What Can We Do Today To Help Others?

We are certainly in extraordinary times. The speed with which we’ve been confronted with change is phenomenal, and the depth is unprecedented. Some of us are still in shock, some of us are coming out of shock, and some of us are already pulling ahead. One thing seems certain, there are changes that will come out of this that will be sweeping and lasting. Our economy is changing. WE are changing. In the face of so much, what can we do today to make a difference?

On Monday, March 16, our Company took initiative to set up remote working arrangements for the teams in all our offices. Since that time, we’ve had regular morning online meetings for our team at headquarters in Denver, and regular weekly online meetings that include all our offices across Northern California, Southern California and Denver, Colorado. We are keeping each other aware of where we are with our projects and what we are doing, and sharing ideas to overcome the challenges of a new virtual work environment and the shutdown imposed by Shelter-in-Place directives.

This is what we are doing today to help each other, to maintain our commitments and to be ready to contribute to our industry and the economy. Now more than ever, we need to be focused and to understand the full gravity of what the housing shortage means in the current environment, and in our heavily populated areas. Our team is dedicated and working hard.

We all understand that it is going to get tougher before it gets better. The economy is suffering, and families are suffering. Our hearts go out to those who are experiencing severe hardship. While we have a new economic stimulus bill that can help some families navigate this new landscape, there is no panacea.

Problems will persist. Interest rates were somewhat volatile in March and could shift again, credit requirements have become tighter and unemployment figures are rising at a rate faster than we’ve ever seen. Every facet of our economy is affected – small business owners, workers in the gig economy, and regular workers. It hits every level. So it’s important what we do today.

What can we do today to help others? What can we do to contribute to causes that support the neediest in our society right now? 

In a crisis our true character is revealed. If we seize the moment, we have the capability to move ahead and to overcome anything in our way. At the end of this we will all be stronger and we will all be working in new ways we had not discovered before. Innovation is often sparked by necessity and it’s in these times that we find our inner strength.

I’m inspired as I read about companies that have retooled their shops to manufacture products sorely needed for health care workers, including facial protective gear, ventilators and other kinds of health equipment. I’m inspired to see the contributions to food share facilities, local housing aid charities, blood drives and other charitable causes. There are many ways we can support and reach out to offer supplies, housing and food to the ones in need.

We have much to be thankful for. I’m thankful for my family, for their fortitude, their spirit and their love. I’m thankful for each and every one of our employees, for their energy and their commitment. I’m thankful to our partners, who joined us in committing to a cause to bring attainable housing to regions burdened by a lack of supply.

I’m thankful to all those who wake up each morning and say to themselves, “what can I do today to make a difference?” and then take action. I want to wake up that way every morning, so that I can end each day knowing I’ve made a difference.

Be well and be safe everyone. Let’s take care of each other.

By Scott Clark
Chairman & CEO