Rural America has a large and growing senior population, but also often lacks housing resources and capacity. In fact, most federal housing programs for the elderly have been cut in this current period of budget austerity. How are organizations meeting the growing need while adjusting to changes in HUD and USDA programs? Learn more about changing demographics, policy, and advocacy at this workshop.

1. National Neighbors Silver
Robert Zdenek, Director
December 6, 2012
National Rural Housing Conference

2. Building economic security and preserving wealth.
We cannot tackle every problem in our communities
affecting older adults. But through our 15 local
campaigns, we can…
• Empower older adults.
• Fight for better banking.
• Keep seniors at home.

3. Combining methods for change.
Organizing: Establishment of up to 15 local campaigns, including
one full-time organizer and 5 community Ambassadors.
Collectively, these community leaders will reach thousands of
older adults.
Advocacy: Development of a national platform – including a
federal policy agenda, housing counseling, foreclosure
prevention, and an “age-friendly banking” standard.
Direct Service/Asset Building: Direct services to older adults
offered via the Housing Counseling Network and trainings for
service providers, housing counselors, advocates and the broader
NCRC network.

4. Current Grantees:
•
Building Our Movement California Coalition
for Rural Housing
• Causa Justa :: Just
Cause- Oakland
• Empowering &
Strengthening
Ohio’s People-
Cleveland
• Faith Action for
Community Equity-
Hawaii
• Jewish Community
Action- Minneapolis
• New York
StateWide Senior
Action Council-
Buffalo
• Pilsen Neighbors
Community
Council- Chicago
• RISE Foundation-
Memphis
• United Neighbors –
Davenport, IA
• Western Maine
Community Action-
Franklin County

5. Grantee Spotlight
California Coalition for Rural Housing – Working with the Federal
Reserve Board of San Francisco, CCRH will be organizing and
facilitating eight age-friendly banking roundtables. Roundtables are
targeted to residents of affordable rental housing properties owned
and operated by CCRH-member organizations for older adults.
Western Maine Community Action - Ambassadors from Western
Maine Community Action created the Franklin County Elder
Independence Task Force to confront the unique challenges of aging
in a rural environment. One Ambassador, a retired banker, is
working directly with local banks to develop and implement age-
friendly banking standards.

6. To learn more about National Neighbors Silver
and the National Community Reinvestment
Coalition, contact:
Robert Zdenek, Director
rzdenek@ncrc.org
(202) 464-2717
www.ncrc.org