Susan M. Ifill, Chief Executive Officer, Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City

In its time, the house on Topeka Street in Wichita, Kansas, was an asset for the neighborhood. Built in 1920, the front-gabled Craftsman bungalow duplex had dual-gabled porches that were peaked at the ridge in Asian fashion. Then, it fell into decline and disuse, turning into an eyesore. Vacant and boarded-up, the taxes went unpaid for five years.

Joan Carty, President and CEO
Suchana Costa, Innovations Analyst
Housing Development Fund

Seila Mosquera, Executive Director, NeighborWorks New Horizons
 

William E. Farnsel, Executive Director, NeighborWorks Toledo Region

Carole Kauffman, VP, Director of Development & Communications, Trellis    
 

Julie Bornstein, Executive Director, Coachella Valley Housing Coalition

Rosemary M. Heard, President and CEO, CATCH Neighborhood Housing

Stuart J. Mitchell, President and CEO, PathStone Corporation

Challenge: To rebuild deteriorating housing and employment opportunities in Puerto Rico's Route 123 Heritage Area, amid a crumbling infrastructure and shrinking tax base that have crippled the ability of local governments to meet needs.

Rollin Wood, executive director, Native Partnership for Housing

Challenge: The Navajo Nation covers more than 27,000 square miles. Seventy percent of those living in the nation earn less than $15,000 per year. Many banks will not lend to residents of sovereign Native American Nations out of fear they will not be able to foreclose on delinquent loans.