How We Help Your City

What is CitiesFirst®?

CitiesFirst® is the combined efforts of Nehemiah® and the United States Conference of Mayors representing a commitment to ensuring that cities are vibrant centers of commerce, which provide economic opportunity for all individuals.

At its core CitiesFirst believes:

• Americans deserve access to safe and affordable housing.
• That despite millions of federal dollars set aside for housing and community development, reasonably priced housing in safe, energetic communities is scarce across the country.
• CitiesFirst presents a viable solution to this problem. How? Leveraging resources available from federal and local government agencies and Nehemiah gives America’s cities given an opportunity for rebirth.

How do other government agencies, organizations or industry leaders participate in CitiesFirst?

CitiesFirst is a collaborative effort of many groups working toward the common goal of rebuilding America’s cities from the inside out through affordable housing options.

CitiesFirst hosts roundtable discussions in targeted cities, bringing together local government, local housing agencies, business and community leaders, local real estate companies, builders, non-profit organizations and members of the lending and financial community to discuss and implement strategies to develop and rebuild our cities.

How CitiesFirst can work for your city?

Here is what we have gathered together to do:

• Create housing and urban development strategies that meet the specific needs of your community.
• Work in tandem with your city, your mayor, and your business community to provide down payment assistance to potential homebuyers who qualify for FHA loans.
• Help foster and build new relationships between the city and local community organizations, banks, and real estate associations.
• Provide strategic first time homebuyers in your city with credit counseling and management services and continued home owner education.
• Provide technical assistance on affordable housing and community development issues.
• Encourage homeownership. Why? Because home ownership means residents have a vested interest in their communities, spurring active participation in the social fabric of your city.
• Assist your city with building a healthy housing market that supports strong resale values and increased return on investments.

What are some examples of what can be brought to cities across the nation?

Genesis LA Real Estate Fund - CitiesFirst provides an array of services designed to revitalize communities – from multi-million dollar community development investments to moving renters into homes they own. CitiesFirst invested $5 million in the Genesis L.A. Real Estate Fund targeting blighted Los Angeles areas in the hope of renovating them into attractive business locations, combating high unemployment and poverty.

Sacramento Valley Fund - based on elements of the Genesis L.A. Real Estate Fund. Nehemiah has committed to building a $60 million real estate fund as an investment vehicle to encourage urban infill projects, Brownfield redevelopment, transit-oriented developments and investments that conserve and maximize existing resources.

Why Is CitiesFirst Important?

For the full vision of revitalized communities to become a reality we must first develop the potential of CitiesFirst through active participation. This public/private redevelopment partnership will stimulate growth and encourage positive changes in cities across the country. The CitiesFirst partnership program shows that by working together we can provide that leadership.