Your monthly news & updates
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All of us here at HHQ wish you Happy Holidays and a safe and Happy New Year!
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A Neighborhood Foreclosure Gets New Life
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The Dublin Arms, an almost 9,000 square foot mixed use building in Syracuse's Tipperary Hill neighborhood, had seen its share of lackluster owners, commercial and tenant vacancies and neighborhood complaints. When the building went into foreclosure, Home HeadQuarters purchased it with the plan to rehab the building and put it back into productive use. The property is part of our Benevolent Development efforts, a city-wide initiative supported by the Allyn Family Foundation, CenterState CEO, City of Syracuse and Empire State Development – focused on developing affordable commercial spaces for neighborhood entrepreneurs. This project also got financial support from NeighborWorks America’s Project Reinvest for both the renovation of the commercial and residential units. To date, only one of four residential spaces and two of the commercial spaces are still available. For information on rentals or leasing, contact Mary Jo at (315) 474-1939 or
maryr@homehq.org.
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The Inaugural Commercial Tenant
When Peter Kirk was renting in Tipp Hill right after college, he didn't imagine that he would one day be putting the finishing touches on his own storefront. Last month he did just that by officially opening the first bricks and mortar doors to
Kirkwork
, a 5-year old custom software development and IT consulting company. The business owner and founder is excited about all the potential he sees in the building his business calls home, especially about the rumored coffee and sandwich shop slated to open next year. For now, Peter and his employee David, are getting to know their westside neighborhood and their neighbors should they walk in their front door.
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Start Home Improvement Projects Now!
While you might think this isn't the best time to get started on those home improvement projects, the cold months can be the perfect time to get things underway. Home improvement contractors, who are too busy to return a phone call in June and September, have the time to come out during this time of year and offer quotes and discuss jobs. It's also a good time to research financing options and see what you can qualify for and what paperwork is needed. Best of all, if you're doing outside work on your home, you've secured the previous year's pricing while being one of the first in line in the spring to get your project done.
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Say NO to Holiday Loans: Build Your Credit Instead
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Have little to no credit and are trying to figure out how to pay for holiday presents? Instead of taking out a high interest loan from an unfamiliar business, sign up for a Credit Builder Credit Card with Cooperative Federal and
Home HeadQuarters.
For $65 you get membership at
Cooperative Federal
, a minimum balance savings account and $300 in secured, revolving credit. Most importantly, by signing up for the Credit Builder program, you can take advantage of expert credit and financial counseling that puts you on a lifetime good credit path.
If interested in finding out more or want to get started, contact Jenna McClave at the HomeOwnership Center at Home HeadQuarters at
jennam@homehq.org
or by calling (315) 474-1939.
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Welcome New HHQ Board Members
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Please help us welcome new Home HeadQuarters Board of Director members
Syeisha Byrd
(pictured left/first) and
Ayesha Eversley
. Ms. Byrd serves as the Director of Engagement Programs of Hendricks Chapel at Syracuse University and serves on many community boards and initiatives. Ms. Byrd is a HHQ HomeBuyer Education graduate and resides on Syracuse's Northside. Ms. Eversley, originally from Trinidad and Tobago, purchased a Landbank home with HHQ's help and lives with her husband and two children on Syracuse's Southside. Ms. Eversley is working on her degree in Social Work, is a volunteer tax preparer for P.E.A.C.E. and is an accomplished baker. Both new directors will serve as Resident Sector Members of the Board.
For a complete list of Home HeadQuarters' Board of Directors, visit
here
.
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ATTENTION CONTRACTORS: Get Your RRP Training and FIRM Certification
Home HeadQuarters is offering funding to contractors and landlords for RRP Training and FIRM Certification. RRP Training and FIRM Certification provides contractors and landlords with the expertise and required certification to address lead painted surfaces in properties built before 1978.
The EPA Renovator Initial training is an eight-hour class and exam to comply with
EPA's Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule
. This class includes information on regulations, lead safe work practices, cleaning and record keeping. After passing the exam at the end of the eight-hour training, participants will receive a five-year RRP Certificate in their name.
Once a contractor or landlord has completed the EPA Renovator Initial training, they can apply for EPA's lead-safe FIRM certification. The RRP Rule requires the EPA Renovator Initial training and the EPA FIRM certificate to any contractor or landlord working on properties built before 1978. Funding for contractors and landlords who are already certified to complete refresher training or renew their FIRM certification is also available.
This funding is being deployed by Home HeadQuarters and is provided by the Central New York Community Foundation from the
LeadSafeCNY Initiative
.
Contact Katie Bronson at (315) 474-1939 or
katieb@homehq.org
for more information or to sign up!
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Ted Riverso: The Eternal Volunteer
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Solvay Bank's
Ted Riverso
has served on Home HeadQuarters' Board Loan Committee for more than 22 years helping to approve HHQ financing for families that fall outside of established loan criteria. But the Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager for the bank's State Tower Branch has given his last vote this month with his announced retirement after three decades in banking.
All of us at HHQ thank Ted, pictured in the grey t-shirt with his Solvay Bank Block Blitz team, for all his years of service to our mission of helping Central New York home owners and wish him only the best. We also told him that retiring does NOT preclude him from being a yearly Block Blitz volunteer!
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New Homeowner Rethinks Furniture
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Athan, who will be turning three in a few months, is a happy new homeowner on Syracuse's Near Westside. He officially moved into his newly constructed and super energy efficient home built by HHQ this week and thinks his parents made a pretty good decision. Athan did however, express some concern about the impending holiday and if his new address would be on Santa's list.
Once he was assured on present deliveries, he moved on to the next order of business which was to show everyone how fun it was to run from room to room when there was no furniture blocking the way.
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