Independent Foreclosure Review

TRIP would like to make you aware of the Independent Foreclosure Review. This initiative was created by The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. A homeowner whose primary residence was part of a foreclosure action between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010, and whose home loan was serviced by one of 27 participating mortgage banks, MAY be eligible for an Independent Foreclosure Review.

The Independent Foreclosure Review is a free service. Beware of anyone who asks you to pay a fee for any foreclosure review service.

For a list of participating mortgage lenders/services, and to request an independent review of your mortgage loan, please visit http://www.independentforeclosurereview.com/, or call 1-888-952-9105. Please note that your Request for Review form must be postmarked or submitted to the independent review administrator by no later than July 31, 2012.

If you have additional questions regarding this initiative, please feel free to call Birgit Wood, TRIP Housing Counselor, at (518) 690-0020 ext. 226. Please make sure to reference the Independent Foreclosure Review when calling.

Come to the Housing Fair!

Prospective buyers and homeowners will want to attend the Capital Region Housing Fair on Saturday, April 28th from 10 am-2 pm at the Albany Public Library, 161 Washington Avenue in Albany. 

Featured will be dozens of information booths including:

• Non-profit housing groups like TRIP
• Lenders
• Attorneys
• Housing inspectors
• Real estate agents
• Free Credit Reports
• Free Consultations

Seminars will be held on topics such as:

• How to hire a contractor
• How to finance your home

Fair-goers can learn about new programs:

• How to make your home more comfortable while saving money and the environment

With foreclosures continuing to wreak havoc on families and neighborhoods, participants having trouble with their mortgages can meet with an experienced lawyer or housing counselor for a free consultation about their situation. Also, representatives from Bank of America and Fannie Mae will be available to meet with borrowers and discuss loan options.

One of the most popular features of last year's fair, the free credit reports, will be available this year too. Just bring a photo ID and obtain a free credit report and a credit consultation.

Sponsors include the HomeSave Coalition, Albany Public Library, M&T Bank, NBT Bank, Bank of America, SONYMA, First Niagara, IAR Attorneys at Law, Community Realty, Metroland, and SEFCU.

All are welcome! Door prizes will be drawn throughout the day. More details at http://www.ahphome.org/ or call (518) 434-1730.

Tax Return Theft: A Trend to Watch Out For

We all dread paying taxes every year, but we all love getting those tax return checks in the mail!  A growing problem however, is that other people love getting your tax return checks too.

This crime happens when someone steals John Doe's identity and files his taxes before John does himself.  Next thing you know, Faux Doe is cashing the check that should have been John's.

We shared some identity theft protection tips with you in January, and those suggestions still apply.  To further ensure that your taxes are safe please remember to keep your social security number private and only share it with agencies when it is absolutely necessary.  Another way to make sure no one files a tax return in your name is to file your taxes early.  Be the first (and hopefully only) form with your name on it.  Keeping your finances and identity private will protect your future.

To read more about this growing problem visit http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2012/02/28/Identity-Thieves-Want-to-Steal-Your-Tax-Refund.aspx#page1

Grant Opportunity for First Time Homebuyers

Buying a home is obviously a huge financial commitment, but for those who think they could never afford homeownership, take a look at the First Home Club:

Program Description

The Capital District Individual Development Account Program was organized by local housing counseling agencies to assist working households to build wealth through homeownership.

• Receive $4 for every $1 saved, up to $7,500 toward the purchase of your first home.  Need to save $1,875 to receive the maximum match of $7,500.
• Save for a minimum of 10 months up to a maximum of 24 months
• Use your savings and the matching funds for the down payment and closing costs associated with your home purchase.  Save the maximum, you will have $9,375 ($1,875 of your savings plus $7,500 matching funds) toward your purchase.
• You can purchase a home anywhere your bank lends.
• The home is to be owner occupied for at least five years, or some of the funds may need to be repaid.
• You must open a dedicated savings account at a participating institution.

Participating Banks/Credit Unions

• First Niagara Bank
• M&T Bank
• Pioneer Savings
• SEFCU
• Capital Communications FCU
• NBT Bank
• Glens Falls National Bank* (Only in Northern Rensselaer & Albany Counties)

Who's Eligible?

• First time homebuyers
• Earn less than the following amounts:
• $61,600 if you are a 1 or 2 person household
• $70,800 if you are a household of three or more people

Sound good?  The first step to enrolling in this program is to come to one of our Homebuyer Orientations.  Our next session will be held Monday, April 16th; register online at triponline.org or call (518) 690-0020 ext. 221.

Arts Grant and CLI Action Grant Awarded

Congratulations to Public School 2 and the Hillside North Neighborhood Association ("The Hill") on the awarding of two grants!  Project applications earned $2,500 and $2,000 respectively!

School 2's "Artists in Schools" Grant will fund a student-based, co-curricular "Paint the Boards" art project in collaboration with TRIP and The Hill.  Sixth grade students and teachers will work with local artist Marcus Kwame Anderson to create large, painted boards that will be installed over the plywood currently covering windows of vacant buildings in the neighborhood.

Combining art and social studies, the pieces will focus on a theme of the Underground Railroad and the rich history it has here in Troy.  Finally, once the project is completed, the sixth graders will lead the younger students on a walking tour of the paintings installed in the neighborhood fostering greater public speaking skills and civic pride.

If you are curious to see Mr. Anderson's work please visit his website: http://www.marcuskwame.com/

Further enlivening the Hillside North Neighborhood, the Community Leadership Institute (CLI) Action Grant that TRIP applied for on behalf of the neighborhood's plan has been awarded!  The plan was created by The Hill's leaders while attending a national CLI conference with TRIP last fall.  These funds, provided by NeighborWorks America, will support the Cleaner and Greener Campaign currently underway.

In an effort to beautify the neighborhood and educate residents about environmental issues, The Hill is working on projects to promote recycling and discourage littering.  Street clean-ups have been happening, and will continue, at least once a month.  Additionally, the group intends to add public trash cans along the sidewalks to increase people's use of them as they walk in order to reduce littering.  Other community projects will include: neighborhood flower plantings, a mural at School 2, and continued educational programs about healthy homes and neighborhoods.

Congratulations again to everyone involved!  We are so excited to work with you on these projects and can't wait to see the beautiful results!

New Faces at TRIP

Staff Changes

Sue Cummings

TRIP saw a few staff changes in mid-February, and we are excited to welcome Sue Cummings to our team!  Sue has been hired as our Administrative Assistant, taking the position previously held by Sue Patregnani.  Sue P. is now filing the accounting position that opened when Jean Clickner left TRIP.  TRIP is happy to have another Sue, and we wish Jean all the best at her new job!

A little about our newest employee: Sue Cummings is a long time resident of the Capital Region.  She grew up in Albany and is now living in Watervliet.  When she's not at TRIP, Sue loves spending time with family and friends, reading good books, and watching movies.  One of her favorite films this year was The Help.

RPI Interns

Also joining the team are two new RPI interns.  Kristi Nelson and Oscar White will be working with us for this spring semester.

Kristi Nelson

Kristi will be working with TRIP as our Communications and Marketing Intern.  She is a Troy native studying IT/Web Science and Graphic Design as a senior at RPI.  Kristi keeps herself quite active; some of her hobbies include snowboarding, soccer, and photography.  Kristi also enjoys the performing arts specializing in ballet and modern dance. 

While interning at TRIP, Kristi is looking forward to a valuable professional experience with visible end results.

Oscar White

Oscar is spending his time with us as our Sustainability and Public Relations Intern.  He is a Business Management Major studying abroad at RPI; his home institution is Leeds University in England. Back at Leeds, Oscar enjoys playing rugby, but here in New York, he has been strapping on his skis and visiting the slopes around the region.  Oscar has made sure to take full advantage of being in the States and has spent time visiting New York City, Boston, Arizona, and California.

During his semester at TRIP, Oscar looks forward to gaining valuable insight into the operations of a not-for-profit organization.

Welcome to all of you!

You Can Help TRIP! Support the Neighborhood and Rural Preservation Programs and the Foreclosure Program

We Need Your Urgent Help.... Again!

As we reported last month, the governor has eliminated all funding for the Neighborhood Preservation Program, the Rural Preservation Program and the Foreclosure Prevention Program.  TRIP and RCHR receive relatively small amounts of funding from these programs to help with basic operational expenses as well as for our full-time foreclosure prevention counselor.

Thank you so much for your response to our previous plea for help. Unfortunately, the governor did not restore any of the funding that he originally eliminated, so the budget is now in the hands of the state legislature.  We believe they intend to finalize their budget bills this week, which means they need to hear from supporters like you urging them to fund these three critical housing programs. 

 

Please call your state senator and assemblymember(s) today and leave messages urging funding for the Neighborhood and Rural Preservation Programs and the Foreclosure Program.

For those in Rensselaer County:

• Senator Roy McDonald: (518) 455-2381 or mcdonald@nysenate.gov
• Assemblyman Ron Canestrari:  (518) 455-4474 or canestr@assembly.state.ny.us
• Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin:  (518) 455-5777 or mclaughlins@assembly.state.ny.us
• Assemblyman Tony Jordan:  (518) 455-5404 or jordanj@assembly.state.ny.us

If you live outside Rensselaer County, to find out who your legislators are enter your address at the following links:

• State Assembly:  http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?sh=search 
• State Senate:  http://www.nysenate.gov/

Some of TRIP and RCHR's programs supported by these funds include Homebuyer education and counseling, foreclosure prevention counseling, financial counseling, Mini-Repair services and Landlord Training, among others. We are able to assist hundreds of customers each year with these programs, which in turn leverages local dollars through new homeowners, contractors, and preserving our tax base. 

Many of you are passionate about the communities in which we live and work.  TRIP and RCHR, and hundreds of similar organizations around the state, are deeply committed to helping revitalize, preserve and improve our communties with a variety of services and programs, some of which depend upon state support.

We hope you will call or email your state representatives today in support of the Neighborhood and Rural Presevation and Foreclosure Prevention programs.

Thank you so much for your help,

Your friends at TRIP & RCHR