NeighborWorks Columbus (GA)

Street Address:
18 11th Street
Columbus, GA 31901-4224


Phone: 706-324-4663
Fax: 706-320-9899
Website: www.nwcolumbus.org

Cathy Williams, President and CEO

Contact Name: Rebecca Cartee
Phone: 706-324-4663x106
Fax:
Email: rcartee@nwcolumbus.org


Staff Size: Full Time: 15 

Background
Beginning in late 1997, a Housing Task Force was formed out of the Columbus Community Vision Process. Recognizing the lack of an organized effort in the affordable housing arena, the task force worked for a year and a half (1½) on the task of: “developing a strategy to eliminate substandard housing by the year 2010, and ensure an adequate supply of affordable housing for Muscogee County.” The following recommendation was made in the Task Force’s final report: “Establish a public/private corporation to identify existing, and cultivate new, funding sources dedicated to the development and redevelopment of affordable housing.” A Georgia Corporation, Columbus Housing Initiative was granted 501(c) 3 status in November 1999 and went fully operational in September 2000 with the hiring of its first Executive Director. In April of 2005, we became NeighborWorks® Columbus as part of the dba pilot program in conjunction with our affiliation with NeighborWorks® America.

Mission
"To provide access to fit and affordable housing for all of Columbus’ citizens.” Through financing, education, rehabilitation of existing housing, and development of new housing, NeighborWorks® Columbus will help stabilize neighborhoods, benefiting the entire City of Columbus. •Programs that encourage lifelong homeownership as well as produce and renovate owner-occupied housing, as well as infrastructure improvements will be the cornerstones of NeighborWorks® Columbus.

Total Operating Expense (9/30/2007): $2,837,588

 Lines of Business
  • Community Building and Organizing

  • Home Ownership Promotion Services

  • Lending and Loan Portfolio Management

  • Real Estate Development


    • National NeighborWorks ® Programs
  • NeighborWorks Campaign for Home Ownership
  • NeighborWorks Community Building and Organizing
  • NeighborWorks Rural Initiative

    • Accomplishments in FY 2008
  • Provided 206 families with pre- and post- purchase housing counseling.
  • Rehabilitated or repaired 6 rental or owner occupied units (1-4 units).
  • Assisted 76 families in purchasing a home through homeownership counseling, downpayment, closing cost or financing assistance.
  • Owned or managed 5 rental units.
  • Invested $1,756,900 in the community through Columbus Housing Initiative's revolving loan fund, which leveraged $8,385,796 from conventional lenders and other sources.
  • Total direct investment in the community is $10,142,696.

    • Additional Accomplishments
    Date Additional Accomplishment
    9/7/2004 Feb-02 AFLAC Partnership Formed, $25k down payment assistance/$5k marketing for EWP
    9/7/2004 Feb-02 Received grant from $25k Sun Trust Bank
    9/7/2004 Mar-02 Homeowner Orientation and education materials translated to Spanish
    9/7/2004 Mar-02 Recognized by NRC for revitalization efforts in East Wynnton Park
    9/7/2004 Apr-02 First Students Housing Seniors Senior chosen
    9/7/2004 Apr-02 Partnership with Columbus Water Works for East Wynnton Park
    9/7/2004 May-02 CHDO Status Recognized at State and Local Level
    9/7/2004 May-02 Best Neighborhood Improvement Award from Keep Columbus Beautiful, Inc. for EWP
    9/7/2004 May-02 CHI website developed
    9/7/2004 Jun-02 implified Housing Information Process (SHIP) completed and presented
    9/7/2004 Jun-02 Builders Institute adopted the Students Housing Seniors Program
    9/7/2004 Jul-02 Received $5k grant from the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley
    9/7/2004 Jul-02 HUD Certified as a Housing Counseling Agency
    9/7/2004 Jul-02 Line of Credit for acquisition and rehabilitation renewed
    9/7/2004 Aug-02 Second target neighborhood chosen- East Highland/Waverly Terrace
    9/7/2004 Sep-02 Second Students Housing Seniors Project Identified
    9/7/2004 Nov-02 Special Recognition Award from Magnolia Awards at DCA for Students Housing Seniors
    9/7/2004 Nov-02 Partnership formed with Housing Authority to provide homebuyer education and counseling to families moving into East Wynnton Park
    9/7/2004 Nov-02 East Wynnton Park chosen as the site for off-site housing for Peabody relocation
    9/7/2004 Nov-02 Historic Preservation Award from The Historic Columbus Foundation for East Wynnton Park.
    12/15/2005 August 2005, Granted CDFI Status by the US Treasury Department.
    4/8/2009 Feb 06--Granted CDE Status by the US Treasury to allow LIHTC opportunities
    4/8/2009 Apr 06-- Ground Breaking for Phase 2 in East Wynnton Park
    4/8/2009 Dec 06-- Received $75,000 from Aflac for Employee Housing Program, IDA and Housing Counseling.
    4/8/2009 May 07-- Leveraged $45,800 from NeighborWorks America to match USDA Technical Assistance Money
    4/8/2009 May 07-- Began originating First Mortgage loans from the Revolving Loan Fund
    4/8/2009 May 07-- Received Innovations in HomeOwnership Award for HOMEE from NeighborWorks America ($2,000)
    4/8/2009 Aug 07--Received $1,000,000 from the Richard R Hallock Foundation to create the Hallock Soldiers Fund.
    4/8/2009 Dec 07-- 500th Successful Homeowner Purchased Home.
    4/8/2009 Jul 08-- Awarded $160,000 over 3 years from US Dept of Health and Human Services for Home Save (IDA program)
    4/8/2009 Oct 08-- Columbus Cottage Campaign Kick Off
    4/8/2009 Oct 08-- HOPE VI Celebration to honor the completion of the HOPE VI Program
    4/8/2009 Nov 08-- Received Non Profit Lender of the Year Award from GA Dept of Community Affairs
    4/8/2009 Dec 08-- Awarded $87,885 from NeighborWorks America for Foreclosure Prevention Activities
    4/8/2009 Dec 08-- Awarded $87,885 from NeighborWorks America for Foreclosure Prevention Activities

    Community Services
  • Community Building

  •  Business/Merchant Relationship

  •  Clean-up Project

  •  Community Outreach and Organizing

  •  Community Planning

  •  Landscape and Neighborhood Beautification

  •  Leadership Training

  •  Neighborhood / Resident Crime Watch

  • Financial Planning and Assistance

  •  Disposition of Foreclosed Property

  •  Down-payment Assistance

  •  Financial Education

  •  Foreclosure Prevention Training

  •  IDA Savings Program

  •  Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)

  • Green Building and Home Improvement

  •  Environmental Friendly Building Materials

  •  Home Maintenance Training

  •  Renewable Energy Resources

  •  Sustainable Site Planning

  •  Water Quality and Conservation

  • Housing Programs and Home Ownership Counseling

  •  Home Ownership Center

  •  Home Ownership Counseling


    • Board of Directors
    NameBoard Role/TitleSectorCompany/OrganizationJob Title
    Elizabeth BarkerBoard MemberOther  
    Michael EddingsBoard MemberBusiness  
    Tony FloydBoard MemberLocal Government  
    Rebecca GordonBoard MemberBusiness  
    Julius GrahamBoard MemberLocal Government  
    Jeanne HastyBoard MemberBusiness  
    Meridith JarrellBoard MemberOther  
    Robert LovingBoard MemberResident  
    Colin MartinBoard MemberResident  
    Vicky PartinBoard ChairResident  
    Judith TuckerBoard MemberResident  
    Teresa WhiteBoard Vice ChairBusiness  
    Michael WillisBoard MemberResident  

    About the NeighborWorks ® Network
    The NeighborWorks® network is a nationwide network of more than 240 community development organizations working in nearly 4358 urban, suburban and rural communities across America. These organizations engage in revitalization strategies that strengthen communities and transform lives. In the last five years alone, NeighborWorks® organizations have generated more than $8.5 billion in reinvestment and helped more than 500,000 families of modest means purchase or improve their homes or secure safe, decent rental or mutual housing.

    NeighborWorks ® America Contact Information
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