Several core Oakland neighborhoods were among the nation's hardest hit by mortgage defaults, but the Oakland Community Land Trust has come up with an out-of-the-box, sure-to-be mimicked plan to help. Last year, the nonprofit wrangled $5 million in HUD money to purchase 130 foreclosed homes, rehab them in a green way, and sell them at affordable prices to low income families. The new homeowners' monthly mortgage payments are similar to what they had been paying in rent, and maintenance workshops-plus ongoing access to tools-help them keep their homes in fine working order, which is good for everyone on the block.