NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, located in Rhode Island, was an early adopter of geothermal technology. But it wasn't always smooth going, says Christian Caldarone, deputy director. He was forced to get a quick education on geothermal soon after he started his job. The organization used an open-looped system, relying on fresh groundwater to transfer heat, for The Meadows, bright, one- and two-bedroom apartments that look like they're part of a small village.

Recently, I led NeighborWorks America's symposium, "Co-creating an Equitable Future at the Intersection of Health, Housing and Community Development."

Marietta Rodriguez presented this speech at the 2024 National Interagency Community Reinvestment on March 7 as part of a session entitled “A New Landscape for Community Impact.” 

Imagine a neighborhood. ANY neighborhood. A neighborhood that you live in, a neighborhood that you grew up in or a neighborhood you've visited. 

What does it mean to be rural? And is it overdue a change in perspective?  

"We want people to think of rural as an asset," says Elena Kaye-Schiess, program manager, Rural Initiatives. "A lot of rural communities have to be self-sufficient in many ways. As a result of that, there's an opportunity to breed innovation and solutions to challenges." 

NeighborWorks America kicked off a yearlong observation of the organization’s 45th anniversary year this week, celebrating four and a half decades of partnerships and strengthening our communities.

NeighborWorks America kicked off a yearlong observation of the organization’s 45th anniversary year this week, celebrating four and a half decades of partnerships and strengthening our communities.

Over a dozen years, LIFT – which stands for Let's Invest for Tomorrow – has helped more than 25,000 people in 81 communities buy homes of their own by providing down payment assistance to

How can housing connect us to our shared humanity?" That's one of the questions posed in an exhibit on innovations in affordable housing and community development on display at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. The exhibit highlights the work of six nonprofit organizations who have developed innovations, including two NeighborWorks network organizations. “A Better Way Home” has already seen 13,000 visitors.  

The path to affordable homeownership is longer than it used to be. Interest rates are higher. Coming up with a down payment is harder. And there's less affordable housing stock available, especially for low- and moderate-income residents looking for a safe place to live, according to NeighborWorks America's National Homeownership Programs & Lending staff.  

The path to affordable homeownership is longer than it used to be. Interest rates are higher. Coming up with a down payment is harder. And there's less affordable housing stock available, especially for low- and moderate-income residents looking for a safe place to live, according to NeighborWorks America's National Homeownership Programs & Lending staff.