AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteers to Work with NeighborWorks Organizations in Local Communities

NeighborWorks America announces its sponsorship of one of the largest AmeriCorps VISTA programs to date: up to 168 VISTA volunteers will be sponsored by 67 local NeighborWorks organizations in 35 states.

The VISTA volunteers will work in local communities to reduce the rate of foreclosure, strengthen areas hard hit by the recession and foreclosure crisis, and bolster financial fitness and asset building among low- and moderate-income homeowners and renters.

All VISTA volunteers will be in place by September 30, 2009 and each will complete one full year of service.

Find out more about NeighborWorks' VISTA sponsorship.

Learn more about the AmeriCorps VISTA program, including how you or your organization can become involved.

Eligibility Recently Expanded for Making Home Affordable Mortgage Refinancing

A recent expansion of the Making Home Affordable program now allows borrowers who are current but up to 125 percent underwater on their mortgage to refinance those loans according to the terms of the Making Home Affordable refinance program. Participation in the program remains limited to those whose mortgages are currently owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This change, however, opens the door to refinance relief for more borrowers fighting to keep their homes in areas hit hard by the foreclosure crisis. More information on the expansion is available on HUD's Web site. Borrowers can check to see if they are eligible for a Home Affordable Refinance on the Making Home Afforbable Web site.

NeighborWorks Foreclosure Prevention Ads Ranked Third Among Donated Ad Space Last Year

The New York Times recently reported that of the campaigns receiving the most support from media last year, the NeighborWorks America and Ad Council spots to help homeowners prevent foreclosure ranked third. According to the report, the foreclosure prevention campaign received $72.9 million in donated space and time, behind campaigns for parental control of TV sets and the campaign to prevent drunk driving. In total, media companies donated commercial time, ad space and other support for pro bono campaigns worth more than $1.83 billion last year. We would like to thank our network and partners, as well as the media, for their support of our outreach to homeowners facing foreclosure.

Read New York Times article. View NeighborWorks press release.

NeighborWorks Board Agencies Join NeighborWorks Week Volunteers to Landscape Low-income Property in DC

If you're having trouble viewing the video below, see it on our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhA64EKLGf8&feature=channel_page

NeighborWorks and NHS of South Florida Join NBA All-Stars

Yesterday NeighborWorks America and Neighborhood Housing Services of South Florida (NHSSF) joined the HOPE NOW alliance for the ‘Bringing Hope Home’ foreclosure prevention campaign, which featured NBA All-Stars Alonzo Mourning and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat and Latino television host Fernando Arau.

Mourning, Wade and Arau met with NHSSF’s counselors and clients and visit local businesses in the Miami Gardens neighborhood. The goal of the foreclosure prevention campaign is to raise awareness of the foreclosure crisis and the free resources available to homeowners in danger of foreclosure, including the government’s Making Home Affordable Program.

For more information, read today's Miami Herald story about the event.