| Kroger Community Rewards - Please Renew, or Join! |  |
Each year, participants of the Kroger Community Rewards program must renew their membership. The deadline this year is April 1, so if you have not yet renewed please do so! To renew or join, please go here - it only takes a few minutes, and each time you shop at Kroger you'll be helping CHN and the people we serve. This is how it works once you're signed up:
Each time you shop at Kroger and use your Kroger card (the cashier simply scans it), Kroger will make a donation to CHN! It costs you nothing, and it only takes a moment to sign up. Sign up
Thank you! We appreciate your support.
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| Greetings from the HRC. . .
Dear Supporter,
 Welcome to the March issue of the Housing Assistance Newsletter! We continue to strive to bring you the latest in housing-related information and news by keeping a "pulse" on what is going on in the community. We also like to provide answers to the general public to questions being asked of our Housing Resource Center call staff. |
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March Community Events
March is March into Transition Month!
March into Transition Awareness Month. Three sessions will be held throughout the county as informal opportunities for students and families to hear from and connect with agencies and community partners important in transition planning. These Transition 101 sessions offer opportunities to learn about mental health, vocational rehabilitation, and other community resources that may be helpful in life following the completion of school services. It's never to early to learn and start planning. There are three chances to attend.
All three meetings will start at 6 p.m. and end at 8:30 p.m. at the following locations:
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Oakland Schools Technical Campus Southeast (OSRC-SE)
5055 Delemere Ave.
Royal Oak 48073
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Novi High School Cafeteria/Atrium
24062 Taft Road
Novi 48375
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Oakland Schools
2111 Pontiac Lake Road
Waterford 48328
Each event will provide opportunity to visit agencies and network (6-6:30 p.m.), hear from different agencies about services (6:30- 7 p.m.), and opportunity to visit agencies (7:30-8:30 p.m.).
To register, please visit www.oakland.k12.mi.us. Select "professional development" and then choose the date you would like to attend. If you need registration assistance, please contact Event Management at (248) 209-2500.
These events are sponsored by Oakland County Regional Interagency Consumer Committeee, Oakland Schools and local school Districts, and Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority and service network providers.
Champions for Achievement Celebration
Please consider attending this event sponsored by OCCMHA, Community Living Services and MORC. Join local business owners as they sell their goods and services in honor of March as Developmental Disabilities Month. It will be a showcase of entrepreneurial spirit including: talent, refreshments, and a photo booth.
March 29, 2012
1-4 p.m.
Troy Community Center
3179 Livernois
Troy, MI 48083
When you arrive at the Community Center,
look for the "Banquet Entrance." It is closest to the event. |
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Accounting Aid Society Offers Free Tax Help for Qualifying Oakland and Macomb County Residents!
Do you or someone you know need help with your taxes but you can't afford an accountant? There's help for Oakland and Macomb County residents who meet income eligibility requirements. Some of the things the Accounting Aid Society can assist you with are:
- Preparing your Federal, State and City returns;
- Assisting you with a Home Heating Credit (if eligible);
- Determining if you are eligible for Property Tax Credit or a Renter's Rebate; and
- E-filing your taxes and getting them direct deposited to your savings or checking account.
Income eligibility requirements are: $25,000 gross annual income for individuals and $50,000 or less for families or married couples (or more than one person in the household).
Call (313) 556-1920 or toll-free at (866) 673-0873 or visit www.accountingaidsociety.org for details and locations. There are offices and temporary locations will be set up throughout Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties in the upcoming months.
Note: You will need to bring important information with you, so be sure to visit the website or call for details.
The Accounting Aid Society, endorsed by United Way for Southwestern Michigan, is graciously donating their time and talents to ensure that people who qualify get as much as possible from their tax returns. Take advantage of this great opportunity this year and spread the news to a friend or family member! |
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Community Housing Network and OLHSA Announce NSP (Neighborhood Stabilization Program) in Unity Park
As a reaction to the current real estate values and unprecedented low interest rates, there has been a federal investment initiative in the revitalization of Pontiac. This response has resulted in the creation of a unique homeownership opportunity. The federally funded Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) affords low- and moderate-income households the opportunity to own a brand new, high-end home at a rate less than they may currently be paying for rent.
Targeting the Unity Park area of Pontiac, NSP is positioning itself to be a key player in the revitalization of the city. The reach of NSP in not only designed for home buyers, but encompasses an initiative encouraging the growth of local economy and educating the community on successful homeownership and investment.
Community Housing Network, along with OLHSA, has collaborated to bring this project to life! It is our goal to assist qualified home buyers with an exciting opportunity to own one of our 12 homes. Qualifying home buyers must be between 50%-120% of the Oakland County Area Median Income (AMI), and complete an 8-hour Homebuyer Education Counseling Course. The first of these homes are being completed and will be available for immediate occupancy, pending mortgage qualification. For further program guidelines or informatio non purchasing any of the newly constructed homes, please contact Soyini Cowan-Chambers at (248) 269-1349 or by email at NSPSales@chninc.net |
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FREE Foreclosure Prevention Counseling
Community Housing Network (CHN), together with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), offers FREE Foreclosure Prevention Counseling.
Contact Community Housing Network right away if you:
- Are struggling with your current mortgage payments;
- Have fallen behind on your mortgage payments;
- Received a letter stating you have 14 days to contact your lender and a housing counselor;
- Received a "demand letter" from your lender; or
- Have been served a foreclosure or sheriff's sale notice.
We can help you!
Foreclosure prevention services provided by CHN are FREE! Our trained and certified counselors will assess your current situaiton, discuss your options, and help you create a plan and communicate with your lender.
For additional information, please contact Paul Sanford, AmeriCorps foreclosure intake specialist, at (248) 928-0111 or by email at pstanford@chninc.net or visit the Mortgage Foreclosre Prevention Program website to begin our secure online registration process. |
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Think Green!
Planting Your Own $$ Tree
Community Housing Network is pleased to announce FREE Financial Education classes.
The Core Training (3-4 hour class) will cover:
- Financial capability
- Healthy home
- Budget and spending plan
- Credit
- Money management
- Consumer protection
- Banking basics
- Debt reduction and saving
- Insurance planning
Sessions will be held at CHN's Troy office located at 570 Kirts Blvd, Suite 231, Troy MI 48084 on the following dates and times:
- Saturday, March 17: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Monday, March 26: 5-8 p.m.
For reservations, please contact Soyini Cowan Chambers, housing counselor, at (248) 269-1349 or by email at scowan-chambers@chninc.net |
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Rent Readiness Workshop
Community Housing Network invites you to attend our pre-housing workshops, where we will cover topics such as:
- Why tenancies fail
- Dealing with debt and living on a low income
- Resident rights and responsibilities
- Making changes and identifying supports
- What is the Leasing Assistance Program (LAP)?
- What are the requirements of the LAP?
- Maintaining sobriety
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The following dates for Macomb County
1-4 p.m.
- March 19
- April 23
- May 5
- June 18
The above workshops will be held at the Hope Center, at 33222 Groesbeck Highway, Fraser MI 48026 (between 14 and 15 Mile on the east side of Groesbeck Highway).
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The following dates for Oakland County
1-4 p.m.
The above workshops will be held at the Pontiac Public Library, at 60 East Pike St., Pontiac MI 48342 (on the southwest corner of Woodward and East Pike).
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To register for any of the above workshops, please contact: Ben Tate at (248) 269-1305. If you receive Ben's voicemail, please leave your name and number and you will be automatically registered. |
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Working with Continuum of Care Bodies Grant
Upcoming Orientations
Community Housing Network's Working With Continuum of Care (CoC) Bodies program launched in March. The program, funded by a grant through the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council, is designed to educate and raise public awareness about the positive effects of full inclusion within the Continuums of Care for people with developmental disabilities and the people who provide them support.
Are you wondering why there are not enough affordable housing options in your neighborhood?
Would you like to have a voice, ensuring that greater housing choices for people with developmental disabilities are included in future housing funding?
Our Working with Continuum of Care Bodies program can help you to advocate for affordable housing and resources in your community!
Join us at our Working with CoC Bodies workshops!
March 7, 2012
10-11:30 a.m.
Goodwill/CIL
15515 South Dixie Highway
Monroe MI 48161
March 8, 2012
1:30-3:30 p.m.
Community Housing Network
570 Kirts Blvd, Suite 231
Troy MI 48084
March 27, 2012
10 a.m.- Noon
Adult Well Being Services
21555 McNichols Road
Detroit MI 48219
March 28, 2012
1-3 p.m
Community Living Services
35425 Michigan Avenue W
Wayne MI 48184
Refreshments will be served.
(More workshops to be scheduled).
If you are interested in learning more, or attending workshops, please contact Juanita Harper at (248) 269-1343 ot by email at jharper@chninc.net or Yvette Thomas at (248) 269-1326 or by email at ythomas@chninc.net. |
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Community Housing Network continues with the Getting My Own Address overview across Oakland County, in cooperation with Oakland County School Districts:
Getting My Own Address
for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other Developmental Disabilities
This overview presentation will introduce many options, choices and decisions that are involved in long term housing planning. A NEW easy-to-read, yet comprehensive, guide was created through collaboration with housing professionals, service providers, schools, parent advisors and nonprofits. This tool can be used by families and individuals to navigate the housing process with the help of housing professionals. Worksheets and internet links are provided to enhance an individual's participation and promote successful implementation.
Access the entire 294-page guide for FREE at http://www.communityhousingnetwork.org/GMOA
For more information on the project, as well as upcoming dates for workshops, please go here.
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Getting My Own Address Support Group
Oakland County Chapter
Now with 2 locations!
Are you or a family member looking to get your own address in the near future? Individuals interested in this move, their family, parents and social workers are meeting once a month to discuss the housing opportunities for people with disabilities. Often people need a large support system to acquire community inclusion and keep independence.
Thanks to parent, advocate, and special director for Huron Valley Schools Julie Conn, we are delighted to announce that there are now two GMOA support groups! Due to increased requests for a second location to be added to the western area of Oakland County, our grand opening of the West Side GMOA support group will be on Thursday, April 12, at 6 p.m. at the Apollo Center, located at 2029 N. Milford Road Highland, MI 48357.
The Troy GMOA support group will meet Tuesday, March 20, at 6 p.m. at Community Housing Network's office at 570 Kirts Blvd, Suite 231, Troy, MI 48084. Our guest speaker will be Candace Cranston, MORC supervisor social worker/supports coordinator. Topics this month will include roommates, special needs trusts, and how to select a direct service.
If you have questions pertaining to these topics or would like to see other subjects related to transition planning added to a future meeting, please email them in advance to Chuck Bratton. |
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Homeownership Classes Now Available!
 Did you know that Community Housing Network offers FREE Homeownership Counseling Classes? If you are interested in learning about homeownership, this class may be for you! Classes are ongoing and are held at our offices in Troy and Wayne, MI. Participants will learn about a number of topics related to homeownership including: budgeting and saving for a home; determining buyer readiness; the loan process; predatory lending; down payment assistance; choosing a home; homeowner responsibilities; home maintenance and more. Classes are appropriate for anyone interested in buying a home, including those just beginning to consider homeownership, as well as those further along in the homeownership process. Completion of the class fulfills certain requirements of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Homeownership Loan Program, although participants do not have to be MSHDA loan applicants in order to take the class. Homeownership Counseling Classes are open to everyone at no cost to participants. To learn more or to sign up for a class at our Troy location, contact Linda Velandra at (248) 269-1315 or by email at lvelandra@chninc.net. |
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Send us your questions
At the Housing Resource Center, we strive to assist individuals, families, and service providers with identifying housing to meet the unique preference and needs of each person. We are constantly updating our housing database as new resources, services and programs become available. We hope this newsletter will provide another opportunity to reach people interested in housing resources and assistance. If you have a question, chances are it is on another person's mind as well. Please feel free to submit your questions to the HRC Department for a response and possible inclusion in our newsletter. We look forward to your contributions! |
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| We'd love to hear from you! To contact us, please call (248) 928-0111. For media inquiries, or for suggestions regarding this e-newsletter, please call the above number or email mghewitt@chninc.net. Visit our website at www.communityhousingnetwork.org. Thank you! |
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