NYS Affordable Housing Corporation Approves $300,000 to Renovate 62 Homes in Onondaga County

Wednesday, April 2, 2008-The New York State Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC) board today approved a $300,000 grant to Home HeadQuarters, a private nonprofit organization, to upgrade 62 homes in Onondaga County, including the City of Syracuse.

“I’m very proud that we are able to partner with Home HeadQuarters to renovate existing affordable housing in Onondaga County,” said Priscilla Almodovar, AHC President and Chief Executive Officer. “Improving our housing stock is crucial to maintaining our quality of life in upstate New York.”

“Home HeadQuarters is pleased to work with both the County of Onondaga and the City of Syracuse to renovate owner-occupied homes at risk,” said Kerry Quaglia, Home HeadQuarters Executive Director. “AHC funding is a vital component to addressing the major rehabilitation issues these homeowners face.”

The renovated homes will be located in neighborhoods designated as revitalization and transitional areas. The grant is expected to help finance improvements for 58 single-family and two two-family homes. Renovations will include structural repairs, roof replacements, door and window replacements, hard-wired smoke detectors, electrical, plumbing, furnace and duct work and other code-related improvements, completed in accordance with lead safe work practices. The grants will be limited to households earning no more than $48,800 for a family of four.

The total value of improvements under the program is $750,000. In addition to the grant from AHC, the program will leverage $190,000 in Energy Smart funds provided by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA); $75,000 each in HOME funds and Community Development Block Grant funds provided by the City of Syracuse; and $110,000 provided by Home HeadQuarters FlexFund home improvement lending pool. FlexFund loan dollars are private funds put together by Home HeadQuarters from twelve area banks and credit unions.

AHC, a subsidiary of the NYS Housing Finance Agency, was established in 1985 to promote homeownership by low- and moderate-income households. Financial assistance approved annually by the New York State Legislature, combined with other private and public investment, is used for the construction, acquisition, rehabilitation and improvement of owner-occupied housing.

Home HeadQuarters partners with St. Lawrence Housing Coucil to offer Home & Energy Improvement Financing in St. Lawrence County
February 2008

The St. Lawrence County Housing Council, Inc., with financing provided by Syracuse housing and community development agency Home HeadQuarters, is now providing low-interest home and energy repair loan and grants to area homeowners. MORE -

Home HeadQuarters chosen to participate in NeighborWorks® America/SONYMA promotion
February 2008

NEW YORK—Tuesday, February 5, 2008—The State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA), which offers low cost mortgages to first-time homebuyers, and NeighborWorks® America, a national nonprofit dedicated to promoting homeownership, have agreed to form a partnership to promote homeownership in underserved neighborhoods in New York State.
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Low-interest Energy & Home Improvement Loans Go Global!
February 2008

Ok, not quite global, but Home HeadQuarters’ FlexFund Home Improvement Loans and NYSERDA Energy Loans and Grants are now available to homeowners throughout Central and Upstate New York!

As more families face rising utility costs in aging homes, the need for flexible, low-interest, no equity required energy and home improvement financing keeps increasing—that’s why we are now offering our loans and grants to Central New York homeowners in Onondaga, Broome, Madison, Cayuga, Cortland and Oswego counties.

Home HeadQuarters, working with local lending partners, put together a loan pool specifically targeting families who have not yet built enough equity in their homes or fall just below bank underwriting standards to borrow from traditional lenders. There are no income eligibility requirements to participate in this program.

Learn more about Energy Improvement Loans at 2.99% (APR* 3.33%)--the lowest interest rate available in the area--Energy Grants of up to $5,000 for eligible homeowners and FlexFund Loans at 6.99% (APR* 7.41%) for any type of home repair or renovation or print out an application by clicking here.

*Annual Percentage Rate

Central New York Credit Unions, Home HeadQuarters Landscape Inner City Home “People Helping People” to celebrate Credit Union Day.
October 2007

Syracuse, NY – On Thursday, October 18, 2007, a coalition of Central New York Credit Unions will landscape a home in Syracuse’s Eastside neighborhood to commemorate International Credit Union Day. The building is home to an extended family of refugees saving up to purchase the house, which is currently managed by Home HeadQuarters, Inc.

The Landscaping Party will be held at 10 am on Thursday, October 18th. The home to be landscaped is located at 301 South Beech Street, Syracuse, NY 13210 (on the corner of East Fayette). “

The credit union movement shares an ideal of ‘People Helping People.’ This cooperative effort by local credit unions is just one example of our philosophy in action,” said Ron Ehrenreich, President of the Central New York Chapter of the New York State Credit Union League.

Credit Union Day is the culmination of International Credit Union Week, a celebration of 46,000 Credit Unions worldwide and the “people helping people” philosophy embraced by their staff, volunteers, and members. Credit Unions are nonprofit, financial service cooperatives that are owned by their members and provide fair banking services to people of modest means. With democratic governance and a policy of reinvesting within their memberships, credit unions are recognized globally as effective agents of economic empowerment.

For additional information about Central New York Credit Unions or the CNY Credit Unions Landscaping Party, contact Ron Ehrenreich at (315) 471-1116 ext. 201 or ronehrenreich@coopfed.org.

Syracuse Youth Find Common Ground Through Skateboarding
October 2007

An awesome SK8 Jam was presented by the Syracuse Weed and Seed Community Partnership! Get more details here!

Sharon Owens, HomeOwnership Center Director appearance on WCNY's ‘Food for Thought’
September 2007

Catch Sharon Owens, HomeOwnership Center Director as she appears with WCNY's George Kilpatrick on ‘Food for Thought.’

Low bandwidth version or broadband/DSL version.

Burnet Park Drive Rowhouses Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
September 2007

Join us on Tuesday, Sept. 4th, 10am near the corner of Burnet Park Drive and Tennyson as Congressman Jim Walsh, Mayor Matthew J. Driscoll and representatives from the Tipperary Hill Neighborhood Association will be on hand to help cut the ribbon and welcome the new homeowners.

Please call 474-1939 x249 or email info@homehq.org for more information. We hope to see you all there to celebrate a great addition to city living!

This project was made possible through the support of the Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative and the City of Syracuse.

HSBC Supports Homebuyer Education and Counseling services.
July 2007

Karla Gadley and Tim Bargelski from lending partner HSBC BankUSA present Home HeadQuarters' Executive Director Kerry Quaglia and HomeOwnership Center Manager Sharon Owens with funding to help support Homebuyer Education and Counseling services.

NYS Affordable Housing Corporation Approves $300,000 to Rehab Homes in Onondaga County
July 26, 2007

NEW YORK, N.Y.—Thursday, July 26, 2007—The Board of the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC) today approved $300,000 to help rehabilitate an estimated 58 housing units in the City of Syracuse and surrounding Onondaga County.

The money will help fund an existing home improvement program tailored to very low-income homeowners run by Home HeadQuarters, a not-for-profit that revitalizes neighborhoods in central New York.

“We are very proud to be part of this important effort to rebuild homes and communities in Onondaga County,” said Priscilla Almodovar, President and Chief Executive Officer of AHC. “Ensuring that our homes are in great condition is vital if we are to grow and stabilize neighborhoods in central New York.”

”This AHC funding will play a vital role in helping to leverage other home improvement program dollars such as our NYSERDA Home Energy Improvement loans and grants,” said Kerry Quaglia, Executive Director of Home HeadQuarters. “We will be able to help more central New York homeowners increase the value of their homes and, depending on the repairs, even save money in the future through decreased utility costs.”

AHC’s $300,000 grant will be used in conjunction with $300,000 in other home improvement funding to improve approximately 50 single-family and four two-family homes located in neighborhoods in Syracuse and Onondaga County that are in need of revitalization. Improvements will include structural repairs, roof replacement, door and window replacement, hard-wiring smoke detectors as well as addressing electrical, plumbing, lead, furnace and duct work. Homeowners must apply to Home HeadQuarters and participants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.

Funding for the program includes $300,000 from AHC and $300,000 from other sources, including the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal, federal Community Development Block Grant Funds through the City of Syracuse, and the Home HeadQuarters Flex Fund Loan Program.

AHC is a subsidiary of HFA and was established in 1985 to promote homeownership by low- and moderate-income households, by providing financial assistance as approved annually by the New York State Legislature, in conjunction with other private and public investment, for the construction, acquisition, rehabilitation, and improvement of owner occupied housing.

Neighborworks Week Activities And Events June 2-9, 2007
June 1, 2007

Home HeadQuarters, Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to building better neighborhoods through homeownership, home lending, education and renovation, is celebrating National NeighborWorks Week, June 2-June 9, with a series of events and activities open to the public. NeighborWorks Week, now in its 24th year, is a celebration of the accomplishments of the more than 240 not-for-profit housing organizations located throughout the nation that make up the NeighborWorks network.

Among those more than 240 housing organizations throughout the country:

• Home HeadQuarters is one of the top 20 National homeownership producers
• Home HeadQuarters ranks second in the Nation in the number of home rehabilitations
• Home HeadQuarters’ Foreclosure Prevention Program is rated in the top five Nationwide for successful outcomes

During NeighborWorks Week, residents, business people, government officials and other volunteers work side by side to complete projects or take part in activities that help improve their communities. In 2006, NeighborWorks Week activities benefited 12,000 families in the 4,414 neighborhoods served by NeighborWorks Network members.

NEIGHBORWORKS WEEK EVENTS:

Saturday, June 2, 2007:
Home HeadQuarters participates in the Hawley Green Historic Homes & Gardens Tour
12noon-2pm, Lavender Inkwell Book Shop, 304 N. McBride St.
Home HeadQuarters joins the Hawley Green Neighbors Association in highlighting nine different historic homes and seven gardens throughout the Hawley Green neighborhood. Four properties, currently being renovated by Home HeadQuarters will be highlighted on Green, Gertrude and Howard Streets. Home HeadQuarters’ Planning Staff will be available for questions and refreshments will be served following the tour.

Wednesday, June 6:
Home HeadQuarters’ Homebuyer Education Alumni Celebration
5-7pm, Home HeadQuarters, 124 E. Jefferson St.
Some of the City’s newest homeowners, especially those within the Latino community, celebrate their accomplishments along with the people and organizations that helped them achieve homeownership. Graduates from Home HeadQuarters’ Nationally-certified HomeBuyer Education Course, area banking institutions and not-for-profit housing organizations will gather at Home HeadQuarters for a casual event with refreshments, giveaways, prize drawings and the “Good Neighbor” award presentation. This event is free, but attendees must register in advance due to space constraints.

Saturday, June 9:
West Side Community Connections Event
1-4pm, Jack’s Senior Park, 100 Block of Congress Ave.
Neighborhood residents and Home HeadQuarters’ Residents Committee members will be holding a community recognition event that includes various not-for-profit organizations, summer youth programs and law enforcement and homeownership informational displays. An awards presentation will highlight a neighborhood family’s son who has returned recently from active duty in Iraq. Community residents are invited to attend and participate in all aspects of the event including a cookie eating contest and barbeque cook out.

Construction and HomeOwnership Departments expand at Home HeadQuarters, Inc.
April 18, 2007

Home HeadQuarters, Inc., recently announced that Theardis Martino joined the organization as Program Counselor. In this position, Mr. Martino is responsible for managing the Appleseed Trust Program which provides basic business skill training and counseling to low- and moderate-income people looking to start their own businesses. Mr. Martino will also act as the organization’s liaison with all local minority and women owned construction contractors and provide additional homeownership counseling and education for Home HeadQuarters Nationally-certified HomeOwnership Center. Prior to joining the organization, Mr. Martino was the Director of Facility Operations for Syracuse Model Neighborhood Facility, Inc..

Robert Platnik was recently promoted to Construction Manager for Home HeadQuarters. In this position Mr. Platnik will be responsible for managing all new home construction projects including the coordination of all field and construction staffs, contractors and vendors. Mr. Platnik will also provide work specifications for the organization’s home rehabilitation projects. Prior to this position, Mr. Platnik was the Field Superintendent for the organization. Mr. Platnik has more than 25 years experience in the construction trade.

Elroy Edwards recently rejoined Home HeadQuarters as Inspection Rehab Specialist. Mr. Edwards is responsible for insuring quality home and energy improvement work for Home HeadQuarters’ customers within a six-county region. Mr. Edwards will also provide work specifications for various home rehabilitation projects within the city of Syracuse. In his previous position with Home HeadQuarters, Mr. Edwards was the Youthbuild Construction Trainer for a construction apprenticeship program for city youth. Mr. Edwards has 20 years of construction experience and has a Masters in Vocational Teacher Education. He is also a New York State certified teacher.

Home HeadQuarters is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing and stabilizing neighborhoods in Central New York. Established in 1996, Home HeadQuarters offers “one-stop shopping” at its HomeOwnership Center for first-time homebuyers and homeowners who are in need of assistance. Home HeadQuarters provides a variety of services to individuals and families including: certified Homebuyer Education Courses, homeownership and credit counseling, down payment and closing cost assistance, the Home Value Protection Program, the Foreclosure Prevention Program, the Home Improvement Loan Program including the FlexFund Loan, Syracuse Weed and Seed Community Partnership, the Landlord Training Program and the NYSERDA Home Energy Loan Program.

Landlord Training Workshop
January 24, 2007

Home HeadQuarters, Inc., is offering a Landlord Training Workshop on Wednesday, January 24, 2007, 9am-4pm, at Home HeadQuarters.

The Workshop is open to all landlords and potential investors and includes information on Fair Housing Laws, rental agreements and leases, Section 8, crime prevention, management strategies and available funding for lead-based paint abatement and rehabilitation of rental units in the City of Syracuse. The workshops are informal and interactive and an extensive training manual is provided at the session.

Pre-registration is required and there is a $25 fee to attend. To register and for more information, please call Home HeadQuarters at (315) 474-1939 x800 or email info@homehq.org.

Volunteers Fix Up Park Avenue Homes with Help from Honeywell
September 10, 2006

"It looked like a scene from TV's "Extreme Home Makeover" Sunday in a Syracuse neighborhood. Nearly 100 volunteers clad in matching bright green t-shirts fixed landscaping and painted houses along Park Avenue on the city's near west side using materials and supplies purchased through a grant by Honeywell to the Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative (SNI) and Home HeadQuarters, Inc." Click here for more..

Marilyn Higgins appointed Chair of the Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative
February 16, 2006

Syracuse, NY - Marilyn Higgins, Vice President of Economic Development at National Grid, was recently appointed to Chair the Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative (SNI), a public, private, non-profit collaboration created to help encourage new housing and investment opportunities in the city started through the efforts of Congressman James Walsh. Included in her duties, Ms. Higgins will be overseeing the SNI Steering Committee and development efforts for the private fundraising activities of the Initiative. Ms. Higgins will also lead the planning efforts for the 10th Anniversary Fundraiser for Home HeadQuarters and the Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative taking place on June 9th, 2006. Ms. Higgins has been involved in the Initiative since its inception and was co-chair under the leadership of Bill Byrne. Ms. Higgins is a recipient of the Achievement Award for Civic Leadership from the Syracuse Post-Standard and serves on many boards and committees including the NY State Economic Development Council and the Everson Museum of Art.

Since its establishment, Congressman Walsh has secured more than $46 million in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funding for the Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative. Those funds have leveraged more than $35 million in additional private sector monies and garnered $10 million in private pledges for other SNI-related activities including targeted neighborhood curb-appeal grants, the Syracuse Home Equity Protection Plan, other neighborhood and park improvements, new home construction, community center improvements and neighborhood group capacity building.

Home HeadQuarters is the largest housing and neighborhood revitalization organization in Central New York and administers most of the public, and all of the private funding efforts of the Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative. Since 1996, Home HeadQuarters has assisted more than 1,500 Syracuse residents with major home repair totaling $20 million and provided counseling and/or financial assistance to more than 4000 prospective homebuyers helping to generate more than $63 million in home purchase mortgage financing in the Syracuse area.

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