Executive Fiala Introduces New Housing Partnership
BINGHAMTON, NY - Broome County Executive Barbara J. Fiala was joined by Opportunities for Broome and Opportunities for Chenango representatives to announce an important and exciting new partnership at a news conference held Wednesday, October 12th.
The partnership will be the first time these two organizations have teamed up for the purpose of helping struggling families fulfill their dreams of owning their own homes.
"This is a unique partnership and it demonstrates what can be done when people and organizations look beyond borders for the common good," said Barbara Fiala, Broome County Executive. "In today's economy, owning a home is not an easy thing to do and hopefully through this partnership and expanded effort, local families will find the process of owning their homes not as difficult as they first thought."
Opportunities for Chenango's Quaranta Home Ownership and Housing Services Center and Opportunities for Broome's Affordable Housing Services Program have formed a partnership to provide Home Ownership Opportunities to residents of Broome and Chenango Counties.
Opportunities for Chenango is applying for a NeighborWorks American Grant to expand homeownership opportunities to residents of Broome, Otsego, and Madison Counties. OFB is the first Community Action Agency in the region to agree to a formal Partnership Agreement with Opportunities for Chenango.
This new Regional Partnership will provide residents of Broome County who want to purchase a home with an opportunity to participate in Quaranta's First Time Homebuyer Program. This program provides people with Financial Fitness and Homebuyer Education seminars, Housing Rehabilitation and Weatherization services, as well as access to their Revolving Loan funds. Quaranta also helps potential homebuyers with USDA 502 and 504 Loan and Grant applications. The Partnership plans to open a new homeownership center in Binghamton in late 2006.
Beverly Glen, executive Director of Opportunities for Chenango said: "We are so pleased to be able to share our expertise and all the resources of NeighborWork America and the Quaranta Home Ownership and Housing Services Center with our colleagues at Opportunities for Broome and their customers. We look forward to working with them to increase home ownership opportunities for low and moderate income families."
Timothy M. Grippen, Executive Director of Opportunities for Broome said: "This partnership will help low and moderate income families achieve the American Dream of homeownership. We are also very pleased to be a part of this new regional approach to providing housing services.
Wayne Viera, the CEO of Opportunities for Chenango's Quaranta Homeownership and Housing Services said: "The staffs at both Opportunities for Chenango and Opportunities for Broome have been working hard to make this partnership a reality. We are excited to be working together as Community Action agencies and neighbors. We know this partnership will have a positive impact on both communities."
Opportunities for Broome and Opportunities for Chenango's Quaranta Home Ownership and Housing Services staff will have an exhibit at the USDA's Rural Development Homeownership event on Saturday, October 15th at the American Civic Association on Front Street in Binghamton. The event will run from 9am until 12pm.
For further information contact: Tim Grippen at OFB 607.723.6493 or call Opportunities for Chenango at 607.336.2101 and ask for Patrick O'Rourke, ext.125 or Karen Glasbergen, ext.115.
CONTACT:
Darcy Fauci, Executive Assistant
office: 607.778.3949
email: dfauci@co.broome.ny.us
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