Leading like women: WAHN’s vision for affordable housing

By Nikonie Brown-McManus, digital content associate

In 2007, amid a real estate crisis, Richelle Patton and Ann Cone founded the Women’s Affordable Housing Network (WAHN) in Atlanta as a space for women* to connect and share good news. What started as a small network has grown into a community of over 500 members, a strong board and a commitment to leadership and celebration in a historically male-dominated industry.

Part of what makes WAHN successful is its culture of collaboration. Membership remains free and the organization offers clear pathways for women to engage and be part of the next generation of leaders, whether as members, committee participants, or board members. Atlanta WAHN hosts events across Georgia, from major conferences to local luncheons and happy hours, creating spaces for women to build relationships, share expertise and find opportunities to advance their careers. “When we learn from each other and lift up each other’s successes, we all grow and have a greater impact on our community,” says Maureen Freehill, president of Atlanta WAHN.

One of Atlanta WAHN’s most impactful initiatives is the Women Developers Collective, which supports experienced women looking to break down barriers in real estate development. Many of these women have the experience and skills but face structural inequities that prevent them from taking the next step. Freehill shares: “These are women who are extremely adept and savvy at real estate transactions working for others but cannot get their foot in the door to develop on their own.”  

A recent study from Boston Consulting Group proves this point. Investments in companies founded or co-founded by women received $.44 on the dollar compared to all male founders. Despite this, female-founded or co-founded groups generated $.78 on the dollar vs. all male startups, which generated just $.31. In a related study, female investors outpaced their male counterparts, outperforming men by 1.5 times. “Yet somehow women-owned businesses are still seen as risky investments, and women must demonstrate higher levels of capacity and collateral than their male counterparts due to this perceived ‘risk,’” Freehill said.

Women in affordable housing bring a unique, long-term perspective to the field. They are more likely to prioritize sustainability by investing in high-quality building materials and invest in staff and partnerships that align with a shared vision for the future, focused on housing as a way to break the cycles of poverty beyond a roof overhead. This mindset is critical, as most affordable housing residents are women, particularly women of color. Atlanta WAHN is committed to creating pathways for these residents to transition into leadership roles, ensuring that those who have lived the challenges of housing instability have a voice in shaping solutions.

“Statistically, the top college majors for Black and Latinx students are human services and community organization, public administration and social work. These key fields are so often reliant upon attainable housing and community engagement. Too often, folks who have been kept out of the conversation about what happens in the built environment in their community think they have no place there. It’s Atlanta WAHN’s job to show them there is a place – for their voice, for their skills and for them to build the future they want to live in,” said Freehill.

Atlanta stands out as a national leader in advancing women in affordable housing. The city’s strong contingent of women developers is a testament to the power of gathering, knowledge-sharing and mentorship. As the industry shifts, new opportunities emerge, such as preserving naturally occurring affordable housing, renovation and repositioning Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties as original developers retire. Women are well-positioned to step into these roles and drive meaningful change.

Atlanta WAHN’s mission reflects the legacy of Eleanor Roosevelt, a pioneer in affordable housing who championed homeownership and better living conditions for working-class families. “Roosevelt, not unlike Atlanta’s own Renee Glover, looked at the way working class and poor families were living and said ‘No one should live like this.’ They then looked at the opportunities for collaboration they had,” said Freehill. Roosevelt reached out to her wealthy and political friends to help build Sunnyside Gardens. Glover, guided by the same principle 70 years later, took aging, disinvested public housing and created vibrant mixed-income communities with HUD, state and local partners. We now know this as “the Atlanta model” for the nation, which reexamined what affordable housing would look like in the 21st century.

“No one’s vision comes to life in a vacuum,” Freehill says. “Finding people to collaborate with and to share your vision is more important than existing structures. This is what Atlanta WAHN is all about, connecting to the people that share the vision and belief that we can and should do better to create opportunities to break intergenerational cycles of poverty.”

Freehill continues with this advice for readers: “Too often, think pieces and corporate direction ask women to ‘think like men’ and lead based on power structures that are over 50 years old, when what we’re seeing all around us is that for the long-term and for the majority of people, that doesn’t work. I encourage readers to lead like women. Look at those leaders in your organization, look at the soccer moms, look to the women who are GETTING IT DONE, on time, with love regardless of who holds a title or a corner office. Lead like them, walk alongside them or maybe just bring them a cup of coffee. They’re probably pretty tired.”

Atlanta WAHN recognizes that real progress happens through collaboration and bold action. By bringing together women with a shared purpose and vision, Atlanta WAHN is shaping the future of affordable housing and ensuring that more women have the opportunity to lead, innovate and create lasting impact.

*Note: All references to “women” or “female” means any female-identifying person.