LIHTC Leaders’ Post

Some of the most influential people in affordable housing didn’t plan to be here.   But once they stepped in, they never left.   This year’s AHF Hall of Fame inductees (Linda Mandolini, David Gasson, Jeff Whiting, and Tom Collishaw) are a reminder of what long-term leadership can create (yes, the definition of "LIHTC Leaders").   They have helped build and preserve tens of thousands of homes. They have shaped state and federal policy. They have pushed the LIHTC program forward. They have strengthened communities in ways most people never see.   Linda Mandolini has spent 25 years leading Eden Housing, Inc. and growing it into one of the most respected nonprofit developers in California. The organization now has more than 13,000 affordable homes across the state and a long track record of innovative, resident-focused design. Mandolini has also helped shape statewide bond measures and housing policy, pushing for solutions that can be scaled and replicated across jurisdictions.   Tom Collishaw has spent more than four decades at Self-Help Enterprises, helping grow the organization into one of the most impactful rural housing groups in the country. SHE has supported more than 4,300 self-help homes, developed thousands of rental units, and expanded into disaster response, tribal partnerships, and water infrastructure for communities that were often overlooked. Collishaw’s work shows how rural housing can drive community-wide change.   Jeffrey Whiting founded CREA, LLC in 2001 and built it into a national syndicator that has raised $12.6 billion and financed more than 90,000 affordable homes. His leadership philosophy centers on long-term partnerships and fairness in every transaction. Beyond syndication, he helped establish the Indiana Affordable Housing Council and supported statewide advocacy efforts that protect and expand affordable housing.   David Gasson has spent three decades educating Congress, building bipartisan support, and strengthening the LIHTC program. As a partner at MG Housing Strategies and executive director of the Housing Advisory Group, he continues to shape national policy conversations and expand the credit’s impact. His work contributed to the permanent 12% increase in 9% allocations beginning in 2026, one of the most significant wins in the program’s history.   Different paths. Different geographies. Different roles.   But the same belief: housing changes lives.   If you are building a career in this field, their stories are worth studying. They show that impact grows over time and that the work you do today can echo for decades.   Honoring the people who move this industry forward matters. The next generation is watching.   Follow LIHTC Leaders for more spotlights on the people and work that keep affordable housing moving.