Neighborhood Housing Services Orange County » Press Releases http://nhsoc.net/blog Mon, 26 Jul 2010 03:46:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 en hourly 1 $59.5 MILLION AWARDED THROUGH NATIONAL FORECLOSURE MITIGATION COUNSELING PROGRAM http://nhsoc.net/blog/59-5-million-awarded-through-national-foreclosure-mitigation-counseling-program/ http://nhsoc.net/blog/59-5-million-awarded-through-national-foreclosure-mitigation-counseling-program/ #comments Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:57:22 +0000 admin http://nhsoc.net/blog/?p=121 NeighborWorks Press Release (04/16/10)

Washington, D.C. – Today NeighborWorks America announced that $59.5 million has been awarded to 35 state housing finance agencies (HFAs), 15 HUD-approved housing counseling intermediaries, and 81 community-based NeighborWorks organizations to provide counseling to families and individuals facing the threat of foreclosure. Just four months after the fourth round of National Foreclosure [...]]]> NeighborWorks Press Release (04/16/10)

Washington, D.C. – Today NeighborWorks America announced that $59.5 million has been awarded to 35 state housing finance agencies (HFAs), 15 HUD-approved housing counseling intermediaries, and 81 community-based NeighborWorks organizations to provide counseling to families and individuals facing the threat of foreclosure. Just four months after the fourth round of National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling (NFMC) Program funds were appropriated, communities across our country will be able to put the funds to immediate use.

At a time when foreclosures continue to rise and near-record unemployment rates hold steady, the need for the NFMC funding is critical. Demand for these funds far exceeded the amount of funding available; eligible applicants requested over $195,000,000 in NFMC grant funds.

In total, more than 1,300 nonprofit counseling agencies and local NeighborWorks organizations across the country are expected to be engaged in the NFMC Program as a result of these awards. These organizations provide invaluable, free assistance to families at risk of losing their homes, determine client eligibility for the Making Home Affordable programs, help clients understand the complex foreclosure process, and identify possible courses of action so their clients can make informed decisions and take action.

To date, more than 937,500 families in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Guam have received foreclosure counseling through the NFMC Program. It is estimated that more than 155,000 families facing the threat of foreclosure will be directly assisted with this fourth round of funding. Many more will be helped by the training of foreclosure counselors, provided through the NFMC Program; NeighborWorks expects to train more than 2,000 counselors with the fourth round of NFMC funding. A pdf version of the list of NFMC Round Four awardees by state is available here: http://www.nw.org/network/nfmcp/documents/A.granteesbystate.pdf

http://www.nw.org/network/nfmcp/documents/NFMCRound4PressReleaseFINAL.pdf

]]> http://nhsoc.net/blog/59-5-million-awarded-through-national-foreclosure-mitigation-counseling-program/ /feed 0 NHS OC Awarded $301,500 by NeighborWorks® America. http://nhsoc.net/blog/nhs-oc-awarded-301500-by-neighborworks%c2%ae-america/ http://nhsoc.net/blog/nhs-oc-awarded-301500-by-neighborworks%c2%ae-america/ #comments Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:13:11 +0000 admin http://nhsoc.net/blog/?p=110 This is a Federal Funding Notification to inform you that Neighborhood Housing Services of Orange County, Inc., a member of the national NeighborWorks® network, is being awarded $301,500 in flexible first round grant funds from NeighborWorks® America. This FY 2010 funding will support their efforts to revitalize and sustain their community and promote and preserve [...]]]> This is a Federal Funding Notification to inform you that Neighborhood Housing Services of Orange County, Inc., a member of the national NeighborWorks® network, is being awarded $301,500 in flexible first round grant funds from NeighborWorks® America. This FY 2010 funding will support their efforts to revitalize and sustain their community and promote and preserve affordable housing for the residents of their service area in California.

During the course of FY 2010, NeighborWorks® America (also known as the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation) plans to provide more than $119 million in grants to its national network of more than 235 community-based nonprofit organizations to stem the tide of foreclosures that threaten neighborhoods and local economies; create homeownership opportunities for families, produce and manage affordable, high-quality rental properties, and revitalize and strengthen communities.

Additionally, through a Congressional appropriation of funds in support of the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program, NeighborWorks America has already awarded more than $356 million in grants to HUD-approved housing counseling intermediaries, state housing finance agencies and NeighborWorks® organizations to provide foreclosure counseling to families facing the threat of foreclosure – and plans to award an additional $60 million by April 2010. As of February 1, 2010, more than 1 million home owners facing foreclosure around the country had been counseled by the 1,700 grantees and sub-grantees foreclosure counseling agencies receiving funds from the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program.

“Just one indicator of the value NeighborWorks® America generates is reflected in the fact that in recent years, the corporation has leveraged its federal appropriation by a factor of approximately $35 to $1 (the amount of investment generated in communities, generated per dollar of federally appropriated funds) — resulting in a direct investment of nearly $4 billion in distressed communities in fiscal year 2009, primarily from the private sector. As stewards of taxpayer dollars, NeighborWorks® ensures our investments are working in ways that truly make a difference,” said NeighborWorks® America CEO Ken Wade. “We thank Congress and our other private, philanthropic and public funders who make our work to expand affordable housing opportunities, strengthen communities and stem foreclosures possible. Although no one organization or sector can resolve the foreclosure problem alone, NeighborWorks® America is making a significant contribution to this effort.”

Established by Congress in 1978 as the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (Public Law 95-557), NeighborWorks® America is the original community/public/private partnership model, with locally-driven, efficient community development and leverage of the public investment as its hallmarks. Over the past 30+ years, NeighborWorks® America and its affiliated local community-based NeighborWorks® organizations have consistently replicated this successful model in over 4,500 communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico; in America’s urban, suburban and rural communities. NeighborWorks® organizations receive grants and programmatic support from NeighborWorks® America, as well as training scholarships to the NeighborWorks® Training Institute.

Over the past five years the NeighborWorks® network has been able to:

• Invest nearly $20 billion in America’s urban, rural, and suburban communities;

• Provide homeownership counseling to 500,000 families;

• Assist more than 80,000 American families of modest means achieve their dream of home ownership;

• Develop, own and manage over 73,000 units of affordable, high quality multifamily housing;

• Rehabilitate more than 85,000 homes, using state-of-the-art methods, including green and healthy building techniques;

• Create the nation’s largest force of certified homeownership education and foreclosure intervention counselors;

• Invest in rebuilding efforts in hurricane-affected communities across the Gulf Coast; and

• Mobilize hundreds of thousands of volunteers to revitalize communities.

For questions about NeighborWorks® America or these grants awards, or if you would like to schedule a briefing regarding NeighborWorks, please reply to this e-mail or call NeighborWorks America’s Office of Public Policy and Legislative Affairs at: (202) 220-2443.

www.nw.org

]]> http://nhsoc.net/blog/nhs-oc-awarded-301500-by-neighborworks%c2%ae-america/ /feed 0 Homeowners Who Receive Foreclosure Counseling Are Sixty Percent More Likely to Avoid Foreclosure http://nhsoc.net/blog/homeowners-who-receive-foreclosure-counseling-are-sixty-percent-more-likely-to-avoid-foreclosure/ http://nhsoc.net/blog/homeowners-who-receive-foreclosure-counseling-are-sixty-percent-more-likely-to-avoid-foreclosure/ #comments Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:27:08 +0000 admin http://nhsoc.net/blog/?p=95 Homeowners Who Receive Foreclosure Counseling Are Sixty Percent More Likely to Avoid Foreclosure than Homeowners Who Don’t Seek Counseling NFMC Program Counselors Help Homeowners Reduce Their Mortgage Payments an Average of More Than $5,000 per Year

Today Neighborhood Housing Services of Orange County (NHS OC) announced that homeowners who receive foreclosure counseling are 60 percent more [...]]]> Homeowners Who Receive Foreclosure Counseling Are Sixty Percent More Likely to Avoid Foreclosure than Homeowners Who Don’t Seek Counseling NFMC Program Counselors Help Homeowners Reduce Their Mortgage Payments an Average of More Than $5,000 per Year

Today Neighborhood Housing Services of Orange County (NHS OC) announced that homeowners who receive foreclosure counseling are 60 percent more likely to avoid losing their homes to foreclosure than homeowners who do not receive foreclosure counseling, according to findings in a recent report of the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling (NFMC) Program. NHS OC is a grantee of the NFMC program, and an affiliate of NeighborWorks America, which was selected by Congress to administer a homeowner counseling program to address the national foreclosure crisis.

As a result of NFMC Program funding, Orange County families along with families across the nation who sought and received foreclosure counseling were provided much needed information, assistance and guidance to address their risk of foreclosure, which helped them find a solution to foreclosure.

The report, which analyzed NFMC Program activity during the first year of the program (January 1-December 31, 2008) also found that NFMC Program clients were more likely to receive a loan modification than homeowners who did not receive counseling, and NFMC Program clients who received loan modifications lowered their mortgage payments significantly more than homeowners who received loan modifications without NFMC Program counseling.

NFMC Program clients, with the help of their counselors, secured loan modifications that lowered their monthly mortgage payments $454 more than the clients who received modifications without foreclosure counseling, which results in an average annual savings of $5,448.

“The results of this study only verify what we at NHS OC already knew from experience and that is that homeowners that receive education and counseling fare much better than those that don’t,” said Glenn Hayes, Executive Director, NHS OC. “Thanks to the hard work and expertise of our Home Preservation Counseling staff, Orange County families are less likely to lose their homes to foreclosure and receive substantially better mortgage modifications, significantly reducing the likelihood of falling behind again on their mortgage.”

While the report analyzes the program data through December 31, 2008, to date more than 750,000 families have received foreclosure counseling as a result of NFMC Program funding.

Because of funding from the NFMC program, NHS OC is positively affecting the lives of real people in Orange County, like Ms. Simons. “I turned to a friend to help me purchase a home thinking that she had a legal obligation to help me get an affordable loan. I found out that I was wrong,” said Ms. Simons. “I was scared when I turned to NHS OC for help. Handing over “my whole life” on paper was unnerving but Ana, (Gonzalez, Home Preservation Counselor) handled my case with so much expertise I felt confident that a solution would be found.”

“It took a lot of work and a long time but Ana was able to secure a loan modification. I am so grateful to Ana and to NHS OC for the help that they gave me and my family,” said Ms. Simons, “now I can make my payments, maintain my budget and keep my home.” “I am happy I was able to assist Ms. Simons overcome her hardship. Although the lender was reluctant to provide the assistance she needed; it was Ms. Simons determination and faith in my stick-to-itiveness, that we were able to reach such a goal. Ms. Simons is a proud and determined mom, one that I have much respect, it was truly an honor to meet and assist such a strong and loving person,” said Ana Gonzalez, Home Preservation Counselor, NHS OC.

The NFMC Program was created by Congress to address the nationwide foreclosure crisis by dramatically increasing the availability of housing counseling for families at risk of foreclosure. The $180 million program was authorized through the FY 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Bill, which named NeighborWorks as its administrator. An additional $180 million was appropriated to this effort on July 30, 2008 through the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, and the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 appropriated another $50 million to the program on March 11, 2009.

For more information about the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program, visit www.nw.org/nfmc. Homeowners in the Orange County area who would like to receive foreclosure counseling at NHS OC can contact Roberto Gonzalez at robertog@nhsoc.org or call 714-490-1250, or visit our web site – www.nhsoc.org – for additional information. Orange County homeowners can also visit www.findaforeclosurecounselor.org to find additional NFMC Program-funded counseling agencies in our area.

About Neighborhood Housing Services of Orange County

NHS OC’s Home Preservation program promotes foreclosure prevention through education, face-to-face counseling, and community outreach. This three pronged approach ensures that NHS OC reaches as many distressed borrowers as possible while providing individual, customized counseling. NHS OC is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency with counselors that are certified foreclosure prevention experts.

]]> http://nhsoc.net/blog/homeowners-who-receive-foreclosure-counseling-are-sixty-percent-more-likely-to-avoid-foreclosure/ /feed 1 Wells Fargo Supports NHS OC http://nhsoc.net/blog/wells-fargo-supports-nhs-oc/ http://nhsoc.net/blog/wells-fargo-supports-nhs-oc/ #comments Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:00:28 +0000 admin http://nhsoc.net/blog/?p=44 Wells Fargo contributes $125,000 for housing revitalization effort in Anaheim Neighborhood Housing Services of Orange County to expand its Home Again program

IRVINE, September 16, 2009 – Neighborhood Housing Services of Orange County (NHS OC) will receive $125,000 and help from Wells Fargo volunteers as a winner of the company’s Priority Markets [...]]]> Wells Fargo contributes $125,000 for housing revitalization effort in Anaheim Neighborhood Housing Services of Orange County to expand its Home Again program

IRVINE, September 16, 2009 – Neighborhood Housing Services of Orange County (NHS OC) will receive $125,000 and help from Wells Fargo volunteers as a winner of the company’s Priority Markets program, a nationwide Wells Fargo effort to help communities increase the local supply of affordable housing.   NHS OC has helped more than 2,000 people find affordable places to live. Thanks to the contribution from Wells Fargo and pledged help from Wells Fargo volunteers, another 160 people will soon have a place to call home.   The contribution to NHS OC is one of 19 grants totaling $1.6 million that Wells Fargo made in 17 markets in 2009.

“This support is in addition to the many ways that Wells Fargo contributes to the well-being of Orange County,” said Hector Retta, regional president for Wells Fargo in Orange County. “We’re excited about supporting NHS OC’s efforts to revitalize housing in distressed neighborhoods. In addition to our financial investment, our team members look forward to contributing their time and talents helping to rehabilitate properties in the program – making them clean, safe places for people to live.”

The contribution also will help the area qualify for additional federal money available through the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which helps cities revitalize neighborhoods destabilized by excessive home foreclosures.

“Orange County has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the nation and with the support of Wells Fargo, NHS OC will increase our ability to expand housing opportunities, promote sound financial management and encourage civic engagement,” Glenn Hayes, Executive Director of NHS OC said, “Wells Fargo’s continued partnership with NHS OC literally helps turn distressed neighborhoods into vibrant communities.”

Wells Fargo’s Priority Markets Program provides up to $250,000 to nonprofit organizations for large building or renovation projects in Empowerment Zones (EZones). EZones areas are targeted for economic revitalization to stimulate growth, stability and investment in distressed areas. EZones can be designated by federal or local government, the community or Wells Fargo.

Priority Markets Program contributions can be used for any costs associated with the development or redevelopment of the project except advertising and marketing. A maximum 20 percent of the grant can be used for homebuyer subsidies such as down payment/closing costs. Recipients must be IRS 501c3 organizations or government entities with successful histories of building or renovating housing for low-to moderate-income homebuyers.

The Wells Fargo Housing Foundation makes the contributions. More information about the foundation is posted on wellsfargo.com (enter “Housing Foundation” in the Search box).

Wells Fargo employs more than 4,400 team members in Orange County, serves customers from 131 financial services stores across the county and last year contributed nearly $3 million to Orange county non-profits.  Wells Fargo was named a Top Workplace in Orange County by the Orange County Register’s Top Workplaces 2008, ranking 3rd among large companies.  Wells Fargo was awarded the first annual Corporate Cultural Diversity Award by St. Anselm’s Cross Cultural Community Center in Grove and was named 2008 Spirit of Philanthropy Outstanding Business by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Orange County Chapter and the Orange County Register in celebration of National Philanthropy Day.

Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $1.3 trillion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance through more than 10,000 stores  and 12,000 ATMs and the internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America and internationally.

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