Your Intermittent News & Updates |
|
We're Still (and continue to be) Open! |
|
We know all this (gestures at everything) can be a little confusing and overwhelming, but we wanted you to know that HHQ is open and serving customers throughout Central New York. While we are asking everyone to make an appointment if they'd like to see a member of our staff, we are processing loan and grant applications, providing Home Buyer Education, building new homes and apartments and more.
Most loan applications are on our website at www.homehq.org. Have a question? You can always reach us by email at info@homehq.org or phone at (315) 474-1939.
|
|
HHQ Resident-Led Team puts Plan into Action |
|
Last October, a resident-led team of people, some from Home HeadQuarters' Board Residents Committee, and almost all, residents of the city of Syracuse, went to Chicago as part of Home HeadQuarters' team for NeighborWorks America's Community Leadership Institute. The team put together an action plan to kick off a community focused project of their design that ultimately won a grant from NeighborWorks America to help get things started.
This month, the group held its first team meeting virtually via Zoom! Ten volunteers, ages 12-18, also joined in and will spend the next four weeks brainstorming ideas of what they would like to see in Syracuse--designed by them and for them. Over this initial Zoom meeting, the pre-teens and teens identified things they liked and disliked about Syracuse and discussed activities that they would like to see made available to them and for generations to come. They are now charged with the duty to plan out the basic steps of creating a safe, fun and educating space for youth their age here in Syracuse. Some of the great ideas discussed so far: help center, teen center run by teens, roller skating rink, arcade, rock climbing, café/snack shop. Stay tuned for a final project presentation brimming with teen enthusiasm!
|
|
Southside - Sankofa District 1% Loan Program |
|
Loans of up to $10,000 will soon be available to homeowners who live within the Sankofa District on Syracuse's Southside. The 1% Loans can finance any exterior home improvement and there are no income eligibility requirements. Applications will be available here beginning August 15. Funding for this program is extremely limited, so we suggest getting your completed applications in as soon as you can. Questions? Contact us at info@homehq.org or (315) 474-1939.
|
|
Foreclosure Lunch & Learn on Facebook Live - 8/18 |
|
Cayuga Senior Housing Begins Major Renovation |
|
Three years in the making, Cayuga Developments (an HHQ affiliate) has finally closed on financing from NYS Homes and Community Renewal to complete its $2.1 million renovation project on Salato Gardens in Cayuga, New York.
The project, with General Contractor Two Plus Four Construction, looks to renovate building exteriors including patios and balconies, upgrade interiors including painting, new flooring and some new appliances and improve exterior parking lots and sidewalks throughout the 24 rental unit, three building site. Renovations will also include reducing the site's energy usage by 20% by installing heat pumps and new hot water tanks. Other project funders include FHLB-NY (bank sponsor Generations Bank) and NYSERDA’s Multi-Family Program.
|
|
The State of the Block Blitz
Well, while things are looking pretty safe in Upstate New York at the moment, we are certainly in no position to hang out and work up a sweat with 300+ of our closest friends, co-workers and neighbors.
While distancing and mask wearing might help in some circumstances, we don't know how it would work when 15 volunteers want to paint the same porch, together! It seems that our beloved Block Blitz event, which usually ages HHQ staff (and probably most city department staff as well--we know you'll miss us, Parks & DPW!!!) by about 40 years in one day, is not to be in 2020. Most of our key Block Blitz supporters aren’t allowed to volunteer, contractors who volunteer weeks in advance are too far behind schedule from the earlier shut down and construction and planting supplies are in short supply.
We will miss everyone’s good intentions, shaky painting skills, poor choices of footwear and proud corporate attire, but we’re officially calling it and saying, “see you next year!”
If you've supported the Block Blitz in the past and find that you can again even without an event this year, please donate so we can continue to serve the folks that need us this year and next! If you're feeling nostalgic and would like to look at photos from last year, visit our Block Blitz page here.
Thank you and we'll miss you!!!!
|
|
Westside Apartments for Rent - New Construction |
|
Brand new construction! The first of our 3-bedroom apartments as part of the Syracuse Westside Apartment project are now complete. Apartments feature off-street parking, private entrances, in-apartment laundry and all new appliances. Utilities are included in these units. No pets, no smoking.
Rent: Starting at $1033/month, utilities included. ***Income restrictions apply***
|
|
HomeOwnership Center
Educating & Counseling From Every Direction
|
|
Every year, Home HeadQuarters HomeOwnership Center staff usually sees 800-1000 people through its doors for HomeBuyer Education and housing/financial counseling. So on March 17, when we all had to close our doors, we were curious about the impact to our usually busy in-person classes. From shut down to August 1, more than 440 people have taken HHQ's ehome version of the class in anticipation of purchasing a home within the year. This week staff kicked off a "Live & Local" version of the class via Zoom that will run each month on Tuesday and Thursday mornings featuring local lenders, realtors, home inspectors and more. If interested in signing up for the 8-hour course or just want to learn more, visit our website at: https://www.homehq.org/education-and-counseling.
|
|
BeeKind Syracuse, a locally-sustainable soy candle maker (check them out at www.beekindsyracuse.com), won an amazing prize from us for guessing the location of this photo we posted on Instagram. They may have had an in on that guess, but we'll save that information for another newsletter. Beekind to one another!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
