The McAuley Institute was established in 1983 by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas to address the problem of inadequate housing for low-income wo men and their families in the United States. Its mission is to assist individuals at all levels in developing the capacity for and the resources necessary to address the shelter and housing needs of the poor. Since its inception, McAuley reports having made approximately 150 loans totaling over $12.8 million. McAuley reports that these loans have helped finance nearly 3,000 affordable housing units, including 813 homeownership units. Loans have been used for predevelopment construction, rehabilitation, and mini-construction.