The New Year marks a significant milestone here at NPHS as we will conclude our 20^th year of working to redevelop neighborhoods.

Over the course of two decades, NPHS has developed into a multi-faceted Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), providing redevelopment services to local government partners.  As the only residential CDFI in the Inland Empire, we have started to finance our own redevelopment projects by leveraging public resources with private sector capital to ensure sustainable and affordable homeownership developments.

As a NeighborWorks® HomeOwnership Center, we continue to work with local municipalities to administer and provide down payment assistance programs to first-time homebuyers and home improvement loans and grants to homeowners, especially to low-income seniors.  Additionally, as a HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency, we continue to provide free comprehensive home buying education and counseling.  In partnership with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, we are also providing free holistic financial counseling to assist distressed borrowers avoid foreclosure.

NPHS continues to stabilize and revitalize neighborhoods and lay foundations for wealth creation and economic development.  Alongside our local government and development partners, we continue to renovate blighted and distressed properties and convert them into homes for first-time buyers.

These and other services have been critical in developing stronger, more economically viable communities. 

As an organization that has learned to adapt with the changing market and needs of our communities, we recognize the importance of developing a strategic plan that describes the programs we expect to deliver over the next three years, while ensuring that we are able to bring the best services to our communities.

On May 14^th, 2011, our Board of Directors and staff agreed on four major areas of focus for the coming three years. We undertook a well-organized and thoughtful planning exercise to develop a strategic plan that ensures the continuation of building stronger communities in the Inland Empire and Eastern Los Angeles County.  During our planning process, we developed four tangible and bold initiatives.  I would like to share with you our four main areas of focus which collectively lay the foundation for our strategic direction.

The first is to expand our programs and leverage services within all lines of business.  NPHS will extend its home buying services by creating a non-profit real estate subsidiary.  As an extension of our home buying services, NPHS Realty will specialize in serving low and moderate-income homebuyers and will facilitate the acquisition and sale of the properties that we purchase through our Neighborhood Redevelopment and Stabilization Program.  In addition, we will offer our property acquisition and disposition services to our non-profit and local government partners to assist them with their redevelopment efforts.  As a CDFI, we will expand our lending products offered to low and moderate-income homebuyers and homeowners.  The expansion of our CDFI activities will provide a boost to hard-hit industries, helping builders keep construction workers on the job, giving lenders the chance to originate more loans, and providing real estate agents the opportunity to show and sell homes.

The second is to develop financial resources for growth, impact and sustainability.  As public funding sources for redevelopment continue to decrease in our current economic climate, both at the state and federal level, the role of private sector capital is critical.  As a CDFI, NPHS will engage the private sector to attract investment capital through equity and tax-credit programs and other public/private collaborations to capitalize our Community Housing Trust, which funds our redevelopment projects.  The Community Housing Trust will finance the construction of additional new homes and the rehabilitation of more vacant, foreclosed properties.  By attracting more private sector participation, we see a unique opportunity to create the resources that will maintain and expand redevelopment.

The third is to create and expand existing capacity and align our programs and services.  NPHS recognizes the value brought by each employee’s capabilities, contributions and potential.  NPHS is committed to develop these assets through retention and training in order to improve overall productivity and achieve mission success.  Our operations will be realigned to focus on effective and efficient program delivery, which will enable us to deliver high-quality services and foster an ongoing commitment to innovation and system improvement throughout all of our lines of business.  We recognize that we cannot succeed as an agency unless we strategically manage our programs, build capacity and invest in our workforce.  We will particularly concentrate in building capacity and expertise in real estate development, project management, and loan underwriting.

Lastly, we will identify the most powerful, effective ways to promote NPHS.  Our goal is to elevate our outreach efforts to better engage, support and assess the needs of our communities.  We will forge strong relationships with key stakeholders, establish a positive and transparent image and build diverse coalitions that facilitate the dissemination of information to maximize outreach and garner support for local issues and initiatives.

These four goals frame our strategic direction for the next three years.    The foundation we have laid over the last twenty years has enabled us to rest our vision on solid ground.

NPHS has enjoyed two decades of success and we are just getting started.  We are working harder than ever to help more of our fellow citizens find and keep safe, comfortable and affordable housing.  We are constantly evaluating new approaches and strategies to ensure stable and long-term homeownership solutions.  We are reaching out to new partners, developing new funding sources for our real estate developments and finding unique and innovative approaches to foster effective and meaningful impact.

As we look ahead with great anticipation and some anxiety, we know that will face significant economic challenges that will impact the community development industry, and the effects of these challenges will be felt for many years to come.  Working together, if we are innovative and resourceful, we can find opportunity in the face of change and uncertainty.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of NPHS, I thank you for working alongside us and sharing in our collective journey toward strengthening and improving the quality of life in our neighborhoods.  Many thanks go out to our funders for their financial support and continued confidence.  Thank you on behalf of all those families who have enjoyed the benefit of your investment.      

Together, we have built a strong foundation upon which all of our future successes will stand. 

May we all continue to reach new heights.

Sincerely,

Clemente A. Mojica

“Wells Fargo continues to promote responsible lending, keep people in their homes, and help stabilize communities hit hard by foreclosures,” says Clemente Mojica, NPHS Chief Executive Officer.  “These funds will support our neighborhood redevelopment and foreclosure intervention programs.”

NPHS responded quickly to stem the tide of foreclosures and prevent urban blight by launching the Neighborhood Redevelopment Program in January 2008.  The program’s goal is to assist families avert foreclosure and to return vacant distressed properties back into affordable homes for qualified families – a comprehensive approach to neighborhood stabilization.  Since the program’s inception, NPHS has assisted over 10,000 families with various free foreclosure prevention services and has renovated and sold 91 foreclosed homes to low and moderate-income homebuyers.

“The Wells Fargo Housing Foundation supports NPHS’ neighborhood stabilization efforts through the Leading The Way Home Priority Market Grant Program,” states Byron Reed, Wells Fargo Senior Vice President. “While increasing the availability of affordable housing and rebuilding distressed neighborhoods, NPHS is providing critical components to the stabilization of the local housing market.”

The program has been expanded with the increase of grants and other funding sources and key partnerships such as the one with the National Community Stabilization Trust (NCST).  NPHS works closely with the NCST to purchase foreclosed properties from various financial institutions to maximize impact.  Working with the NCST, NPHS recently purchased a vacant, foreclosed home from Wells Fargo which is currently being rehabilitated to sell to a low-income family.

“As the economy has become even more challenging, more resources have been required,” says Mojica. “This is why strong partnerships with our financial institutions are helpful to getting the job done.”

In December 2011, Freddie Mac selected NPHS to be a Borrower Help Center for the third consecutive year. As one of only six Borrower Help Centers in the nation, NPHS offers delinquent Freddie Mac borrowers “holistic” financial counseling, which not only assists borrowers applying for loan modifications, but also helps families assess debt, credit and budget matters.  NPHS counselors also review Making Home Affordable workout requirements with their clients and guide borrowers to supply missing information or documents needed to move applications forward.

NPHS also launched a similar campaign with Fannie Mae offering counseling to targeted Fannie Mae borrowers in the Inland Empire.  In November 2011, NPHS entered into a partnership with Fannie Mae to become part of its Mortgage Help Network (MHN).  Under this new partnership, NPHS will work directly with Fannie Mae, allowing for faster resolutions for homeowners facing foreclosure.

NPHS’ Home Retention Department currently provides free, quality foreclosure prevention education and counseling to homeowners struggling to make their mortgage payments.   Under the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae partnerships, homeowners facing obstacles in making their loan payments can work with NPHS’ certified counselors to determine which workout option will work best for their situation.

“This is a rare and extraordinary opportunity for our clients,” says NPHS’ Chief Executive Officer Clemente Mojica. “Working directly with the investor, we can provide homeowners with loans owned by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae with increased access to foreclosure prevention assistance at a more efficient rate.”

Both the Freddie Mac and Fannie campaigns rely on non-profit organizations with strong reputations to contact and work with borrowers who may be eligible for a modification but never called their lender or became frustrated or uncertain of the process and gave up trying.  NPHS’ effective, personalized housing counseling program and its reputation as a trusted community resource was recognized by both GSEs.

In 2011, NPHS helped nearly 500 borrowers avoid foreclosure through loan modifications, forbearance, repayment plans and other workouts, including modifications under Making Home Affordable.  Homeowners seeking foreclosure prevention assistance can contact NPHS at (800) 761-6747 to schedule a counseling appointment.

NPHS in partnership with the City of Montclair and the City of Chino is providing a grant to seniors for home improvements and or modifications which are designed to make the home safer.  The grant is for seniors or disabled individuals with mobility issues and can be primarily used to make repairs that will improve the senior’s quality of life or cure health and safety code deficiencies.

“This is a great opportunity for seniors to make some critical improvements or repairs to their homes,” says NPHS Redevelopment Manager Josh Carrillo.  “We want to make sure our seniors live in decent and safe environments.”

Seniors or disabled individuals with mobility issues who live in the incorporated areas of Chino and Montclair may be eligible to receive a Safe Home for Seniors grant to fix their homes.  Depending on what city they own a home in, they may be eligible for one of the following grants:

City of Montclair Safe Home for Seniors Grant
Grant is up to $1,500 for seniors age 65 and older or disabled individuals who are homeowners with an income of less than 120% of the area median income adjusted by household size.  The homeowner must live in the city of Montclair.  Other restrictions apply.  The grant covers all costs of repairs including labor, supplies and material.

City of Chino Safe Home for Seniors Grant
Grant is up to $1,500 for seniors age 62 and older or disabled individuals who are homeowners with an income of less than 120% of the area median income adjusted by household size.  The homeowner must live in the city of Chino.  Other restrictions apply.  The grant covers all costs of repairs including labor, supplies and material.

Eligible repairs are any type of repair or accessibility modification which would help prevent a potential fall.  Examples include; loose or lifting carpet, linoleum lifting, grab bars (anywhere in house), stair railing, repair of loose stairs, ramps, door knobs, doors, light switches and cracked walkways among many others.

“These small grants go a long way in helping seniors or persons with disabilities make critical repairs to their home,” says Adam Hicks, NPHS Project Coordinator who assists grant recipients select an approved contractor and oversees all the repairs done on the home.

Betty D., a resident of Montclair and participant in the program, can attest to this fact. “I really am grateful to NPHS and the contractor that worked here. They solved problems that I could never have fixed on my own, and were so courteous and helpful.”

There is no fee to apply.  For more information on the grant program or to request an application, call Adam Hicks at 909-988-5979 Ext. 114 or email AdamH@nphs.info.

NPHS is pleased to announce its grant award of $40,000 from Bank of America.  Ranked as an “exemplary” member in the NeighborWorks® Network, NPHS continues its partnership with Bank of America to provide homeownership and foreclosure prevention services, affordable housing development, and mobilize neighborhoods for community revitalization.

“This grant will help NPHS provide pre-homebuyer education and foreclosure prevention counseling which leads to successful home ownership” said Clemente Mojica, Chief Executive Officer of NPHS.  “These funds will be an effective tool to provide leverage in promoting community investment by private and public resources.”

Given the fractured state of the local economy and continual stagnation of home prices in San Bernardino and Riverside County, the grant could not have come at a more fitting time.

What makes an effective Board of Directors?  For Shea Baldrick, new Board Chair for NPHS, having the passion for community development is just one of the essential qualities.

A human resources professional, active volunteer and mother of two, Shea understands the importance of investing in people and providing them with opportunities – including sustainable homeownership.

“The idea of homeownership for all is my driving force,” says Shea, who feels that the benefits of homeownership impact communities in immeasurable ways.  “It’s not just a house, it’s a home.”

Though well aware of the serious struggles in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, Shea remains optimistic about the region and its opportunities for civic and economic growth. Above all, she encourages homeowners to be proactive.

“I believe the Inland Empire is a growing and thriving community. For those who are in trouble, reach out for help. We are here to assist and we truly make a difference, so don’t be afraid to ask.”

Shea’s enthusiasm and track record of community involvement has excited her fellow board members, as well as NPHS management and staff.

“Shea has served as a board member with great capability,” says Clemente Mojica, NPHS Chief Executive Officer. “She brings a lot of energy, passion and vision to the organization.  We are excited to have her as our new Board Chair”.

More families are about to realize the benefits of homeownership, thanks to NPHS and the Riverside County Economic Development Agency.   Under Riverside County’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program, NPHS will receive an additional $400,000 to acquire, rehabilitate and resell homes to low-income families.

The funds come from the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act approved by Congress in 2008.  To date, NPHS has been awarded $4,970,904 and has utilized these funds to purchase and complete renovation on 22 single-family homes throughout Riverside County.  Eighteen of these homes were sold to low and moderate-income homebuyers.

Under this program, all the properties must be completely rehabilitated and sold to owner-occupant homebuyers.  NPHS and the County of Riverside use these federal dollars to stabilize neighborhoods and assist people in becoming homeowners.

“Preventing the spread of blight and stabilizing our neighborhoods is a priority,” says Clemente Mojica, NPHS Chief Executive Officer.  “We are excited to continue working alongside the Riverside County Economic Development Agency.”

By working together, NPHS and the County of Riverside unite their strengths and resources to deliver the best outcome for our neighborhoods.  This program offers many families the opportunity to purchase a home that would have otherwise not been rehabilitated and available to them.

NPHS has identified two homes that have been targeted for purchase using these additional funds.

This polished grandeur of the Victoria Garden’s Cultural Center formed the intimate setting of NPHS’ 20th Anniversary Dinner, an occasion full of camaraderie, laughter, entertainment, reflection, and excitement for the future.

NPHS’ 20^th Anniversary Dinner was a time of festivity, spent in the company of those with whom NPHS collaborates.  It was evidence that aside from professional partnerships, NPHS has developed lasting friendships that drive its efforts and make its work particularly meaningful.

In addition, the dinner showcased the finest caliber of community development leaders.  Guests listened to inspiring and thought-provoking remarks from the keynote speaker, National Community Stabilization Trust (NCST) President, Craig Nickerson.  Speakers discussed the state of the housing market and presented thoughts about business opportunities and challenges.  The evening concluded with NPHS honoring five organizations and programs that exemplify the best our industry has to offer: the City of Chino, La Barge Industries, the Freddie Mac Borrower Help Center Program, NeighborWorks America, and the City of Montclair.

NPHS’ 20th Anniversary Dinner exemplified the importance of strong partnerships and collaborative efforts in addressing many of the housing issues that the Inland Empire and Eastern Los Angeles County are facing.  As we move forward, NPHS will continue to work together with its partners to make our communities a better place for families to work, live, and play.  By providing foreclosure prevention solutions; creating affordable and sustainable homeownership opportunities; and through innovative redevelopment, NPHS will play a significant role in making this region a place of economic growth and opportunity.

]]> http://nphs.info/archives/1003/feed 0 http://nphs.info/archives/976 http://nphs.info/archives/976#comments Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:31:34 +0000 Greg O'Donnell http://nphs.info/?p=976

FONTANA, Ca. – Spearheading a collaborative effort to help troubled local homeowners, Citibank and the Housing Opportunities Collaborative of the Inland Empire (HOCIE) will host a Foreclosure Prevention Summit at Water of Life Church, 7623 East Ave., Fontana, CA 92336, on Saturday, September 10th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Homeowners who are behind on their mortgage payments, or who are at-risk of default, are encouraged to attend the foreclosure prevention summit to receive individualized counseling from non-profit housing counselors, lenders, and legal experts.  These on-site resources can provide homeowners with budgetary and credit analysis, information on short sales, and tips on avoiding predatory foreclosure scams.  Loss mitigation teams from Citibank, Bank of America, Chase, US Bank, GMAC and other lenders will be on-site.  Counseling sessions will be available in English and Spanish.

The event is part of Citibank’s Inland Empire Faith-Based Homeownership Preservation Program (IE-FBHPP), a community-based campaign designed to better serve local homeowners.

“Citi is dedicated to assisting homeowners in the Inland Empire,” said Victor Ramirez of Citi Community Development.  “Recognizing that churches and local non-profits are best equipped to understand the needs of residents, we have formed local partnerships to guide troubled homeowners towards effective financial counseling.”

One of these partners is HOCIE, a collaboration of non-profit housing agencies and lenders committed to promoting and preserving the dream of homeownership.  Within the past year, HOCIE has individually counseled over 400 homeowners.

“The housing crisis has impacted all of us, so it is important that the entire region come together to offer foreclosure prevention solutions,” said Clemente Mojica, Board President of HOCIE.  With the help of responsible corporate partners, such as Citi, HOCIE can continue to deliver critical services to the community.”

What: Foreclosure Prevention Summit, sponsored by Citi Community Development

When: Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011 (Refreshments provided)

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (registration from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 am)

Where: Water of Life Church, 7623 East Ave., Fontana, CA 92336

Contact: Adam Sands, (909) 435-9857, adam@hocie.org