"Employer Assisted Housing Incentive"

Dena Sherrill

The Employer Assisted Housing Incentive helps attract and retain a good workforce. It provides HR professionals with technical assistance in the development of employer assisted housing programs to assist their employees in purchasing a home.

Why is the subject significant to the HR profession?

The program is administered through a partnership with REI, Fannie Mae, and Rural Development.

In addition, we have matching funds available to leverage the financial benefit provided to the employee by the employer. We can match up to $2,500 per employee on a statewide basis.

Employer Assisted Housing as a concept has been in existence for several years. However, the incentive portion and the partnership is new and very unique.

Bio:
Dena Sherrill, Community Development Specialist, is in her 11th year of employment with REI and administers the Employer Assisted Housing Incentive. In 2005, she received her certification as a Housing Development Finance Professional from the National Development Council. Dena has recently been appointed to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka's Affordable Housing Advisory Council. She works with community leaders, bankers, realtors and builders about programs that are available that ultimately enhance the quality of life in their communities.

Dena's career prior to her employment with REI includes a number of years with law firms, the district attorney's office, associate district judge's office and from 1993 to 1996 she was co-owner of the Gymnastics Sports Center of Durant.

Dena is a past President of the Durant Main Street Program and was on the Board of Directors for six years, serving as Board Chair for two years.

Dena resides in Durant with her husband, Trace, and son Colton. Her daughter Ashley currently attending the University of Oklahoma. Durant is also the headquarters of Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc.