Shaheen Announces Grants for Housing Counseling Programs

Statement

New Hampshire groups that provide critical assistance for families facing foreclosure have been awarded grants though the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen announced today.

The grants are part of The Housing Counseling Assistance Program, which provides counseling to consumers on seeking, financing, maintaining, renting, or owning a home.

"Middle class families in New Hampshire have faced unprecedented hardships in this housing crisis. The assistance these groups provide is crucial to helping families stay in their homes and stabilizing the housing market. Even in this difficult economy, no one should have to choose between putting food on their table or a roof over their head. I am glad to support programs that support hard-working New Hampshire families," Shaheen said.

The following groups received grants:

* Affordable Housing, Education and Development, Inc. (AHEAD) in Littleton, NH received $40,407.86
* Concord Area Trust for Community Housing (CATCH) in Concord, NH received $38,000.00
* Granite State Independent Living (GSIL) in Concord, NH received $43,849.23
* Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Nashua (NHSGN) in Nashua, NH received $35,000.00
* Neighborworks @ Greater Manchester (NWGM) in Manchester, NH received $38,932.99
* New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NHHFA) in Bedford, NH received $108,294.00

The organizations were grateful for the grants, which they said would be critical to continuing their mission.

"The success of CATCH's Home Buyer and Financial Success Center is a direct reflection of the incredible support that we receive from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, for which we are truly grateful," said Rosemary Heard, President of CATCH.

"We are very pleased to receive these funds to support the pre- and post-purchase housing counseling efforts of New Hampshire Housing and our community partners. These counseling programs help low- and moderate-income borrowers to become and remain successful home owners," said Dean J. Christon, Executive Director of New Hampshire Housing.

"NeighborWorks Greater Manchester is pleased to have HUD's support to continue providing housing counseling services. So many people are in need of our services, not only to purchase a home, but to stay in their home as well," said Robert Tourigny, Executive Director of NeighborWorks Greater Manchester.

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