March 27, 2008
Contact: Doug Robinson
202-220-2360
drobinson@nw.org

 

NeighborWorks® America Joins with Prince George’s County, Maryland,
to Prevent Foreclosure and Promote Sustainable Homeownership

(Upper Marlboro, Maryland) – NeighborWorks America and Prince George’s County announced a new alliance to prevent home foreclosure in the county that involves training of more housing counselors and coordination in the development and utilization of home mortgage rescue funds.

“This new alliance continues the commitment from the NeighborWorks network to the Prince George’s County community,” said Kenneth D. Wade, CEO of NeighborWorks America. “By identifying where each of us can bring our strengths to bear against the
rising tide of foreclosure, together we are more effective at helping families maintain homeownership.”

“Sometimes the difference between owning your home and keeping your home or not, is what you don't know,” said Thomas Thompson, director of the Department of Housing and Community Development for Prince George’s County. “This partnership will help strengthen our communities to help people understand the homeownership process.”

Under the agreement, NeighborWorks America pledged to connect the Prince George’s County Homeownership Preservation Coalition to resources such as the National Ad Council campaign and to (888) 995-HOPE, the Homeowner’s HOPETM Hotline.

The Ad Council campaign was launched in June 2007 in partnership with the Homeownership Preservation Foundation, which operates the hotline, and today is one of the most effective ways to reach consumers facing mortgage crises and direct them to resources that can help prevent foreclosure.

In addition, NeighborWorks America will provide up to 10 scholarships for key Prince George’s County community leaders and community service providers to attend NeighborWorks Training Institutes conducted in 2008. The NeighborWorks Training Institutes are the leading forums for energetic leaders to sharpen their development, management, and organizational skills to benefit the residents of their communities.

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. To date, we have assisted nearly 850,000 low- to moderate-income families with their housing needs. Much of our success is achieved through our support of the NeighborWorks network ― more than 230 community development organizations working in 4,400 urban, suburban and rural communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. In the last five years, NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $12.4 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation’s leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals.