NeighborWorks America to Distribute $119 Million in Grants in 2010

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 $119 million in flexible grants to its national network of more than 230 local nonprofit NeighborWorks organizations.

The $119 million that will be distributed in 2010 is a $38 million increase from 2009, and reflects the increased need for community development as the foreclosure crisis and recession continue to make headlines in 2010.“The need for nonprofit community development organizations has never been greater,” said Ken Wade, CEO of NeighborWorks America. “Communities are challenged by high foreclosure rates and near-record 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 local NeighborWorks organizations’ ability to serve their communities during this difficult economic time."

The 2010 grants 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; andProduce and manage affordable, high-quality rental properties.

For more information about the 2010 grants, visit the NeighborWorks newsroom.

EPA, HUD Award Community Housing Partners with Energy Star Award

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have awarded NeighborWorks member Community Housing Partners (CHP) in Christiansburg, Virginia, with the 2010 ENERGY STAR Award for Excellence in Energy-Efficient Affordable Housing. CHP received this award in recognition of its efforts to provide energy-efficient housing for low-income residents. CHP will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 18, 2010.

ENERGY STAR Awards are given to a variety of organizations to recognize their contribution to the construction of energy-efficient homes that benefit the environment, while providing homeowners with significant savings on utility bills and homes that are safer and more comfortable. CHP and other award winners were selected from more than 17,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

Learn more here.

NeighborWorks Member Gives Congressional Testimony on Energy Efficiency Standards for Manufactured Homes

Stacey Epperson, president of Frontier Housing, one of the NeighborWorks network's largest homebuilders, sat before a Senate Committee on March 11 as part of an effort to replace old manufactured homes across the country with new, energy efficient homes. The construction of these new manufactured homes could create about 50,000 jobs and save as much as $240 million in engery costs for low-income families.

Read Epperson's testimony before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Read New York Times article about the latest congressional efforts to implement energy efficiency standards and tax incentive programs for home and commercial buildings.

NeighborWorks NTI Participants and Staff Volunteer in New Orleans

During the NeighborWorks Training Institute in New Orleans last week NeighborWorks staff and conference participants banded together to volunteer in New Orleans’ communities. On Sunday, February 28, one day before the conference kicked off volunteers painted, hang sheet rock and did light demolition on homes targeted for first time homebuyers and the elderly.

The volunteer effort was coordinated with The Preservation Resource Center, one of NeighborWorks America’s local partners, and their Rebuilding Together and Operation Comeback divisions. Rebuilding Together New Orleans helps repair homes for low-income elderly and disabled homeowners and Operation Comeback focuses on buying, repairing and selling blighted property. The volunteer effort demonstrates NeighborWorks America’s continued commitment to Gulf Coast rebuilding partnerships.

“We selected the Preservation Resource Center as our volunteer partner because we’ve been impressed with the work that they have done, as well as many other organizations we’ve partnered with in the area. We can provide dollars and technical assistance and also help do the actual work,” said Don Phoenix, director, NeighborWorks America’s Southern District office, based in Atlanta.

We captured some of the volunteers in action. You can see them here.

NeighborWorks America Recognizes National Consumer Protection Week by Warning Homeowners Against Loan Modification Scams

In conjunction with National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW), March 7-13, NeighborWorks America and its growing coalition of national government agencies, nonprofit organizations and financial institutions are empowering homeowners to combat loan modification scams. The effort is an extension of the organization’s national Loan Modification Scam Alert campaign, designed to help homeowners protect themselves against loan modification scams, find trusted help and report illegal activity to authorities.

NeighborWorks America is an official partner of NCPW, a coordinated consumer education campaign that encourages individuals across the country to take full advantage of their consumer rights.

An estimated 4.5 million Americans are at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure. While many will seek relief in the form of loan modification services, too many will instead become victims of scams.

“Foreclosure rates in America are now at an all-time high and so is the need for help,” said Kenneth D. Wade, chief executive officer of NeighborWorks America. “This National Consumer Protection Week, NeighborWorks is urging community groups and businesses across the nation to join in the effort to educate homeowners about how they can guard against loan modification scams—a fast-spreading epidemic in need of immediate attention.”

Learn more, including the six red flags that indicate you may be dealing with a scammer.