Building and creating homes. That’s the foundation of the mission of NeighborWorks America and its network of excellence. And when we build homes, we also build America.
“The NeighborWorks network continues to be one of the top builders of affordable rental and for-sale homes,” says Michael Butchko, vice president of Business Intelligence at NeighborWorks. “They are a critical part of this country’s infrastructure.”
In 2024, NeighborWorks’ nearly 250 network organizations constructed 5,700 rental homes and 750 for-sale homes, for a five-year total of 23,700 rental homes constructed and 3,400 for-sale homes constructed. “Looking forward, over the next three years, the NeighborWorks network expects to construct an additional 29,200 rental homes and 6,100 for-sale homes,” Butchko says.
That’s especially important given the number of homes that are needed in this country: Freddie Mac estimates a national housing shortage of 3.7 million. Last year, Affordable Homes of South Texas, Inc., was the leader in the network, constructing 261 new affordable homes in the Rio Grande Valley. “It's a priority because housing should do more than provide shelter; it means building homes that people can truly afford to live in, not just on day one, but every single month after that,” said Robert “Bobby” Calvillo, president and CEO of the NeighborWorks nonprofit.
In Minnesota, network organizations are working to curb the housing shortage: Both Aeon and Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership created, acquired or preserved more than 1,100 homes in fiscal year 2024.
For Aeon, the homes were part of multifamily developments, including a development for seniors. Why are these homes so important? “Everyone deserves a home,” Aeon’s mission says. And it’s hugely important to the economy, added Dr. Eric Anthony Johnson, executive director of Aeon. “The economy depends on stable housing because the economy is built on spending. The more people spend on housing, the less they can contribute to the economy. When you really break it down, it’s about a family’s stability, making sure they can support their own socio-economic health and the economic health of their community.”
In Montana, NeighborWorks Great Falls is helping clients build homes, allowing sweat-equity to offset the price of new homes through the Owner-Built Home Program.
“It’s really hard for people to get financed if they can only afford a $200,000 house and the average house in Montana is $366,000,” says Keith Nelson, director of construction. “That’s quite a gap. With owner-built, we’re doing really well filling it.”
“The best thing about it is just getting people in those homes,” says Brenda Kukay, Self-Help Program Coordinator “We’ve had 18 year olds and 65 year olds – seeing people from all different walks of life get into a home that they’d otherwise never be able to – it’s so exciting to see. If you saw the people – how hard they work, how long they work and how they feel when they’re done and have their own home – you can’t even describe that reward.”
Lori Bonifay knows that feeling well. After a divorce that ended in foreclosure, she worked hard to find a new path to homeownership. She spent years trying to get her credit in order and a new start for herself and her children. “I didn’t want to live on government assistance anymore,” she shares. “With the market the way it was, there was no way I could afford to purchase a house on my own. I didn’t want to continue to rent.”
When she learned about the Owner-Built Homes Program, she decided it was the way to go. After she qualified, she started working 30 volunteer hours a week, all while receiving financial coaching and homebuyer education.
Through the program, NeighborWorks Great Falls puts up a neighborhood at a time. Homeowners work side by side and all move in together when the last home is complete.
“I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands and building – I was quite excited to put my hands to work going through this process,” Bonifay said. “I feel excited to know we’re doing this. It’s going to be ours.”
