When it comes to affordable housing, Ceceily Cliff knows firsthand how foundational it can be for households.
“Growing up in affordable housing and having been raised by a single mother, I recognize how critical it is to bring support and wraparound services to where people are,” she says.
“There are so many resources in the broader community, and there are so many organizations who are looking to support neighbors and communities. The more convenient that we make services where people live, the more we maximize housing as a springboard for overall success.”
In her role as director of resident success at Indianapolis-based Glick Co., Cliff, 34, has expanded the resident services program since joining the organization in 2021. She supports a team of 77 full-time service coordinators that meet the needs of over 20,000 residents in 13 states.
One of her biggest accomplishments so far in the role is receiving Certified Organization for Resident Engagement & Services (CORES) certification from the Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future.
This certification recognizes owners and third-party managers that have created a robust commitment and capacity in providing resident services coordination in affordable housing.
With the certification, she has prioritized analyzing resident demographics and collecting feedback to help inform services and resources.
She also has formed a team of Resident Success Managers to provide centralized training and strategic guidance to on-site team members.
Cliff and her colleagues also have been instrumental in spearheading the Glick Hunger-Free Communities initiative, ensuring that all residents of the Glick Housing Foundation, a charity that provides homes to 11,000 residents in 11 states, have access to nutritious food. In the next several months, the team is creating a hub where service coordinators will have access to a diaper bank as well.
Moving forward, Cliff seeks to continue growing in the field as well as being a voice for service coordinators.
“I would like to continue to be a voice and promote to other owners and operators how important it is to not only develop but ensure that residents and community members are able to benefit and maximize on the supports that we can offer as they’re living in affordable housing, either temporarily for a season or long term,” she says.”
She also recently completed ULI Indiana’s Real Estate Diversity Initiative program.
“My goal is to get a little more savvy on the technical side of the work. And so I’ve been really interested in learning more about affordable housing development, tax credits, and the financing side,” she says. “Understanding the financing is critical for me to be able to do the resident services work that I enjoy. We have to find creative ways to fund and support the resident services work, so I want to better understand that space.”
Cliff also is community-minded and is active with Intend Indiana, Second Helpings, the Women’s Fund of Central Indiana, and the Women Build committee for Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity. She and her husband, Dwight, enjoy being with family, traveling, and spending time outside.
