Today, Congressman Pete Visclosky announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded grants to the Hammond Housing Authority and Housing Opportunities, Inc. The grants, provided by the Housing Counseling Program, are designed to expand homeownership opportunities and improve access to affordable housing.
According to Compliance/Housing Choice Voucher Program Director Michelle Seljan, the Hammond Housing Authority will use the grant to provide housing counseling services for prospective homeowners and those seeking advice with managing their home’s financing. Seljan said, “We will use the grant funding to continue our successful housing counseling program. The Housing Counselor provides homebuyer education before and after the home is purchased, budget counseling, referral information, and foreclosure intervention. Our goal is to help people become homebuyers for the first time or remain homeowners after they buy a house.”
Housing Opportunities, Inc., CEO Caroline Shook said, “Housing Opportunities is very excited to receive this funding so that we can continue to serve the community with their housing issues.” Last year, Housing Opportunities, Inc., assisted hundreds of clients with pre- and post-purchase education classes, pre- and post-purchase one-on-one counseling, reverse mortgage counseling, and foreclosure prevention.
Congressman Visclosky said, “These programs are vital to helping individuals at all stages of home ownership navigate today’s complicated and often confusing housing market. These resources help consumers make informed decisions regarding this most personal and essential need, and I am very pleased to hear that these organizations have been funded under this grant.”
The Hammond Housing Authority will receive $19,141, and Housing Opportunities, Inc., will receive $22,690.