ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the characteristics, impacts, and challenges of the nonprofit housing sector in Rural America. It presents a typology of different kinds of rural housing organizations and highlight signature rural housing strategies and innovations. A 1998 census commissioned by the National Congress for Community Economic Development (NCCED) and conducted by the Urban Institute estimated 1,700 organizations working on community development issues in rural areas, not including Habitats for Humanity. The 2001 Stand Up for Rural America study reported that about 40 percent of rural community developers characterized themselves as either Housing Development Organizations, Community Development Organizations, or Community Housing Development Organizations. National, state, regional, and local groups have organized to advocate for financial assistance, land use reforms, and other rural housing supports via legislation, regulation, and administrative rules. Legal services organizations serve a vital role in representing the rural poor who have housing problems. Nonprofit intermediary organizations offer financing and technical assistance to rural communities.
