The NeighborWorks network has become
increasingly active in rural communities around the country. Today,
80 organizations in the network participate in the Rural Initiative.
[View list of Rural Initiative members]
Your Guide to Rural Community Development Resources
The NeighborWorks Rural Initiative, formed in 2000, focuses on building the capacity of rural community development organizations in the areas of housing and economic development activities. The initiative advocates a mixed market approach to strengthen communities with smaller populations by integrating them within larger regional economies. Find the NeighborWorks organization closest to you.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
NeighborWorks organizations within the Rural Initiative generate more than $1 billion in direct investments into rural communities across the United States every year while directly assisting more than 32,000 rural families with financial counseling, new home purchases, repairs to existing homes, economic development and job creation, new and improved units of affordable rental housing, and much-needed community facilities.
Community Economic Development Training Programs
Manufactured Housing
Key Strategies in Rural Development
Guided by a national
steering committee of rural NeighborWorks practitioners, the initiative
has identified “comprehensive rural community development”
as its overarching goal.
Key strategies for the
Rural Initiative include:
USDA Rural Development Partnership—The USDA Rural Development (RD) is a key partner of the NeighborWorks Rural Initiative. With our partners at the Housing Assistance Council, Rural LISC and Habitat for Humanity, the Rural Initiative is working to improve the delivery of crucially needed RD programs such as 502 Direct, 515, 504, 533, RCDI and HPG.
Training Rural Leaders—In
addition to building capacity among rural NeighborWorks organizations,
the Initiative has sponsored regional and national training events
for community development practitioners working in rural communities.
Public Policy Catalyst
Globalization is dramatically changing the rural economy, and a lack of good jobs is creating a rural “brain drain” to urban areas. It is widely believed among rural development practitioners that for rural America to survive, it needs a new vision and new models for success. The NeighborWorks Rural Initiative is working closely with rural NeighborWorks organizations, the National Rural Housing Coalition and the National Rural Assembly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many individuals come to this site looking for resources either to help with their own rural housing needs or to strengthen their local community-based organization. See if any of the following guidepoints might be helpful to you –
If you are looking for help with rural home repairs or are having difficulty making your mortgage payments,
- Reach out to the nearest NeighborWorks organization (see above for link to rural NeighborWorks organizations or go to FindaForeclosureCounselor.org )
- Call the nearest USDA Rural Development area office and ask for a housing specialist
- Contact a Community Action Agency in your area
- Check in with your state Housing Finance Agency (HFA)
If you are looking for resources and ways to strengthen your local or regional rural community-based organization –
Go to
http://www.lisc.org/section/locations/rural to learn about Rural LISC
For further information on the NeighborWorks
Rural Initiative, contact David Dangler at ddangler@nw.org or at (617) 585-5011.
