The following is a transcript of Episode 5 of The Community Effect Podcast.

Listen here: https://thecommunityeffect-nw.podbean.com/e/episode-5-the-future-now-forecasting-strategies-for-community-building-and-affordable-housing-in-2025-and-beyond-part-1/

Last month, I had the chance to join NeighborWorks America staff and network members for the NeighborWorks Rural Revitalization Clinic in Millersburg, Kentucky. Hosted by Community Ventures Corporation (CVC), a NeighborWorks network organization with a mission to strengthen communities by helping people achieve their dreams of greater economic opportunity, the four-day event centered on comprehensive community development (CCD) — a strategy that focuses on people, places and systems to create lasting, community-driven change.

It’s a brand new year and NeighborWorks America is moving forward with plans and strategies for the months ahead, including a new, three-year strategic plan. Today, we hear from some of NeighborWorks America’s leaders as they look forward to what 2025 has in store.

As the nation mourns former President Jimmy Carter, who died last month at 100, countless people have shared stories of his impact – among them, people in the housing community and at NeighborWorks America. 

In 2024, NeighborWorks Capital launched a new lending program to deploy low-cost, long-term capital to NeighborWorks network organizations to empower them to expand their homeownership initiatives in communities across the country. Wells Fargo provided $8.5 million for the launch of this program, and network organizations were selected for funding through a competitive invitation-only application process.

As NeighborWorks America wraps up an impactful year – during which the national nonprofit celebrated its 45th anniversary of creating and preserving affordable housing and strengthening communities – staff members look back on the moments that instilled them with the most pride.