NEW YORK, March 8, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today NeighborWorks America announced a new guide and trainings to assist with cleaning up the devastating damage that continues to plague areas of New York and New Jersey following Superstorm Sandy. NeighborWorks America, which creates opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives and strengthen their communities, supports a network of more than 235 nonprofits, located in every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
NeighborWorks America and the NeighborWorks network are helping to restore healthy homes and strong communities in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, applying experience from the Gulf Coast and 35 years in revitalization, housing and community development. Immediately following Superstorm Sandy, NeighborWorks America provided emergency grants to organizations in desperate need of assistance.
"NeighborWorks America is committed to strengthening communities, particularly during times of disaster relief," said Eileen Fitzgerald, chief executive officer of NeighborWorks America. "We are offering the training, resources, and assistance that individuals desperately need to rebuild and repair."
The following are examples of the work NeighborWorks America is doing to provide assistance to the individuals and families affected by Superstorm Sandy:
"NeighborWorks America's regional headquarters in New York City is working closely with our affiliates and public and private sector partners in New Jersey and New York to help restore healthy homes and strong communities in areas impacted by Superstorm Sandy," said Deborah Boatright, northeast regional director of NeighborWorks America.
- Community Development Corporation of Long Island (Long Island, NY) assessed 500 homes in Suffolk County Long Island for emergency repairs.
- Asian Americans for Equality (New York, NY) provided 180 New York City small business owners and homeowners with affordable loans of nearly $3.5 million.
- Affordable Housing Alliance (Eatontown, NJ) purchased seventeen manufactured mobile homes for displaced families in Monmouth County, New Jersey.
- Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City (New York, NY) assisted with emergency clean-up and distribution of supplies that reached 170 households.
- New Jersey Community Capital (Trenton, NJ) created a three million dollar revolving loan pool for small businesses throughout New Jersey.
NeighborWorks America recognizes funding from HSBC-North America and Freddie Mac whose support is helping organizations in the coastal areas of New York and New Jersey to navigate their road to recovery.
When the hurricanes of 2005 and 2008 devastated the Gulf Coast region, NeighborWorks America provided emergency assistance, including a direct investment of $12 million which helped leverage more than $788 million in construction and lending resources. Additionally, NeighborWorks America supported more than 30 local organizations with grants, training and technical assistance.
For more information about NeighborWorks America, go to www.nw.org. For more information about NeighborWorks America's Superstorm Sandy work, go to www.nw.org/sandy.
About NeighborWorks America
For 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 $19.5 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation's leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals.
The NeighborWorks America logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=15144