Community-Development Conference Kicks Off in Orlando; 2,100 Professionals, $1.84 Million in Economic Impact Expected

ORLANDO, FL--(Marketwired - Aug 12, 2014) - A $1.84 million boost is coming to the Orlando economy when more than 2,100 community development professionals from around the country convene in the city for the NeighborWorks Training Institute (NTI) Aug. 18-22. The conference is hosted by NeighborWorks America, a national, Congressionally chartered nonprofit that creates opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives and strengthen their communities.

"NeighborWorks America's Training Institute in Orlando will provide a tremendous opportunity for professionals from around the country to exchange best practices in community development," said Chuck Wehrwein, acting chief executive officer of NeighborWorks America. "With first-time homeownership well below historical levels, and many communities around the country still struggling with foreclosure, the ideas and tactics that will be shared here will help turn these issues around."

The NeighborWorks Florida Collaborative, which includes every NeighborWorks organization in the state, will launch during the Training Institute. The ten housing and community development organizations will aim to improve housing opportunities and build strong communities for all Florida residents.

Included in the many courses and workshops is an Aug. 20 symposium focusing on "Homeownership in an Era of Change." The event will highlight the latest real information and best practices in the areas of recent regulatory changes in mortgage and consumer finance; technologies that connect consumers to programs and provide a homeownership delivery system; and public and private sector operational partnerships.

Among the speakers at the symposium are Lisa Davis from Ford Foundation; Laurie Goodman from the Urban Institute; Sandra Thompson from Federal Housing Finance Agency; and Holden Lewis, assistant managing editor, Bankrate.com. The NeighborWorks Training Institute is supported by a variety of partners, including Wells Fargo Housing Foundation, Citi/Citi Foundation, JPMorgan Chase Foundation, HUD, Bank of America, and Ford Foundation.

In addition to the training institute, NeighborWorks organizations work to serve Orlando and the surrounding community throughout the year. In 2013, NeighborWorks generated more than $255 million in total direct investment, served nearly 16,000 individuals and families, and created and maintained nearly 700 jobs in Florida. To read more about NeighborWorks organizations' impact in Florida and other states, view the NeighborWorks America interactive map.

For more information about NeighborWorks America, visit www.nw.org.

About NeighborWorks America
For 35 years, NeighborWorks America has created 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 $22.5 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation's leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals.