FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Jesse Van Tol (202) 464-2709
jvantol@ncrc.org for NCRC
Dan Peoples (858) 552-1456
dan@fmassociates.com for NRT
In celebration of Fair Housing month, community groups will receive demonstration grants to further fair housing goals
Washington, D.C., and Parsippany, N.J. (April 30, 2009) – The National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC), a coalition of community groups devoted to expanding financial access, and NRT LLC, the nation’s largest residential real estate brokerage, today announced the award of nine local grants to fund community partnerships and initiatives that celebrate neighborhood diversity and promote equal housing opportunity. The program provides demonstration grants in support of community-based fair housing initiatives across the country.
“NRT’s support of innovative fair housing initiatives efforts is a celebration of equal housing opportunity, and positions NRT as a leader in the industry. Fair housing should be a cornerstone principle of America’s real estate market, so that all consumers may live in the neighborhoods of their choice,” said John Taylor, president and chief executive officer of NCRC.
The nine demonstration grants were awarded to community-based organizations in California, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts and Virginia that are NCRC members and dedicated to creating public- and private-sector partnerships and programs that promote racial and cultural equality, opportunity and diversity.
“NRT and NCRC share the commitment that championing fair housing best-practices not only strengthens communities, it also makes good business sense,” said Bruce Zipf, president & CEO of NRT. “Homebuyers should expect to receive equal professional service from their real estate sales associates so that they may live in the neighborhoods of their choice.”
The nine demonstration grants will support local organizations to expand and enhance successful fair housing initiatives. The initiatives are:
Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston
The Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston will receive funding to expand its Race and Place project, a dialogue series to discuss the impact of race on housing patterns. The conversation will tie local history to current research to unveil larger fair housing issues. The grant will also make it possible for the Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston to work collaboratively with local realtors and community groups to advance fair housing efforts.
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Community Housing Development Corporation
The Community Housing Development Corporation (CHDC) will work collaboratively with residents and real estate professionals to promote sustainable homeownership. CHDC will expand its outreach to those who need housing counseling in West Contra Costa County, California. CHDC focuses on underserved populations, and the grant will enhance its efforts to increase community understanding of the disproportionate impact of the national housing crisis on low- to moderate-income and minority communities.
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Mabuhay Alliance, Inc.
Mabuhay Alliance will use grant funds to expand its fair housing and housing counseling outreach to minority communities, particularly Asian Americans. Funds will support Mabuhay Alliance’s Foreclosure Intervention Program and Clinic, and its First-Time Homebuyer’s Program. Mabuhay Alliance is a statewide organization based in San Diego that provides fair housing education and technical assistance to various groups, including low- to moderate-income individuals, minorities, and faith-based organizations.
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Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, Inc.
Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, Inc. (ANDP) will receive funds to support its Foreclosure Property Tax Initiative, which helps eliminate barriers to fair housing choice by addressing tax disparities. The initiative encourages reinvestment in struggling neighborhoods by working with county tax assessors and residents to promote equitable property tax assessments. ANDP has worked to create safe, quality and affordable housing in the metropolitan Atlanta region since 1991. Its accomplishments include creating/supporting the development of 8000 units of affordable/mixed housing in Atlanta and establishing a $11 million loan fund, which has made loans to affordable housing developers for projects that have a combined value of more than $190 million.
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California Coalition for Rural Housing
The grant will support the efforts of the California Coalition for Rural Housing (CCRH) to launch an Individual Development Account (IDA) program in partnership with the California Rural Asset Development Network. CCRH will hold community outreach meetings and provide bilingual materials about the benefits and obligations of IDAs. The demonstration grant will enhance CCRH’s work over the past 30 years to mobilize and help low-income households in rural areas of California achieve homeownership.
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Fair Housing Council of San Diego
The Fair Housing Council of San Diego will use grant funding to support Unity Fest 2009, a community event designed to address local fair housing issues. Unity Fest will focus on increasing public awareness about fair housing and hate crimes in housing, particularly among area youth. The event will provide fair housing outreach and education through multi-cultural arts and dance that reflect and celebrate San Diego diversity and talent.
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Community Law Center
The Community Law Center (CLC) has received grant support for its Housing Revitalization and Policy program. Demonstration grant funds will allow CLC to expand its foreclosure prevention research and bolster its foreclosure prevention efforts in Baltimore, Prince George’s County and other areas of Maryland. CLC has partnered with community groups and non-profits for over 20 years to provide legal services and technical assistance to strengthen neighborhoods.
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Housing Rights, Inc.
Housing Rights, Inc. (HRI) has received funding for a series of fair housing festivals. The festivals will educate participants about fair housing issues and address foreclosure prevention. In addition, the festivals will focus on the immigrant communities of the Monument Corridor community of Concord, California. HRI has served the area since 1977, and will partner with local schools, government agencies and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in this effort.
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Global One Development Center
Global One Development Center (“GODC”) will use grant funding to support its efforts to facilitate access to homeownership among disadvantaged populations, including the elderly and veterans, in Los Angeles. GODC offers financial literacy programs, housing counseling and foreclosure prevention workshops. GODC will expand its community outreach and help potential first-time home buyers and those in danger of foreclosure.
About The National Community Reinvestment Coalition
The National Community Reinvestment Coalition is an association of more than 600 community-based institutions that promote access to basic banking services, including credit and savings, to create and sustain affordable housing, job development and vibrant communities for America’s working families.
About NRT LLC
NRT is the nation’s largest residential real estate brokerage firm. NRT owns and operates companies in more than 35 major metropolitan areas, with approximately 800 offices and 48,000 sales associates. NRT is the subsidiary of Realogy Corporation that operates its company-owned real estate brokerage offices under Realogy’s world renowned brands of Coldwell Banker®, Coldwell Banker Commercial®, ERA® and Sotheby’s International Realty® as well as local and regional brands of The Corcoran Group® and CitiHabitats.
