Elissa Dennis

Executive Director of Community Economics, Inc

Under Elissa Dennis’s leadership, Community Economics provides technical expertise in the field of nonprofit, community-based affordable housing finance and development. Through direct technical assistance to nonprofit developers and as leaders in local, state, and national housing policy issues, CEI is at the forefront of the affordable housing movement. Elissa is expert in financing, tax credit syndication, and related aspects of affordable housing development. Since joining CEI in 1990, she has assisted with the development of several thousand affordable homes for families, seniors, and special needs populations in rural, suburban, and urban settings in California and Washington.

Elissa is active in local and statewide housing and community development issues. She served on the board of directors of East Bay Housing Organizations, including four years as president. She was a founder and longtime board member of People’s Community Partnership (now Self Help) Federal Credit Union. She served several terms on the Housing California board, including time as treasurer. She is currently serving on the boards of California Coalition for Rural Housing and California Tax Reform Association.