Investors Leverage Investment Dollars To Benefit Disaster Relief In The Aftermath Of Hurricanes Harvey And Irma

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Sept. 26, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Community Capital Management, Inc. (CCM), a leading fixed income impact investing manager, today announced it is adding to its disaster relief efforts those communities ravaged by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, CCM has launched specific disaster relief efforts toward communities hit hard by hurricanes including Charley, Rita, and Sandy.

"Given the devastation from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma coupled with the recent wildfires across nine western states, we are highlighting one of our impact themes ? disaster recovery ? and how investors can make a positive impact to help rebuild these hard-hit communities," said Alyssa Greenspan, president and chief operating officer of CCM. "Earmarking, or directing clients' investments from an impact perspective, is unique to CCM and its CRA Qualified Investment Fund (Tickers: CRAIX/CRANX/CRATX) allowing shareholders to target specific geographies in the United States or one or more of our seventeen impact themes ? such as disaster recovery."

Investors who choose disaster recovery as an impact theme are supporting various community development activities in federally designated disaster areas and disaster-prone areas to enable the recovery, prevention, or continuation of daily life associated with natural or human-induced disasters. This approach does not compromise the liquidity and diversification benefits of owning a mutual fund as shareholders still own their pro-rata share from a financial perspective.  Clients receive impact reports, in addition to traditional financial reporting, detailing the positive social and environmental impacts of their earmarked investments.

"It's remarkable to see the amount of giving ? at all levels ? from JJ Watt raising over $30 million for Houston to South Florida businesses donating fresh food, water, and much-needed supplies to its residents. These efforts are critical for disaster relief recovery and absolutely need to continue," said David Sand, chief impact investment strategist at CCM.  "In addition to these altruistic efforts, it is going to take tens of billions of investment dollars to reconstruct the affected areas which is why investing can offer a perfect complement to charitable giving."

One example of a bond CCM invested in that is helping disaster recovery efforts in the United States is Harlem River Point North, an affordable rental property with 173 units in Harlem, New York.  The building gives preference for 43 units to qualified households displaced by Hurricane Sandy.  The property is one of many city-subsidized affordable housing developments for income-eligible New Yorkers displaced from their homes by the Hurricane.

Sand added: "Harlem River Point North is a great example of how investments can support recovery efforts in addition to contributions.  Even years after a natural disaster, many residents are still displaced which is why leveraging the capital markets to help the recovery efforts is just another way to help make a positive long-term impact."  

Community Capital Management, Inc.
Community Capital Management, Inc. is an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with offices in Charlotte, North Carolina and Boston, Massachusetts, the firm was founded in 1998 and currently manages $2.4 billion in assets as of 6/30/17.  CCM's flagship core fixed impact investing strategy is available as a separate account or via a mutual fund.  Other products managed by CCM include a liquid alternative income fund and customized separate account strategies. For more information, please visit www.ccminvests.com. 

Investing involves risk including the loss of principal.  Bond and bond funds are subject to interest rate risk and will decline in value as interest rates rise.  The CRA Qualified Investment Fund is not diversified.  The Fund is distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SIDCO) which is not affiliated with Community Capital Management.

Carefully consider the risks, investment objectives, charges and expenses of the Fund before investing.  The prospectus contains this and other important information. Call 866-202-3573 for a prospectus.  Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.  As of 6/30/17, the investment that included a loan to Harlem River Point North represented 0.21% of the CRA Fund's holdings.  Holdings are subject to change.

Community Capital Management, Inc. is an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

SOURCE Community Capital Management, Inc.