Print pageFor Immediate Release
February 11, 2025
Contact: Douglas Robinson | [email protected]
NeighborWorks America Welcomes Alaska-Based Haa Yakaawu Financial Corp to the NeighborWorks Network
Washington, D.C. – NeighborWorks America announced that Haa Yakaawu Financial Corporation, a Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) based in Juneau, Alaska, has become the newest member of the national NeighborWorks network. The NeighborWorks network is a group of high-performing community and housing development nonprofit organizations committed to increasing homeownership and financial capability, and empowering residents to work together to advance economic opportunity. Membership in the NeighborWorks network gives Haa Yakaawu access to new sources of flexible funds for local housing investment and job creation. In addition to new capital for building, network membership increases proximity to housing industry leadership and to a laboratory of proven strategies that successfully bring private and government investment together to increase the supply of affordable homes.
Haa Yakaawu received its official NeighborWorks charter at an event here hosted by Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). “It’s so powerful to be back here in Washington where we feel the culture of Alaska Native people brought 4,000 miles – and to celebrate,” Murkowski said. “This is a big deal. It is not an easy path to get chartered into the NeighborWorks network. … It’s worthy of celebration and recognition.”
“I’m excited to welcome Haa Yakaawu into the NeighborWorks network,” said NeighborWorks America President and CEO Marietta Rodriguez. “Their track record of mortgage lending, affordable housing success and commitment to strategies that improve the lives of everyone in their community will bolster the network’s national impact.”
“HYFC is thrilled to be affiliated with such a prestigious, mission-driven organization,” said Jacqueline Pata, President and CEO. “We look forward to sharing knowledge and working together to improve the services we provide to our tribal citizens. This collaboration will help us continue growing and enhancing the impact we make in our communities.”
HYFC is the third NeighborWorks network organization to be affiliated in the state of Alaska, and the first new network affiliation since 2021.
About NeighborWorks America
For more than 45 years, Neighborhood Reinvestment Corp., a national, nonpartisan nonprofit known as NeighborWorks America, has strived to make every community a place of opportunity. Our network of excellence includes nearly 250 nonprofits in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and on Native lands. NeighborWorks offers grant funding, peer exchange, technical assistance, evaluation tools and access to best-in-class training as the nation's leading trainer of housing and community development professionals. NeighborWorks network organizations provide residents in their communities with affordable homes, owned and rented; financial counseling and coaching; community building through resident engagement; and collaboration in the areas of health, employment and education.
