NeighborWorks America Launches NeighborWorks Alliance of Wisconsin

GREEN BAY, WI--(Marketwire - Jul 17, 2012) -  Today NeighborWorks America launched the NeighborWorks Alliance of Wisconsin, an agreement between 6 regional housing and community development organizations dedicated to improving housing opportunities and building strong communities for all Wisconsin residents. This alliance is formed by member organizations of NeighborWorks America, which creates opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives and strengthen their communities. A new report released this week shows the organizations of the NeighborWorks Alliance of Wisconsin to be effective and productive small businesses, significantly benefitting the Wisconsin economy by creating jobs and generating income and tax revenue.

The NeighborWorks Alliance of Wisconsin, which aims to revitalize communities, was created to advance housing and community development issues around the state and dramatically impact the state's economy. Between 2007 and 2011, Wisconsin's organizations leveraged every $1 of NeighborWorks Congressional appropriation into more than $50 of direct investment in communities. Between 2006 and 2011, NeighborWorks organizations in Wisconsin created more than $182 million in total economic impact; created or sustained 280 jobs annually; generated nearly $72 million in employee compensation and small business income; facilitated more than $106 million of payments made to workers, interest, profits, and indirect business taxes; and generated tax revenues totaling $27 million as a result of their activities. Additionally, NeighborWorks organizations in Wisconsin facilitated homeownership for 2,735 families, helped 1,129 families avoid foreclosure, and provided homeownership education and guidance to 17,293 families.

The organizations that make up the NeighborWorks Alliance of Wisconsin are Neighborhood Housing Services of Beloit; NeighborWorks Green Bay; Neighborhood Housing Services of Richland County; Housing Resources, Inc.; Select Milwaukee, Inc.; and Neighborhood Housing Services of Southeast Wisconsin, Inc.

"We're excited to be able to show that our commitment to building stronger communities has proved to be a source of economic growth and vitality for the state of Wisconsin," said Noel Halvorsen, Executive Director, NeighborWorks Green Bay, and Chair, NeighborWorks Alliance of Wisconsin. "Together we're building a better Wisconsin."

"NeighborWorks Alliance of Wisconsin is a prime example of the strength of the NeighborWorks network and how the network's influence can be leveraged when our organizations come together," said Eileen Fitzgerald, NeighborWorks America CEO. "We are proud of NeighborWorks Alliance of Wisconsin's contribution to improving the quality of life for thousands of families in communities across Wisconsin."

NeighborWorks America has the following alliances: NeighborWorks Alliance of Kentucky, NeighborWorks Alliance of New York State, NeighborWorks Alliance of Vermont, NeighborWorks Alliance of Utah, NeighborWorks Collaborative of Ohio, NeighborWorks Alliance of Tennessee, NeighborWorks Alliance of Texas, NeighborWorks Alliance of Wisconsin, and NeighborWorks Association of Pennsylvania.

The NeighborWorks network consists of more than 235 independent, community-based nonprofit organizations serving more than 4,500 communities nationwide throughout all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. For more information on NeighborWorks America, go to www.nw.org. For more information on the Wisconsin Alliance, go to www.NeighborWorksAllianceWI.org.

About NeighborWorks^® America

NeighborWorks^® America, a congressionally chartered nonprofit corporation, creates 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.

About NeighborWorks Alliance of Wisconsin

NeighborWorks Alliance of Wisconsin works together to build stronger communities throughout the state of Wisconsin. NeighborWorks Alliance of Wisconsin is comprised of 6 regional nonprofit housing organizations focused on creating a better Wisconsin through homeownership promotion, community development and contributions to local economies.