Another Housing Nonprofit Investigation

The News-Sentinel reports that Fort Wayne's NeighborWorks accounting practices may have inadvertently placed funds in the wrong accounts. According to the story, a number of staff members have been suspended until further investigation as to how funding intended for Neighborhood Housing Services ended up in the account of NeigborWorks. NeighborWorks was formerly Rainbow Community, Inc and Project Renew until recently. NeighborWorks is a private not for profit organization. According to the article, a new employee discovered the alleged mistake. Interesting, that only after supposedly five weeks on the job, this new employee left the job, according to the article.


One thing that I don't understand is when an investigation is ongoing for African-Americans criminal charges the media shouts, but with raced whites there is no charges or criminal activity pending when wrongdoing is reported in the media, if it ever makes it to the media. This is not to excuse anyone's behavior, but too often board members who are responsible for oversight are hand picked in order to usurp accountability or to excuse the requirement of their fiduciary duties.

Still, it should not comes as no surprise that folks rarely see the fruition of a project meant to alleviate the condition of an impoverished area because huge amount of money has been diverted to unauthorized areas or to save profit making nonprofits.




And how many times must we fudge surprise upon learning that once again, the City of Fort Wayne is involved with such programs that are under scrutiny. NeigborWorks provided property for investors





and counseling services for low-moderate income families in the City's Renaissance Pointe (coming to your neighborhood soon) housing program

Do you ever wonder if the city's economic development programs are about just defrauding African-American citizens of their hard earned money?

Note: Top Photo is NeighborWorks Office building Other, Photos capture some of the Hanna Creighton Revitalization area finished and unfinished projects.