2023

gratitude report

2023

An annual report of neighborworks® columbus

Our Mission:

NeighborWorks® Columbus strives to promote and provide access to fit and affordable housing and build assets for financial independence for all citizens of low to moderate income.

Your work

Elliott’s Walk

Phase 1

Our largest project of 2023 was the completion of Phase 1 of the Elliott’s Walk subdivision. This included 19 new homes, the majority of which were sold to low-to-moderate income families.

This marks the first time in 50 years that new housing has been built in South Columbus! Quite a historic project.

In the coming year, we will work on Phase 2, which will include 26 new single family homes for hardworking families.

We are grateful for community partners without whom this project would not exist: First Baptist Church, Community Housing Capital, Synovus, the Bradley Turner Foundation, Columbus Affordable Housing Services, Housing Partnership Network, and the City of Columbus.

2023 Success Story:

Tywanna Williams

Tywanna Williams always wanted to own a home, and when she became a grandmother that only fueled her desire even more. Because of her upbringing, she wasn’t sure this would be a feasible option for her.

But, after working hard in the NeighborWorks® Columbus homeownership program, she was able to nearly triple her savings account and successfully purchase a home in Elliott’s Walk, a brand-new subdivision in South Columbus.

"I come from the projects, and I thought that will never be me. But it is," she said.

Tywanna was one of the first to purchase a home in Elliott’s Walk.

Real Estate

NeighborWorks® Columbus rehabilitated/built and sold 4 homes and rehabilitated one throughout the city.

We completed work on the first 19 homes of the Elliott's Walk subdivision with a $6 million New Markets Tax Credit allocation.

Real Estate

Not everyone is in a position to buy a home, which is why we offer affordable, quality rental units. 385 families lived in rental units owned or managed by NeighborWorks® Columbus last year.

Homeownership

72 people became homeowners in 2023!

483 customers participated in our one-on-one counseling sessions to prepare for homeownership.

73 people took our eHome homebuyer education course.

Homeownership

We held 10 virtual Financial Fitness sessions for around 96 people. These courses teach important financial lessons to people on their journey to homeownership.

Lending

We closed 2023 with 72 loans totaling $1.4 Million!

2023 Success Story:

Emma West

Emma West was tired of paying rent and living in apartments, and she knew she wanted to own a home. She started her journey almost five years ago and kept hitting road blocks.

“This process was not an easy one for me. I had a bunch of ‘no’s’ along with a lot more excuses of why I couldn’t be a homeowner,” West said.

West works at Wal-Mart, and was told by various sources she did not make enough money or would need a co-signer. But, she did not give up hope. Earlier this year, Emma was encouraged by her family to come to NeighborWorks® Columbus. That’s when the process sped along for her. Just a few months later, Emma is the proud homeowner of not just her first home but a brand-new home in Elliott’s Walk!

“(NeighborWorks® Columbus staff) told me I was approved for the loan, and then they told me about Elliott’s Walk. It was just a dream come true,” she said.

Emma closed on her home this year becoming one of the first homeowners in this historic subdivision that will eventually house hundreds—and she did it despite lots of trials and proudly, without a co-signer!

Thank you for the role you’ve played in Emma’s story with your support of this work.

financials

In 2023, we raised $1.9 million dollars, which we invested in:

Creating 72 new homeowners
$1,014,690 million in loans
Provided $440,500 in downpayment assistance
Providing financial education & counseling for 556 people

In May, NeighborWorks® Columbus was invited to be the beneficiary of Playing for Good, an outdoor concert in the beautiful courtyard of The Loft. We are grateful to The Loft for their generosity and a wonderful evening!

Thanks to our sponsors, this event raised $15,000!

We are looking forward to making this an annual event, and hope you’ll save the date for the next Playing for Good: May 11, 2024!

Thank you to our 2023 Playing for Good Sponsors!