Housing
WE NEED HOUSING education
At Communities Unlimited we understand that the US housing system was built on a track of exclusion and racism that is compounded by the lack of resources and access in rural, persistent poverty areas. It doesnāt matter how new the train is or who the conductor is, if the track is laid the train will continue to arrive at the same destination.
We believe...
Housing quality directly effects the environment that families live and work in daily, including air quality, water quality, and the quality/health of built structures, and the environmental and housing implications of a natural disaster.
We acknowledge...
Many communities lack the capacity or resources to identify and address issues within the built environment- utilizing our Comprehensive Housing Needs Assessment, we can help communities identify, plan for, and address the issues that fall within the intersection points of housing and environmental justice.
We understand...
By working within persistent poverty communities, specifically those with higher BIPOC populations, we would be serving the communities most likely to experience housing and environmental disparities and really reflect the ideas of justice within these two areas.
It is time we raze the tracks of a broken system and create a pathway for rural America to COME HOME.
What is COME HOME?
COME HOME is a holistic, community centered housing approach with focus on local capacity building, technical assistance, resource development, and housing fund and lending development.
COME HOME has four key components:
Housing Needs Assessment
Strategic Housing Planning
Resource Portfolio Development
Innovative Lending
Coming Soon
Partners
Housing Education
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
*Communities Unlimited, Inc. is not affiliated with theĀ Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
Fannie Mae
Fannie Mae offers a free Homebuyer education course. The first section covers the following topics:
- To rent or buy
- Things to consider before buying
- Credit Score
- Improving Credit Score
- Establishing Credit
*Communities Unlimited, Inc. is not affiliated withĀ Fannie Mae
Arkansas Delta
Do you live in the Arkansas Delta?Ā Would you like to own your own home but not sure where to start? Use the form to speak to our housing counselor and begin your journey to home ownership.
Contact Form
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Meet The Team
Area Director of Rural Housing
Audra Butler
Audra Butler started Communities Unlimited (CU) in 2022 as the Rural Housing Area Director. Audra has more than a decade in subsidized and affordable housing leadership and homeless advocacy. Over the last 10 years, Audra has worked with nonprofits and organizations focused on creating pathways out of poverty.āÆAs the Rural Housing Area Director for Communities Unlimited, Audra develops a rural housing strategy and offers a modular housing manufacturing program. Audra works in communities to help community members better understand housing and what their community needs.
Audra formerly served as the Interim Director and Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Fayetteville Housing Authority. While there, Audra led the organization through leadership transitions and organizational restructuring, stabilizing operations and allowing the team of housing professionals to continue providing services to thousands of Arkansans in Northwest Arkansas. Audra also served as the Chief Operations Officer for Community Programs at ARVAC, a community action agency in central Arkansas, directing operations in 9 counties and expanding the organizations homeless services and transitional living program.
Audra lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas and works out of Communities Unlimitedās Fayetteville office.
Phone:479.684.7727
Housing Counseling Technician
Denika Smith Scott
Denika Smith Scott joined Communities Unlimited (CU) in September 2023 as a Housing Counseling Technician. Denika works with the community to help close the gap between urban and rural housing. She works one-on-one with clients to coach and motivate them to achieve their goals for stable housing and financial opportunity. Denika helps clients with money management, credit, home ownership, and other home related counseling.Ā
Before starting at CU, Denika worked as a Leasing Agent for Sunset Village Apartments. She also worked for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff as an Office Manager and Grant Manager.Ā
Denika resides in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.Ā
Phone:479.530.5158
Community Housing Technician
Kapriskie Mack
Phone:479.422.9651
Housing STORIES
Small Talk With Communities Unlimited Episode 6
Episode 3 of our three-part series about housing with Audra Butler leads us into what Communities Unlimited is buildingā¦
Small Talk with Communities Unlimited Episode 5
CU Area Director of Housing Audra Butler joins us again to talk about funding opportunities in rural communities.ā¦
Small Talk with Communities Unlimited Episode 4
Communities Unlimited Area Director of Housing, Audra Butler, joins us to talk about the uniqueness that is ruralā¦