Dwelling Place has taken a variety of approaches to increase the availability of affordable homes in West Michigan over the years, most recently in shared equity housing development. The NeighborWorks network organization has a new 42-unit single-family community land trust in the works, as well as a townhome development in partnership with The Habitat Company in Chicago. The organization is also working to convert 45 existing rental homes into shared equity condominiums.

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

Through training, grants, research, learning cohorts and more, NeighborWorks America makes a difference in communities across the nation, in partnership with nearly 250 network organizations who do the "work on the ground." As 2022 draws to a close, some of NeighborWorks' senior leaders share what they see as the biggest impacts in 2022.  

Paul Singh, vice president of Community Initiatives 

Through training, grants, research, learning cohorts and more, NeighborWorks America makes a difference in communities across the nation, in partnership with nearly 250 network organizations who do the "work on the ground." As 2022 draws to a close, some of NeighborWorks' senior leaders share what they see as the biggest impacts in 2022.  

Paul Singh, vice president of Community Initiatives 

Given the scope and intersections of many of the issues that our communities face, partnerships serve as one way to combine resources and share strengths. Both the 2008 foreclosure crisis and the impact from COVID-19 have continued to demonstrate the complex links among housing, health, economic well-being and educational outcomes.

Mel Willie is NeighborWorks America's new director of Native Partnerships and Strategy. He began this position in May 2022 to help expand NeighborWorks' investment in Tribal communities, and has spent his first six months speaking, listening and problem-solving as he's talked with representatives around the network. Willie comes to NeighborWorks with more than 23 years of experience in nonprofit management, government, political, public and intergovernmental affairs.