Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services (NPHS) is delighted to announce its 21st Anniversary Dinner and Awards Celebration to be held on October 2nd, 2012 at the Padua Hills Theatre in Claremont. We would be honored to have you join us in Celebrating the Power of Partnership.

The past twenty years has been an extremely fruitful journey for NPHS. While the recently stagnant economy has brought forth many obstacles, it has also created opportunities for NPHS to stabilize neighborhoods and lay foundations for wealth creation and economic development. In an effort to preserve homeownership, we continue to offer free, HUD-approved foreclosure prevention counseling for struggling homeowners. These services have been critical in helping families remain in their homes and achieve financial stability. In addition, NPHS actively promotes homeownership through innovative and sensible programs for first-time buyers.

Thanks to dedicated partners like you, NPHS has been able to expand affordable housing through the acquisition, rehabilitation, and resale of foreclosed properties to working families. We have also continued to work with local governments in administering down payment assistance and home repair programs. These services, among many others, serve as a testament of our successful partnerships in developing stronger, more economically viable communities.

We hope that you will join us as we celebrate the Power of Partnership, as well as look forward to future successes. At this time, we are seeking sponsors and inviting attendees to purchase tickets for the event. Together, we can continue to build stronger neighborhoods.

If you are interested in sponsoring a table or purchasing tickets for the dinner, click HERE to view the rate sheet. You may reply via fax to Greg O’Donnell at (909) 545-8685 or email greg@nphs.info.

Thank you to our current sponsors:

Click HERE to see a list of NPHS’ available properties.

This funding is critically needed right now to help families facing foreclosure find the right solution, said Clemente Mojica, NPHS Chief Executive Officer. “With the increasing number of foreclosure prevention scams out there, this money enables NPHS to provide free Home Retention services to struggling homeowners.”

According to a report by the Urban Institute on the NFMC program prepared for NeighborWorks America, homeowners in foreclosure who receive the type of counseling done by NPHS benefit in two significant ways. First, a homeowner in the NFMC program is twice as likely to obtain a mortgage modification (saving an average of $176 more per month) than someone who does not see a counselor, and second, is approximately 67 percent more likely not to fall behind again on their mortgages. In short, seeing an NFMC organization when faced with foreclosure is far better than not.

More information about the nationwide reach of the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling program can be found at www.nw.org/nfmc.

Joseph was born and raised on the same property he currently resides. His father owned five acres of orange groves and gave each of his children one acre and in 1958, and at the age of 25, Joseph built his own house on the property.

Today, Joseph is a retired steel worker who is taking care of his 47 year old daughter, Susan. Susan suffers from a pulmonary disease which requires her to use an oxygen tank throughout the day. Susan worked at a local library and could no longer work due to the increasing severity of her disease. With the high cost of medical bills, Susan and her father have been facing financial hardships and could not afford to make necessary repairs to their home.

Joseph contacted NPHS to inquire about its Safe Homes for Seniors Program. Joseph had problems with his house that he simply could not afford to fix. After reviewing Mr. Springer’s current situation, it was determined that he was eligible to receive a $1,500 grant which covered the costs of these necessary repairs.

“We just want to thank all of your for helping us by providing a new bathroom sink, repairing a broken bedroom window, and filling two large holes in our walls,” stated Susan Springer. “It’s made all of the difference in the world to us!”

NPHS in partnership with the City of Montclair provides 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.

“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.

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

Maria, who works for a medical clinic as an administrative assistant, is a single mother who takes care of her parents and her younger son.  With the recent passing of her father, things got very difficult.  Maria was the primary caretaker of her father who lived with her and relied on his monthly mortgage financial contributions.  After suffering a stroke, her father passed away late last March and Maria had difficulty making her monthly payments.  In addition, she had a reduction in her work salary.  This combination made foreclosure imminent without help from NPHS.

“I cried for months,” said Maria. “Losing this house would have torn me apart.  I would really have felt like we let our family down.”

That is when she contacted NPHS and attended a Foreclosure Prevention workshop.  Maria came to NPHS seeking assistance with her lender, Bank of America.  She had contacted them to begin the process but did not know how to proceed. NPHS Homeownership Retention Specialist, David Quintanilla, helped Maria through the process.

“Maria was facing a hardship due to tough circumstances,” stated NPHS Homeownership Retention Specialist, David Quintanilla. “After reviewing her financial situation, we determined that a solution was possible, especially with our strong relationship with Bank of America.”

Maria’s mortgage interest rate was 6.75% with a monthly payment of $2,358 before coming to NPHS. David Quintanilla contacted Bank of America, who serviced the loan, and through correspondences with their loss mitigation department,  immediately submitted all of the documents requested. This prompt action resulted in the approval of a trial modification period for three months.

After successfully completing her trial period, Maria was advised her modification was permanently approved at 2% for the first five years, 3% for the sixth year, and 3.875% for the balance of the loan. Her new monthly payment is $1,102.  Bank of America reduced her mortgage payment by 53% and Maria is now able to afford the reduced payments on her mortgage without the fear of foreclosure.

“ The engagement process is critical,” stated  David Hahn, SVP/California Integration Manager for  Bank of America’s National  Mortgage Outreach.  “When a customer has a change in circumstances, or is about to have a change, they need to let us know so we can work together through the process.  Ms. Consuelo’s story is a perfect example of that.  We are pleased to have a partner like NPHS in assisting customers who are facing hardship.”

Maria’s story represents hundreds of families that NPHS helps every year avoid Forclosure.   “Most of our families we help are Hispanic and understand little English,” Says David Quintanilla.  “We translate documents and guide them through the loss mitigation process.”

To find out more about NPHS’ Foreclosure Prevention Counseling services, Homeowners can enroll into one of NHPS’ Foreclosure Prevention Workshops or call (800) 761-6747 to schedule a counseling appointment.

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 $500,000 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 utilized these funds to purchase and complete renovation on 26 single-family homes throughout Riverside County.  All 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.

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 return vacant distressed properties back into affordable homes for qualified families.  Since the program’s inception, NPHS has renovated and sold 93 foreclosed homes to low and moderate-income homebuyers.

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 will purchase and rehabilitate distressed properties in the Cities of Perris, Menifee and unincorporated areas of Riverside County.

“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 and NCST.”

By working together, NPHS, NCST 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.

For more information on NPHS’ Neighborhood Redevelopment program, contact Josh Carrillo at 909-988-5979 Ext. 110 or by email josh@nphs.info.

Homebuyer Education and HomeStart Orientation Calendar-Ontario Location

Homebuyer Education and Homestart Orientation Calendar-Riverside Location

Foreclosure Prevention Workshop Calendar

In an effort to outreach to the veteran community, NPHS has established the Veterans Homeownership Committee (VHC).   The VHC is a volunteer resident and staff led working group created to provide education and outreach to the large veteran community in San Bernardino, Riverside and Eastern Los Angeles County.

According to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau, The state of California has over two million veterans and 29% of the veteran population resides in San Bernardino, Riverside and Los Angeles County. San Bernardino and Riverside County alone is comprised of over 242,000 Veterans, which represents 8% of the total population living in these two counties. These astounding numbers are due to the fact that there is a large military footprint in the Inland Empire. There are three active military bases; 29 Palms Marine Base, March AFB and Fort Irwin Army Base; and a  fourth, Norton Air Force Base, which operated from 1942 to 1994.

VHC’s goals are to educate active duty and the reserve military on issues related to achieving and sustaining homeownership.  Through a mounting number of news articles both nationally and locally, public and private testimony and observation, it became increasingly evident that the veteran community in the Inland Empire is experiencing many housing related issues, especially those who have fallen behind on their mortgage.

“We are seeing that a lot of veterans are experiencing financial hardships and are having trouble keeping up with their mortgage payments,” says David Quintanilla, NPHS Homeownership Retention Specialist and a Corporal in the U.S. Marines Corps.  David is one of two staff members that are in the U.S. Armed Forces  leading the Veterans Homeownership Committee for NPHS.

The VHC will work with residents, financial institutions, elected officials and existing veteran collaboratives to develop a two-pronged plan consisting of education and outreach to address homeownership issues facing our veteran community.  The educational component will include home buying and foreclosure prevention workshops conducted in the cities of Ontario and Riverside.  Outreach will include radio talk shows, pamphlets and flyers educating veterans on how to begin the home buying process and avert foreclosure scams.

“This holistic approach of addressing homeownership issues through education and outreach is virtually silent in the Inland Empire’s veteran community,” says Adam Hicks, NPHS Project Coordinator and a Civil Affairs Sergeant in the Army Reserves.  “We hope that this initiative helps many veterans achieve homeownership while assisting those struggling to make their mortgage payments avoid foreclosure.”