The community development organization CAHEC, which focuses on creating affordable housing, has appointed Joaquin Altoro to its Board of Directors. This move is significant as it brings nationally recognized expertise in housing finance and capital deployment directly into the organization's governance structure. With over three decades of experience spanning banking, state government, and federal leadership, Altoro's career has been dedicated to promoting equitable housing opportunities and developing inclusive communities, which aligns perfectly with CAHEC's core mission. His deep knowledge across the housing spectrum, including affordable housing finance and policy analysis, arrives at a critical time for organizations navigating complex funding landscapes.
Altoro's current role as Managing Director at Falcon Capital Advisors involves designing and structuring complex housing finance transactions and advising partners on aligning capital with long-term community development goals. This practical, transaction-oriented experience is complemented by his high-level federal policy background. His previous appointment as Administrator of the USDA's Rural Housing Service, a White House Presidential Appointee position, involved managing a massive $185 billion portfolio of loans, guarantees, and grants. In that role, he strengthened programs for rural and Tribal communities and contributed to federal housing priorities through the White House Domestic Policy Council's Interagency Group on Housing Policy. This blend of hands-on finance and top-tier policy experience provides CAHEC with a unique strategic perspective.
Dana Boole, President and CEO of CAHEC, emphasized the importance of this appointment, describing Altoro as a dynamic thought leader with unmatched expertise in housing finance, economic development, and strategic growth. Boole noted that Altoro's community investment acumen, honed through his tenure as CEO of WHEDA and Administrator of USDA Rural Housing Service, positions him to be a powerful voice on the CAHEC Board. For an organization like CAHEC, which strengthens communities by providing affordable housing and supportive services in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, having board members who understand the intricacies of capital deployment at scale is invaluable. The organization's work engages diverse financial tools like low-income housing tax credits, historic tax credits, new markets tax credits, and renewable energy credits, areas where Altoro's expertise will be directly applicable.
The implications of this board appointment extend beyond governance. It signals CAHEC's commitment to leveraging top-tier national expertise to address local affordable housing challenges. Altoro's experience in managing federal programs and structuring complex private transactions can help CAHEC innovate within its own product areas, which also include loan programs, wellness and education initiatives, affordable housing development, and property management services. This strategic addition to the board enhances CAHEC's ability to navigate funding mechanisms and policy environments, ultimately aiming to increase the impact and scale of its community development work. More information about CAHEC's contributions to affordable housing and surrounding communities is available at https://www.cahec.com.
