Delivering Technology Access to America’s Communities

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

eighborhood Networks centers give adults, children, youth, senior citizens, and people with

disabilities access to technology and other services. Residents, property owners and managers,

partners, and the general community all share in the rewards of opening and assisting Neighborhood Networks centers.

Many property owners and managers nationwide report that Neighborhood Networks

centers give them an edge in marketing their

properties. Housing owners and managers also

find that Neighborhood Networks centers help

decrease vacancy rates, thus stabilizing the

community, reducing vandalism, and improving residents’ community spirit.

Who Benefits From Neighborhood

Networks Centers, and How? 

Residents

Residents gain access to onsite services and

programs that foster self-sufficiency. With

higher incomes, residents can move into marketrate housing, releasing their affordable units

for others with greater need. By participating

in center programs:

✦ Adults receive job training, education, and

supportive services.

✦ Children and youth have safe afterschool

havens that promote learning, acquisition

of skills, and healthy recreational choices.

✦ Senior citizens gain access to health programs and services, computer training, and

more social activities, which help them

remain productive and vital and contribute

to their quality of life and independence.

✦ Residents with disabilities can access

programs and services that enable them

to remain healthy and increase activity

and social participation.

Property Owners and Managers 

Property owners benefit from the return on

investment that having a Neighborhood Networks center on their property can provide.

Neighborhood Networks 

Information Center

(888) 312–2743

TTY: (800) 483–2209

NeighborhoodNetworks@hud.gov

Benefits of Starting and Working With 

A Neighborhood Networks Center

How Do Centers and Their

Partners Benefit? 

Here are some benefits that both centers and

their partners derive from Neighborhood Networks initiatives:

✦ A social service agency provides support

services at a Neighborhood Networks center

and reaches a new group of constituents.

✦ An employer works with a center to develop

and offer a job-training program and gains

access to a newly trained workforce.

✦ Area colleges and community colleges provide student interns to teach at an afterschool program, giving both the interns

and children a great learning opportunity.

✦ Hospitals and community health clinics

develop programs and services to help

Neighborhood Networks centers address

residents’ health concerns.

N
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.

Partners 

Community partners, including businesses,

local clinics and hospitals, colleges, nonprofit

organizations, and social service providers are

making a strategic investment. By collaborating with Neighborhood Networks on a local

and/or national level, partners can:

✦ Gain greater access to targeted

populations.

✦ Improve the economic health of

communities.

✦ Meet their philanthropic commitments.

✦ Train a potential labor force in skills

that meet the current and future needs

of area employers.

✦ Open new markets.

Communities 

Neighborhood Networks centers enhance the

quality of life for individuals and the entire

community in numerous ways:

✦ Many centers allow residents of surrounding communities to use their facilities, giving them access to programs and services

for adults, children, youth, seniors, and

people with disabilities.

✦ Centers can decrease incidents of vandalism by promoting community ownership

and access to employment and opportunity. This reduces operating costs, resulting

in savings for both property owners and

HUD. Safer environments benefit the

entire community.

✦ Local employers benefit by having a

recruitment source for trained and motivated workers.

✦ Community partners, such as local healthcare facilities, colleges, nonprofit organizations, and social service providers gain

greater access to their target populations.

This enables them to better fulfill their

missions.

For more information, 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