News Release

April 23, 2009

Contact: Douglas Robinson, 202-220-2360, drobinson@nw.org
Erin Angell Collins, 202-220-6317, ecollins@nw.org

NeighborWorks America to Distribute $81 Million in Grants
To NeighborWorks Network in 2009
Grants are a much-needed boost for community development efforts

Washington D.C.—At a time when communities need resources most, thousands across the nation will receive a much-needed affordable housing and community development boost as NeighborWorks® America distributes more than $81 million in flexible grants to its national network of more than 230 local nonprofit NeighborWorks organizations.  The $81 million that will be distributed in 2009 is an increase from the previous year, and reflects the increased need for community development since the financial crisis began to make headlines in 2008.

“The need for nonprofit community development organizations has never been greater,” said Ken Wade, CEO of NeighborWorks America.  “Communities are challenged by record foreclosure rates and rising unemployment at a time when municipal and state budgets are stretched thin and private resources are growing scarce. These grants provide critical funding that strengthens NeighborWorks organizations’ ability to meet the growing needs in the communities they serve.” 

Specifically, the grants in 2009 will help NeighborWorks organizations:

• Provide quality counseling for struggling homeowners at risk of foreclosure;
• Stabilize communities hard-hit by the current crisis by putting vacant properties back into productive use;
• Empower consumers through financial and homeownership education and counseling;
• Create homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income families; and
• Produce and manage affordable, high-quality rental properties. 

“We are grateful for the support from Congress and our other private, philanthropic and public funders who make the work of the NeighborWorks network possible, particularly for their support of NeighborWorks’ foreclosure prevention efforts. Although no one organization or sector can resolve the foreclosure crisis alone, NeighborWorks America is making a significant contribution to this effort,” said Wade.  

NeighborWorks America created the NeighborWorks network to improve homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income families; provide financial education and improve financial literacy; rebuild and repair properties; develop affordable multifamily units; and use innovative strategies to improve safety and revitalize communities across the nation. 

Collectively, over the last five years NeighborWorks America and the NeighborWorks network have been able to: 

• Invest nearly $15 billion in America's urban, rural, and suburban communities;
• Create the nation's largest force of certified homeownership education counselors and foreclosure intervention counselors;
• Provide homeownership counseling to more than 400,000 families;
• Assist more than 80,000 families of modest means to achieve their dream of homeownership;
• Develop, own and manage over 70,000 affordable, high quality rental units;
• Rehabilitate more than 80,000 homes using state-of-the-art methods, including green and healthy building techniques;  
• Invest in rebuilding efforts in communities across the Gulf Coast; and
• Mobilize hundreds of thousands of volunteers to revitalize communities.

For more information about NeighborWorks America, please contact Erin Angell Collins, 202-220-6317, ecollins@nw.org, or Doug Robinson, 202-220-2360, drobinson@nw.org.

About NeighborWorks America
NeighborWorks America creates opportunities for people to improve their lives and strengthen their communities by providing access to homeownership and to safe and affordable rental housing. In the last five years, NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $19.5 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation’s leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals.