Rural Neighborhoods

What Rural Neighborhoods does

Rural Neighborhoods, originally founded as the Everglades Community Association in 1982, is a Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit affordable housing developer and property manager headquartered in Florida City, FL. The organization develops, acquires, finances, and operates affordable rental housing communities for migrant and seasonal farmworkers, H-2A visa agricultural workers, low-income rural families, and seniors across Collier, Hillsborough, and Miami-Dade counties. Its portfolio includes Everglades Village (described as the largest planned farmworker community in the U.S., ~2,500 residents), Casa Amigos, Timber Ridge at Sanders Pines, Eden Park, Live Oak Villas, and three large projects in active development or recently closed financing: Renaissance Hall at Old Course (252 units, $94M closed Oct 2024), Old Cutler Village Phase 2 (120 workforce units, $50M closed Jun 2024), and La Cabana (110 senior units, $42M, topped off). The organization also operates an Owner Occupied Rehab Program with Collier County, a 5% rent refund program to encourage homeownership, and the Esperanza Community Center.

The business model is that of a nonprofit affordable housing sponsor rather than a technology company. Rural Neighborhoods has no proprietary technology platform; its operational stack is limited to a website, email newsletter (Groundswell, English/Spanish), Facebook presence, and basic compliance/property management software. Revenue is generated through three primary streams: (1) recurring monthly rental income from stabilized housing communities at AMI-restricted rents (e.g., $674-$1,123/month at Casa Amigos); (2) government grants and subsidized loans from USDA Rural Development, Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Collier County CDBG, and HUD programs; and (3) tax credit equity (LIHTC) and conventional debt arranged through financial partners including Bank of America, Berkadia, Freddie Mac, PGIM, and Alliant Capital. The go-to-market is relationship-driven and community-based: applicants are sourced via community outreach, social service referrals, county partnerships, and direct waitlist management, not commercial sales channels. The organization is a member of NeighborWorks America and affiliated with LISC Rural and UnidosUS, and is governed by a board led by Chairman Arturo Lopez under President Steven Kirk.

Name

Rural Neighborhoods

Legal name

Rural Neighborhoods

Website

https://ruralneighborhoods.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Rural Neighborhoods is a Florida-based nonprofit affordable housing developer founded in 1982 that develops, finances, and operates rental housing for migrant farmworkers, H-2A workers, low-income families, and seniors across Collier, Hillsborough, and Miami-Dade counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing

NAICS

Lessors of Residential Buildings and Dwellings (531110)

SIC

Real Estate Operators (No Developers) & Lessors (6510)

akta.pro primary industry

Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Affordable Housing Property Management (BPAJAGAJ), Rural, Tribal & Special-Population Housing Programs (FSALAKAL)

Keywords

• Affordable rental housing
• Farmworker housing development
• Nonprofit community development
• Low-income housing programs
• Disaster recovery housing

Headquarters

HQ city

Dade City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Rental Income: Rural Neighborhoods generates revenue through monthly rents collected from residents in its affordable housing developments across Florida, including Everglades Village, Casa Amigos, Timber Ridge at Sanders Pines, Eden Park, and others.
2. Grants and Government Funding: The organization receives significant funding from government grants and programs including USDA Rural Development, Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Collier County CDBG funds, and federal stimulus programs to finance affordable housing construction and rehabilitation.
3. Tax Credit Equity and Conventional Debt: Rural Neighborhoods leverages Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), Tax Credit Assistance Program funds, and conventional mortgage debt from financial partners to finance new construction of affordable rental communities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Rural Neighborhoods is a nonprofit affordable housing developer and operator that builds, acquires, and manages affordable rental housing communities for migrant and seasonal farmworkers, H-2A visa agricultural workers, low-income rural households, seniors, and non-farmworker families across Collier, Hillsborough, and Miami-Dade counties in Florida. It supplements its housing portfolio with the Owner Occupied Rehab Program (in partnership with Collier County), a 5% Rent Rebate Program that helps tenants save toward homeownership, and the bilingual Groundswell newsletter.

Product overview

Rural Neighborhoods is a nonprofit affordable housing organization that operates as a single-purpose entity focused on providing housing and community development services. The organization offers a portfolio of affordable rental housing communities across Florida, including Everglades Village, Casa Amigos, and Timber Ridge at Sanders Pines Reserve. These housing developments are complemented by programs such as the Owner Occupied Rehab Program and Rent Rebate Program. The organization also publishes the Groundswell Newsletter in English and Spanish. The portfolio does not represent a unified technology platform but rather a collection of distinct housing properties and programs serving rural communities, migrant farmworkers, and low-income families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Affordable Rental Housing Communities A portfolio of affordable rental housing communities developed, acquired, and operated by Rural Neighborhoods across Florida (Collier, Hillsborough, and Miami-Dade counties), providing rental homes for migrant and seasonal farmworkers, H-2A visa agricultural workers, low-income rural families, and seniors. Examples include Everglades Villages, Casa Amigos, Timber Ridge at Sanders Pines Reserve, Eden Park, Old Cutler Village, Renaissance Hall, La Cabana, and Oaks at Shannon's Crossing.
• Owner Occupied Rehab Program A program operated by Rural Neighborhoods in conjunction with Collier County that helps low-income households, many of whom are elderly, apply for funds to repair major health, safety, and maintenance issues with their homes. Funding support has included a $10,000 contribution from Fifth Third Bank.
• Rent Rebate Program A program that gives tenants in Rural Neighborhoods' affordable housing developments a 5 percent rebate of their rent to help them accumulate savings toward becoming homeowners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Everglades Villages is the largest planned community for farm workers ever built in the U.S., housing approximately 2,500 people
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• Enterprise Community PartnersflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 December 2024Steven Kirk, President of Rural Neighborhoods, joined the Enterprise Community Leadership Council consisting of 14 nonprofit affordable housing leaders. The council helps shape and devise innovative policies, practices and capital for affordable housing and community development nationally.
• Hoffman & Facundo ArchitectsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 15 October 2024Designed the 24-unit Casa Amigos rental community and adjacent Eden Park – Esperanza Place Housing Resource Center in Immokalee.
• Pinnacle (Development Partner)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 10 November 2020Rural Neighborhoods and Pinnacle announced closing on $50M financing for Old Cutler Village Phase 2 workforce housing.
• NeighborWorks AmericaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerRural Neighborhoods is a member organization of NeighborWorks America, receiving Strategic Investment Fund support for geographic expansion. The organization's properties are regularly featured in NeighborWorks campaigns and training programs.
• LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRural Neighborhoods is affiliated with LISC Rural and has received LISC Rural Champion recognition for Steven Kirk. LISC supports Rural Neighborhoods projects through funding and capacity building.
• UnidosUSminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRural Neighborhoods is affiliated with UnidosUS (formerly National Council of La Raza), a Latino civil rights organization that advocates for Hispanic communities.
• Palm Harbor United Methodist ChurchminorOthersChurch volunteers have been visiting Rural Neighborhoods' Sanders Pines complex for more than eight years, leading week-long summer camps for youth and planting coconut palms during NeighborWorks America Week.
• Guadalupe Social Services (Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice)minorOthersProvided Thanksgiving food bags for families in need at Timber Ridge at Sanders Pines, Eden Gardens, and Main Street Village for more than 10 years.
• Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) - Students for ChildrenminorOthersFGCU students organized fun days at Sanders Pines with games, crafts, and cookie decorating for approximately 30 children.

Scale indicators21 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Habitat for Humanity International: Large global nonprofit building affordable homes for low-income households. Comparable in mission and homeowner pathway programs (Rent Rebate / Owner Occupied Rehab), but focused on homeownership rather than rental operation.
• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit affordable housing developer and funder with a much larger and more diversified portfolio than Rural Neighborhoods. Comparable in mission and LIHTC deployment, but operates as a national platform with broader product and capital programs.

Regional players

• Coalition of Florida Farmworker Organizations: Florida-based farmworker advocacy and service organization led by Arturo Lopez (Rural Neighborhoods' Board Chairman). Comparable in target constituency and Florida footprint, though focused on advocacy rather than real estate development.

Direct peers

• Self-Help Enterprises: California-based nonprofit developing affordable housing and community infrastructure for low-income rural residents, including farmworkers. Closely mirrors Rural Neighborhoods' rural/farmworker focus, USDA-style financing, and community-development programming.
• National Housing Trust: Nonprofit that develops, owns, and operates affordable rental housing across multiple states using LIHTC and project-based subsidies. Highly comparable in resident-services focus and mission-driven property operation.
• Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation: California-based nonprofit affordable housing developer that builds and manages rental housing specifically for farmworkers and low-income rural residents. Highly comparable to Rural Neighborhoods in mission, target population, and shared-housing model.
• Mercy Housing: One of the largest U.S. nonprofit affordable housing developers and operators, building and managing rental housing for low-income families, seniors, and special-needs populations. Comparable in mission, LIHTC-financed development model, and property management scope.
• BRIDGE Housing: West Coast nonprofit affordable housing developer and operator serving low- and moderate-income households, including workforce and family rentals. Comparable in tax-credit-driven development pipeline and rental property operation.

Others

• Affordable Housing America (or comparable local CDFI): National nonprofit affordable-housing intermediary that provides financing, policy, and capacity support to local developers like Rural Neighborhoods. Comparable in rural-affordable-housing focus area; included as enabling ecosystem participant.
• LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation): National CDFI that provides financing and capacity-building to community development nonprofits including Rural Neighborhoods. Functions as both a peer organization in the rural-housing space and a capital partner; included here as an ecosystem participant rather than direct operator.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ruralneighbors
• Facebookfacebook.com/ruralneighborhoods
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ruralneighborhoods

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Rural Neighborhoods