NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania

What NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania does

NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community development organization founded in 1981 (originally as Scranton Neighborhood Housing Services) and headquartered at 815 Smith Street in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The organization operates three integrated service lines: an Aging in Place program serving homeowners age 60 and above across Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wayne counties (including Whole Home Repair programs in Lackawanna and Wayne, the Scranton Older Adult Rehabilitation Program, and the Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity); a HomeOwnership Center that provides Pathways to Homeownership workshops, down-payment assistance, foreclosure intervention, and a Lender Portal; and Community Development initiatives anchored by the Beautiful Blocks matching-grant program (operating in Scranton, Carbondale, and Pittston) and a 10-year West Scranton neighborhood revitalization plan. The organization serves low-to-moderate income households at or below 80% of Area Median Income, first-time homebuyers, older adults seeking to age in place, and geographically-defined neighborhoods seeking physical revitalization.

The organization funds its operations through a diversified mix of revenue streams rather than traditional product sales: federal, state, and local government grants (HUD, PA Department of Community & Economic Development, PA Department of Aging, county agencies on aging), foundation grants (Robert H. Spitz Foundation, Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, AllOne Foundation & Charities, Moses Taylor Foundation, PPL Foundation, and regional community foundations), corporate sponsorships (Coterra Energy, AZEK, Highmark, and roughly a dozen regional banks), and individual tax-deductible donations. Services are delivered free to eligible participants or on a matching-grant basis (Beautiful Blocks provides up to $1,000 per property and up to $2,000 for sidewalk projects). The organization is a chartered member of the national NeighborWorks America network (240+ affiliates) and holds HUD-approved housing counseling agency status.

NeighborWorks delivers services through a 19-person professional staff supplemented by a large mobilized volunteer network; the SafetyWorks Week for Seniors program alone has engaged 2,336 volunteers producing roughly 50,000 hours of labor (valued at over $1.6 million) across 350+ properties. Documented impact includes 950+ completed Beautiful Blocks projects, 100+ home purchases facilitated annually, $4 million+ in COVID-era homeowner assistance administered, $2 million+ in down-payment assistance programs created since 2020, and a HomeOwnership program budget that grew from $100,000 to over $1 million annually. Technology plays a supporting operational role (website, Lender Portal, podcast distribution, email/newsletter) rather than a core strategic role; NeighborWorks is a grant- and relationship-driven service organization, not a technology company.

Name

NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania

Legal name

NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania

Website

https://nwnepa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community development organization that delivers housing counseling, home repair grants, Aging in Place services, foreclosure intervention, and neighborhood revitalization across Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wayne counties in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development and Housing Counseling Services

NAICS

Residential Remodelers (236118), Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (623312), New Housing For-Sale Builders (236117)

SIC

Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340), General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization (CDBG, Place-Based Initiatives) (BPAIANAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ), Community Development & Neighborhood Revitalization Housing Programs (FSALAKAO), Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

Keywords

• Community development services
• Housing counseling
• Affordable housing programs
• Homebuyer education
• Neighborhood revitalization

Headquarters

HQ city

Scranton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, NeighborWorks accepts tax-deductible donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations. Donations help provide services to community members who need assistance with housing and financial stability.
2. Government Grants and Contracts: Partnering with federal, state, and local government agencies including HUD, PA Department of Community & Economic Development, Pennsylvania Department of Aging, and local county agencies to fund housing programs and community development initiatives.
3. Foundation Grants: Receives grants from foundations such as the Robert H. Spitz Foundation ($20,000 grant), The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, AllOne Foundation & Charities, and others to support specific programs and initiatives.
4. Program Fees and Grant Administration: Administers various programs including the Beautiful Blocks home improvement program which provides matching grants to residents. Also provides homebuyer assistance programs, foreclosure intervention services, and aging in place services funded through various sources.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community development organization that revitalizes neighborhoods and improves lives through quality housing and financial guidance programs. It operates three core service areas: Aging in Place (home repairs, accessibility modifications, and elder cottage housing for residents age 60+); HomeOwnership Center (free homebuyer education, counseling, down-payment assistance, foreclosure intervention); and Community Development (Beautiful Blocks matching home improvement grants, West Scranton revitalization, volunteer-based neighborhood cleanup and repair events). Most services are free to eligible participants.

Product overview

NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania is a nonprofit community development organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of housing and community development programs. The organization operates as a multi-program platform centered on three core service areas: the Aging in Place Program (including Whole Home Repair Programs for Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, Scranton Older Adult Rehabilitation Program, and Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity), the HomeOwnership Center (offering Pathways to Homeownership, Homebuyer Assistance Programs, Foreclosure Intervention, and Lender Portal), and Community Development initiatives (including West Scranton Neighborhood Revitalization, Beautiful Blocks home improvement grants, and Mobile Toolkit). Additional programs include volunteer-based initiatives such as SafetyWorks Week for Seniors, Safety Tech Kit Installations, Garbage Olympics, and Paint the Town. The organization also produces the Be a Neighbor Podcast as part of its community engagement efforts. Programs are primarily focused on serving residents of Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wayne counties in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Be a Neighbor Podcast: Official podcast of NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania hosted by Parker Dorsey and Gerard Hetman, featuring community initiatives, news, events, and interviews from West Scranton and beyond.
• SafetyWorks Week for Seniors
• West Side Wonderland
• Beautiful Blocks
• Aging in Place Program

Products and services

• Aging in Place Program Program providing homeowners age 60 and above in Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wayne counties with services that focus on assisting them to continue living safely and with dignity in their homes and community. Includes critical safety and accessibility modifications, volunteer services, financial counseling, and Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity (ECHO).
• Lackawanna County Whole Home Repair Program Provides funding to address habitability and safety concerns, improve energy or water efficiency, and make units accessible for individuals with disabilities for homeowners age 60 and older in Lackawanna County.
• Wayne County Whole Home Repair Program Provides funding to address habitability and safety concerns, improve energy or water efficiency, and make units accessible for individuals with disabilities for homeowners age 60 and older in Wayne County.
• Scranton Older Adult Rehabilitation Program Partnership with the City of Scranton providing critical home repairs to older Scranton residents of modest means, including roof repairs, accessibility upgrades, system replacements, and corrections of unsafe electrical or plumbing conditions.
• Elder Cottage Housing Opportunity (ECHO) Small, separate, manufactured residences temporarily placed in the side or rear yard of an older adult's friend or family member to provide safety and autonomy for older adults with easy access to family members who can provide assistance.
• HomeOwnership Center Comprehensive homeownership services umbrella including Pathways to Homeownership, Homebuyer Assistance Programs, Foreclosure Intervention, and a Lender Portal serving prospective and current homeowners in northeastern Pennsylvania.
• Pathways to Homeownership Program providing free homebuyer workshops and one-on-one counseling to prepare individuals to purchase a home. Includes rehabilitation and resale of homes to fund the organization's other work.
• Homebuyer Assistance Programs Financial assistance and education programs to help first-time homebuyers achieve homeownership, including three down-payment assistance programs with combined financial impact exceeding $2 million since 2020.
• Foreclosure Intervention Counseling services to help homeowners facing foreclosure, including loss mitigation counseling and support to remain in their homes. More than $4 million in homeowner assistance funds was administered during and after the COVID pandemic.
• Beautiful Blocks Program Home improvement program providing matching grants of up to $1,000 per property to groups of five or more residents for exterior improvements to their homes, with enhanced up to $2,000 per property for sidewalk projects. Available in Scranton, Carbondale, and Pittston. More than 950 individual projects completed across more than 130 block groups with $1M+ in funding.
• West Scranton Neighborhood Revitalization 10-year neighborhood revitalization plan for West Scranton developed with the City of Scranton and community partners, focused on park improvements, walkability, business support, and community identity building through Safe Clean & Green, Image Identity & Events, and Neighbors & Economy committees.
• SafetyWorks Week for Seniors Quarterly volunteer event in Lackawanna County that mobilizes hundreds of volunteers from across the northern United States to assist older adults with small home repair, exterior painting, and lawn cleanup. Has delivered repairs to over 350 properties with approximately 50,000 hours of volunteer labor worth over $1.6 million.
• Safety Tech Kit Installations Volunteer program in collaboration with the University of Scranton's Occupational Therapy Department for installation of HomeMatters Safety Kits in older adults' homes, including fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and grab bars.

Quantifiable outcome

• 950+ individual home improvement projects completed through Beautiful Blocks program with $1 million+ in grant funding
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NeighborWorks AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChartered member of the national NeighborWorks America network, a system of more than 240 community-based nonprofits in every state. As a chartered member, NeighborWorks adheres to the highest standards of quality and accountability in the industry.
• Lackawanna County Area Agency on AgingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Aging in Place program providing support for the Elderly Property Tax and Extension Program which can extend, defer, or assist older adults who are behind on their property taxes.
• Luzerne and Wyoming County Area Agency on AgingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner in the Aging in Place program serving Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wayne counties.
• Wayne County Area Agency on AgingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Aging in Place program for Wayne County services.
• Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipating agency in PHFA's Comprehensive Housing Counseling Initiative, providing access to state-level housing programs and funding.
• U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApproved HUD housing counseling agency providing pre-purchase counseling, foreclosure counseling, and other housing services. Staff include HUD-certified housing counselors.
• Administration for Community Living (ACL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partner supporting Aging in Place program services.
• PA Department of Community & Economic DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government partner providing funding and support for community development initiatives.
• Pennsylvania Department of AgingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState partner supporting Aging in Place program and services for older adults.
• The United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike CountiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner providing funding and support for housing and community development programs.
• GeisingerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner supporting Aging in Place and community initiatives.
• Pennsylvania Association for Area Agencies on Aging (P4A)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState association supporting regional Aging in Place initiatives.
• City of ScrantoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary municipal partner for Beautiful Blocks program, West Scranton neighborhood revitalization, and affordable housing initiatives. Partner with OECD on HOME Investment Partnerships Program.
• City of CarbondalecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner for Beautiful Blocks program and Carbondale Core Neighborhood Plan. Supports SafetyWorks Week and community events.
• City of PittstoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partner for Beautiful Blocks program (second year in 2025).
• Group Mission Trips, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership bringing hundreds of volunteers from across the northern United States for SafetyWorks Week for Seniors events, providing approximately 50,000 hours of volunteer labor.
• Scranton Area Community FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Shared Equity Housing initiative and co-host of educational events on affordable housing models. Manages Robert H. Spitz Foundation grant.
• Lackawanna County Land BankminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in Shared Equity Housing efforts since 2023.
• Scranton Redevelopment AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in Shared Equity Housing efforts since 2023.
• United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern PennsylvaniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in Shared Equity Housing efforts since 2023.
• Lackawanna County Tax Claim BureauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with Aging in Place program for Elderly Property Tax and Extension Program.
• University of ScrantoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner providing student volunteers for SafetyWorks Week and Clean and Green events. Their Occupational Therapy Department collaborates on Safety Kit installations.
• MTF BiologicsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer group participating in Paint the Town events.
• Scranton Preparatory SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational volunteer group participating in Paint the Town events.
• YMCA (Carbondale)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner for Carbondale Block Party and community events.
• AARP Network of Age-Friendly States & CommunitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States & Communities, supporting Aging in Place program initiatives.
• Home Matters MovementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the national Home Matters movement created by NeighborWorks America and supported by National NeighborWorks Association.
• National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education & CounselingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdopted and utilizes the National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education & Counseling.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• NeighborWorks of Western Vermont: Chartered NeighborWorks affiliate operating in a small-region, multi-program model (housing counseling, community development, rehab/repair) similar to NeighborWorks NEPA — useful peer for benchmarking operating ratios in comparable geographies.

Broad incumbents

• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National community development CDFI supporting neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing, and resident-led initiatives. Comparable to NeighborWorks' West Scranton 10-year revitalization plan and CDBG-style neighborhood investment.
• Habitat for Humanity International: National nonprofit building affordable housing through rehab and new construction. Comparable to NeighborWorks' home rehabilitation, affordable homeownership (Beautiful Blocks, Pathways to Homeownership), and reliance on volunteer labor and community partnerships.
• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit focused on affordable housing, community development, and community land trusts. Directly relevant peer given NeighborWorks' exploration of a CLT model via the Spitz Foundation grant.

Emerging players

• Grounded Solutions Network: National membership network supporting community land trusts and shared-equity housing models. Highly relevant given NeighborWorks' exploration of a Scranton Community Land Trust under the Spitz Foundation grant.

Direct peers

• NeighborWorks Philadelphia: Another chartered NeighborWorks affiliate delivering homeownership counseling, foreclosure intervention, and community development in Philadelphia. Strong operational parallel in programs, HUD-counseling credentials, and Pennsylvania market context.
• United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania: Direct local peer offering community development, housing support, and family services in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. Already collaborates with NeighborWorks on Shared Equity Housing and overlapping programs.
• NeighborWorks Pittsburgh: A fellow chartered NeighborWorks affiliate providing homeownership counseling, foreclosure prevention, and community development in Pennsylvania. Most directly comparable peer in the same state and NeighborWorks network.

Others

• Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA): State housing finance agency administering homebuyer assistance programs. Functions as both a partner (Comprehensive Housing Counseling Initiative) and a parallel channel for down-payment assistance that competes with NeighborWorks' homebuyer offerings.
• NeighborWorks America (national network): National parent network of 240+ chartered community development nonprofits. Not a direct competitor but the umbrella affiliation that shapes NeighborWorks NEPA's standards, training, and federal funding access.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/nwnepa
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQd9ozsqkt_rSwlHGuzlwCw
• Facebookfacebook.com/nwnepa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nwnepa
• Instagraminstagram.com/neighborworksnepa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania