NeighborWorks America Works to Thwart Foreclosure “Rescue” Scams

Today, NeighborWorks America announced that it filed two trademark complaints with online search engines in an attempt to protect consumers from falling prey to foreclosure rescue scams. The trademark complaints filed by NeighborWorks sought to remove online ads paid for by so-called mortgage rescue companies that used the NeighborWorks name and logo and offered foreclosure help for a fee. The companies have no affiliation with NeighborWorks.

The trademark complaints were the latest of NeighborWorks’ efforts to help ensure that homeowners in danger of foreclosure receive the help they need to avoid foreclosure. More.

NeighborWorks Network Expects Investment in Multifamily Portfolio to Approach $700 Million in 2009

Today NeighborWorks America announced that it anticipates continued growth in investment in its portfolio of owned and managed multifamily rental housing, forecasting the total investment in the portfolio to grow by more than $50 million, or just over eight percent of the investment made in the year ended Sept. 30 2008. Last year, NeighborWorks organizations invested in excess of $644 million in multifamily properties. The expected growth in 2009 translates into approximately 5,000 additional units of quality, affordable and increasingly environmentally sustainable housing. More.

NeighborWorks America Applauds NeighborWorks Alliance of Vermont

Vermont homeowners in danger of foreclosure will now know who to call for free foreclosure prevention assistance thanks to a move by the Vermont State Supreme Court. In an emergency amendment to the state Rules of Civil Procedure, which went into effect on January 1, 2009, Vermont homeowners entering into foreclosure will now receive a notice that contains contact information for nonprofit organizations – including five Vermont NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Centers – that offer free foreclosure prevention help. More.

January NeighborWorks Alert

A Message from NeighborWorks CEO Ken Wade, on the Inauguration of President Barack Obama
President Barack Obama’s inauguration was celebrated by hundreds of millions of people across America and throughout the world, but for those in housing and community development, this historic occasion has special meaning. For practitioners in this industry — many of whom understand the immeasurable potential of community organizing — it was encouraging to hear the new president signal a community approach to solving the dire challenges ahead. Read more.


Also in this Issue:

News:

• Shaun Donovan Confirmed as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
  
  
• New Compelling Video Captures the Impact of NeighborWorks America and Make It Right on New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward Residents
  
  
• NeighborWorks CEO Ken Wade to be Featured in TV One Special Real Estate Realities: When the Boom Goes Bust
  
  
• NeighborWorks Network Expects Investment in Multifamily Portfolio to Approach $700 Million in 2009
  
  
• NeighborWorks Organizations Recognized for Innovations in Home Building
  
  
• Investors, Supporters and Stakeholders of Housing and Community Development Organizations Get New Evaluation Tool from NeighborWorks America
  
  
• NeighborWorks America Applauds NeighborWorks Alliance of Vermont for their Role in State Supreme Court Decision on Foreclosures
  
  
• Experts Predict Second Wave of Foreclosures
  

Funding:

• Praxis Project: Call for Proposals for Communities Creating Healthy Environments, Deadline February 26
  
  
• Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Neighborhood Excellence Initiative is accepting applications for 2009 awards

Resources:

• New Resource on Building Materials Reuse
  
  
• Narrated Presentation of the HUD's Hope for Homeowners Program
  
  
• Disaster Preparedness and Recovery Manual for Community Development Organizations
  
  
• New Report on Greening Multifamily Housing