Scaling Social Enterprises: Flexible Responses for Neighborhood Stabilization

Author(s): Michael Bodaken, NHT-Enterprise; Elyse Cherry, Boston Community Capital; and Cindy Holler, Mercy Housing Lakefront

Social enterprise models have been critical in the recent crisis because resources are few, the need is great, and the challenges are new. Since 2007, the market has changed rapidly and frequently. Significant federal policy response did not arrive until 2009; and in 2013, public stimulus has largely been exhausted even as foreclosures continue to affect millions. In this changing market context, social enterprises have the advantage of an inherently responsive and flexible approach to creating social impact through a self-sustaining, or at least highly efficient, business platform.