Funding will provide financial counseling services to new homebuyers, homeowners and renters
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $936,606 in federal funds to regional housing organizations stationed in the Capital Region, Rochester, Western New York, Central New York and the Southern Tier.
The funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Housing Counseling Program and will be used to advance local programsdesigned to improve financial literacy, expand homeownership opportunities, and improve access to affordable housing and homeownership.
“This federal funding will help housing organizations across Upstate New York provide residents with the resources they need to find affordable housing as well as enhance counseling services for new homeowners or renters,” said Senator Schumer. “Counseling programs have been proven to stem the tide of foreclosures, and this will be a sound investment in providing our community members with the tools and skills necessary to find safe places to live and do so with confidence in their financial literacy.”
“Access to stable housing is essential for the health of our families and the economic strength of our communities,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This funding is a major investment for Upstate New York and will help bridge the gap in quality housing for residents in need. I will continue to push for investments that help ensure families in New York have access to a safe, affordable place to live.”
In the Capital Region, New York State Housing Finance Agency will receive $597,095 and Better Neighborhoods, Inc. will receive $21,089.
“This grant will help support the house counseling pre-purchasing program. This program places individuals who may be dealing with various related issues on the path to purchasing a home. This includes teaching individuals how to budget, establishing and improving credit, saving for a home, and relationship with bankers. This funding will support an important part of the program,” said James Flacke, Executive Director Better Neighborhoods Inc.
In Rochester, Pathstone Corporation will receive $224,763 and the Hispanic Brotherhood of Rockville Centre, Inc. will receive $17,787.
“On behalf of more than 3000 individuals and families we will serve under this grant and on behalf of our Board of Directors and housing counseling staff I wish to express our gratitude and appreciation to HUD and Senator Gillibrand for their trust and confidence in our work. With this grant we will continue to provide critically important housing counseling services from certified housing counselors including: home purchase education, mortgage delinquency and default resolution, navigation assistance to ensure access to safe, affordable housing of choice. The HUD funded housing services program will operate through our housing offices in New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Puerto Rico,” said Stuart J Mitchell, president and CEO.
In Western New York, Allegany County Community Opportunities and Rural Development Corp. will receive $23,890 and the Niagara Falls Neighborhood Housing will receive $19,501.
“The grant funding announced today by Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand is yet another sign of their continued dedication to the success of the residents of the City of Niagara Falls,” said Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster. “As we experience increased economic development for the first time in many years, encouraging and maintaining homeownership is crucial to our city’s success. This welcome investment will provide critical financial assistance to Niagara Falls Neighborhood Housing Services as it seeks to equip both current and future homebuyers with the training and educational support they need.”
In Central New York, the City of Fulton Community Development Agency will receive $17,494.
“We’re currently the only housing agency in Oswego County that deals with foreclosure prevention. This grant will help us continue our efforts in foreclosure prevention as well as increase pre- purchasing counseling,” said Joseph Fiumara, Executive Director of Fulton Community Development Agency.
In the Southern Tier, Metro-Interfaith Housing Management Corporation DBA Metro Interfaith Services will receive $14,987.
HUD’s Housing Counseling Program grants support a variety of services to homebuyers, homeowners, low- to moderate-income renters, and the homeless. Counselors provide guidance and information to help individuals and families improve their housing conditions and be responsible tenants and homeowners. Counseling services include guidance for homeowners to prevent or resolve mortgage delinquency, default, and foreclosure.