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A First-Time Homebuyer Tells Us Why Strawberry Mansion
Strawberry Mansion Townhomes features 25 new, energy-efficient homes for low- and moderate-income first-time buyers in the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood. The developer, Friends Rehabilitation Program, provides pre-purchase housing counseling to prepare buyers for the responsibilities of owning a home.
Brandy Turner, a recent first-time homebuyer and mother of two, tell us about her exciting new home!
Why did you choose Strawberry Mansion?
Strawberry Mansion is home to me and has been since I was born. While I moved away for a brief period, I moved back as soon as I saw these new beautiful homes were for sale at an affordable price tag for first-time homebuyers. This is the perfect place to raise my kids. My son is ill with juvenile diabetes so it's nice to have my family and friends close by. Having a safe, clean, new, quality home helps with everything else on our plate.
What do you like about homeownership?
It's an amazing feeling to have something to call my own. I feel accomplished.
What are your favorite parts of the home?
It's so spacious and has everything we need...and it's close to our friends and family. Everything is new and we can make it ours.
Why is Strawberry Mansion special?
It is filled with parks and playgrounds for the kids to be outside and enjoy their friends. There are at least five parks within a few blocks. The schools are very close and everything is within walking distance. I can get to Center City, the Boulevard, or to CHOP for my son's healthcare needs really fast by car or public transportation. The supermarket is a 10 minute walk or a 3 minute drive. Everything is convenient and this is really important to us right now.
Information on the Strawberry Mansion Townhomes, including application instructions and home layouts, can be found at www.smtownhomes.com.
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New Innovative Housing Model for HIV/AIDS Residents
Recently, ActionAIDS, Inc. in partnership with Pathways to Housing, launched a Housing First Program, an innovative model of housing for people with HIV and AIDS. This three-year grant provided by OHCD is Philadelphia's initial Housing First program for people with HIV and AIDS. Read more.
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OHCD is now on Twitter!
@OHCDphila
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| Keep us posted on community development news! Please contact info.ohcd@phila.gov
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| A Client Story: Community Legal Services, HEMAP, ARRA End Years of Housing Stress
A long time ago I didn't read the small print on my loan and it turned out to be a very predatory one.
I was always stressed and I didn't know what to do. I always paid on time and I thought that would be enough. It should have been enough. I just didn't understand.
Beth knew what to do. Beth and my beliefs kept me going. She was like family. She wouldn't give up for me and knew that I deserved to keep my house.
Without Beth and HEMAP, I would have lost one of the most important things-my home.
Thank you to the City of Philadelphia!
Since 1997, Ms. Toni Latimer was burdened by a subprime loan with an interest rate of nearly 15% and a mortgage company whose servicing practices caused her unaffordable payments...as well as stress. By providing legal support funded by ARRA, Attorney Beth Goodell of Community Legal Services helped prevent a foreclosure on Ms. Latimer's home and freed her from years of financial pressure. Read more.
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Low-Interest Home Improvement Loans Available
If you own and occupy your home in the City of Philadelphia, a Philadelphia Home Improvement Loan (PHIL) is a great opportunity to make those needed repairs and improvements. With no equity or home-appraisal requirements, you can apply even if you recently bought your home.
A PHIL Loan features:
- Low fixed rates
- Borrow up to $25,000
- No application fees
- No recording fees
- No points
- Terms up to 20 years
Fore more information on eligible expenses, guidelines, and steps on how to apply, visit www.philaloan.com, email AskPhilaLoan@rda.phila.gov
or call 877-4U-PHILA (877-487-4452). Consult your tax advisor concerning tax deductibility. Visit the website.
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City & Project HOME Celebrate New Supportive Housing
Mayor Nutter joined Project H.O.M.E. to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the James Widener Ray Homes at 2101 Venango Street in Philadelphia's Tioga neighborhood. This development features 53 efficiency apartments that provide permanent supportive housing for veterans, formerly homeless men, women and children, and for low-income families. The project was a complete interior gut renovation of an existing apartment building. Read more.Watch a video of the event.
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Neighborhood Advisory Committees Engage Communities
OHCD's Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC) Program offers community-based non-profit organizations the opportunity to lead and engage neighborhood residents in activities that support the City's core objectives, including:
- Promoting sustainability through recycling, cleaning, planting and alternative energy efforts.
- Creating employment opportunities through job placement and training, retail revitalization, and educational assistance efforts.
- Enhancing neighborhood safety through town watches, youth mentoring and community outreach programs.
- Providing decent and affordable housing through new housing, preservation of existing housing and mortgage foreclosure prevention programs.
Click here to find a NAC near you and to learn about an award winning NAC in Strawberry Mansion.
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Trust Fund Expands Housing and Jobs
Recently, OHCD and the Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations released the 2011 Philadelphia Housing Trust Fund (HTF) Report, documenting its impact throughout the fiscal year.
HTF plays a vital role in creating housing opportunities and strengthening Philadelphia's neighborhoods. Comprised of revenue raised locally, funds are dedicated to the development of new housing for low- and moderate-income households; the preservation, repair and modification of existing occupied homes; and the prevention of homelessness through foreclosure prevention and rental assistance.
During the City's Fiscal Year '11, HTF made a meaningful impact on both individual residents and the entire city. It provided or improved housing for over 850 low- and moderate-income households, leveraged more than $80 million in non-city funds, supported over 2,000 construction jobs, and expanded the city's tax base. Read the full report.
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 Help is Available this Tax Season
The Campaign for Working Families provides free tax preparation to families with income less than $50,000 and individuals with income less than $20,000. Clients can also apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program, which offers a tax credit to low- and moderate-wage working families. The refundable tax credit can be worth up to $5,751 and is available to families making less than $49,078 per year. Read more or visit the Campaign for Working Families website.
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 Make the City Smarter, Greener and Safer
The City of Philadelphia has launched Change by Us, an online marketplace for community projects that allows you to share ideas for making the city better, and to turn those ideas into projects that have real impact. Sign up and post your ideas on how to make the city a smarter, safer and greener place to live and work.
www.philly.changeby.us
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