Delivering Technology Access to America’s Communities

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ✦ Office of Multifamily Housing Programs 

✦ Increases self-sufficiency. CommonBond

Communities in St. Paul, Minnesota, a

nonprofit owner with 16 Neighborhood

Networks centers, moved 156 families

from assisted to market-rate housing and

49 families into first-time homeownership.

✦ Reduces security risks. Some properties

have saved thousands of dollars in security

costs with the addition of a Neighborhood

Networks center. For example, the Rocky

Mountain Mutual Housing Association

witnessed a remarkable turnaround with

the opening of its Joint Activity Center in

Denver, Colorado. Vandalism disappeared.

Before opening the center, the association

had an annual security budget of $100,000.

Now the 626-unit complex has a security

budget of $12,000 per year––an impressive

$88,000 reduction.

✦ Increases a sense of community among

residents. Many residents volunteer to

help staff Neighborhood Networks centers

and are active in operating and participating in these programs. As such, they are

improving the quality of life for themselves and others. According to Sharon

Hamilton of Lutheran Social Services

(LSS) of Jamestown, New York, having

a Neighborhood Networks center on its

properties gives residents a feeling of inclusion in the technological world and enhances their quality of life. LSS manages

6 affordable housing developments with

198 senior units.

For property owners and managers of HUD

insured and assisted housing, opening a Neighborhood Networks center is a smart investment!

Starting a Neighborhood Networks center can:

✦ Make properties more competitive, which

can attract new residents, lower vacancy

rates, and stabilize tenancy.

✦ Decrease security and upkeep costs by giving residents a greater sense of pride and

a greater stake in the overall well-being

of the community.

✦ Help owners and managers build lasting,

mutually beneficial relationships with

residents and the local partners that work

with the center.

Owners and managers describe

how Neighborhood Networks makes

a difference:

✦ Enhances marketing and corporate

profile. Jacqueline Jones, director of social

services at Interstate Realty Management

(IRM) Company in Marlton, New Jersey,

says, “As a management company, having

a Neighborhood Networks center enhances

our ability to market our properties and

corporate profile. Centers are a good marketing tool for attracting residents who

take pride in their surroundings. For our

company, it’s the only tool.” IRM has 23

Neighborhood Networks centers among its

more than 170 properties in 18 states and

the Virgin Islands. 

Neighborhood Networks 

Information Center

(888) 312–2743

TTY: (800) 483–2209

NeighborhoodNetworks@hud.gov

Owners and Managers Benefit by Opening

Neighborhood Networks Centers
Visit our Web site at www.NeighborhoodNetworks.org

EQUAL HOUSING

OPPORTUNITY

Prepared Fall 2003

About Neighborhood Networks

Neighborhood Networks’

mission is to improve

computer access, advance literacy, and create

employment opportunities for residents of HUD

insured and assisted

housing.

Neighborhood Networks

encourages resident

involvement in the planning and development of

self-sustaining centers.

Residents gain access

to onsite programs and

services that provide job

skills, education, and

supportive services that

foster healthier, more

self-sufficient families. 

More than 1,200 Neighborhood Networks

centers are located at

HUD Multifamily Housing properties throughout all 50 states, the

District of Columbia,

Puerto Rico, and the

U.S. Virgin Islands.

HUD Funds and Other Resources

for Developing New Centers 

Here are some options for owners and

managers:

Chapter 9 of HUD Handbook 4381.5, The

Management Agent Handbook, describes

potential sources of HUD funds for Neighborhood Networks centers:

✦ Using the project funds/residual receipts

account.

✦ Increasing the amount of the owner’s

initial equity investment in the property.

✦ Borrowing from the reserve for replacement account.

✦ Requesting an increase under the budgeted

rent increase process.

✦ Requesting a special adjustment rent

increase.

In addition to obtaining help from HUD,

owners and managers can find support

from the following sources:

✦ Other federal, state, and local grants.

✦ Foundation grants.

✦ Corporate and individual contributions.

✦ Fundraising events.

✦ User fees.

✦ Business development profits.

✦ In-kind donations.

✦ Partners.

Additional options are available to Neighborhood Networks centers that have 501(c)(3)

status. 

Planning for a Successful Center 

HUD’s nationwide, experienced Neighborhood Networks Coordinators are available to

assist in developing a center.

Success is grounded in good planning. Develop a business plan based on your vision for

the center. 

Follow five basic steps to start a Neighborhood Networks center:

1. Involve residents in the planning process.

Residents who help plan the center often

become invested in its success. Enlist resident participation to organize a steering

committee.

2. Conduct an assessment. Have residents

identify their educational and employment

needs, interests, and talents using interviews and surveys. Residents can also take

an inventory of neighborhood institutions

that could be center partners and identify

additional center resources.

3. Design programs. Using the data collected,

the steering committee can make informed

decisions about program areas and local

partners that best address the group’s interests, such as computer classes.

4. Identify the center’s operational needs.

Determine staff and space needed, computer hardware and software, insurance, furniture, telephone lines, security, and financial

requirements. Prepare a budget, including

project income and operating expenses.

5. Draft a business plan. Identify financial

plans and day-to-day management of the

center, including the programs and activities to be offered. The business plan must

be submitted to and approved by the local

HUD office.

To help Neighborhood Networks centers

develop an effective business plan, HUD has

created the Strategic Tracking And Reporting

Tool (START)—an online business plan development tool.

For additional information about obtaining

501(c)(3) status, locating your nearest

coordinator, and using START, contact:

U.S. Department of Housing and 

Urban Development

Neighborhood Networks Information Center

2277 Research Boulevard, 5J

Rockville, MD 20850

(888) 312–2743 (toll free)

TTY: (800) 483–2209

Web site: www.NeighborhoodNetworks.org

E-mail: NeighborhoodNetworks@hud.gov