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For Immediate Release
April 18, 2025
Contact: Douglas Robinson
NeighborWorks America Welcomes Renaissance Community Loan Fund to the NeighborWorks Network
Washington, D.C. – NeighborWorks America announced that Renaissance Community Loan Fund (RCLF), a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) based in Gulfport, Mississippi 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 RCLF access to new sources of flexible funds for local housing investment and job creation. In addition to new capital for homeownership programs, 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.
RCLF received its official NeighborWorks charter during a special ceremony attended by RCLF’s Board of Directors, community and banking partners and distinguished guests. Senator Cindy, Hyde-Smith, a strong supporter of NeighborWorks America and affordable housing initiatives in Mississippi, was among the speakers at the ceremony.
Senator Hyde-Smith praised RCLF’s commitment to helping families realize their homeownership dreams during her remarks at the event. “The work that you do is so incredibly important. Homeownership is out of reach for so many, but you step in and give them hope, the tools and the ability to reach it.”
“I’m excited to welcome RCLF into the NeighborWorks network,” said NeighborWorks America President and CEO Marietta Rodriguez. “As one of the region’s most important lenders to low- and moderate-income homebuyers, and their extensive support to small and medium-sized businesses, RCLF exemplifies the end-to-end approach to community development that is a hallmark of the NeighborWorks network.”
“Becoming a member of NeighborWorks America is one of RCLF’s proudest milestones,” said Kimberly LaRosa, President & CEO of RCLF. “We’re thrilled to join a network that shares our deep commitment to expanding housing opportunities. This partnership brings new tools, resources, and innovation that will help RCLF better serve families across Mississippi and Alabama.”
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. In Fiscal Year 2024, for every dollar received from Congress, the NeighborWorks network and NeighborWorks America attracted an additional $71 of investment from other sources.
