ABOUT AHACO

AHACO is a nonprofit organization that uses data, research, education, and advocacy to close Central Ohio’s housing gaps. We are guided by the expertise and experience of our members who compose the spectrum of housing services including homeless advocates, developers, property owners, home-ownership proponents, lenders, and the philanthropic community. And we are lifted up by the pubic-private partnerships that unlock housing solutions. We do this because housing affordability is the key to unlocking security and prosperity for our people and our region. You may view our most recent 990 filing here.

You may donate to AHACO through the Columbus Foundation’s Giving Store (thank you!!)

MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS

The members of the Affordable Housing Alliance are organizations and companies that have as a principal mission or function to develop, improve, provide, or fund affordable housing for low-income households in central Ohio. Members are committed to working together to engage with government, business, & policy leaders, and community organizations to advocate for solutions to the affordable housing gap. Invitations to apply for membership are extended annually by AHACO’s Nominating and Membership Committee.

2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair, Bob Bitzenhofer - VP Planning & Development, Columbus Metro Housing Authority

Vice Chair & Past Chair, E.J. Thomas - President & CEO, Habitat for Humanity - MidOhio

Secretary, Leah Evans - President & CEO, Homeport

Treasurer, Amy Rosenthal - Vice President for Affordable Housing, National Church Residences

Cristy "Critty" Buenconsejo - CEO, Creative Housing

Bo Chilton - President & CEO, Impact Community Action

Bill Hinga - Vice President of Public Policy & Government Relations, Wallick Communities

Samantha Shuler - CEO, Community Housing Network

Gretchen West - Executive Director, Healthy Homes at Nationwide Childrens Hospital

AHACO STAFF

Carlie J. Boos, Esq. is the Executive Director of the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio. In her role, she provides leadership and strategic direction to members, stakeholders, and the local community to expand affordable housing resources.

Previously, Carlie served as Community & Economic Development counsel at the Legal Aid Society of Columbus. While there, she provided comprehensive legal, logistical, and financial advice to organizations that make an impact in Columbus neighborhoods. She also has extensive experience in policy and program development, having worked at the Ohio Housing Finance Agency. At OHFA, she developed the Qualified Allocation Plan, oversaw the Ohio and National Housing Trust Fund allocation plans, led issue-specific initiatives like youth housing and assisted living finance, and created the FHAct50 Building Opportunity Fund. She also directed housing and economic recovery programming, including the Neighborhood Initiative Program and Save the Dream Ohio.

Carlie began her career as a consumer rights and housing attorney and consulted for The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law's faculty on consumer rights issues. She holds bachelors’ degrees in Women’s Studies and Political Science from the Ohio State University and a Juris Doctor from Case Western Reserve University School of Law.

She is on the board of the Franklinton Urban Empowerment Lab and volunteers for the Legal Aid Society of Columbus. Carlie unwinds at night by baking cakes, listening to her husband Leland play guitar, and chasing around their wonderful son, EZ.

Anna Teye-Kasongo is the Director of Community Partnerships for the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio. In her role, she provides strategic planning for CONVERGENCE Columbus’ work to close the racial wealth gap and support for AHACO’s initiatives to promote affordable housing.

Anna began her advocacy and program development career as an International Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies double major at Denison University. She cultivated a keen interest in empowerment initiatives and embarked on the Young Scholar Program’s very first international research project in Ghana, her home country. Before graduating, Anna was awarded the Presidential Medal, the highest honor bestowed to a senior for their academic achievement and service to the community.

After graduating from Denison, Anna pursued a Master’s of Public Administration at The George Washington University to acquire the practical tools to build, implement, and monitor sustainable social programs. Living in Washington, D.C. and learning from renowned practitioners in the program evaluation and policy arenas, Anna focused her studies on data analysis, policy analysis, and nonprofit management. Anna overcame her “fear of numbers” because she recognized the power of data in informing holistic and effective programs. She worked for the Global Women’s Institute assisting practitioners at the U.S. State Department, Save the Children, and KAFA Lebanon on best practices to combat gender-based violence in the delivery of humanitarian aid. She also consulted for Women’s In International Security (WIIS), serving as the data analyst and client liaison on their project to increase member engagement and retention across their 12 U.S. chapters and 27 international affiliates.

Returning to Ohio in 2019, Anna served as a program manager for developmental disabilities’ services at Alvis Inc. and an assistant director at Goodnews Messengers Inc.’s assisted-living facility. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Anna cultivated essential skills in crisis management and advocacy in both these roles, recognizing the importance of respecting the autonomy of underserved populations while fighting for their rights amidst a rapidly changing national landscape.

Anna loves to sing, performs with local Ghanaian gospel choirs Nii Addo Ministries and Danny Toffey Ministries, and is an avid member of The Connection Church praise and worship team. She is also a facilitator for Family Foundations International, a faith-based counseling program. She loves exploring parks and international cuisines with her husband Waseka and travelling the world. She has visited 17 countries on 4 continents and is actively striving to reach 35 countries by 35.