Nonprofits Are Urged to Share Information on Earned Benefits With Their Employees and Clients

The federal government took steps in 2009 to significantly expand benefits and supports for the nation’s low-income families, with much of the new assistance coming through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This legislation increased benefits for struggling families, including unemployment insurance coverage, tax credits and assistance programs such as food stamps, child care and housing subsidies.

These investments can make an enormous difference for America’s struggling families, but only if they can gain access to and receive the benefits for which they are eligible.

The National Assembly (of which NeighborWorks America is a member) has produced a series of materials and tools to make it easier for nonprofits to share this information, and The Annie E. Casey Foundation has produced an issue brief, Improving Access to Public Benefits to help individuals and families get the income supports they need.

NeighborWorks Offers Homeowners Energy-Saving Tips for Your Home and Family

As the seasons change, it pays to be more energy efficient, which is why NeighborWorks America is now offering homeowners tips to improve the way your home and family use energy.

From simple tasks like turning out lights not in use and meal planning, to installing ceiling fans and storm doors, NeighborWorks outlines ways your home and your family can become more energy efficient and save money in the long run.

Download the tip sheet.

Actions to Protect Foreclosed Homes From Deteriorating Your Neighborhood

Vacant or foreclosed homes can diminish an area's quality. As they deteriorate from neglect, these homes become eye sores that drag down the property value of other homes in the neighborhood.

In an article appearing in Yahoo Finance, NeighborWorks America says there's danger in doing nothing. Several measures that individuals and communities can take to stabilize their neighborhoods and protect property values are laid out in this article.

Let us know some of the things you or your neighbors are doing to safeguard and invest in your neighborhood. Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.

CNN Feature Demonstrates Importance of NeighborWorks Counseling

According to the IRS, 1.4 million people have taken advantage of the homebuyer tax credit, and Valatisha Jacinto, a Waco, Texas school teacher, was one of them. Jacinto and the credit counseling she received from NeighborWorks Waco were featured in a CNNMoney.com article on how the homebuyer tax credit has helped individuals buy a home.

NeighborWorks America supports the homebuyer tax credit and urges all homebuyers to seek homeownership education from a HUD-approved nonprofit organization — like NeighborWorks Waco — before purchasing a home. Jacinto’s story demonstrates the importance of this counseling. By working with NeighborWorks Waco to clean up her credit, Jacinto was ready to take advantage of the homebuyer tax credit when it was announced last February. She now owns an affordable three-bedroom, two-bath home, which she purchased with a 4.9 percent FHA-insured 30-year loan.

The tax credit was set to expire in December 2009, but it was expanded and extended through April 30, 2010 so more individuals could take advantage of the program.

NeighborWorks’ Achieving Excellence Program Named Finalist for National Housing Conference “Pioneering Housing Strategies” Award

Today NeighborWorks, the nation’s leading trainer of community development professionals, announced that its Achieving Excellence program was named a finalist for the National Housing Conference’s “Pioneering Housing Strategies” award. The award acknowledges forward-thinking strategies that are changing the way the industry approaches affordable housing and community development initiatives.

“We are delighted the National Housing Conference has recognized the NeighborWorks Achieving Excellence program. Achieving Excellence is an innovative organizational investment program that transforms the way community development nonprofits do business. As a result, nonprofits are better equipped to increase the availability of quality affordable housing, stem the tide of foreclosures, and revitalize communities,” said Ken Wade, CEO of NeighborWorks America.

NeighborWorks is currently accepting applications from nonprofit leaders for the 2010-2011 Achieving Excellence class. The application deadline for the Achieving Excellence program is March 15, 2010. Applications, as well as additional program information, are available online at www.nw.org/ae.