Maureen Rude, Executive Director, NeighborWorks Montana

The Challenge: Montana is the fourth largest state in the nation and it has one of the highest rural population rates. Just over half of the residents live at or below the area median income, but funding cuts in 2001 virtually eliminated affordable housing assistance in rural areas.

Kevin Smith, president and CEO, Community Ventures

Brent Ekstrom, Executive Director, CommunityWorks North Dakota

Pilar Hogan Closkey, Executive Director, Saint Joseph’s Carpenter Society
 
Challenge:  To help low-income families in the historic, but struggling, city of Camden, NJ, thrive in place, while revitalizing the city itself. 


 

After renting for her entire adult life, Amanda Mather came to Homewise in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 2009 to purchase her first house. Coming from a family of Santa Fe artists, it was important to her to find a home where she could express her unique style.

Peg Malloy, Executive Director, Portland Housing Center

Challenge: In 2010, the Portland Housing Center saw a 50 percent drop in the proportion of African Americans using our homebuying services compared to other demographics. We needed to find a way to bridge the gap with that group.

Dawn O'Neill, a single mother living in a Wyoming Housing Network (WHN) affordable housing property, wanted to give her two daughters a permanent home of their own.

A home is fundamental to our daily existence. Yet, for many it's not a "given." The shortage of quality, affordable housing for working families in urban neighborhoods across the country is well documented. It's no different in Wyandotte County in Kansas City, Kansas. Too many families lack access to a healthy, safe house to call home.
 

The Hawaii HomeOwnership Center (HHOC) helped Terry Visperas take the first steps toward homeownership for himself and his son, Nainoa.