On Friday, November 20th 2015, the Housing Development Fund helped make homebuying in the New Haven area simpler and more affordable to all.
Over 65 potential homebuyers looking to purchase in West Haven, New Haven and East Haven joined with realtors, bankers, and representatives from NHS New Haven to learn about the HomeLIFT and LEAP financial products.
A total of more than 80 attendees enjoyed a delicious breakfast while HDF’s Director of Residential Lending Kelly Almanzar explained how homebuyers looking for property in the larger New Haven real estate markets could take advantage of HDF’s unique products.
Almanzar described the programs’ structure, eligibility criteria, partner banks and first steps interested parties could take to move them closer towards realizing their aspirations for homeownership. Following Almanzar’s presentation, Bridget Russell, a representative from NHS New Haven presented on their counseling services.A Q&A session ended the formal workshop.
Afterwards many realtors, prospective clients, sought advice from HDF counselors on their unique situations. Some homebuyers asked for snapshot assessments of their eligibility, scheduled trips to potential properties, and made appointments to meet one-on-one with a homeownership counselor.
The Landlord Entrepreneurship Assistance Program (LEAP) provides training and financing to help homeowners to purchase, renovate, and and be responsible owner-occupants of 2-4 family homes in Fairfield, New Haven, Litchfield, or Hartford Counties.
HomeLIFT is available in New Haven through the partnership of Wells Fargo, NeighborWorks America, the Housing Development Fund, and NHS of New Haven. HomeLIFT gives eligible borrowers $15,000 in forgivable, 0% interest downpayment assistance for homes purchased in the New Haven area.
All HomeLIFT borrowers receive expert homebuyer counseling and education from NHS of New Haven, and many borrowers may be eligible for additional downpayment assistance programs, including HDF’s SmartMove, Live Where You Work, and Landlord Enterpreneurship Affordability Program.
This event was made possible in part by a grant from Citibank Foundation.