New Community Corporation was formed by a group of community leaders in 1968, as a response to the riots of July, 1967, which left 26 dead and caused approximately $15 million in property damage. A local Roman Catholic church parish facilitated a process of community organization that identified the needs of low-income neighborhoods in Newark's Central Ward. As a result of this process, the New Community Corporation was formally incorporated with a board of directors composed entirely of community residents. Based upon input from local residents regarding community needs, the board decided to focus New Community's initial efforts on construction and operation of low-income housing.