Print pageRelease date: 5/27/2021
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NeighborWorks America launches new housing counseling program with $100 million available through The American Rescue Plan
Washington, D.C. — The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 enacted on March 11, 2021, entrusts NeighborWorks America with implementing a $100 million housing counseling program. NeighborWorks America has designed and will administer its new Housing Stability Counseling Program (HSCP) nationwide. The program aims to help eligible nonprofits and agencies that provide direct counseling services to individuals and families facing housing instability, such as eviction, foreclosure and homelessness.Housing counselors are key to helping consumers increase awareness about all options available to them. NeighborWorks America's mission is to create opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives and strengthen their communities. The implementation of HSCP is another demonstration of our deep commitment to helping improve the lives of the individuals and families we serve.
"With the implementation of the Housing Stability Counseling Program, we know that we are helping to mitigate the risk of eviction and foreclosure for some very vulnerable populations. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the needs of far too many individuals and families at risk of losing their homes," said NeighborWorks America President & CEO Marietta Rodriguez. "HSCP is the type of collaboration between nonprofits and government we know makes a difference for the communities we serve. NeighborWorks remains committed to working with funders, partners and other intermediaries to help ensure that the resources are available so that no one loses their home unnecessarily and residents facing housing instability have a trusted resource in which to seek assistance."
The HSCP will increase the capacity of housing counseling organizations to provide an increased level of counseling for those facing housing instability. HUD-approved housing counseling agencies are poised to assist consumers with foreclosure and eviction prevention and access to federal and local relief programs. Eligible HUD-approved intermediaries, state housing finance agencies, and NeighborWorks network organizations will be invited to apply for funds starting on June 2, per the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) announcement available for viewing at StableCommunities.org.
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.
