The AmeriCorps VISTA program began in 1965. NeighborWorks America's VISTA program launched in 2009, and since that time more than 1,000 volunteers have completed service with the NeighborWorks networks.

There were cheers when the graduates walked up to the podium this week, as NeighborWorks America recognized the inaugural class of Advancing Leaders in Real Estate.  The graduates represented nine states and Washington, D.C., part of a pilot program to develop real estate leaders, particularly those of color, by offering technical assistance and project management training.  

There were cheers when the graduates walked up to the podium this week, as NeighborWorks America recognized the inaugural class of Advancing Leaders in Real Estate.  The graduates represented nine states and Washington, D.C., part of a pilot program to develop real estate leaders, particularly those of color, by offering technical assistance and project management training.  

When Harold Nassau first joined NeighborWorks America in 2000, the focus was more on single-family housing than on building the apartments people would come to call home. But very soon, multifamily housing became more central to the NeighborWorks network. So did caring for, assessing and developing those properties. 

Vidya Ramakrishnan has worked in real estate asset management for 11 years — the last five of those years in nonprofit work at New Jersey's HANDS, Inc. As her organization considered transitioning from multifamily projects to single-family homes and other projects, she sought peer and technical support.

Vidya Ramakrishnan has worked in real estate asset management for 11 years — the last five of those years in nonprofit work at New Jersey's HANDS, Inc. As her organization considered transitioning from multifamily projects to single-family homes and other projects, she sought peer and technical support.

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.  

During the pandemic, the nation realized even more the importance of a stable home, as where we live also became the place where we accessed education, healthcare and community. But disparities loomed. 

Now, as communities and individuals work to bounce back from pandemic-related economic hardships, NeighborWorks America is hosting a symposium, "Advancing Equity for People of Color: Local Solutions for Housing Stability." The symposium will include a roundtable, panels and discussions about equitable solutions for housing stability.

Building on successes from the past year means that NeighborWorks America is not starting the new year saying, "out with the old." But NeighborWorks'  senior leaders also have lots of new goals and ideas for the year ahead. 

Katie Watts, senior vice president of Field Operations