The Housing Counseling Agencies That Support NSP
 The Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) of Lee County has proven to be one of the most successful programs in Florida, with 160 beautifully renovated NSP homes sold to buyers who have gone through the NSP Process.
In this issue, we'd like to introduce you to the two housing counseling agencies responsible for helping buyers to prepare for home ownership through NSP. These agencies are: The Home Ownership Resource Center (HORC) and Lee County Housing Development Corporation (LCHDC).
As an important reminder, the NSP of Lee County is not accepting new applications at this time because of the large pool of NSP applicants currently within our system. |
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Home Ownership Resource Center
 Home Ownership Resource Center, HUD-approved, 501(c)3, was formed in 1999 by representatives from various Lee County entities involved in the affordable housing arena. Its original mission was threefold: (1) provide education and counseling to all residents of Lee County; (2) provide specific guidance to homeowners of older homes and to persons who wanted to buy older homes with renovation and financing options; and (3) work with civic groups to improve and upgrade specific neighborhoods through targeted renovations, new infill housing, improved code enforcement and infrastructure enhancements.
Nearly two decades later, our mission is basically the same. Since 2008 when the real estate bubble burst, HORC has placed a greater emphasis on foreclosure prevention/intervention counseling and education. The Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) serves an average of 156 families per year by providing budget and credit counseling, homebuyer education training, and assistance with pre-qualification for their mortgage loans. In addition, the Home Ownership Resource Center also provides assistance in areas of foreclosure prevention (Hardest Hit), budget and credit counseling, pre-purchase homebuyer education training, and post purchase home maintenance training to another 450 families per year.
NSP staff provides clients step-by-step guidance through the home buying process. Clients are provided face-to-face meetings to review the overall program criteria and to determine if they meet income guidelines and other program requirements. Clients that are unable to obtain mortgage loan approval because of insufficient credit are provided "hands on" budget and credit counseling to assist them in improving their credit scores. Once approved, staff will carefully search for homes that fit within the price range of our clients. And, it doesn't stop there; staff will follow up with clients after they've purchased the home to assist them through the transition to homeownership, including assistance with the filing of their homestead exemption, as needed.
We are proud of our work product, the quality of our workmanship and service. HORC has a team of experienced professionals who diligently assess the needs of its clients, the community, and Lee County, at large, and prudently administer services within the parameters of our programs and regulators. Moreover, in this age of high-speed technology, many of our competitors use social media and other electronic devices to get their job done. Since we are in the business of social services and we serve on the side of humanity, we prefer the "human touch." HORC's philosophy favors face-to-face counseling with our clients, as it works best for all stakeholders. HORC's goal is to educate, educate, educate clients to ensure that, where possible, existing homeowners can stay in their homes and new homeowners are prepared for long-term home ownership. |
Lee County Housing Development Corporation
 Lee County Housing Development Corporation (LCHDC) was incorporated in 1991 as a non-profit organization with the mission of creating and providing affordable housing, counseling and education services for low to moderate income families in Lee County. Lee County HDC received final 501(c)3 status in 1992 and has been in continuous operation since. Lee County HDC has assisted over 350 families with the purchase of a home and has provided formal homeowner training to over 1,300 families. Lee County HDC is a HUD-certified housing agency.
Lee County HDC is also working in partnership with Lee County's Department of Human Services as a facilitator to get income-qualified clients approved to purchase NSP homes and rental properties. Lee County HDC provides foreclosure counseling and has a contract with Lee County to provide limited assistance to help families bring their mortgages current if they have a hardship that has since been resolved. Lee County HDC is also working in conjunction with the City of Fort Myers as a sub recipient for the Neighborhood Stabilization Rental Program to create permanent rental housing units for very low to moderate income households. In addition, Lee County HDC is working in conjunction with Florida Housing Finance as an advisor agency for the Hardest Hit program.
Lee County HDC provides pre-purchase, post purchase, financial literacy, rental housing counseling, including credit rebuilding, debt management, mortgage qualification, homebuyer education and foreclosure prevention counseling services. Lee County and South Florida will be impacted and the services are also provided to our military veterans.
Lee County Housing Development Corporation is managed by a nine-member Board of Directors, three which represent communities in which Lee County HDC has developed housing. The remaining six members include individuals with expertise in banking, building and development, civil engineering, accounting, clergy, attorney and non-profit management. All board members are extremely active in the community. |
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NSP Statistics
(September, 2013)
188
Homes Acquired
for NSP Program
160
NSP Homes Sold
to Lee County
Homebuyers
0
NSP Homes Under Purchase Contract |
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View & Download
NSP Brochures
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Buyer
Testimonials
"Our home-buying process was absolutely amazing. Everyone was very helpful. We are very happy that all rehabilitation is completed - there is no extra work needed. Our home looks beautiful."
[NSP Homebuyer]
Read more |
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NSP is not limited to low income earners.
Based on the new 2013
HUD income guidelines, a four-person household can earn up to $67,560 annually and still qualify for a NSP home.
Be sure to check the NSP eligibility criteria for current
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Lee County Housing Development Corporation
Home Ownership Resource Center
2915 Colonial Blvd.
Suite 200
Fort Myers, FL 33966
ww.horcswfl.org
(239) 673-9192
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Are you interested in receiving periodic updates
about the progress of the NSP program?
We appreciate your help with community outreach for NSP.
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