Some Charities Benefit From Mortgage Crisis

Although many people and companies have been negatively affected by the subprime-mortgage crisis, some nonprofit groups have been able to take advantage of low housing and land prices to increase their services to the poor, reports National Public Radio.

For example, the Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Modesto, Calif., has purchased parcels of land in the town for $50,000, half of what they were worth just a few years ago.

The charity develops properties for needy families; it also hopes to stem the danger of too many abandoned properties being overrun by squatters and crime.