In the Inland Empire, many people feel that homeownership is out of reach because of high prices, low inventory and financial barriers. However, Neighborhood Housing Services of the Inland Empire (NHSIE) is working to ensure owning a home isn’t a dream but a reality.
For over 45 years, NHSIE has been a trusted local resource, investing more than $1 billion in home purchases and helping over 3,600 families buy their first homes since 2011.
The organization’s work is grounded in the understanding that stable, affordable housing is a powerful social determinant of health.
Research consistently shows that secure housing reduces stress, supports mental well‑being, improves educational outcomes and expands socioeconomic opportunity. NHSIE intentionally designs its programs to advance long‑term community health by promoting financial stability, housing literacy and pathways to generational wealth.
Executive Director Kailin Scott Peoples highlighted why NHSIE’s mission extends beyond homeownership alone.
“The health and wellness of our region is directly correlated with the ability to obtain wealth,” shared Peoples. “Safe and stable housing improves overall life trajectory, and our job is to bridge that gap with intention.”
As a HUD‑approved housing counseling agency and certified CDFI, NHSIE offers an eight‑hour homebuyer education course paired with individualized counseling. These services prepare families for every step of the homeownership journey—from improving credit and building savings to navigating complex lending processes. Clients come from a wide range of financial backgrounds: some begin with strong savings or family support, while others arrive with little knowledge of mortgages, no credit history, or uncertainty that they could ever afford a home. Additionally, the nonprofit works closely with mortgage lenders to ensure their clients have access to available resources and assistance.
In 2025, NHSIE received a responsive grant from IEHP Foundation to expand financial and homeownership education for low-income residents and to build affordable housing in San Bernardino, supporting clients in building financial skills and achieving first-time homeownership.
The results were astounding. Through home ownership education courses, 74 clients were approved for mortgages, and 50 families have purchased homes. That is 50 new families in our region that will now have access to generational wealth!
Also, 98.5% of clients said they learned more about managing finances and felt more confident. Credit scores went up by almost 30 points after three months and by 20 points after six months. In addition, 174 clients opened or maintained a bank or savings account, indicating real changes in how they manage their money.
The grant also funded rental counseling services. All clients who took part said they better understood their rental rights and responsibilities, and all reported feeling more stable in their housing. This is often the first big step toward getting ready to buy a home.
The real impact of NHSIE’s work is seen in clients’ stories. One single parent with two children started out unsure if owning a home was possible. After finishing the homebuyer education course, getting credit counseling, and learning about down-payment help, this client described NHSIE’s support as a turning point: “I didn’t feel secure in my rental. I was always worried my landlord would sell the property, and we’d have to move again.” Thanks to NHSIE’s counseling and help finding assistance programs, the client was able to buy a home and give their family lasting stability and safety.
Another family of four bought a home through the Dream for All program, which NHSIE introduced them to. They were very grateful for NHSIE’s honest support: “We appreciated having someone we could ask questions to. This is financial stability and an inheritance for our children.”
Today, NHSIE maintains a pipeline of about 1,000 residents working toward mortgage readiness, defined as achieving a 620 credit score, at least $6,000–$10,000 in savings and two years of steady employment. For many families, learning that these benchmarks, not a 20% down, is that “aha moment.”
By combining local knowledge with proven financial and housing programs, NHSIE keeps helping families build stability, wealth and healthier futures, one home at a time.
NHSIE received a 2025 responsive grant from IEHP Foundation. To learn about current and open grant opportunities, please visit iehpfoundation.org/grants