New ShipShape program through Starboard Financial

Starboard Financial, the leader in customer service and mortgage lending, is launching a new program called ShipShape. This product will provide clients with an edge on the current real estate market! Provides up to $25,000 in repairs along with a fixed, low interest rate 30-year mortgage...can it get any better? HOC is hosting a training session coming up on September 12th for Realtors - all those interested can email Stacy@housingourcommunities for more info and to be added to the list for all HOC realtor training sessions.

Save Homeownership Campaign 2011

HOC creates generational wealth. Not just in providing down payment assistance, knowledge of purchasing a home, but sustaining homeownership that will ultimately effect the lives of children. Read this touching letter from a very special person, Erica Mancinas, who has become a summer intern for HOC while going through college. Her story touches us all and reminds us all of the importance of safe, affordable, and sustainable homeownership.

The Brisolara Family : Experience with HOC

"After my wife and I were married, we moved into a little place where we rented for five years. During that time our family grew and we were blessed with two wonderful children.  As we began to outgrow our apartment we started to notice many of our friends moving into homes of their own. My wife and I discussed many times how amazing it would be to someday buy a house for our family. Sadly, it felt like a dream that awaited us in the distant future. We felt that we lacked the confidence and especially the financial ability to purchase a home.  One day, in talking with a friend, she mentioned a program that her family had found called Housing Our Communities. She explained that the program gave home ownership preparation classes along with down payment assistance to those looking to purchase a home. It sounded a little too good to us to be true, but we decided to investigate nonetheless. After our first introductory meeting, we left astonished at what we had stumbled upon. We enrolled in the program immediately and begin to move through the wonderful process this company has organized.  The classes were very educational and gave us the knowledge and confidence we needed to feel good about pursuing a home of our own. Later we were assigned a realtor and began to look at houses. We eventually found a beautiful home exactly like the untouchable dream house we had talked about so many times in the past. Housing our communities helped us with financial assistance so that we were able to purchase this home for our family. It is impossible to describe all the ways that Housing Our Communities brought this dream to life for us.  It is a program too good to be true but is in reality everything we could have hoped for and more. We are so thankful to Housing Our Communities and the wonderful people there that make the program so incredible. Thank you for helping our family so that we can live in a beautiful home of our own."

Sincerely,

Adam Brisolara

West Valley offers Free Home Maintenance Education - March 1st

Avondale Public Information Office

For immediate release: February1, 2011

Media Contact: Pier Simeri, Public Information Office 623.333.1611

Free Course in Basic Home Maintenance Offered

The cities of Avondale, Buckeye and Goodyear are partnering to offer a free course in basic home maintenance! Scheduled for March 1, the class will be taught by Mr. Handyman of the West Valley. The class runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and will be held at 195 N. 145th Avenue, Bldg D in the Venida Office Complex in Goodyear.

During the two hour course, participants will learn the major systems (structural, electrical, plumbing and HVAC) and components of their home, and how to properly care for and maintain them. Participants will also learn how and where to turn off electrical power or the main water line in an emergency, and how to identify the critical safety areas in the home.

Space is limited. Call (623) 882-7812 to register.

A Challenge from HOC - Pay it Forward

HOC challenges you in the last month of December 2010 to give back in your community. Make giving a priority in your life - whether it means volunteer on a neighborhood clean up, a rehab project, or donate to an organization that matches the mission in your life. As you reflect on 2010, what will be the most memorable? Does that include your favorite non-profit or charitable organization? Here are some quotes that inspire our organization and those that work and volunteer with us.

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.  ~Anne Frank

It is the willingness of people to give themselves over & above the demands of the job that distinguishes the great from merely adequate organization ~Peter Drucker

You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give ~ Winston Churchill

Volunteerism is the voice of the people put into action. These actions shape and mold the present into a future of which we can all be proud. ~Helen Dyer

Some people give time, some money, some their skills and connections, some literally give their life's blood. But everyone has something to give."
-Barbara Bush-

I hope these quotes inspire you to volunteer. To donate. To pay it forward.