Our Story
Hurricane Katrina washed ashore in South Mississippi in August 2005. In the devastating storm’s wake lay some of the greatest structural devastation from a natural disaster that has ever incurred in the country’s history. But amid the flooded ruins, hope found a way to float through the vision of several South Mississippi community and business leaders, organized as The Gulf Coast Business Council. The nonprofit group had the foresight to understand the key to the area’s recovery would be a unified effort focused on redevelopment. In mid 2006, the council created Gulf Coast Renaissance Corporation to help rebuild the Mississippi Gulf Coast by bridging the gap in the need for safe and affordable workforce housing.
Since then, Renaissance has helped make distinct improvements to the communities by promoting community and economic development through various programs implemented to deliver effective and meaningful results. Our success has been marked by our ability to understand the communities’ needs, to create a highly qualified team to meet those needs, to develop a customized and thoughtful approach to the programs we implement, manage and proactively define and achieve short-term and long-term objectives for our programs.
Since then, Renaissance has helped make distinct improvements to the communities by promoting community and economic development through various programs implemented to deliver effective and meaningful results. Our success has been marked by our ability to understand the communities’ needs, to create a highly qualified team to meet those needs, to develop a customized and thoughtful approach to the programs we implement, manage and proactively define and achieve short-term and long-term objectives for our programs.
Milestones
2006
Gulf Coast Renaissance is founded
August 2008
Launched REACH program (Regional Employer Assisted Housing Program, 163 homes funded)
April 2009
Launched MyHome MyCoast program (655 homes funded)
January 2010
Received additional funding from governor due to successful deployment of allocated funds
Received certification as a Community Development Financial Institution
September 2011
Renaissance began commercial lending.
April 2012
Renaissance accepted as Mississippi’s first non-bank CDFI institution member by FHLB Dallas.
August 2012
Selected as Mississippi’s only organization to receive CDFI financial award of $1.453 million
November 2012
Began program geared to storm mitigation and energy efficiency improvements.
December 2013
Renaissance became an SBA Community Advantage Lender
Public-Private Partnership success with grand opening of Riverside independent senior complex
September 2015
Selected as only MS-based SBA Micro-lender
January 2016
Launched dedicated in-house financial counseling and training facility
September 2016
Awarded $1.15 million through US Treasury/CDFI for financial assistance.
Gulf Coast Renaissance is founded
August 2008
Launched REACH program (Regional Employer Assisted Housing Program, 163 homes funded)
April 2009
Launched MyHome MyCoast program (655 homes funded)
January 2010
Received additional funding from governor due to successful deployment of allocated funds
Received certification as a Community Development Financial Institution
September 2011
Renaissance began commercial lending.
April 2012
Renaissance accepted as Mississippi’s first non-bank CDFI institution member by FHLB Dallas.
August 2012
Selected as Mississippi’s only organization to receive CDFI financial award of $1.453 million
November 2012
Began program geared to storm mitigation and energy efficiency improvements.
December 2013
Renaissance became an SBA Community Advantage Lender
Public-Private Partnership success with grand opening of Riverside independent senior complex
September 2015
Selected as only MS-based SBA Micro-lender
January 2016
Launched dedicated in-house financial counseling and training facility
September 2016
Awarded $1.15 million through US Treasury/CDFI for financial assistance.
Our Mission
To provide support through financial assistance and development services which facilitates the development of communities that provide safe, quality housing for the residents of Mississippi and creates economic opportunities that will add/retain jobs in the community.
Affirmative Action Policy Statement
Renaissance Community Loan Fund is committed to an affirmative action program that provides equal opportunities for all people regardless of race, color, ancestry, gender, marital status, national origin, age, political or religious affiliation, sexual orientation, or mental or physical disability. We strive to create and promote a respectful work environment free from any kind of harassment. We are committed to diversifying and developing a work environment that is both inclusive and tolerant of individual differences.
Equal Opportunity Statement
It is Renaissance’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) and equal lending opportunities to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Renaissance will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
