WASHINGTON, May 2, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today NeighborWorks America honors the value that older adults bring to communities and acknowledges their vulnerability as they age, as Older Americans Month begins. Throughout the year, NeighborWorks organizations support older adults by offering a variety of services, many unique to this age group such as one-on-one assistance with reverse mortgages, retirement, and how to "age in place", or continue to live in one's own home and community safely and independently. Additionally, on April 30, NeighborWorks America launched a national, Cleveland-based call center, which provides callers with general information on reverse mortgages.

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 organizations recognize that older adults are top contributors to society, offering their talents, skills and knowledge to people of all ages.

"NeighborWorks America recognizes the importance of assisting older adults so they can age in a healthy, safe way in their communities," said NeighborWorks America CEO Eileen Fitzgerald. "Our NeighborWorks organizations are providing daily, on-the-ground work to ensure older adults and their families have the resources they need to thrive."

NeighborWorks RMIC (Reverse Mortgage Information Center), which functions out of NeighborWorks organization Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Cleveland, Inc., offers one-on-one reverse mortgage counseling. The Atlantic Philanthropies provided support to build the capacity of NeighborWorks organizations to offer reverse mortgage counseling, as part of a $2.5 million, 2 ½ year collaboration to improve the quality of life for low-income seniors.

The following are other examples of the ways NeighborWorks organizations, through general financial support from NeighborWorks America and from specialized training at NeighborWorks Training Institutes, are assisting older adults:

• NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center Sacramento Region (Sacramento, CA) is partnering with the City of Davis to help people with disabilities make their homes more accessible and to allow elderly people to remain safely in their homes as they age. The City of Davis will offer the new low-cost home-improvement loan program, which provides home improvement loans with no monthly payments, a low interest rate, and construction management assistance. The program not only makes the home improvement project more affordable, but also aims to protect against construction scams that can sometimes target unsuspecting seniors. NeighborWorks Sacramento will conduct the outreach to potential clients, lead the loan application process, and offer construction services, such as home inspections.
• Rural Ulster Preservation Company (RUPCO) (Woodstock, NY) built Woodstock Commons, an intergenerational housing campus (housing units) for seniors age 55 and older and families and artists with incomes up to 60% of the area median income level, in 2011. On May 3, the Woodstock Commons housing complex will host a ribbon cutting event. RUPCO assisted resident Vivian Pummil become a homeowner for the first time when she was 65. RUPCO offers senior housing in Rosendale, NY (The Park Heights); Malboro, NY (Jenny's Garden I and Jenny's Garden II); and in Milton, NY (Milton Harvest).
• Primavera (Tucson, AZ) developed Las Abuelitas in December 2012. This quality, energy-efficient community will provide permanent, affordable rental housing for grandfamilies. Las Abuelitas is located in Tucson and is the only development in Southern Arizona specifically dedicated to grandfamilies and just the seventh in the United States. Las Abuelitas has 12 rental homes, a community center, community garden, basketball court, community patio, and a play area for children. The community center's kitchen, computer lab, library, and playroom provide day care opportunities and space for neighborhood meetings and events.
• Westside Housing (Kansas City, MO) and its partner "Connecting for Good" is creating an opportunity for seniors to effectively use technology. Seniors at Posada De Sol, an apartment building Westside Housing manages, can purchase a refurbished PC computer for $50 and receive computer training. All residents receive free Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi will assist both the seniors and their visitors, including children and grandchildren, who will now be able to access the Internet.

For more information about NeighborWorks America, go to nw.org.

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.