NEW YORK, March 8, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today NeighborWorks America announced a new guide and trainings to assist with cleaning up the devastating damage that continues to plague areas of New York and New Jersey following Superstorm Sandy. NeighborWorks America, which creates opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives and strengthen their communities, supports a network of more than 235 nonprofits, located in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
NeighborWorks America and the NeighborWorks network are helping to restore healthy homes and strong communities in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, applying experience from the Gulf Coast and 35 years in revitalization, housing and community development. Immediately following Superstorm Sandy, NeighborWorks America provided emergency grants to organizations in desperate need of assistance.
"NeighborWorks America is committed to strengthening communities, particularly during times of disaster relief," said Eileen Fitzgerald, chief executive officer of NeighborWorks America. "We are offering the training, resources, and assistance that individuals desperately need to rebuild and repair."
The following are examples of the work NeighborWorks America is doing to provide assistance to the individuals and families affected by Superstorm Sandy:
- New Guide: NeighborWorks America developed a comprehensive manual for individuals and families affected by Superstorm Sandy, Navigating the Road to Housing Recovery. To download the guide, go to www.nw.org/sandy. The extensive guide provides "road maps" to residents on rebuilding, repairing, or selling their homes, relocating, buying or renting a home or on analyzing options for those unsure what to do.
- Training: NeighborWorks America developed a training course for nonprofit housing counselors and case managers on how to use the Navigating the Road to Housing Recovery consumer guide to most effectively support individuals and families impacted by Superstorm Sandy. "Navigating the Road to Housing Recovery: Training the Counselor" will occur on March 8 in Trenton, NJ. NeighborWorks America has also developed training on storm clean up, rehabilitation and mold remediation. This training was delivered to 600 homeowners, contractors and volunteers within the first 100 days following Superstorm Sandy. Upcoming trainings include the following: March 19 Mold Remediation Training for Contractors: Manasquan Organization for Volunteer Efforts (M.O.V.E.) in Manasquan, NJ.
- Outreach Event: NeighborWorks America is partnering with Hope Now to bring HOPENOW NJ on March 9 in Sayreville, NJ. This event will provide support and guidance for homeowners and represents a broad partnership of mortgage industry companies, HUD-approved, nonprofit housing counselors, insurance companies and local partners is coming together to help all homeowners in the region and lead them down the road to recovery.
- Emergency grants: NeighborWorks America provided emergency grants of $350,000 to NeighborWorks affiliates and front-line organizations Ironbound Community Corporation, Margert Community Corporation, Astella Development Corporation, and Neighborhood Housing Services of Staten Island in the first 45 days.
"NeighborWorks America's regional headquarters in New York City is working closely with our affiliates and public and private sector partners in New Jersey and New York to help restore healthy homes and strong communities in areas impacted by Superstorm Sandy," said Deborah Boatright, northeast regional director of NeighborWorks America.
- Localized, on-the-ground services: NeighborWorks organizations offer the local services that help build better communities, which post- Superstorm Sandy included the following:
- Community Development Corporation of Long Island (Long Island, NY) assessed 500 homes in Suffolk County Long Island for emergency repairs.
- Asian Americans for Equality (New York, NY) provided 180 New York City small business owners and homeowners with affordable loans of nearly $3.5 million.
- Affordable Housing Alliance (Eatontown, NJ) purchased seventeen manufactured mobile homes for displaced families in Monmouth County, New Jersey.
- Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City (New York, NY) assisted with emergency clean-up and distribution of supplies that reached 170 households.
- New Jersey Community Capital (Trenton, NJ) created a three million dollar revolving loan pool for small businesses throughout New Jersey.
NeighborWorks America recognizes funding from HSBC-North America and Freddie Mac whose support is helping organizations in the coastal areas of New York and New Jersey to navigate their road to recovery.
When the hurricanes of 2005 and 2008 devastated the Gulf Coast region, NeighborWorks America provided emergency assistance, including a direct investment of $12 million which helped leverage more than $788 million in construction and lending resources. Additionally, NeighborWorks America supported more than 30 local organizations with grants, training and technical assistance.
For more information about NeighborWorks America, go to www.nw.org. For more information about NeighborWorks America's Superstorm Sandy work, go to www.nw.org/sandy.
About NeighborWorks America
For 35 years, NeighborWorks America has created opportunities for people to improve their lives and strengthen their communities by providing access to homeownership and to safe and affordable rental housing. In the last five years, NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $19.5 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation's leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals.
The NeighborWorks America logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=15144