NeighborWorks America sees branding as key element in community revitalization
WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 27, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Ten communities from around the country have been selected for an initiative that will help them attract and retain residents, businesses and investment, announced NeighborWorks America, a national nonprofit that creates opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives and strengthen their communities.
Through NeighborWorks America’s Neighborhood Marketing Program, the 10 organizations will work intensively over the next year with experts and local stakeholders to develop marketing plans for their target neighborhoods. These plans will include tactics to reposition the neighborhoods’ images and brands in their regional housing markets. The program is designed to bolster neighborhood strengths and increase pride and confidence in one’s community.
“A community needs to make a strong first impression to attract investment,”said Paul Singh, director of the Stable Communities Initiative at NeighborWorks America. “NeighborWorks America’s program helps communities advertise their strengths in a way that resonates.”
NeighborWorks America launched its Neighborhood Marketing Program in 2012, and since then, has worked with 33 organizations in the first and second rounds of the initiative to help communities rebuild market demand. The first and second round participants have been implementing a range of creative strategies to promote their neighborhoods, including creating new neighborhood websites, conducting social media campaigns, hosting neighborhood festivals, and undertaking public art projects.
Since the launch of the NeighborWorks America Neighborhood Marketing Program, Wells Fargo Housing Foundation has granted $950,000 in support of the effort. Additional funders include Capital One Foundation and Citi.
The third-round Neighborhood Marketing Program participants and their targeted neighborhoods are:
- St. Louis, MO: Beyond Housing, Pagedale
- Akron, OH: East Akron Neighborhood Development Corp., East Akron
- Duluth, MN: One Roof Community Housing, Lincoln Park
- Rochester, NY: NeighborWorks Rochester, The Triangle
- West Rutland, VT: NeighborWorks of Western Vermont, NorthWest Neighborhood
- Houston, TX: Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corp., Lyons Corridor
- North Las Vegas, NV: Neighborhood Housing Services of Southern Nevada, College Park
- Chattanooga, TN: Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise, Highland Park
- Columbus, GA: NeighborWorks Columbus, Beallwood
- Gainesville, FL: Neighborhood Housing & Development Corp., Greater Duval
For more information about the NeighborWorks America Stable Communities Initiative, including the Neighborhood Marketing Program, visit NeighborWorks.org/StableCommunities.
About NeighborWorks America
For more than 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 $24.5 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation’s leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals.
Contact:
Lindsay Moore
202-760-4059
@neighborworkspr
