History

The Housing Education Resource Center (HERC) was established in 1980 as the Housing Coalition for the Capitol Region.  Its original purpose was to promote affordable housing throughout the region, to serve as a resource for local supporters of such housing and to develop and disseminate educational materials addressing some of the barriers to affordable housing development. 

In 1983, the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG) transferred its Fair Housing/Housing Services program to the Coalition.  Through this program, area residents received information and counseling regarding Fair Housing and Housing Discrimination. 

By 1985 the demand for the counseling services offered through the Fair Housing/Housing Services Program had substantially increased and the organization had shifted its focus from advocacy to direct services to meet this demand.  By that time, residents were requesting help with a variety of housing issues and had no other resource to help them address their housing problems and questions.  To reflect the change, and to better communicate its mission and services, the organization became the Housing Education Resource Center (HERC) and the Fair Housing/Housing Services Program became the Direct Services Program.

Mission

The mission of the Housing Education Resource Center is to promote equal and expanded housing opportunities through the provision of direct counseling, information, education and assistance.