An increasing reliance on community initiatives and local organizations has been particularly noted in the housing field. With the decline in federal responsibility for housing programs and the increasingly limited resources of state and local governments, the local nonprofit sector emerges as a source of creative solutions for meeting America's needs for safe, decent, and affordable housing. Many innovative and cost-effective housing development programs have been designed, implemented, and managed by local organizations. The Extension professional can have a key role in addressing community housing issues through these organizations.
Local organizations are often loosely organized entities, even if legally incorporated.
They tend to democratic decision- making processes and generally eschew a leadership hierarchy. As such, they not only rally citizens to action on a particular concern, but also reinvest local residents with some control over their community. They offer an excellent opportunity to further the educational mission of Extension. The Extension professional, by combining technical expertise, an understanding of local needs, and skills in community organizing, can be a catalyst for the formation, growth, and development of local organizations. Furthermore, Extension has an opportunity to help develop organizational and leadership skills and promote volunteer growth in the community.