The Community Effect: A NeighborWorks America Podcast

Episode 20: Legacy, Inheritance and Resilience in Houston's Fifth Ward (Part 2) (Season 2 - Episode 10)

In Part 2 of this conversation on The Community Effect, Marietta Rodriguez, president & CEO of NeighborWorks America, continues her discussion with Kathy Flanagan Payton, president & CEO of Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corp., on how Houston’s historic Fifth Ward responds to natural disasters, economic shocks and rapid neighborhood change. Legacy, Inheritance and Resilience in Houston’s Fifth Ward (Part 2) explores how mixed-income development, disaster recovery and cross-sector partnerships strengthen housing supply and protect long-term community stability. From the award-winning redevelopment of St. Elizabeth Place to strategies that prioritize accountability and collaboration, this episode highlights what it means to rebuild with intention.

Episode 19: Legacy, Inheritance and Resilience in Houston's Fifth Ward (Part 1) (Season 2 - Episode 9)

In this episode of The Community Effect, host Marietta Rodriguez, president and CEO of NeighborWorks America, explores how housing inheritance and tangled titles shape stability for families and communities. She is joined by Kathy Flanagan Payton, president and CEO of Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corp., to discuss the real challenges families face when legacy homes are passed down without clear ownership. Drawing on decades of place-based leadership in Houston’s historic Fifth Ward, Payton explains how tangled titles can turn homes into “dead capital,” limiting access to repairs, insurance and disaster recovery resources. The conversation highlights why estate planning and clear title are essential tools for wealth building, housing stability and long-term community resilience. This is Part 1 of a two-part series examining how trusted community organizations help families protect what generations worked to build.

Episode 18: Scaling What Works: Innovation in Community Investment (Season 2 - Episode 8)

In this episode of The Community Effect, Marietta Rodriguez, president & CEO of NeighborWorks America, is joined by Brandee McHale, head of Community Investing and Development at Citi and president of the Citi Foundation. They discuss how philanthropy, finance and community development intersect to create lasting impact. The conversation explores first-mover partnerships, the role of philanthropic capital in seeding innovation and the importance of investing in people and places to support long-term economic opportunity and community resilience.

Episode 17: Building the Future: How Innovation is Expanding What's Possible in Affordable Housing (Season 2 - Episode 7)

Innovation is redefining what’s possible in affordable housing. In this episode, NeighborWorks America President & CEO Marietta Rodriguez talks with Ernest Coney Jr. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ernest-coney-2370918/], CEO of the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, and Nick Mitchell-Bennett [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-mitchell-bennett-70419245/], Executive Director of Come Dream Come Build in Brownsville, Texas. Together, they explore how modular construction and 3D-printed homes are helping communities build quality housing faster and at lower cost. The conversation dives into the role of technology, workforce opportunity and community insight in shaping the future of housing. From DreamBuild’s flexible modular designs to Florida’s first 3D-printed homes, Ernest and Nick show how local innovation can create a lasting impact for families. Listen to learn how NeighborWorks network organizations are charting a new path for affordability, resilience and opportunity.

Episode 16: After the Storm: Resilience and Rebuilding in Los Angeles

When disaster strikes, rebuilding takes more than repairing homes — it takes time, trust and community. In this episode of The Community Effect, NeighborWorks America President & CEO Marietta Rodriguez talks with Lori R. Gay, President and CEO of Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County. Together they explore how preparation, partnership and perseverance help neighborhoods recover after wildfires, floods and economic shocks. Hear stories of resilience from Los Angeles and learn what it truly means to rebuild stronger, safer communities. Learn more: neighborworks.org/podcast