June 11, 2013

For Potential Bronx Homebuyers, Help is Here!

by UNHP

UNHP & Parodneck offer first-time homebuyer assistance!

UNHP and the Parodneck Foundation have jointly provided foreclosure prevention counseling at the Northwest Bronx Resource Center for over a year.  With the combination of low interest rates and community interest in purchasing homes, the groups decided that this is a good time to restart our work with first-time homebuyers.  The Parodneck Foundation is a HUD certified homeownership counselor and UNHP’s financial programs coordinator, Jumelia Abrahamson, is a trained Neighborworks Homeownership Counselor. 

Gerald Carter, a homeownership counselor with the Parodneck Foundation, gave an introduction on the steps to homeownership during UNHP’s First-time Homebuyer Seminar on May 30th.
Gerald Carter, a homeownership counselor with the Parodneck Foundation, gave an introduction on the steps to homeownership during UNHP’s First-time Homebuyer Seminar on May 30th.

At our inaugural event, 33 interested homebuyers attended a seminar  which provided workshop information offered by Parodneck and UNHP as well as Phillipe Paulino from JPMorgan Chase and Carlos Jaramillo from M&T Bank.  13 people set up follow up appointments for which Parodneck and UNHP worked to put together packages in the one-on one meetings.  Packages will be prepared and sent to lenders offering affordable first time homebuyer mortgages and programs.  Several clients already have packages in the works.  Interested homebuyers can meet with our counselors on the first and third Fridays of each month.  Call 718-933-2539 to schedule an appointment or email mail@unhp.org.  

Some interested homebuyers may qualify for grants and UNHP and Parodneck will work to help clients meet the criteria by providing financial education training and information on the programs.  There are grants available for first-time homebuyers, such as the HPD Home Grant and CityLift.