serving Fort Collins, Wellington, and Larimer County, we are also a mission-driven real estate developer building and preserving affordable homes, and the largest property manager in Northern Colorado.
Commissioner Green reflects on the changing perspectives around affordable housing:
“Growing up, when I thought of housing, I didn’t think of sophistication. It was just the stigma. Which was sad, because affordable housing isn’t like that. And it definitely isn’t like that now!
I think the stigma is gone, and I like that. When I tell people I live in an affordable housing community, they want to know more about it. They want to know my experience. And when I tell them I serve on the Board of Commissioners, they ask questions and want to know more. I think that’s pretty cool.”
Historically, public housing has often been underfunded, leading to stigma as homes fell into disrepair. However, innovative solutions from entrepreneurial housing authorities have helped transform the image of affordable housing. Modern homes with affordable rents emphasize sustainability and community integration. Programs like the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) support developers in creating high-quality affordable housing that seamlessly integrates into market-rate neighborhoods.
Community organizations and advocacy efforts have also played a significant role in changing perspectives around affordable housing. Everyone deserves access to homes they can afford, and Housing Catalyst residents come from all walks of life — working families, seniors, veterans, people aging out of foster care, teachers, public servants, and more. As stories of residents, like Commissioner Green, become more visible, public opinion continues to shift.
Housing prices continue to rise and place a significant strain on our community. In Fort Collins, more than 60% of renters are considered “cost-burdened,” spending more than 30% of their income on housing. Only 5% of Fort Collins’ overall housing stock is considered affordable.
Nationwide, there is growing recognition that housing affordability is a widespread issue affecting people of many income levels. This broader understanding has led to more inclusive discussions about housing policy and greater support for diverse housing solutions.
Commissioner Green and other members of the Housing Catalyst Board of Commissioners have been integral in building a positive view of affordable housing in Northern Colorado and creating healthy, diverse, and resilient communities.
Advice for the Next Commissioner
Overall, Commissioner Green said the most meaningful part of her time on the Board of Commissioners was the people she met, not just on the Board, but through the Board. She was able to attend conferences as part of her service, and she learned how housing authorities across the county are creatively addressing challenges in their own communities.
“This has been an amazing learning experience for me. Before serving on the Board, I never knew any of this existed. When I’ve gone to conferences, people recognize Housing Catalyst, and we’re known nationwide. We’ve won awards and I’m proud to have been a part of it.”
Commissioner Green’s advice for the next commissioner is something we can all take with us going forward into our lives:
“Listen and learn, and remember, there is no dumb question. The only dumb question is the one that’s not asked. At today’s board meeting, I had more questions than you could shake a stick at. And I learned a lot because I asked them! Go to meetings. Ask questions.”
Looking Ahead
Even in retirement, Commissioner Ann Green likes to stay busy. She will continue to bring her experience to Housing Catalyst’s Audit & Finance Committee. She says, “It’s going to keep me busy, which I like.”
We’re grateful for her continued service and dedication to Housing Catalyst. What makes Housing Catalyst special is our community — within the organization, in our communities, with our partner organizations, with local government, and with residents of Northern Colorado. We are all inspiring change and working to make living in Northern Colorado affordable, regardless of income.
Thank you, Commissioner Green, for inspiring change as a board member and for your continued service!
Interested in Serving on the Board?
Visit the Housing Catalyst’s Board of Commissioners page to learn more about the Board. Interested residents can email Isela Orozco ([email protected]) for more information.
