HUD Serves the Community from Start to Finish

April Tey Brown, Public Affairs Specialist, HUD’s Office of Public Affairs

When my little sister was thinking about buying a home, she immediately came to me for help. She had no idea where to begin and knew that her big sister would have all the answers because I had already gone through the process of buying my own home. Since this was going to be a foreign process for her, I wanted to make sure she was educated in every aspect before she began her search. I told her to start with one of HUD’s approved housing counselors in her area. HUD sponsors housing counseling agencies throughout the country that can provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, foreclosures, and credit issues. If you are facing foreclosure, foreclosure avoidance counselors are also available.

Secretary Donovan is joined by California Congresswoman Barbara Lee as he announces the availability of more than $5.1 million in grants for housing counseling training

While meeting with borrowers and homeowners at a counseling event in Oakland, California, Secretary Donovan announced the availability of more than $5.1 million in grants for housing counseling training. This funding will ensure that HUD approved counselors are offering the most current and valuable advice to their clients. Whether it’s helping families stay in their homes, helping them move on to a new one, or helping them plan their financial future, HUD approved counselors are there to ensure everyone has the information they need to make choices that work for them, their needs and their families. Since April 2009, HUD approved housing counselors have made a difference in the lives of 3.6 million American families.

While in California, Secretary Donovan also stopped in Los Angeles to tour the New Genesis Apartments with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Located in the Skid Row neighborhood of Los Angeles, New Genesis Apartments is a mixed residential/commercial project with 98 rental efficiency units that has received $9.6 million from the Recovery Act’s Tax Credit Assistance Program. Scheduled to be completed in August 2011, a portion of the units will be designated as apartment for working artists and individuals earning less than $37,260 a year. Construction of the apartments will create 450 jobs and be built to LEED Platinum certification standards that will feature a solar panel array on the rooftop. This will supplement energy needs, as well as recreational spaces, and healthcare, and counseling offices.