Founded in 1995, the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation is transforming 60 acres in Southeastern San Diego’s Diamond Neighborhoods into a vibrant and economically sustainable destination. To do so, the Center partners with residents, local leaders and organizations, and investors around three priorities: 1) encouraging physical redevelopment projects through investments in infrastructure, housing, commercial/retail, public art, and recreational/green space; 2) creating accessible pathways for individuals seeking education and employment; and 3) nurturing networks to support entrepreneurs and accelerate existing neighborhood businesses. The Center’s accomplishments include One Market Creek Plaza, the nation’s first commercial and cultural center to be designed, built, and then owned by neighborhood residents. The Plaza includes the first major grocery store in the area in over 30 years, the community's first sit-down restaurants (which are family-owned), a bank, and other retail.
Housing Innovations Partners (previously named The Association for Community Housing Solutions) is the only organization in San Diego County focused exclusively on developing permanent supportive housing for low-income, special needs individuals. The nonprofit has four properties encompassing a total of 110 units and provides residents with a range of services designed to help them maintain housing stability, achieve greater independence, and build community.
Based in San Diego, Community HousingWorks develops, rehabilitates, preserves, and operates affordable apartment communities with resident-centered services for California working families, seniors, and people with disabilities. The nonprofit’s properties house 8,000 people in 2,684 units that encompass sustainable, green design practices. Services provided include tutoring, leadership development, and one-on-one financial coaching.
Founded in 1986 to provide work opportunities for homeless men, Alpha Project has grown into a human services nonprofit that provides a range of programs including affordable and supportive housing, substance abuse treatment, transportation assistance, mental health counseling, and employment training and placement for over 4,000 people on a daily basis. Alpha Project has over 900 units of affordable housing with amenities such as transportation shuttles, computer centers, playgrounds, and before and after-school programs. The nonprofit also spearheads community enhancement projects such as weed abatement and graffiti removal to provide transitional paid employment to people experiencing homelessness.
Based in San Diego, Pacific Southwest Community Development Corporation (PSCDC) aims to develop high quality affordable housing and provide educational and community services that empower residents to achieve economic and social stability. The nonprofit’s portfolio includes 70 apartment properties in California and Arizona. Resident-focused programming includes computer training, financial education, free farmers markets, tutoring, job readiness support, and other health, wellness, and educational services. On a monthly basis, PSCDC organizes nearly 600 classes and events engaging over 6,000 residents.
Founded in 1993, Bayview Community Development Corporation (BCDC) works to foster a sustainable quality of life in San Diego County’s underserved communities by developing affordable housing, supporting the growth and success of local businesses, and sponsoring community programs. The nonprofit owns and manages 4 affordable rental properties with nearly 160 units and offers residents a range of services including tutoring, computer training, and financial literacy classes. Read more about Bayview Community Development Corporation...
BAME Renaissance, Inc. (BAME CDC) aims to strengthen the residents and businesses in Greater Logan Heights, an area in which the vast majority of residents (80 percent) are Mexican-American. Through its Small Business Development program, BAME CDC provides free technical advice and mentoring to enterprises in the Greater Logan Heights business corridor. The nonprofit also runs a Career Financial Advancement Center that offers area residents free career development services, financial education classes, and assistance applying for public benefits.
Established in 1980, City Heights Community Development Corporation enhances quality of life in City Heights by partnering with the community to create and sustain quality affordable housing, livable neighborhoods, and economic self-sufficiency. In 2017, the CDC helped launch six new businesses and completed $81 million in community-advocated improvements to transit, walking, and biking infrastructure. Read more about City Heights Community Development Corporation...
Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation (TVCDC) is a Lakota led non-profit based in the Thunder Valley community of the Porcupine District on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, which celebrated its 10year anniversary in 2017. For the last five years, TVCDC has participated in and co-created the Learning/Action Lab for Community Wealth Building, alongside The Democracy Collaborative, the Northwest Area Foundation and four other Native American community-based organizations, to develop and work through strategies that build and root wealth locally for the benefit of their community. Read more about Creating an Ecosystem of Opportunity on Pine Ridge...
As the lead organization of Woodlawn United, a collaboration of groups working to break the cycle of poverty in Birmingham’s Woodlawn community, the Woodlawn Foundation partners with residents and other local stakeholders to identify community needs and leverage resources to address area challenges. Its Housing Program aims to create long-term residency opportunities for a range of families by developing quality mixed-income, single-family housing and helping existing homeowners to rehabilitate older properties. In 2016, the foundation provided free repairs to 15 homes and connected 64 families to units at its affordable townhouse community, Woodlawn Station. Other Foundation initiatives currently focus on expanding educational opportunities and promoting community wellness.
Established in 1980, Urban Impact aims to foster asset building, economic opportunity, and the revitalization of Birmingham’s Historic 4th Avenue Business District and the Civil Rights District. To do so, the nonprofit provides a range of services geared to helping existing businesses grow, encouraging entrepreneurs to locate in the Districts, and recruiting developers and retailers to the area. Services include business promotion, business counseling, and the identification of available space and financial incentives.
Established in 1984, Titusville Development Corporation (TDC) aims to revitalize and develop Titusville, one of the first neighborhoods in Birmingham where African Americans were allowed to own residential and commercial property. To do so, the CDC focuses on removing blight, renovating dilapidated properties, and empowering residents through financial education. TDC is currently working to redevelop 24 properties into affordable housing. The nonprofit also developed and now owns and manages affordable senior housing worth over $1 million.
New Rising Star Community Support Corporation (NRS) focuses on improving the quality of life in Birmingham’s East Lake Community. Aiming to convert vacant properties into homes and renters into homeowners, the nonprofit builds and rehabs affordable single-family homes and connects prospective buyers to financial and homeownership classes. NRS also runs an after-school program and provides a range of supportive community services including free senior transportation and career coaching for unemployed and underemployed area residents.
Established in 1980 as Jefferson County Assisted Housing Corporation, Navigate Affordable Housing Partners develops and enhances safe, decent, sanitary, and affordable housing. Based in Birmingham, the nonprofit now manages roughly 60,000 units of affordable housing across Alabama, Mississippi, Connecticut, and Virginia. Navigate is currently developing a $4.75 million project which will include about 30 affordable, single family homes alongside an 8-acre park in Pratt City, an area devastated by a tornado in 2011.
The Riverview West Florissant Development Corporation (RWFDC) focuses on strengthening and stabilizing neighborhoods north of St. Louis City. Since its establishment in 1994, the CDC, which relies on green building techniques, has developed or rehabbed over 150 homes for low to moderate income families. Launched in 2006, RWFDC’s beautification program creates summer jobs for at-risk youth who provide lawn care services for elderly and disabled homeowners. The nonprofit also provides free minor home repair services to low-income area residents, a program that has benefitted 780 residents since its start in 2010.
Northside Community Housing, Inc. (NCHI) aims to provide high-quality, affordable housing and opportunities for people to improve their lives and community. Since its establishment in 1977, the CDC has developed over 300 affordable homes. NCHI also supports a range of collaborative community projects, which include two youth employment/entrepreneurship programs, the redevelopment of vacant lots into community gardens, and various neighborhood events.
The North Newstead Association promotes economic wellbeing in the North Newstead community by providing affordable housing and family support services. Since its establishment in 1993, the CDC has constructed or rehabilitated nearly 190 affordable housing units and has improved the façades of over 50 area businesses. The nonprofit is currently working to convert a long-vacant public school building into a 36-unit affordable apartment building for seniors.
Founded in 1998 as Lemay Housing Partnership, The Housing Partnership (THP) aims to enhance the quality of life in the Lemay community by fostering a healthy and economically sustainable living environment. Since 2015, the CDC is credited with building about 50 new, affordable homes, many on sites that had derelict, vacant properties. To help area residents remain in their homes, THP also provides forgivable loans to low/moderate income homeowners so they can make improvements needed to increase their houses’ health and safety. The CDC also works to boost homeownership across the St. Louis region by offering homebuyer training, counseling, and small loans to help with down payments and closing costs.
