Housing Compass: A Navigate Gives Back Podcast

Housing Compass is coming August 3.
This new Navigate Gives Back podcast features conversations with nonprofit partners working to meet critical needs, support housing stability, and strengthen communities.
Season 1, Community Partners, Community Impact, begins with stories about clean water access, food support, home repair, and housing with dignity.
Follow along for the first episode.
#HousingCompass #NavigateGivesBack #CommunityImpact #HousingStability #NonprofitPartners #AffordableHousing

In this episode of Housing Compass, Ebony Hall talks with Dr. Aisha Ellington, Executive Director of the H2O Foundation, about helping older adults and disabled residents stay safely housed.
Dr. Ellington explains why clean water access is essential to housing stability and how water bill assistance, minor plumbing repairs, hydration education, and community support help protect health, dignity, and safety at home.
This episode is part of Community Partners, Community Impact, Season 1 of Housing Compass, a Navigate Gives Back podcast.
Resources:H2O Foundation: https://h2obham.orgHousing Compass: https://bit.ly/4pmDL7yNavigate Gives Back: https://bit.ly/3VJDQVF
Featured Guest:Dr. Aisha Castro-Ellington, Executive Director, H2O Foundation
Hosted by:Ebony Hall, MarCom Director, Navigate Affordable Housing Partners

Food insecurity does not look the same in every community. In this episode of Housing Compass, a Navigate Gives Back podcast, Ebony Hall interviews Jason Jakubowski, President and CEO of Connecticut Foodshare.
Jason shares how Connecticut Foodshare serves all 169 towns in Connecticut, supports hundreds of local partners, and helps families facing the rising cost of groceries, housing, utilities, and other essentials.
The conversation explores the connection between hunger and housing stability, the role of local partnerships, and how community support helps put meals on the table.
Resources:Connecticut Foodshare: https://ctfoodshare.orgFeeding America: https://feedingamerica.orgHousing Compass: https://bit.ly/4pmDL7yNavigate Gives Back: https://bit.ly/3VJDQVF
Featured Guest:Jason Jakubowski, President and CEO, Connecticut Foodshare
Hosted by:Ebony Hall, MarCom Director, Navigate Affordable Housing Partners

Home repair is more than property maintenance. It can help residents stay housed, protect neighborhood value, and strengthen community stability.
In this episode of Housing Compass, a Navigate Gives Back podcast, Ebony Hall interviews Gerrel Jones, Executive Director of Renew Birmingham. Gerrel explains Renew Birmingham’s holistic approach to community revitalization, including critical repairs, rental assistance, adult education, workforce development, youth services, transportation, and community health.
The conversation explores collective impact, resident reciprocity, social cohesion, and why revitalization works best when residents are part of the solution.
Resources:Renew Birmingham: https://renewbham.orgHousing Compass: https://bit.ly/4pmDL7yNavigate Gives Back: https://bit.ly/3VJDQVF
Featured Guest:Gerrel Jones, Executive Director, Renew Birmingham
Hosted by:Ebony Hall, MarCom Director, Navigate Affordable Housing Partners

In this episode of Housing Compass, Ebony Hall talks with Tim Hodge, CEO of Rainbow Omega, about housing, dignity, belonging, and support for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Tim shares how Rainbow Omega provides residential services, day programs, vocational training, life skills support, and care for individuals with advanced medical needs. He also discusses the difference between a house and a home, the importance of community, and how safe, stable, supportive housing can give residents a sense of belonging, independence, and long-term security.
The conversation also explores what support from Navigate Gives Back helped make possible for Rainbow Omega, including assistance with utility expenses and home repairs.
Resources:Rainbow Omega: https://rainbowomega.orgHousing Compass: https://bit.ly/4pmDL7yNavigate Gives Back: https://bit.ly/3VJDQVF
Featured Guest:Tim Hodge, CEO, Rainbow Omega
Hosted by:Ebony Hall, MarCom Director, Navigate Affordable Housing Partners

Applications are officially open for the 2026 Navigate Gives Back grant round.
In this special bonus episode of Housing Compass, Ebony Hall talks with Carolina Canales, Finance Director for Navigate Affordable Housing Partners, about what nonprofit organizations should know before applying.
Carolina walks through the application process, including what the grant supports, what documents applicants need, how to prepare a project budget, when funding decisions are expected, and what mistakes applicants should avoid. She also reminds organizations that they can start the application, save their progress, and return to complete it before the September 30 deadline.
The 2026 Navigate Gives Back grant application period runs September 1–30.
Resources:Navigate Gives Back: https://bit.ly/3VJDQVFHousing Compass: https://bit.ly/4pmDL7y
Featured Guest:Carolina Canales, Finance Director, Navigate Affordable Housing Partners
Hosted by:Ebony Hall, MarCom Director, Navigate Affordable Housing Partners