02/15/08
Westchester County’s Office of African-American Affairs
brings free housing forum to Mt. Vernon
Many Mount Vernonites attended a very informative free
housing forum on Saturday, April 16, sponsored by Westchester
County’s Office of African-American Affairs,
intended to assist residents having mortgage troubles or
thinking about buying a house.
The forum was held at the St. John, Paul and Clements
Episcopal Church, on South 9th Avenue. A panel of
experts provided information about what steps people can
take to prevent foreclosure and what resources are
available to help them get back on their feet.
Additionally, a county Planning Department
representative spoke about “Lead Safe Westchester,” a
program that makes funds available to remove lead-based
paint from older homes and apartments.
The leading Westchester Government spokesperson at the
forum was Tracey Mitchell, Director of African-American
Affairs. Her department works to identify and resolve
issues affecting African-Americans in Westchester.
Mitchell was accompanied by Kim C. Holland, Program
Administrator for the county's Division of Housing.
Also in attendance was Geoffrey Anderson, Executive
Director of Westchester Residential Opportunities, Inc. (WRO),
and Veronica I. Raphael, a foreclosure specialist and
financial education instructor with WRO.
Founded in 1968, WRO is a HUD-certified housing
counseling agency that works to promote equal,
affordable and accessible housing opportunities for all
residents.
The important forum focused on what Mount Vernon
residents can do to prevent devastating credit problems
and how to avoid becoming a victim of predatory lending,
that may eventually lead to a foreclosure on their
property after the loan is granted.
"By combining advertising and face-to-face consumer
education and housing counseling, this campaign helps
consumers avoid abusive lending practices, such as
exorbitant interest rates, excessive fees and pressure
tactics," said Anderson.
According to Raphael, Mount Vernon and Yonkers has the
greatest number of foreclosure cases in all of
Westchester County. "Too many homebuyers enter into the
biggest investment of their lives without any knowledge
of the predatory lending practices that have caused the
current wave of forecloses we are experiencing all
across America today," said Raphael.
The panel of experts all touched on the following:
What are
the warning signs of foreclosure?
Unexpected life changes are often a contributing factor
to foreclosure – especially those that impact your
finances, such as:
Financial
warning signs
There may not be a major life change to signal potential
trouble – you simply may be having a difficult time
properly managing your finances. Don't be fooled into
thinking your credit card problems won't affect your
mortgage. It is important to realize that financial
difficulties in one area can, and often do, spill over
to other areas. These difficulties are all warning signs
of financial problems that can lead to foreclosure on
your home if you do not act quickly. They include:
-
Maxing
out credit cards
-
Using
credit to pay for day-to-day expenses, such as
groceries, utilities, etc.
-
Being
unable to pay your bills on time
-
Paying
only the minimum amount on credit cards
-
Applying
for new credit cards after maxing out on existing
ones
-
Having
to choose which bills to pay
The group of experts all emphasized the importance of
talking to a housing counselor immediately if you see
above signs taking place.
WHO has a satellite office located in Mount Vernon,
located at: The Armory,
144 North 5th Avenue - 914-668-4424.
Holland's presentation on the Lead Safe Westchester
program was very enlightening, and was extremely
well received by the attendees.
According to Holland, The Westchester County Department
of Planning has put together a program designed to
assist County residents eliminate lead-based paint
hazards in their homes. Income and program guidelines
are determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development, which provides funding for this
program.
"Applications are reviewed on a first-come,
first-served basis," said Holland.
To apply for a grant, applicants must complete an
application from the Department of Planning, and include
the following:
A copy of the deed to the property, documentation of
annual income (i.e. copies of Social Security checks,
and income tax returns, etc.for the household(s) that
occupy the unit(s) where repairs will take place. Mail
completed applications to:
Westchester County
Department of Planning
Michaelian Office Building
148 Martine Avenue, Room #414
White Plains, New York 10601
Attn: Ms. Tyneshia Royal
For additional information, please call: (914) 995-2413
Geoffrey
Anderson, Executive Director of WRO
