Proud Ground

HOMEBUYER, HOMEOWNER AND OUTREACH SERVICESCOMMUNITY OUTREACH DELIBERATE RESEARCH AND DIALOGUE RESULTED IN AN OUTREACH STRATEGY THAT HAS INCREASED THE ORGANIZATIONS SERVICE TO COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND STRENGTHENED ITS ABILITY TO UNDERSTAND AND BREAK DOWN BARRIERS FOR THESE HOUSEHOLDS. THE ORGANIZATION USES A COMBINATION OF GRASS ROOTS ACTIVITIES, PARTNERSHIPS, AND OUTREACH STRATEGIES TO REACH UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM AND HOME BUYING OPPORTUNITIES. ALL OUTREACH ACTIVITIES INCORPORATE CULTURALLY-RESPONSIVE MATERIALS AND METHODS, WITH TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETERS PROVIDED TO NON-ENGLISH SPEAKERS.HOME BUYER EDUCATION AND COUNSELING A KEY COMPONENT OF THE ORGANIZATIONS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES IS ITS HUD-APPROVED, EDUCATION AND COUNSELING PROVIDED TO PROSPECTIVE AND ACTIVE HOME BUYERS. HUD AND NEIGHBORWORKS CERTIFIED COUNSELORS ASSIST HOUSEHOLDS WORKING TOWARDS MORTGAGE READINESS THROUGH INDIVIDUAL COACHING AND REFERRAL TOPICS THAT INCLUDE DEBT REDUCTION; IMPROVING CREDIT SCORES; BUDGETING; AND CREATING A SAVINGS PLAN. EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE ALSO PROVIDED IN BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS AND WORKSHOPS.HOMEBUYER CRITERIA ALL OF THE ORGANIZATIONS HOMEBUYERS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND:(1)THE ORGANIZATIONS FREE HOMEOWNERSHIP ORIENTATION CLASS;(2)HOMEBUYING 101 CLASS, AN 8-HOUR EDUCATION CLASS PROVIDED BY A SEPARATE, APPROVED ORGANIZATION.THESE EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS ARE IN ADDITION TO THE REQUIREMENTS THAT HOMEBUYERS MEET INCOME AND OTHER FUNDER-REQUIRED CRITERIA (E.G., FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER STATUS).POST-PURCHASE, HOMEOWNER SUPPORT TO PROMOTE HOMEOWNER STABILITY AND SUCCESS, THE ORGANIZATIONS HOMEOWNERS HAVE ACCESS TO A VARIETY OF RESOURCES. POST-SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDE THE OFFER OF HOME INSPECTIONS BY PROJECT MANAGEMENT STAFF TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HOME MAINTENANCE; IDA MATCHING GRANTS FOR APPROVED HOME REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE PROJECTS AND FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY UPGRADES; HOMEOWNER NEWSLETTERS, SURVEYS, AND WORKSHOPS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR; ASSISTANCE WITH HOME LOAN REFINANCING AND OTHER LENDER-RELATION ISSUES.MEMBERSHIP THE ORGANIZATION IS A MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION. MEMBERSHIP IS OPEN TO ANYONE WHO LIVES OR WORKS IN PROUD GROUNDS SERVICE AREA AND DONATES AT LEAST $25 A YEAR; ALL THE ORGANIZATIONS HOMEOWNERS ARE AUTOMATICALLY MEMBERS. THE ORGANIZATION ISSUES REGULAR NEWSLETTERS AND ONE ANNUAL REPORT TO ALL MEMBERS, STAKEHOLDERS, DONORS, AND FUNDERS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO HOLDS AN ANNUAL MEETING AT WHICH MEMBERS AND OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE RECEIVE AN ORGANIZATIONAL UPDATE AND ELECT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, UNLESS THE ELECTION IS CONDUCTED BY MAIL.RESALE OF HOMES THE ORGANIZATION FACILITATES THE RESALE OF HOMES ON LAND HELD IN TRUST TO NEW ELIGIBLE HOMEOWNERS. FROM 1999 TO 2024, THERE HAVE BEEN ONE HUNDRED TWENTY FOUR (124) SUCH SALES.