When Britney Russell started her hair styling business in 2011, she already had a vision for where it might take her. 

Data tells a story.

At NeighborWorks® America, the data tells the story of new homeowners. It tells the story of homes repaired and of communities working together to make their neighborhoods what they want them to be. It tells the story of families and individuals connecting to education, to jobs and to better health, all by finding a safe place to call home.

NeighborWorks’ annual impact report highlights the data of NeighborWorks and the network – and the stories behind it.

The cost of housing in the U.S. has been climbing and for many families, it’s harder than ever to keep up. Between rising property values, stricter lending conditions and limited access to upfront capital, the path to homeownership can feel nearly impossible, especially for first-time buyers without financial support.  

When people tell the story of America, they often talk about national leaders, historical events and major milestones. 

But America's story has always been written closer to home. 

There is strength in NeighborWorks® America’s network of nearly 250 nonprofits from across the country. Jim Peffley, CEO of NeighborWorks Capital, a community development financial institution (CDFI) created to serve NeighborWorks network organizations, wants to harness that strength to collectively raise capital at scale – and with better terms. The ultimate goal is to bring attractive capital to communities that often do not have access to capital with the best terms.

NeighborWorks® network organizations will have a chance to meet with industry partners, engage with one another, and address housing challenges together during a brand new Housing Supply Solutions Lab. The lab will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 25, during the  NeighborWorks® Training Institute in Chicago, Illinois. 

CHN Housing Network in Cleveland, Ohio, broke ground this month on a housing solution: The NeighborWorks network organization is building an affordable housing development devoted to veterans. Cleveland West Veterans Housing is scheduled to open next fall.

“We’ve done a lot of permanent supportive housing for the chronically homeless,” explained Kevin Nowalk, president and CEO of CHN. “Within that group, disproportionally, we see veterans.”

On Season 2, Episode 1 of The Community Effect, NeighborWorks® America's podcast, we revisit Hurricane Katrina two decades later, and the communities and leaders who rose from the disaster to rebuild stronger than ever. Host Marietta Rodriguez, NeighborWorks® America's president & CEO, sits down with: 

In the days after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, communities began to think about rebuilding, even while still responding to the devastation. In South Mississippi, community and business leaders organized a business council to try to understand the region’s recovery. From that council came the Renaissance Community Loan Fund, now known as RCLF. The nonprofit was supposed to be temporary.

It’s easy for me to remember both the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and my own anniversary working with NeighborWorks America: They happen at nearly the same time. One anniversary marks a storm 20 years ago that still seems like yesterday. The other marks the continuance of a career in affordable housing and community development helping people – including myself – recover.