How to Apply for Housing Grants for Home Buyers

How to Apply for Housing Grants in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is an incorporated territory of the United States.  It is not considered a state of the American Union but U.S. federal laws are applicable to them.  For this reason, they are eligible for all the benefits being given by the U.S. government including how to apply for housing grants.

In part of the government’s continuous efforts in improving the housing sector, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) had recently announced they are granting $73,000 worth of housing counseling grants to Puerto Rico.

The funding will be divided into four housing organizations in Puerto Rico that will give the low-income families a better chance of having their own homes or keep their homes from foreclosure through grants for home buyers and housing counseling grants.

HUD is said to be giving out around $29 million to national, regional, and multi-state counseling agencies.  From what HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan had recently stated:

“The HUD-approved counseling agencies funding supports are crucial in helping struggling families on a one-to-one basis to manage their money, navigate the homebuying process, and secure their financial futures.  We fought hard to persuade Congress to restore funding for housing counseling in HUD’s budget and now we’re working to make these important resources available as quickly as possible.”

How to Apply for Housing Grants for Home Buyers

Housing counseling grants, grants for home buyers, and grants for housing assistance are all created to assist families in purchasing their own home and guide them as to how they are supposed to keep it.

These grants also provide assistance to both home renters and the homeless on how to apply for housing grants.  Financial literacy training is also being taught through this grant program that helps low to moderate income individuals and families manage their funds more efficiently.

Financial literacy training could be the most important thing in housing counseling and housing assistance.  This enables home buyers and renters understand all the complex words involved so that negligence could be avoided.

Negligence is almost always the reason for mortgage scams and foreclosures.  This is due to the reason that most home buyers do not always understand the whole rental or home buying process.

Funds for Grants for Housing Assistance and Counseling

According to HUD Secretary Donovan:

“These funds are complemented by the roughly $2.5 billion provided to the states as part of the $25 billion mortgage servicing settlement.  Most states can use these funds for foreclosure prevention activities such as housing counseling and legal aid services.”

HUD is also awarding $2 million to three national organizations to effectively train more housing counselors to help families on how to apply for housing grants throughout the country.  This is said to be in addition to $36 million worth of grant funds that will directly go to housing counseling grants in 27 national and regional organizations, 6 multi-state organizations, 16 State Housing Finance Agencies, and 419 local housing counseling agencies.

There will be an additional $4 million worth of funds allotted for the purpose of helping senior citizens seek reverse mortgages should they wish to.  This will be through HUD’s program called Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM) where the main concern is to help the elderly convert equity in their homes to income that they can use for their more necessary needs like medical costs and other living expenses.

However, how to apply for housing grants and housing counseling grants is a separate and quite selective process depending on the funds available and the status of the application as determined by the respective organization assigned.

How to Apply for Housing Grants and Housing Counseling Grants

The four local organizations in Puerto Rico that will receive the funding are:

• Corporación Desarrollo Económico, Vivienda y Salud from Arecibo – $19,732
• Corporación Milagros de Amor from Caguas – $16,183
• Ceiba Housing and Economic Development – $20,324
• One Stop Center from Río Piedras – $16,775

Applying for these grants is quite a highly competitive process.  HUD determines the eligible organizations and they are monitored every now and then to ensure good work and maintain their approval status.  The organizations then will determine the persons who are eligible for the available grants depending on facts and figures they are able to get.

Pennsylvania Housing Grants Construction and Development Awarded Additional Funds

Pennsylvania Housing Grants Construction Program

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan has already announced approval of a $20 million loan guarantee to Philadelphia City.  This loan was made under Section 108 Loan Guarantee Assistance Program.

Philadelphia needs the funding for various projects lined up for the benefit of their community.  This funding is mainly for making economic development activities possible.  A part of the funding will also be used for Pennsylvania housing grants and home buyer grants.

This funding will help the development of a 219,000-square foot shopping center located in the northern neighborhood center of Allegheny West and a community retail shopping center to be built at the site of the former Edison High School.

Understanding Housing Grants Construction and Economic Development

Through the said loan, about $15 million will be leveraged in public funding with $3,000,000 allotted for the proposed project of Baker’s Center anchored by a supermarket in Allegheny West.  About $1,750,000 is for the construction of the Edison Center to replace the former Edison High School, which is already planned for demolition.  This is a proposed 36,188 square foot community retail shopping center that will surely create jobs and opportunities locally.

This said loan for Pennsylvania housing grants was made with the thought of achieving economic development along with the creation of more jobs more specifically to benefit the low to moderate income individuals and families in the state of Pennsylvania.  Housing grants construction and housing development grants will hopefully increase more as the funds leverage more through the lined projects.

As HUD Secretary Donovan sees it:

“Today, we take another step forward in a new vision for these neighborhoods.  The City of Philadelphia will not only cultivate a community of new homes, retail, and green spaces for citizens but will generate hundreds of new jobs in the process.”

Pennsylvania Housing Grants and Housing Development Grants

Section 108 is a loan guarantee provision of the Community Development Block grant (CDBG) by HUD.  Through this program, local authority bodies can borrow money from private investors at a reduced risk rate.  This program is for improvement of public facilities and promotion economic development that will both lead to stimulation of more jobs to benefit the local residents.

The Pennsylvania housing grants program is considered as one of the most potent public investment tools that HUD had created.  They allow local authorities to improve themselves by leveraging whatever funds have been granted to them.  Through this loan, the City of Philadelphia can push through with its plans that are expected to generate about 858 new jobs.  This program though is not risk free as local authorities must pledge all their current and future CDBG allocations as security for the loan.

They are a known source of financing for housing rehabilitation, housing development grants such as Pennsylvania housing grants, housing grants construction, and public facilities rehab.  All these can be included as part of the economic development and will benefit low to moderate income persons and to aid in slum prevention nationwide.

As per HUD Regional Administrator Jane C. W. Vincent:

“This is a win win for the City and all those involved.  These projects will create jobs for Philadelphia residents, leverage private investment, expand retail goods and services in the designated neighborhoods, eliminate blight and increase revenue.”

Oklahoma Housing Grants for Buying a Home

Oklahoma Housing Grants

Funding amounting to $381,311 is to be provided by the federal government to benefit at least 90 homeless vets in the state of Oklahoma.  U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric K. Shinseki announced that this funding will be released and divided into three public housing agencies in Oklahoma.

This is to be able to do more case management for the homeless veterans and to be able to supply more permanent housing through Section 8 vouchers, Oklahoma housing grants, and military grants for housing.

Through this additional funding, the total number of vouchers in Oklahoma will then be 345 already.  More detailed information regarding the list of cities receiving funding, the housing centers and corresponding VA Centers, new vouchers, total vouchers along with previous ones, and today’s funding will be released at a later date.

Military Grants for Housing thru Oklahoma Housing Grants

This program is administered by HUD, VA, and various local public housing agencies throughout the country.  All the permanent supportive housing that will be released will be provided through this program for the benefit of all the homeless vets across the nation.

The $381,311 worth of Oklahoma housing grants that will be given to the state of Oklahoma is in part of the $72.6 million budget for Fiscal Year 2012 to support housing needs of around 10,000 homeless veterans today.  This funding includes grants for buying a home across the 50 U.S. states along with the District of Columbia.

This military grants for housing program is created in response to the government’s realization of the national disgrace this homelessness of veterans is bringing to the country.  As these people who were once in uniform have served their country, the government together with HUD knows that it is time to give back what these veterans deserve.

Through HUD-VASH, there already has been a significant decrease in the number of veterans living on the streets.  The government hopes to see more progress and aims to end veteran homelessness by 2015.

As VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki had put to words:

“Under the leadership of President Obama, we have made significant progress in the fight to end homelessness among veterans, but more work remains.  The partnership between the federal government and community agencies across the country has strengthened all of our efforts to honor our veterans and keep us on track to prevent and eliminate veteran homelessness by 2015.”

The Government’s Roadmap for Grants for Buying a Home

In addition to HUD-VASH, the Obama Administration had created a program that will serve as their roadmap on how they will be working with state and local agreements in the continuous battle against chronic homelessness.  This program is called “Opening Doors:  Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness”.

The government hopes to determine the root cause of all these homelessness especially with former servicemen and women.

Along with all these government programs, the VA Medical Centers (VAMC) are responsible for doing the case management of each veteran and providing them with supportive services.  They work closely with each eligible veteran to know their needs and capabilities to be able to refer them to the right local public housing agency such as when they need information about Oklahoma housing grants that will be able to help them.

Home Repair Grants to Address Lead and Other Health Hazards

Home Repair Grants

Lead is one of the many known toxins that pose a serious threat to children.  It has the ability of impairing children’s development at a young age with effects that do last up until adulthood.

Lead-based paint is the usual source of lead exposure and was actually banned for industrial use in 1978.  But until today, it is estimated that approximately 24 million homes are still at risk due to lead-based paint hazards. Housing age is the most common and very important predictor of potential lead hazards.

Because of this persistent concern, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is awarding a total of dollarsignr13,440,000 in grants to protect children and families from the potential dangers of various lead-based paints along with other home health and safety hazards. The grants will include grants for home improvement and home repair grants to eliminate the lead.

Lead Hazard Control and Home Repair Grants

The grant funding will be divided to five local projects in the state of Ohio that will be conducting a wide range of activities to determine and clean up the various health hazards especially lead in about 6,000 high-risk homes throughout the state.

The two home repair grants programs categorized under this are:

1. LBPHC – Lead Based Paint Hazard Control Grant Program

This program’s main goal is to identify and control lead-based paint hazards in privately owned housing in public housing communities.

2. LHRD – Lead Based Paint Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant Program

This program gives assistance in identifying and controlling lead-based paint hazards to high numbers of rental units that were built in 1940 or earlier.

Home Repair Grants in Accordance to Lead Hazard Control Grant Programs

Director of HUD’s Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control Jon Grant have clearly stated that HUD’s priority is to provide healthy and safe homes for families and children.  They firmly believe that a family cannot be healthy if the home is sick.  With this, they have committed to protect these families and children through housing improvement grants.

Here are the various project descriptions in Ohio that will receive home repair grants funding with regards to the given program:

1. The Cuyahoga County Board of Health – Mr. John Sobolewski (216) 201-2000

• dollarsignr2,300,000 grant program funding for LBPHC.
• dollarsignr180,000 supplemental funding for 170 healthy housing units.
• They will be partnering up with City of Cleveland.

2. The City of Springfield – Ms. Joan White (937) 328-3932

• dollarsignr2,300,000 grant program funding for LBPHC.
• dollarsignr180,000 supplemental funding for 160 healthy housing units.
• They will be partnering up with local health, housing, and community centers.

3. The Lucas County Regional Health District – Mr. Karim Baroudi (419) 213-4109

• dollarsignr2,300,000 grant program funding for LBPHC.
• dollarsignr180,000 supplemental funding for 160 healthy housing units.
• They will be partnering up with City of Toledo Department of Neighborhoods, Diocese of Toledo Catholic Charities, United North Development Corporation, Organized Neighbors Yielding Excellence, Neighborhood Health Association, East Toledo Family Center, and Paramount Health System.

4. The City of Akron – Ms. Nancy Cook (330)375-2770

• dollarsignr3,000,000 grant program funding for LBPHC to address health hazards in 170 public housing units.
• They will be partnering up with East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation Mahoning Valley Real Estate Investors Assoc., Barberton Neighborhood Conservation Services, Nazareth Housing Development Corporation, Rebuilding Together, and Neighborhood Development Services, Inc. of Barberton.

5. The City of Cincinnati – Ms. Aisha Tzillah (513) 352-6123

• dollarsignr3,000,000 grant program funding for LBPHC to address health hazards in 240 public housing units.
• They will be partnering up with People Working Cooperatively, Cincinnati Housing Partners, Price Hill Will, Over-the-Rhine Community Housing, and Cincinnati Northside Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation.

North Carolina Housing Grants for Veterans Housing Program

North Carolina Housing Grants

Through the Obama Administration’s commitment in fighting homelessness throughout the country especially with the veterans who once served their good country, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Eric K. Shinseki announced that funding will be given to North Carolina, same as with the other U.S. states.

The funding is said to amount to $ 1,209,321 that will be given to various selected public housing agencies throughout North Carolina through HUD’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH).

This will be used to provide case management among the eligible homeless veterans and supply permanent housing through either veterans housing grants or North Carolina housing grants, whichever deemed appropriate by the case managers.

North Carolina Housing Grants for Veterans Housing Program

HUD-VASH is a program created and administered by HUD, VA, and various local housing agencies nationwide.  It also makes use of Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance that can be used for grants for veteran housing along with case management help by a duly knowledgeable case manager and clinical services needed through various VA Medical Centers.

HUD-VASH vouchers are usually given based on public housing agency administrative performance along with geographic need as supported by documents.   It is quite a long process as they would have to first determine the areas with the highest number of homeless veterans and then filter the VA facilities near the identified areas.

This North Carolina housing grants program is of great help to all the veterans in dire need of help today.  This is the best that the government can give their once loyal men in uniform who served the country.

Veterans Housing Grants Support from the Government

Another program was created by the Obama Administration to serve as its roadmap or guide through its expected long fight to end veteran and chronic homelessness by 2015.  This program is called “Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness.”

Through this new North Carolina housing grants program, the federal government will be working with various state and local agreements for the purpose of knowing the root cause of homelessness nationwide especially among former servicemen and women alike.

As what HUD Southeast Regional Administrator Ed Jennings, Jr. said:

“These grants are reducing the number of homeless veterans in North Carolina, and one day we will see this travesty end.”

The government and local agencies are hopeful of more wonderful results from their joined forces as studies have shown that national veteran homelessness have already dropped by nearly 12% recently.

In 2011, total of funds amounting to $50 million served approximately 7,000 voucher families.  This fiscal year 2012, there is roughly $75 million allotted to support around 10,500 homeless veterans with all their housing needs through more grants for veterans housing and through the VA Medical Centers as they give case management and supportive services including clinical support.

New York Housing Grants for Veterans from HUD and VA

New York Housing Grants for Veterans

Along with the government’s ongoing battle to fight veteran homelessness throughout the country, U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric K. Shinseki recently announced that almost $6 million will be allotted to provide homeless veterans with public housing in addition to the yearly New York State Housing Grants.

The funds will be divided among 10 public housing agencies in New York who will in turn provide case management and supply permanent housing to about 600 homeless veterans to date.  This will all under be HUD’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH).

New York Housing Grants through HUD-VASH

HUD-VASH was created by HUD, VA, and various local housing agencies nationwide in response to the then increasing problem of veteran homelessness.  This program also combines the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance to be able to give the housing necessities of the veterans.

They are responsible for doing the case management of every single eligible veteran in every state and provide the needed clinical services.  The clinical needs of every veteran are given at the Veterans Medical Centers (VAMCs) located nationwide and some community-based outreach clinics.

This program caters to the 50 U.S., District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.  HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan firmly believes that this program will help the government in making real progress in ending veteran homelessness as he knows how big of a national disgrace this is becoming for the country.

The VA’s Mission and New York State Housing Grants

Unknown by many, the VA is the second-largest cabinet office of the U.S. federal government.  They have been providing housing assistance including housing grants for veterans and healthcare services to millions of people yearly.  The healthcare services include outpatient visits, treatments, and hospitalization.

In year 2012, VA have committed to provide over $1 billion in specialized homeless program funds, about $58 million for disability pay and pensions, $10 billion for educational assistance, $2.6 billion for life insurance, and $1 billion for home loans including New York housing grants.

The VA’s three main priorities today are:

1. To increase veteran access to VA services and benefits.
2. To eliminate the disability claims backlog.
3. To finally put an end to veteran homelessness.

As to what VA Secretary Shinseki said:

“Under the leadership of President Obama, we have made significant progress in the fight to end homelessness among veterans, but more work remains.  The partnership between the federal government and community agencies across the country has strengthened all of our efforts to honor our veterans and keep us on track to prevent and eliminate veteran homelessness by 2015.”

As a result of all these joined forces, the latest estimate have shown that national veterans homelessness have already fallen by 12%.

The Government’s Commitment to Veterans and New York Housing Grants

The government has created a roadmap to help and guide the various programs and organizations to successfully end veteran and long-term chronic homelessness by 2015.

The “Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness” is the program that will serve as a roadmap in confronting the root causes of homelessness to be able to effectively provide a long-term solution.

Grants for Veterans Housing Awarded to Homeless Vets in New Mexico

Grants for Veterans Housing

It has been recently announced by U.S. Housing and Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki that funds amounting to $163,547 will be awarded to the Bernalilo County Housing Department.  This is to be able to provide case management and permanent grants for veterans housing to 25 more homeless veterans throughout the state of New Mexico.

It has also made possible by partnering up with the Raymond G. Murray VAMC.  As a result of this, New Mexico has a total of 265 vouchers for the homeless veterans all in all while the  Bernalilo County Housing Department itself can now administer a total of 50 vouchers.

The funding is said to be given through HUD’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH).  This is a program administered by HUD, VA, and local public housing agencies nationwide that is the one responsible for giving out permanent supportive grants for veterans housing to all the homeless veterans throughout the country today.

Veterans Housing Grants – HUD’s Point of View

As from what HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan had once said, “It’s a national disgrace that one out of every six men and women in our shelters once wore a uniform to serve our country.”

This is truly a depressing scenario.  It is mind boggling to figure out what happened to these veterans as they have no place to live just when they are in their later years of age.  It really is up to the government to take action through grants for veterans housing.  Whatever happened along the way after their service, their good deeds while in service should not be taken for granted.

From this realization, HUD, VA, and various local housing agencies have been working together to provide grants for veteran housing nationwide.  Many programs have been created to benefit veterans in need today like home improvement grants for veterans and veterans housing grants.  These are all in the hope of making real progress in terms of removing veteran homelessness once and for all.

Home Improvement Grants for Veterans –VA’s Point of View

The VA is grateful to the government for all the help and support they have been giving out to fight veteran homelessness with home improvement grants for veterans.  As VA Secretary Shinseki stated:

“Under the leadership of President Obama, we have made significant progress in the fight to end homelessness among veterans, but more work remains.  The partnership between the federal government and community agencies across the country has strengthened all our efforts to honor our veterans and keep us on track to prevent and eliminate veteran homelessness by 2015.”

The Role of the VA Medical Centers

The VA Medical Centers (VAMC) are the ones in charge of providing case managements, supportive services, and clinical services to the homeless veterans.  They will guide and refer each one that they have assessed to the rightful local public housing agency with the right vouchers to assist with their housing needs.

Eligible veterans for the grants for veterans housing program are determined by their urgent need along with willingness to participate in the case management. The funding will support the housing needs of approximately 10,000 homeless veterans.

New Jersey Housing Grants for Veterans Gain Support from HUD and VA

New Jersey Housing Grants for Veterans

The Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH) is a program administered by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), and some local agencies nationwide.

This New Jersey housing grants program combines the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) with case management and clinical services offered by the VA to provide rental assistance along with veteran housing grants to homeless veterans.

The Veterans are able to be reached by VA through various medical centers and community-based outreach clinics nationwide.  Funding s provided yearly based on the public housing agency (PHA) administrative performance and geographic need.

The whole allocation process of this program is said to rely on three important data determined yearly.  They are:

1. HUD’s point-in-time data submitted by Continuum of Care (CoCs).
2. VAMC data on the number of contacts with homeless Veterans.
3. Performance data from PHAs and VAMCs.

The above information are carefully studied and taken into consideration in determining which areas of the country have the highest number of homeless veterans.

Permanent Supportive Veteran Housing Grants

Over $1.7 million will be given to public housing agencies around New Jersey as per HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan and VA Secretary Eric K.  Shinseki.  This is to supply case management and permanent housing to 200 homeless veterans throughout the state.

There is said to be about $75 million approved funding for the Fiscal Year 2012 just to support the many New Jersey housing grants needs of about 10,500 homeless veterans today.  The VA Medical Centers (VAMC) will be providing case management and various services to those veterans eligible for this program.

As the government is slowly realizing the problems in the housing sector, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan knows the disgrace that homeless veterans bring to the country.  It is said that about one out of six men and women in public housing shelters once wore a uniform serving the country.

Through this New Jersey housing grants, they look forward to significantly reduce the homeless veterans.  Therefore, the need arise for the joined forces of HUD, VA, and various local housing agencies to end veteran homelessness.

As per VA Secretary Shinseki:

“Under the leadership of President Obama, we have made significant progress in the fight to end homelessness among veterans, but more work remains.  The partnership between the federal government and community agencies across the country has strengthened all of our efforts to honor our veterans and keep us on track to prevent and eliminate veteran homelessness by 2015.”

The Strategic Roadmap in Ending Homelessness

As the Obama Administration aims to end homelessness by 2015, a plan or roadmap was created to try and put everything and every organization in place for better and efficient results.  This is called “Opening Doors: Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness”.

This roadmap includes how the federal government plans to work with the states and creating various local agreements to be able to determine the root cause of homelessness, especially among those who have once served and country along with other citizens of the United States. One of such programs is the New Jersey housing grants for veterans.

Government Grants for Housing Assistance and Counseling Grants Approved

Government Grants for Housing Assistance

Housing counseling grants do assist individuals and families in achieving the American dream of having their own home.  The housing counseling starts upon applying for government grants for housing assistance and grants for housing development and continues after a home has been achieved in order for the grantees to keep their homes for a long time.

Through this program, the homeless and the renters are given assistance to transitional housing into moving into a permanent housing.  Providing enough and much-needed financial literacy training is the main goal of this program.

Though many government grants for housing assistance are given throughout the nation, there are still many losses mainly due to lack of knowledge of guidance with the mortgages, interest rates, and payment terms.

Federal Grants Housing to Benefit New Hampshire Residents

In response to the nation’s heed regarding decent housing and foreclosures, the government has already started various programs to fight the recent downfall in the housing sector such as the government grants for housing assistance.

As a result, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will be giving $168,953 in housing counseling grants to the chosen four organizations in New Hampshire as part of the $29 million to be awarded to national, regional, and multi-state housing counseling agencies throughout the country.

In addition to this program, there is roughly a $2.5 billion as part of the $25 billion mortgage servicing settlement that the state authorities can use to prevent foreclosures and provide legal aid services and housing counseling.

An estimated $36 million of grant funds is to directly support various housing counseling services to be given through 419 local housing counseling agencies, 16 State Housing Finance Agencies (SHFAs), 27 national and regional organizations, and 6 multi-state organizations.

The elderly sector is not left out as well, as the government is allotting $4 million to help them with their needs especially those who want reverse mortgages or Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM).  This is to help the elderly convert equity of their homes to income that can help with their everyday needs of medical costs and home improvements.

The funding given will help New Hampshire residents have better chances of keeping their current homes.  As per HUD Regional Administrator Barbara Fields:

“The HUD-approved counseling agencies’ funding supports are crucial in helping families on a one-to-one basis to manage their money, navigate the homebuying process, and secure their financial futures.  HUD is fortunate to have such excellent partners on the ground across New England helping us to get this work done.”

Here are the state and local housing counseling agencies in New Hampshire that will receive funding:

1. Bedford – New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority – $103,840

2. Littleton – Affordable Housing, Education and Development, Inc. (AHEAD) – $22,099

3. Laconia – Laconia Area Community Land Trust – $25,056

4. Manchester – The Way Home – $17,958

New Hampshire Grants for Housing Development

New Hampshire residents especially those who want to apply for housing grants and those who have already received government grants for housing assistance can expect to learn more information and guidance on all their housing conditions.  There will also be more coordination among various counseling providers and agencies to facilitate more efficient support and help to the people.

Grant recipients will learn and understand the various financing and downpayment options, predatory lending, loan documentation, mortgages, interest rates, appraisals, and foreclosure prevention.

Missouri Housing Grants and Counseling Programs

Missouri Housing Grants

Housing Counseling Grants are provided through various housing counseling programs to assists residents of each state who are seeking financing for owning, renting, or maintaining a home.  They provide counseling for first-time homebuyers or those who have already purchased through Missouri housing grants, Veterans Affairs program, other federal grants, or other housing grants in each state.

Through this grant, assistance is also given to the homeless people and renters alike.  The main objective is to give financial literacy training to individuals and families who would want to purchase a house through home buying grants provided by the government.

They also aim to expand homeownership opportunities, improve access to affordable housing grants, and preserve homeownership.  The counselors guide and advice the individuals and families on everything regarding their housing situation.

They teach everyone the responsibilities associated with owning their own home and maintaining physical state of the home, as well as, their how to deal with their loans from Missouri housing grants programs.

Counseling Programs to Receive Home Buying Grants Assistance

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have granted $253,000 worth of housing counseling grants to be divided to the 11 chosen Missouri counseling programs. This is in part of the government’s effort in helping the housing sector rise from the economy turndown recently.  Approximately $29 million will be awarded to various national, regional, and multi-state counseling agencies.

This additional funding will help Missouri residents achieve their own homes and prevent future disclosures due to different problems.  Here is the detailed list of the Missouri counseling agencies and their respective awarded funds: 

1. West Central Missouri Community Action Agency in Appleton City – $19,141
2. West Central Missouri Community Action Agency in Appleton City – $10,000
3. 4-Sight Counseling in Cape Girardeau – $19,437
4. Legal Aid of Western Missouri in Kansas City – $31,553
5. Legal Aid of Western Missouri in Kansas City – $11,539
6. Housing Options Provided for the Elderly in Saint Louis   – $23,591
7. Justine Petersen Housing and Reinvestment Corp. in Saint Louis – $27,718
8. Justine Petersen Housing and Reinvestment Corp. in Saint Louis – $37,182
9. Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Incorporated in Saint Louis    – $29,789
10. Youth Education and Health in Soulard in Saint Louis – $27,423
11. Urban League of Metropolitan Saint Louis in Saint Louis – $15,296

Improving Missouri Residents’ Outlook on Housing Grants

HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan sees this funding to be of great help as counseling is very crucial nowadays in helping struggling families manage their money, more so, purchase their own home.  Missouri low-income residents can expect a more secure future as a result of the continuous help from the government.

HUD has been on the battle on persuading Congress for all the additional funds for Missouri housing grants.  Now that they have succeeded in doing so, they will work on having the funds available the soonest.  About $4 million worth of funds will also be given to several housing counseling agencies mainly to help the senior citizens who are interested in reverse mortgages or Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM).

The elderly homeowners can expect guidance for converting home equities to income to be used for home improvements, medical costs, and other expenses of day-to-day living.

Through housing counseling grants, Missouri residents can expect avoidance or elimination of inflated appraisals and unreasonably high interest rates.  This will greatly help in preventing the residents from being scammed.

Minnesota Housing Grants for Indian Tribes to Receive Funding

Minnesota Housing Grants for Indian Tribes

Today, there are 11 federally-recognized Indian Tribes in Minnesota.  They consists of seven Anishinaabe reservations – Chippewa and Ojibwe and four Dakota communities – Sioux.

Being federally recognized, these Indian tribes gain the rights of self-governance and are entitled to several benefits from the U.S. government such as grants for affordable housing.  The benefits are usually provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) program called Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG).

The U.S. government recognizes the tribe’s government making each tribe in a “domestic dependent nation status”.  Each tribe has their own governmental system that might be from adopted constitutions or inherited bodies of law.

Here are the 11 federally-recognized Indian tribes in the state of Minnesota:

1. Bois Forte Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe – Located in Northern Minnesota and assumed full responsibility of government program delivery in 1997.
2. Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior – Located in Northern Minnesota adjacent to Cloquet, Minnesota.  This was established in 1854 by the LaPointe Treaty.  This is one of the six reservations that serve as home to the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.
3. Grand Portage Housing Authority – Located in the northeastern tip of Minnesota in Cook County.  This reservation holds the historic and spectacular North Woods-Lake Superior shoreline.
4. Leech Lake Housing Authority – Located in north-central Minnesota forests that hold an oasis of nature’s beauty.
5. Lower Sioux Indian Housing Authority – Located at the south side of Minnesota River.  This is a part of the original reservation that was established through the 1851 treaty.
6. Mille Lacs Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe – This is an Ojibwa tribe located in Minnesota.
7. Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians – The only closed reservation in Minnesota with the highest number of Native American population.
8. Upper Sioux Community Housing Authority – Located in Yellow Medicine County.
9. White Earth Reservation Housing Authority – Located in northwestern Minnesota in the counties of Mahnomen, Becker, and Clearwater but the headquarters are located in White Earth, Minnesota.

Housing Benefit Grants through the 2012 IHBG Funds

IHBG is a formula grant created by HUD to serve the purpose of providing affordable and decent housing on various federally-recognized Indian areas throughout the country.

IHBG receives annual Minnesota housing grants and funds from the government to be used for activities like housing development, assistance, and various services for the eligible individuals and families, crime prevention and safety, and model activities to make each community sustainable.

In 2012, IHBG Minnesota is granted a $18.4 million fund which given was based on a formula grant dependent on the assessed needs of each tribe or designated entity.

HUD Grants for Affordable Housing

According to HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, “These funds are making a real difference in tribal communities each and every day.”  He further acknowledges that the IHBG projects are what the communities need to thrive.  This is the government’s response to the goal of building the economy of each Native American community.

As HUD’s Midwest Regional Administrator, Antonio R. Riley, sees it, the Minnesota housing grants, housing benefit grants, and grants for affordable housing is a great help in providing safe and affordable housing to the Native American families.  This is said to help create great economic opportunities for everyone’s benefit.

The Breakdown of the Minnesota Housing Grants Funding

Here is the detailed breakdown of the funding granted through IHBG:

1. Bois Forte Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe – $1,038,639
2. Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior – $3,667,479
3. Grand Portage Housing Authority – $372,500
4. Leech Lake Housing Authority – $3,871,817
5. Lower Sioux Indian Housing Authority – $342,533
6. Mille Lacs Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe – $1,611,737
7. Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians – $3,808,917
8. Upper Sioux Community Housing Authority – $396,477
9. White Earth Reservation Housing Authority – $3,318,164

Michigan Housing Grants – IHBG Gets Nearly $14 Million

Michigan Housing Grants

Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) is responsible for allocating funds to the Indian tribes in Michigan yearly.  The amount of funds per year is based on a formula computed yearly to benefit eligible Indian tribes along with their tribally designated housing authorities.  These funds are mainly used for affordable housing activities including Michigan housing grants.

IHBG was created by the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA) to address the housing needs of Native Americans throughout the nation.  This formula grant has been the designated program for providing a range of affordable housing programs, housing grants in Michigan Indian areas, and activities on known Indian reservations.

The Indian tribes eligible for IHBG funding are those who have been federally recognized.  The recipient may also be the Indian tribe’s tribally designated housing entity (TDHE).  IHBG has since replaced the United States Housing Act of 1937 (USHA) in distribution of funds for the Indian tribes.

Yearly, each eligible Indian tribe submits an Annual Performance Report (APR) to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  This is to track the yearly progress in meeting the goals set at the beginning of each year along with their objectives.

Housing Grants in Michigan to Benefit 12 Indian Tribes

The $14 million that HUD released in February 2012 will benefit 12 Indian tribes in Michigan.  The funding will be distributed as per the formula computation that assessed each tribe’s needs.

These annual funds are primarily intended to assist low-income individuals and families located in Indian reservations.  These should help them attain housing grants Michigan.

Here are some of the housing grants in Michigan programs and activities where the yearly funds are being used:

• Affordable housing development
• Housing assistance and services
• Infrastructure upgrades
• Community Centers
• Safety Programs
• Crime prevention and safety
• Model activities for self-sustainability

HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan knows the importance of these funds in tribal communities as they really do make a difference every day.  The projects supported by these funds help make the Indian communities thrive.  This also serves as the government’s effort in their commitment in ensuring that all Native American communities build their own economies.

Mr. Antonio Riley, HUD’s Midwest Regional Administrator, sees this as a great economy opportunity for the Indian tribes especially the housing grants Michigan.

The 12 Indian Tribes to Receive Housing Grants Michigan

It has been known that the western district of Michigan holds the largest Native American population.  It has 12 federally recognized Indian Tribes.  The principles of government-to-government relations are strongly being practiced for the benefit of both on matters of mutual concern and interest.

Here is the list of the 12 Indian Tribes that will receive IHBG funding from HUD for Michigan housing grants:

1. Bay Mills Indian Community – $739,139
2. Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians – $1,235,785
3. Hannahville Potawatomie Housing – $183,604
4. Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Housing – $1,730,303
5. Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians – $264,403
6. Little River Band of Ottawa Indians – $281,105
7. Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians – $632,700
8. Match E- Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians of Michigan – $178,247
9. Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi – $580,760
10. Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians – $2,276,049
11. Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe  of Michigan – $1,066,187
12. Sault Ste Marie Housing Authority – $4,733,376

Affordable Housing Grants with More Funds for IHBG in Maine

Indian Housing Block Grants for Affordable Housing Grants

This grant was the result when the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA) wanted to reorganize the Federal housing assistance system to Native Americans.

The Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) is a single block grant program that recognizes the right to self-determination and tribal self-governance by the Indian community around the country.  The housing activities provided through this grant includes affordable housing grants, sustainable housing grants, as well as, social housing grants.

This program benefits the low-income Indian families located on various Indian reservations and communities.  There is a certain formula for the computation of each grant given to a certain individual or family.  This is to carefully assess and consider the local needs and the housing units as per under management of the tribe or other designated entity.

More IHBG Funding for Sustainable Housing Grants

Funds are usually distributed yearly based on a formula for various eligible Indian tribes or their tribally designated housing authorities.  The funds help their communities with a range of affordable housing grants and programs to make them sustainable and self-sufficient.

This year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is giving $3,926,247 as additional funding for IHBG specifically in Maine.  This will benefit five eligible tribes in the state of Maine.

As HUD’s Regional Administrator Barbara Fields sees it, the funds will make a huge difference among the tribal communities in Maine.  This will be of great help in projects that will include affordable housing, community centers, infrastructure upgrades, and some safety programs in which each community thrives in.

This funding is said to be in part of the government’s effort in making their commitment of helping Native American communities build their own economies a reality.

Economy building is not an easy task especially with the state of economy the nation is at.  But this is a great step towards the goal as the Indian tribes and communities help themselves be sustainable while the government responds to their needs and whatever else they see fit.

The Tribe Recipients of Social Housing Grants

Here are the five recipients for the IHBG 2012 Funding for affordable housing grants:

1. Aroostook Band of Micmac Indians – $607,727

Federally recognized since November 26, 1991, they consists of about 1100 members, majority of which is located in Aroostook County, Northern Maine.  They make themselves self-sufficient through production of a variety of traditional baskets made from splint ash wood, split cedar, and birch bark.

2. Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Housing Authority – $505,206

Federally recognized since October 1980, they consist of about 800 members.  They now have a farm and several commercial land holdings in Aroostook County.

3. Indian Township Passamaquoddy Housing Authority – $964,356

This tribe has two locations – Princeton and Perry, Maine.  They now consist of a total of 3,369 members and have made some business ventures including creative apparel and outdoor excursions.

4. Penobscot Tribe of Maine – $1,020,008

This tribe consists of about 2,200 members.

5. Pleasant Point Reservation Housing – $828,950

This tribe consists of about 3,464 members.

Indiana Housing Grants Advocate Awarded Champion of Change Distinction

Who is Tehiji Crenshaw in Indiana Housing Grants

Tehiji Crenshaw is a resident of Evansville, Indiana who is currently employed as the Director of Housing Programs for Community Action Program of Evansville and Vanderburgh County, Inc. (CAPE).

She holds a degree of Bachelor of Education from the University of Evansville and had achieved many certifications over the years.  Here is a list of her certifications:

• Certified Loss Mitigation/Foreclosure Prevention Counselor
• Family Development Specialist
• HUD Housing Counselor
• HOME Program Specialist
• Pre and Post Purchase Education Counselor
• Certified Green Professional
• Housing Development Finance Professional
• Certified Aging-In Place Specialist
• Licensed Lead Paint Project Supervisor
• Lead-Based Paint Inspector
• Clearance Examiner
• Risk Assessor

Housing Counseling Grants and the People Behind Them

Over the 10 years that Tehiji Crenshaw has been in service, she has already helped more than 8,500 families with all her abilities.  She has been helping the Indiana residents acquire state housing grants with affordable multifamily rental housing and single family homeownership, foreclosure prevention, energy efficiency and home rehabilitation needs, as well as, housing counseling grants.

Ms. Crenshaw had been facilitating both group counseling and individual family counseling sessions mostly in regards with credit and budget issues and Foreclosure Prevention Counseling.  Ms. Crenshaw has also been conducting Energy Education sessions for the state residents and especially for the first time homebuyers.

Governor Mitch Daniels has seen the potential in Ms. Tehiji Crenshaw and had appointed her as one of the seven commissioners of the Indiana Civil Rights Commission.   She is also a board member of the Evansville Community Redevelopment Partnership, Inc. and a current member of the Indiana Civil Rights Educational Steering Committee and Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation Multicultural Committee.

Leader in Housing Counseling and Indiana Housing Grants

The White House and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will honor 11 housing counselors and HUD-approved organizations as “Champions of Change”.  This is in recognition of their hard work, perseverance, and unending dedication to their respective communities.

As what the White House Senior Advisor, Valerie Jarrett said:

“Housing counselors work tremendously hard, each and every day, to help families realize the American dream.  From helping homeowners avoid foreclosure to making sure tenants understand their rights to working with borrowers to restore their credit, the men and women we honor today truly are Champions of Change.”

Antonio R. Riley, HUD’s Midwest Regional Administrator, recognizes the housing counselors’ dedication to serving as they continuously educate and assist individuals and families in navigating the complexities of sustainable homeownership.

This program will be a part of President Obama’s Winning the Future initiative.  There will be a different sector and person each week to be highlighted with all their works as they serve and strengthen their own communities.

Tehiji Crenshaw – A Champion of Change in Grants Housing

Last Thursday, March 1, 2012, Tehiji Crenshaw of Evansville, Indiana was awarded as a “Champion of Change”.

John Hall, HUD’s Indianapolis Field Office Director, has been vocal about being proud of Ms. Tehiji Crenshaw, as well as, the other Indiana housing counselors who work hard to fight foreclosures ever since the housing crisis hit the nation.  He acknowledges their perseverance to assist residents in Indiana housing grants and improvement of housing conditions under the grants housing section.

Home Grants Funding For Hawaii Public Housing Authority Awarded

Home Grants from the Hawaii Public Housing Authority

Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) had been helping provide its residents with decent, sustainable, and affordable housing without discrimination throughout the years.  They are responsible for the development of affordable public housing, rental and supportive housing, and other types of housing services in the state of Hawaii.

HPHA helps provide different government funded housing grants, as well as, private grants for housing.  They are dedicated to increase the affordable housing opportunities for every Hawaiian resident.

With the approval of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the additional funding of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, an amount totaling to $9,454,397was released for public housing in the state. This funding is granted to make the long overdue major large scale improvements to Hawaii public housing units.

Grants for Housing Through Capital Fund Program

Capital Fund Program is HUD’s program responsible for providing annual funding to all public housing authorities.  These are the funds used annually for building, repairing, renovating, and even modernizing the public housing units achieved through housing government grants.

The funding will also be used for the large scale improvements and much needed renovations for the public housing units acquired through various home grants.  The large scale improvements will include renovation and replacement of roofs, as well as, doing upgrades in the electrical and plumbing departments to make the public housing communities more energy efficient.

Approval of Comprehensive Tool for Home Grants in Hawaii

As HUD’s budget for 2012 for all the public housing authorities in each state had recently been approved, Congress had also authorized HUD to start with their new comprehensive tool.  This new comprehensive tool is called Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD).

RAD is a critical demonstration tool with the goal of helping preserve and enhance decent and affordable housing throughout the country. Obama Administration thinks this is a good way to bring the public housing sector back on its way to attaining firm financial footing once again.

This demonstration tool aims to bring more than 60,000 properties in long-term, project-based rental assistance contracts. This will then allow around $6.1 billion to be raised by the public housing authorities. This is in hope of reducing the deep backlog in the public housing sector industry.

Housing Government Grants and a Glance Into Last Year’s Study

The study that HUD released last year is called Capital Needs in the Public Housing Program.  The program study was the one responsible for updating the national estimate of all the capital needs in the public housing sector.

The study determined that an estimate of $26.5 billion is needed to fill every need in public housing.  The amount is said to have ballooned because of the recent economy problems causing less funding for repairs and renovations leading to significant loss of housing units and home grants.