As W-2 and other income forms make their way to taxpayers’ mailboxes, signaling the start of the 2006 tax season, NeighborWorks America announced that several members of the national NeighborWorks network are offering free tax preparation services, and also advised taxpayers to be aware of the real cost of quick refund services offered in the market today. Read more about these tax services in the NeighborWorks Newsroom.

A new report recently released by NeighborWorks America provides action-steps to help nonprofit organizations deliver the types of services and programs that will sustain the nation’s rural communities. Based on a review of strategies reported by six members of the NeighborWorks Rural Initiative, the report makes clear that rural development success can be achieved in a number of ways. The report can be found here [PDF, 860KB].

Homeownership could be within reach for more South Carolinians if state lawmakers approve a bill that would clear the way for more state and federal money to flow to local housing agencies. “It’s another recognition of the need for more affordable housing in the state,” said Robert Thomas, president of the board of the Affordable Housing Coalition of South Carolina. Read more.

The number of city foreclosures jumped 18 percent in the last half of 2006 - with as many as 100 homes going on the block each week in both Brooklyn and Queens, according to Crain's New York Business. "The last time I saw it this bad was in the early 1990s," Jessica David, president of Profiles Publications, which tracks foreclosure figures, told Crain's for last week's edition. Read more.

Nearly 200 Franklin County families have kept their homes from foreclosure, thanks to a 9-month-old effort by a group of nonprofit organizations. "Getting access to help early is the big issue," said Amy Klaben, president and CEO of the Columbus Housing Partnership, which is working with NeighborWorks America to promote the foreclosure-prevention initiative. Read more.

On February 15, 2007, the President signed a bill that provides federal funding for domestic agencies (including NeighborWorks America) for FY 2007 -- that began on October 1, 2006.

Because the resolution largely funds programs at FY 2006 rates, NeighborWorks America will receive $116.8 million for this year.

Congress now moves toward considering appropriations for Fiscal Year 2008 (that begins on October 1, 2007). Congress clearly has a series of tough funding decisions to make, and wants to make these choices in a fiscally-responsible manner. We will keep you informed as the Fiscal Year 2008 appropriations process advances.

Deadline: Thursday, March 15, 2007 -- Two prizes of $25,000 will be awarded to organizations that best exemplify the criteria outlined in the program application. To advance the knowledge of best practices in community economic development, prize winners will also be featured in teaching/training materials, including a case study developed by SCED faculty; press releases; and other multimedia tools. To learn more about these community development prizes, go to Southern New Hampshire University's School of Community Economic Development.

• A committee of leading practitioners and SCED faculty will review applications and make the final selections. Prizes will be awarded on June 9, 2007, during SCED’s 25th anniversary celebration

Join us in Phoenix for an exceptional week of intensive community development coursework, best-practice sharing, and professional networking with peers from all segments of the field.  Choose from more than 90 community development-related courses, including:  

• The five-day Advanced Nonprofit Housing Management Specialist
• Green courses sponsored by The Home Depot Foundation
• The Native American Community Economic Development Training Program, launching a new set of planning and housing development courses – full scholarships are available for these courses
• A symposium – Taking Care of Business: Managing the Business Side of Homeownership Programs
• Spanish-bilingual homeownership courses

Visit www.nw.org/training for course details and to learn more about all that the NeighborWorks Training Institute in Phoenix has to offer.  Register online at www.nw.org/onlinereg.

The 2007 conference theme, “Building a Sustainable Future,” will focus on the sustainability of both the revitalization organization and the community it serves. Educational sessions and tours will address the economic, social, and environmental aspects of sustainable communities. Sessions will include smart growth, livability, strong organizations and strong businesses. Fore more information, visit http://conference.mainstreet.org/, e-mail msconference@nthp.org, or call 202-588-6219.

This conference addresses Hispanic related issues as well as the future development and delivery of farmworker programs and services.  Sowing the Seeds of Success – Harvesting the American Dream is this year’s conference theme. Breakout sessions focus on workforce development, community development, health and social, immigration, education, and Latino farmers and ranchers.  Visit www.mafofarmworker.com for conference details and registration.

ICMA’s Restoration 2007 conference will help you learn how to foster community redevelopment and revitalization following a disaster.New this year is the Restoration Transaction Forum, a venue for property owners to showcase up to three sites to a captive audience of developers, financiers, and investors. The properties do not need to have been affected by a disaster to be eligible for this property redevelopment event. Get conference and forum details from ICMA at www.restoration2007.org.

The NeighborWorks® Center for Foreclosure Solutions, an initiative of NeighborWorks America, has been created to preserve homeownership in the face of rising foreclosure rates.  In conjunction with national nonprofit, mortgage and insurance partners, the Center builds capacity among foreclosure counselors around the nation to address this pressing social issue. Click here to view the program.

A report recently completed by Alternatives Federal Credit Union and the Aspen Institute sheds new light on how people move toward greater financial security. The report is based on a conceptual framework, known as the “Credit Path®,” that identifies four stages people may pass through on their way to asset accumulation and greater financial security: transactor (where individuals rely primarily on a cash economy), saver, borrower and owner. The full report is available for download at: http://www.alternatives.org/CPResearchOverView.pdf [PDF, 308 KB].