NeighborNews Summer 2022

The Runaway Costs of Housing and the Wealth Gap The costs of owner-occupied and rental housing have continued to dramatically increase over this past year.  Home price appreciation nationally hit 20.6% in March of this year, topping the previous high of 20% in August of 2021.  Professionally managed apartments increased rents by 12% nationally, and some…

I heard about NeighborWorks Waco in 2000 from a former Member of the Board who told me about this organization which was rehabilitating an older house. After talking to NeighborWorks Waco’s Vice President and COO, Delisa, and CFO, Karen, my husband and I were very interested in the rehabilitated home. We chose to work with…

There is very little that NeighborWorks Waco’s staff can’t do. Most people know about one or two of our programs and services, but few people are aware of all that we are able to offer. Usually, the shorter version is to tell folks what in the real estate industry we don’t do. Many of people…

Alice Pollard is something of a Waco legend. She was a committed member of our community, dedicating her life to making a positive difference in the lives of others and in the community—and world—writ large. There are so many stories that could be told of Alice’s incredible life, and NeighborWorks Waco is proud to be…

Virtually everyone is aware of the economic challenges facing homebuyers in this current market. Historically low rates have begun to creep higher and higher at the same time that demand for housing is drastically outpacing available housing stock and new construction. When supply is low and demand is high, prices rise significantly. The housing market…

NeighborWorks Waco recently teamed up with Shepherd’s Heart Ministries to conduct a neighborhood clean-up initiative. Our staff led groups of teens from the Pacific Northwest through neighborhoods throughout our greater Waco community. Despite 100+ degree heat, these young people, dedicated to making an impact, loaded derelict furniture, discarded mattresses, and forgotten refuse by the trailer-full…

Delisa Burnell-Smith, our lauded Vice President and COO, was recently recognized as the inaugural recipient for the Henrietta Napier Changemaker Award in Housing. Her decades of dedication to our community, and to the issue of financial stability for families throughout the greater Waco area, were recognized and honored. Delisa is proud to be seen as…