It's not just about housing, anymore.

To reflect its expanding scope of community development lending throughout the state of Colorado, including in Boulder County, Mile High Housing Fund has changed its name to Mile High Community Loan Fund (MHCLF). The organization began doing business under the new name on Jan. 15, 2008.

"Though we remain committed to the development of affordable housing, our name change reflects a new direction for the organization that will see us advance our mission by availing our loan products to both the affordable housing and nonprofit sectors statewide," said Jeff Seifried, executive director. "In doing so, we'll make a larger impact through our investments."

As it has become a reliable source of early stage, short-term capital financing in the affordable housing industry over the past several years, MHCLF's investments have paid big social and economic dividends for communities across Colorado. Since 1999, MHCLF has promoted and preserved affordable housing by financing more than 3,000 housing units in 15 Colorado counties-the majority of which are available to residents whose household wages fall below the area median income.

In Boulder County, MHCLF has helped to develop several affordable housing projects. In 2006, the agency helped the affordable housing developer Peak Properties finance Eagle Place-a 60-unit, energy-efficient townhome complex located in Lafayette.

MHCLF also helped the Longmont Housing Authority redevelop the former Briarwood Inn motel into a mixed-use site that features emergency and transitional housing units and the organization's new administrative headquarters.

Capitalizing on organization's success in the affordable housing arena and the growth of the nonprofit sector, MHCLF leaders a few years ago diversified the agency's mission to help nonprofit organizations secure, develop and or renovate new space.

Making its loans available with favorable terms and at affordable rates, MHCLF quickly emerged as one of the precious few resources of capital financing for Colorado's nonprofit community. Since just 2005, the organization has loaned more than $4 million to local service agencies to purchase and develop some 50,000 square feet of nonprofit facilities statewide.

"As one of the few organizations working in this niche of the marketplace, we believe that we'll continue to see tremendous success in helping nonprofits develop space for office use, classrooms, childcare facilities, and other human service program facilities," Seifried said.

MHCLF's move to change its name and to expand its mission closely follows the decision to increase the number of areas that it serves. Last year, the organization began offering its programs to additional communities along the Front Range and I-70 corridors-including Clear Creek, Eagle, Gilpin, Larimer, Summit and Weld counties.

"MHCLF has always been about filling gaps in the complex arena of community development and community development financing," Seifried said. "Increasing our service area and extending our financing from affordable housing to community facilities is a natural move that takes advantage of our strengths and expertise in meeting existing needs among the state's communities."

MHCLF has also changed its Web site address to reflect its new name. Individuals and agencies interested in learning about the organization can visit www.mhclf.org. There, they'll find information about the organization's services, products, partners and projects.

Interested parties may also call MHCLF at 303-860-1888.