Douglas Bystry, Clearinghouse CDFI

Douglas Bystry is the President & CEO of the Clearinghouse CDFI, a for-profit community development financial institution.  Mr. Bystry created the Clearinghouse CDFI in 1995 in an effort to bring capital to low-income and distressed areas of California.  The Clearinghouse CDFI provides direct loans for affordable housing, community development, and other unmet credit needs benefiting the community.  They currently have over $350 million in total combined assets and a loan portfolio of over $85 million.  They have received allocations in the amount of $358 million under the New Markets Tax Credit Program. 

Mr. Bystry has been providing financial services to low-income communities for the past 22 years.  He previously was the Executive Director of the Santa Ana Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (NHS) where he provided rehabilitation loans, and revitalization programs in the Artesia-Pilar area of Santa Ana.  Mr. Bystry served on the National Advisory Board for the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (1988-90). 

Mr. Bystry was a City Councilman in the City of La Habra, Ca. (1986-90).  He served on the Orange County Housing Commission and was Chairman of the Orange County Housing Authority for two terms in 1988 and 1990.  During his tenure the county Housing Authority issued over $160 million in federal housing vouchers and certificates to low-income residents.   

Mr. Bystry was also responsible for the growth and development of the Affordable Housing Clearinghouse where he served as Executive Director from 1991-1996.  Under his direction, the organization placed over $30 million in affordable housing and community development loans with conventional lenders.  He successfully forged a partnership with Merrill Lynch to provide an additional $40 million in first-time home ownership loans to low-income families in Orange and Los Angeles Counties. 

Mr. Bystry is considered an expert in affordable housing, community development and New Markets Tax Credit lending.  He also serves on the Board of Directors for Mary Erickson Community Housing and Opportunity Finance Network, Fair Mortgage Collaborative, and Disability Opportunity Fund.