It’s been 20 years since Hurricane Katrina pummeled the Gulf Coast, bringing with it high winds, heavy flooding and devastation of land, homes, businesses and life. In New Orleans, where the levees failed, more than130,000 homes were damaged. Just weeks later, before people could even begin to clean up and rebuild, Hurricane Rita hit.

Greenville Housing Fund (GHF), a nonprofit committed to affordable housing and community development in Greenville, South Carolina, held a chartering ceremony this week celebrating its recognition as an official part of NeighborWorks® America’s network. Formed in 2018 with a commitment to creating opportunity, GHF supports development, preservation and financing solutions to meet the community’s growing housing needs.

In Florida, where the community development nonprofit Wealth Watchers is based, a Lady Bird Deed – a deed that says who will inherit the property if the owner dies but where the owner retains full rights (including sales rights) while living – is a legal way to transfer wealth. One state over in Georgia, which Wealth Watchers also serves, this type of deed is not legal.

Nearly half of U.S. adults are interested in buying a home, according to a recent national survey from NeighborWorks® America. But 38% of Gen Zers and 32% of Millennials fear they’ll never actually own one. Still, there are people out there showing that it can be done.

Shannon Ogden, a new homeowner who identifies as Gen Z, always thought she’d own a home someday. But the mental health therapist feared it might be years before she did.

Photos by Cody-Fay Alameda

Hawaiian Community Assets, which for a quarter of a century has worked to enable families to achieve economic self-sufficiency, is now a chartered member of NeighborWorks® America’s network of excellence. The nonprofit reaches the entirety of Hawai‘i and has a focus on working with Native Hawaiians.

When Nina Teasley took the podium at the ribbon cutting for The Residences at Forest Glen, she shared more than her gratitude, she shared a story of resilience, community, and a new beginning.

Teasley grew up in Ohio, where she raised four children. When her marriage ended, she said, so did her financial security. “I hadn’t paid into social security. I had no retirement plan. And the divorce meant I had to start over. And I did.”