Latest Blog

Friday 1st March 2024

Women in construction: we’ve come a long way

Things have come a long way for women in construction...


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Wednesday 29th November 2023

What Do Women Want for Christmas

It can be a minefield choosing the right Christmas gifts for women can’t it?


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Wednesday 22nd November 2023

Celebrating Academic Achievements

As calforseaden continue to champion the invaluable contributions of women in housing and construction, they highlight the academic accomplishment of Dr. Huda Elsherif.


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Thursday 19th October 2023

My Return to Work

Victoria Ogilvie Hodge from JLL shares her experience of returning to work after maternity leave...


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Thursday 28th September 2023

Becoming a Board member of WISH Scotland

Becoming a Board member of WISH Scotland couldn’t have come at a better time...


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Latest Blog Archive

Hear Her Voice – Breaking Down Barriers

Hear Her Voice – Breaking Down Barriers, with Tracey McEachran and Somayeh Tosi. As a woman, how strong is your voice?

Joining WISH Scotland Board

WISH Scotland is playing an active role in supporting women to shine in their housing careers, says Nicola Douglas...

Culture is at the Heart of Compliance 

Having a good culture which allows the golden thread of influence, engagement, improvement, understanding, data, and equity to properly deliver the regulatory and legislative changes of our revised governance and risk frameworks is now key. 

My Journey into Social Housing

Nazlin Nazri's is an Associate Director at Civitas. Read her journey into housing...

Why Men’s Involvement in Managing the Menopause Matters

That’s a lot of ‘M’s. But in order to catch the attention of people who are not always directly affected by an issue, nowadays, branding and catchy words matter.

Consumer Regulation Review 2023

Housing Alert - If you work in Social Housing or are on a Housing board, then the Consumer Regulation Review 2022 to 2023 is a must read.

Realising your potential

How do we realise our potential for our whole selves? Annemarie Roberts reveals some key practical steps she uses to realise her potential...

How gender bias in social housing discussions is stifling innovation and progress

How gender bias in social housing discussions is stifling innovation and progress. WISH #HearHerVoice campaign.

It's okay to say that you're not okay

Mental health is a complex and delicate subject, and with this year's Mental Health Awareness Week focusing on anxiety.

How to handle tough interview questions

Phil Foster, Managing Director of Ocean Edge Executive Search shares tips on how to successfully tackle difficult interview questions.

From school teacher to Sustainabilty Consultant

From primary school teacher to sustainability consultant. Erika discusses her role as a Sustainability Consultant, experience of changing careers and plans for the future.

Women at Housing 23

Three days of inspiration and inclusion - Who do you send? Do you champion everyone in your organisation?

What would a four-day week mean for working women?

The results are in. There can be no doubt now that a four-day work week positively impacts both employee wellbeing and the bottom line.

Breaking the stigma and embracing the superpowers of ADHD

Janine Green, Anti-social behaviour specialist and WISH Midlands Co-chair on breaking the stigma and embracing the superpowers of ADHD.

Working in your discomfort zone…. it’s where the magic happens!

When you’re confident in your field of work, it’s relatively easy to work within your comfort zone. However, what happens when you have to work outside of this nice bubble of comfort? By Catherine Jarratt, Board Member WISH Midlands

Into the Unknown

Read Roxanne Boothe, Board Member, WISH Midlands, explain why 2023 is a 'Year of Yes!'

What have we learnt for 2022 and what can we expect from 2023?

What better time than the start of a New Year to reflect and predict, hear what our friends at Construo, the construction platform and online collaborative forum, believe were the hot topics for 2022 and what they think will be the key trends for 2023…

Nulled Wine

Helen Greig, WISH Midlands Board Member discusses being sober and inclusivity...

Shared experiences of returning to work from maternity

Amy Farr and Anna Keys, Partners at calfordseaden, share their experience of returning to work after maternity leave.

Places for People - The Ever-Changing nature of Public Spaces

Roumpini Perakaki, an Associate at PRP, discusses the effects architecture & the built environment have on us...

What will the workplace look like for women in 2023?

The last two years have seen a seismic shift across our work spaces, with millions quitting their jobs and looking for new roles...

The Healthy Work Place

Promoting staff wellbeing is more than a way to lure new employees or a moral obligation, it is a sensible financial decision.

Meet the Team: A day in the life of Gill Cook

Meet the Team! A Day in the Life of Gill Cook, your Membership and Admin Coordinator.

Sector Risk Profile Review - Scary Stuff

Harriet Rushton on the new RSH Standards and how this will change how the sector operates completely. 

My WISH for Black History Month

WISH Founder Debra Constance talks about her WISH for Black History Month.

Let’s Talk About the Menopause

Let's talk, listen and learn more about the menopause and the effects it can have! Be allies for those who are experiencing it... #worldmenopauseday

Good Governance is Everyone's Business

A lot has happened in the last two years from a regulatory & governance perspective, Harriet Rushton explains...

Unlocking your potential with Gemma Brown

Your authenticity is your superpower. But it’s also a very confusing subject...

calfordseaden’s next generation of engineers

calfordseaden share the achievements of some of their next generation women engineers...

Developing a Culture of Trust

Thrust into the new world of remote and hybrid working, it became clear that the old ways of doing things were no longer fit for purpose...

Fostering a Positive and Empowering Culture

How Karbon Homes has fostered a positive and empowering culture over the last two years...

On a Mission by Barbara Akinkunmi from Lovell

Role models and inspirational leaders can play such an important part in people’s careers, and for Lovell’s Barbara Akinkunmi, the importance of a female manager when she first started working on site was invaluable...

Women in Leadership – What’s changed since the pandemic?

The pandemic has refocused a lot of people’s priorities, with a large section of society looking for more meaningful jobs or careers...

Katie Welsh Career Journey

One year on from joining calfordseaden Katie Welsh reflects on her career journey so far...

How to be Confident and Authentic with Hayley Gillard

Hayley tells us we aren’t born confident, we can learn.

22 for 2022

Share something new for 2022!

I choose to challenge

I grew up in Nigeria, a country that welcomes my skin colour; it is the norm. The only characteristic I had to fight for, though challenging, was being female...

A Positive Age-Diverse Environment in the Work place

Melissa Pearce, Client Relationship Director at Wates Living Space talks about Age-Diversity in the Workplace and its importance. Read more...

Understanding the Menopause – event follow up

Last week we (WISH Yorkshire and Humberside) hosted the first of our 2-part national event series about the menopause, and what an event it was!

Benefits of being a Board member by Sophie Wells

Sophie Wells has been a WISH Midlands Board member since June 2021 and so far she's loved it!

Chief Executive of Octavia - Sandra Skeete Interview

An interview with Sandra Skeete CEO of Octavia on negotiating leadership in all her intersectionality and staying close to her own essence.

Real estate as part of the bigger picture

Hear from Mary Finnigan, Transaction Director, Civitas Investment Management on real estate as part of the bigger picture...

Benefits of being a WISH Board Member

Kathryn Grundy explains the benefits of becoming a WISH Board Member...

2021 Reflections Stepping into our power and releasing what no longer serves us in 2022

As we look behind us one last time at 2021 and reflect on our experiences and personal journeys, there will be a sense of a releasing and letting go...

Paying it forward: Amy Farr on the importance of mentorship

Amy Farr from Calfordseaden talks about her career and the importance of mentorship. Read more...

Movers and Shakers by Dixon Walter

Dixon Walter looks back at the movers and shakers of the year. Read more...

Working together for a homeful world

Guest Blog from Jo Richardson, President of CIH talks about working together for a #homeful world. Read more...

JLL Blog Victoria Ogilvie - Hodge

Victoria Ogilvie Hodge looks back at her career and speaks about the diversity that London Housing offers the community.

Easy guide to networking event

London held it's WISH National Event on an Easy Guide to Networking, with fantastic talks from Tracey McEachran and Catherine Kraus...

HDN Autumn Conference

Our friends at HDN are having their annual conference in Birmingham on 18th October...

WISH Midlands – Starting an apprenticeship during a pandemic

Ellie Moston talks about what it is like to start an apprenticeship in a pandemic.....

The Art of Presenting - WISH Programme

In September we shall be running a programme that is designed to help you become a stronger presenter...

Putting the ‘me’ into sum-me-r holidays….

Putting the ‘me’ into sum-me-r holidays….

A Win-Win for Net Zero and Building Back Greener

With the climate crisis looming and the net zero carbon target ever closer, businesses across the UK are putting action plans in place to deliver on their environmental ambitions.

WISH Leadership Programme 2021

The WISH Leadership Programme 2021 is now half way through! Delegates have been learning about confidence, leadership styles...

Movers and Shakers Powered by Dixon Walter

Women leading the way in housing: let’s champion our success as Dixon Walter take a look at the senior appointments and promotions this spring/summer season...

The WISH World Opening Up

WISH MD Helen Greig talks about how far WISH has come, the amazing staff and the future of WISH post Covid.

Leading with Inclusivity

Leading with inclusivity and empathy really is a powerful tool in helping drive innovation and belonging within an organisation...

Meeting calfordseaden’s newest female surveyors.

Calfordseaden catch up with their newest recruits to find out more about their career journeys and plans for the future...

When looking back is simply the right thing to do

Sometimes in life we have difficult decisions to make; decisions that lead to us having to move on from something that we really love.

Meet Charlotte, our new chair

Meet Charlotte, the new Chair of WISH (Women in Social Housing) for Yorkshire and Humberside...

How Social Value creates sustainable communities

Social Value needs to trigger a chain reaction. We must not lose momentum in expanding these values and appreciate that it’s not just about money, it’s about fostering health, wellbeing and creating accessible environments.

Working closely with our partners and the rewarding benefits

I have learnt a lot about not only the social housing sector, but also on the importance of building strong and genuine relationships..

Victoria Eden on the growing visibility of the industry and increasing female leadership

...I liked the idea of being involved in a niche market, developing specialist valuation skills and contributing to a sector that has a tangible social impact.

WISH Celebration Event

Bringing all the boards together to celebrate all the terrific work they do!

Resilience & The Exhaustion Link - Jeanette Jackson

WISH discount! For Jeanette's 4 Week Mental Health & Resilience Programme designed to improve sleep, mental health and reboot energy levels...

Is The Language You’re Using Impacting Your Confidence Without You Even Realising?

Your brain processes thousands of messages from many different sources every second. What messages do you feed your brain on a daily basis?

Oiling the Machine Once More

Even before the pandemic, economists warned us that our low productivity would hold back the UK’s economic growth. I wonder what they would make of it now? Technological improvements have thankfully saved our bacon in enabling home-working.

What to expect from a COVID-19 test

Jean Fletcher a Customer and Community Manager with Wates Living Space is volunteering at a pilot COVID-19 Lateral Flow Testing Centre...

WISH Office365 deployment update

WISH recently appointed Central Networks and Technologies (Central) to deploy Microsoft Office365 within the organisation, to support...

Vision and Purpose for WISH

Helen Greig talks about WISH's vision and purpose...

Meet our members: Katie Williams, Business Partner at Optivo

In this month’s blog, we meet Katie Williams, Business Partner at Optivo to hear more about how sometimes you need to step sideways to step up, why it’s ok to ask questions and how you don’t need to be an expert in everything.

Future Homes Standard Consultation

In January 2021, the government issued its 114-page response to the Future Homes Standard Consultation. Emily Mansfield, Calfordseaden Senior Sustainability Engineer, has summarised the key notes.

An Introduction to Greenacre Consult – Developing Future Leaders Within Our Housing Network

We’ve always been a people business and we’ve always been passionate about making a difference. As our organisation has grown and our services have evolved, we wanted to find a way to offer a more holistic suite of services to our customers and to start to fill the gaps that other leadership programmes were not addressing.

Lovell Breaking Ground for Women in Construction

The construction industry is widely reported to have the worst gender balance of any UK industry, with just 13% of all workers being female. As the 8 March 2021 celebrated International Women’s Day with the theme ‘Choose To Challenge’, Lovell is celebrating its year-round commitment to improving gender equality.

Nicola Dibb reflects for International Women's Day

More than 22 years after founding WISH, Nicola Dibb is stepping down from her role as Exec Director. Here she reflects on how a powerful message from her mum helped inspire a movement in housing that has touched the lives of thousands of women.

Surviving Marmite sandwiches, gardening, children and being authentic. Chin-chin IWD2021.

This has been the hardest blog I have ever had to write. I can either say very much: 2020, a pandemic, first year in an executive role, the pre-Christmas curve balls and straight into the start to 2021, home schooling while working full time… I could write War and Peace.

My misconceptions of WISH...

As new Managing Director of WISH, it seemed prudent in these pandemic-ridden times to write a blog to introduce myself as I can’t get around all the regions and meet everyone. 

The Best Confidence Lesson In The World

Anyone can learn to be confident. You just have to be willing to put the effort in.

‘An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backwards. So when life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means that it’s going to launch you into something great.’

Be resilient, work hard, and have faith in yourself and you will launch forward to achieve things you never thought were possible!

No place like home…

"Now we know why hindsight is known as 2020."

Central are delighted to be working with WISH to implement 365

Central are delighted to be working with WISH to implement 365...

Working within the built environment

I never had any intention whilst growing up to work within the built environment. As many children do, I followed the example set by my parents...

How Women In The Workplace Have Been Affected By The Pandemic

Getting women on board and leading the way to success...

What is the true role of an Architect?

The journey begins at school. You are expected to show efficiency in...

Mobilising Mid-Pandemic: Keeping Repairs Running

The UK was brought to a standstill on 23 March and suddenly many of our day-to-day needs were jeopardized...

Lovell Q&A interview, QS, Jordan Bird

Jordan’s willingness to learn and progress within Lovell was rewarded when she progressed into the role of Trainee Quantity Surveyor...

We need to move on from women vs men

The Daily Telegraph ran an article this week entitled “Book called ‘I Hate Men’ sells out after move to ban it.” How does that make you feel?

Hello from WISH North Wales

So, the last few months have been anything but easy and we’ve been faced with a situation beyond what we could ever imagine happening here in the UK...

Meet our members!

Meet our members: Sarah Willcox-Jones - Head of Property Analytics and Operations at Lewisham Homes

Let’s build something new: why not rushing back to outdated working practices matters

Bobbie Hough, of Hough Bellis Communications shares his latest blog 'Lets build something new!'

Surviving and Thriving

Highs and lows of adapting to living and working in a world turned upside down by the impact of the coronavirus.

Kindness is Contagious

At a time where the spread of coronavirus has impacted most of the world, making a positive difference to others is more important than ever.

Motivation, Goal setting and maximising your potential during Lockdown.

Now several weeks into social distancing and lock-down, WISH North Wales are learning to let go of frustrations and focus on being thankful for the simple things.

Building a bridge for women into the construction industry

Barbara Akinkunmi is graduate from Lovell’s London office and is looking to build bridges to attract more women into the industry.

Established Partners collaborate to offer a ‘Complete Project Life Cycle Service offering’ to the Residential Sector

CS2 are launching a new value service offering ‘Delivering Homes’, a collaboration by three organisations that have well established working relationships.

Recognising & Overcoming “Blind Spots”

calfordseaden Associate, Anna Keys is a keen advocate for gender equality in the construction industry, encouraging women to consider a career in construction and supporting them throughout their journey.

Coronavirus crisis communications: One-minute workshop

We’ve not seen a crisis like it. The COVID-19 situation is changing by the minute, and each day brings new challenges. WISH's PR Sponsor, Bobbie Hough, shares how to navigate a crisis...

Anastasia Spiropoulos, JLL on the Specialist Supported Housing Sector

Anastasia Spriopoulos, is part of a team at JLL which services a sector known as Specialist Supported Housing (SSH), read about her career journey.

Women In Leadership - The STEM Skills Gap and the challenges we must overcome

We recently celebrated two big topics that have the potential to change the future of this country’s industry infrastructure. National Careers Week, has been shared across multiple platforms in a bid to attract the younger emerging UK workforce; and International Women’s Day was celebrated across the globe, with a huge emphasis on gender equality, equal rights and the gender skills and pay gap which is shockingly still a thing in 2020.

Top tips for switching to home working – preparing for Coronavirus?

New Government guidance on the Coronavirus will see an increasing number of landlords switching to home working to help protect staff and prevent the spread of the disease. So how do you prepare for the transition and what measures do they need to put in place to make sure that staff remain productive and happy in their roles?

My menopausal Memoir

All women will go through some form of menopause, the symptoms of which can last up to ten years. Yet, for all that, it’s not really spoken about and can be viewed as a taboo subject.

This International Women’s Day Nicola Dibb, explains why a more inclusive sector is vital for attracting young people into housing

This International Women’s Day Nicola Dibb, co-founder and executive director of Women in Social Housing (WISH), explains why a more inclusive sector is vital for attracting young people into housing.

Women in construction and social housing - guest blog by Heidi Thompson

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2020, Heidi Thompson, former WISH Yorkshire chair & Executive Director of Homes and Investment discusses women in construction and social housing...

Does it matter what other people think of you?

Does it matter what people think of you? Hear our expert's view. An insightful blog on self-confidence to get you thinking about what's important and what's not important about 'being liked'.

Building Better, Building Beautiful report could focus more on the benefits of bringing homes into town centres

There is much to be applauded in the Building Better, Building Beautiful report, which rightly identifies today's challenges facing the high street. However, it misses the mark on the important messages by distracting us with the beauty debate.

Diversity and Inclusion - How Is Recruitment Helping Drive The Change?

There is a huge effort currently to implement strategies and adopt behaviours which address the many complex issues surrounding diversity & inclusion across the housing sector.

Challenging the Ideology of Women in Construction - calfordseaden

Becky's dissertation titled 'Challenging the Ideology of Women in Construction', explores how the current trends of women in the industry are developing.

Health and Safety and Housing - Susie Rogers, Capsticks

Susie Rogers from Capsticks talks about Health & Safety and housing in their latest blog.

Too much of what we have built in the last 10 years is fit only to be torn down - Andrew Mellor, PRP

There has been much discussion in the industry in recent years about poor-quality construction and the impacts this has on architectural aesthetics, building performance and occupant wellbeing.

Thinking about innovation. A call to action.

The UK social housing sector sits within a turbulent landscape. Significant challenges have emerged in recent years about who social housing is for, the role of the sector in meeting housing demand and our involvement in tackling complex social problems located in our communities and impacting on our tenants' lives and wellbeing.

JLL's Titi Ogunwuyi on being a mentor for women in the sector and how there is a need for more affordable homes in high value areas

From an early age, the expectation was that I would become a doctor, following the family trend. By the time I completed sixth form, I was certain that I didn't enjoy science and that medicine was not for me.

How I got into Social Housing - Kat Day, Capsticks

"I am proud to be part of a team that has a clear growth strategy and a commitment to invest in the social housing sector"

Why fire safety works are so important to me - Suzann Eaglen is head of compliance for Kier Housing Maintenance

Suzann Eaglen is head of compliance for Kier Housing Maintenance. Here, she explains her career journey and why fire safety works are so important to her.

My path into social housing - Victoria Mallela, Civitas Housing Advisor

Few would disagree with this profound quote by Rosalynn Carter, wife of Jimmy Carter, former President of the United States of America. I had the pleasure of meeting Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter when I was working on a building site in the Philippines in 1999, helping local families to build their own homes as part of the Habitat for Humanity Project. At that time I was part way through a year teaching in Japan. Little did I know then that buildings - and their significance to people - would become a recurring aspect of my life.

Meet Greenacre Recruitment's Agile Workforce!

At Greenacre, we're avid promotors of the agile workforce, as many women often have to juggle a busy family life around their work roles. We've researched the benefits of agile working and found those who have more control over their working hours and space, are on the whole more productive, motivated, and most importantly, happier in their jobs.

A look behind the curtain: Health & Safety Consultancy - calfordseaden

Amy-Jane Farr, Associate Health & Safety Compliance Advisor at calfordseaden, discusses her path into the world of health & safety and improving perceptions of women in the field.

Being your best self: finding your personal balance on International Women's Day

#Better for Balance is the theme for this year's International Women's Day and you can see me strike a pose for IWD19 at the top of the post! It's a really relevant business issue.  Creating gender balanced boardrooms, business leadership and workforces is a topical issue highlighting a need for continued focus on helping women achieve their ambitions.

Getting on Board with a Diverse Leadership

Executive director and founder of WISH, Nicola Dibb, talks about how it is helping to improve diversity at the top of the sector through the promotion of leadership roles.

Why working in social housing works for June Moore - Kier

Working in Social Housing might not have been part of the original career plan for Kier Housing Maintenance's (Kier HM's) Customer Experience Business Partner, June Moore, but it has been a welcome addition.

My Path into Housing - Susie Rogers, Capsticks

I always knew that I wanted to be a lawyer who makes a difference.

Celebrating 40 years in the construction industry - Angela Lemon, calfordseaden

Angela Lemon, Partner and Quantity Surveyor at calfordseaden, reflects on 40 years in the construction industry, the changing role of women in the field, and her rise from trainee Quantity Surveyor to Partner.

What do I see? Janet Richmond

I work with a number of housing organisations, and it struck me that the majority of people attending my workshops are women. Now that's not news to any of us, and having worked in the sector for over 15 years it's not difficult to notice the numbers - yes some departments are the exception to that.

Taking the fear out of public speaking

Its fair to say that to succeed in business you need to develop certain skills. The ability to speak confidently and clearly in public is one of these. Regardless of the job that you do, you probably undertake some form of public speaking, whether this be providing an update in a meeting, briefing your manager, speaking to customers or delivering a presentation in front of a large audience. If you are self-employed, your skills need to be even sharper; much business comes from producing video content for social media, and never underestimate how important it is to network and sell yourself effectively.

Janet Richmond

I work with a number of housing organisations, and it struck me that the majority of people attending my workshops are women.

Young People In Rural Areas Need Genuinely Affordable Housing Options

By WISH Midlands Region

Shropshire is often viewed as a rural idyll but average house prices are 8.5 times the average salary.

WISH Blog - New Blog From WISH Sponsor JLL

By Rosie Dennis

I recently read an article that described a career as a journey that is 'increasingly restricted by the terrain around it', and I immediately related to this statement, recognising that my brief career journey so far has been eased and slowed by smooth surfaces and ruts.

When Life Gives You Lemons

By Katherine Smith

As vice chair of WISH Midlands, I was asked to produce a blog to introduce myself. But when I sat down to start writing, there was one problem - I'm just not that interesting!

A Career Well Travelled

By Asif Choudry

Making sure people skills and business skills are aligned has been critical to the success of Resource, the Leeds-based company that provides award-winning marketing communications products and services to social housing organisations nationwide. HR and Performance Director Gail Weathers explains the critical role she has played in the company's development and describes her journey from Youth Training Scheme (YTS) trainee to company director.

Manisha Patel Appointed As A Mayor's Design Advocate

By [email protected]

Manisha Patel, Partner, has been appointed as part of a 50-strong panel of Design Advocates to the Mayor of London - drawn from a pool of individuals representing the highest quality of talent and expertise across a broad range of built environment disciplines.

Short And Long Term Memory

By Jo Cowlin

Use it or lose it. How your short and long term memory affects your ability to learn.

Why Would Diversity And Inclusion Be Of Benefit To Everyone?

By Danna Walker, Architect and Director of Built By Us

We need to make a conscious effort to ensure that we are not missing out on the best talent and that we are giving everyone a chance to become their best selves and contribute fully, regardless of background.

Making Learning Stick Through Attention Density

By Lou Banks

Do you ever find yourself saying things like I have no confidence when it comes to public speaking, or I'm really terrible at Maths, or even the dreaded I'm not good enough.

RICS Matrics 2017

By Anna Keys, Senior Quantity Surveyor, calfordseaden

This year's RICS Matrics Assembly was held at Oulton Hall in Leeds and one of calfordseaden's senior quantity surveyors and RICS Matrics board member, Anna Keys, was in attendance.

Praise For The Housing Sector - The Housing White Paper

By Tim Miles, Blake Morgan

The Housing White Paper represents the first major Housing publication since the DCLG published its 2011 Housing Strategy.

Let's Tackle Fuel Poverty By Greening Our Homes.

By Chris Young - Communications Officer, Tridos Bank

As more households struggle to meet energy costs in houses that are inadequately insulated and maintained, Neil Hewitt, Social and Cultural Manager at Triodos Bank, explores the steps that the bank are taking to address the growing problem with Warmer Homes and Greener Communities loans.