“Until you’re safely and affordably housed, you can’t begin to work on whatever challenge or opportunity you have for yourself,” says Mary Ellen Judah, CEO & Executive Director of Neighborhood Concepts, Inc (NCI), who creates lasting economic and housing opportunities for underserved communities in Alabama.
NCI not only develops affordable housing but also provides loans to small businesses through its Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), helping entrepreneurs build financial stability. One example is the story of a young woman who secured financing from NCI to open a daycare that offers much-needed nighttime childcare for shift workers. “From the time she was little, she told her mama she wanted to work in a daycare, and her mother said, ‘No, you want to own a daycare,’” Judah recalls. The center is now thriving, supporting both working parents and the local economy. NCI also engages in partnerships with healthcare providers, recognizing the intersection between housing and health outcomes. By addressing housing, economic development, and community well-being, NCI is fostering stronger, more resilient neighborhoods across Alabama.
