Release date: 1/9/2023

Contact: 
NeighborWorks America Media
202-760-4097
[email protected] 

Expert available to discuss how credit issues and financial concerns halt Black homeownership 

What
As the nation celebrates Black History Month in February and the progress of Black communities, NeighborWorks America is proud to have created nearly 4,000 Black homeowners in fiscal year 2021. Black people still have the lowest rate of homeownership in America at 42%, according to NeighborWorks America's 2022 Housing and Financial Capability Survey. One of the organization's strategic priorities is increasing homeownership for Black Americans and all people of color.

NeighborWorks America's expert is available to discuss Black homeownership challenges like credit issues and inability to afford a down payment on a home. NeighborWorks America offers solutions to accelerate homeownership for Black people through education, counseling and lending services, correcting past inequities and helping give Black homeowners a pathway to generational wealth. 

When: Jan. 9 – ongoing

Where: Phone, email or Zoom

NeighborWorks America expert available for comment
Dr. Christie Cade, regional vice president, Southern Region, NeighborWorks America

Dr. Christie Cade has over 30 years of experience in all aspects of homeownership from homebuyer education and counseling, mortgage lending and servicing, development of affordable for-sale housing and the administration of local, state and federal homebuyer programs and services. As regional vice president for NeighborWorks America, Cade leads her staff in providing resources to lenders, developers and community development partners in both urban and rural communities in 13 states throughout the Southern U.S. She facilitates trainings, secures resources, and leverages key relationships between NeighborWorks America, community stakeholders and strategic partners. She is responsible for ensuring technical assistance and funding support for leadership development of staff, boards of directors, and local residents in the revitalization of their communities. Cade holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Development and Leadership.

She can discuss challenges affecting homeownership and how NeighborWorks America and NeighborWorks network organizations are helping Black homebuyers achieve the dream of homeownership. 

About NeighborWorks America  
For more than 40 years, Neighborhood Reinvestment Corp., a national, nonpartisan nonprofit known as NeighborWorks America, has strived to make every community a place of opportunity. Our network of excellence includes nearly 250 members in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. NeighborWorks America offers grant funding, peer exchange, technical assistance, evaluation tools, and access to training as the nation's leading trainer of housing and community development professionals. NeighborWorks network organizations provide residents in their communities with affordable homes, owned and rented; financial counseling and coaching; community building through resident engagement; and collaboration in the areas of health, employment and education.