With unprecedented federal funding available for new sustainable energy projects, NeighborWorks America wants to make sure that nonprofit affordable housing and community development practitioners remain on the leading edge. That means offering training courses that will give affordable developers the foundation they need to foster safer, more energy-efficient and sustainable homes. It also means providing technical support to network organizations seeking to build or to rebuild properties in this arena. 

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.

Even before unprecedented federal funding became available for environmental technology, NeighborWorks network organizations had taken climate impact into account as they worked to find ways to heat and cool homes. 

"It's important as a nonprofit community development organization to be both aspirational and a leader," says Kevin O'Connor, chief executive officer of RUPCO, which joined the U.S. Green Building Council in 2005. 

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." 

For 45 years, NeighborWorks America has strived to make every community a place of opportunity. Each year, different projects and initiatives work their way into the spotlight. As 2023 comes to a close, we look back on a successful year – and some of the initiatives that made it that way.

Native partnerships

In 2020, a storm hit central Virginia that left residents without power for several days. One of Piedmont Housing's properties was without heat, and residents couldn't travel to replenish supplies or charge their phones. So when staff at the Charlottesville nonprofit, together with the community, had a chance to put in protections for residents as part of a redevelopment project, they did. The result will be seen in a new community resource center, part of a larger redevelopment of Friendship Court, recently renamed by residents as Kindlewood.

In 2020, a storm hit central Virginia that left residents without power for several days. One of Piedmont Housing's properties was without heat, and residents couldn't travel to replenish supplies or charge their phones. So when staff at the Charlottesville nonprofit, together with the community, had a chance to put in protections for residents as part of a redevelopment project, they did. The result will be seen in a new community resource center, part of a larger redevelopment of Friendship Court, recently renamed by residents as Kindlewood.

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