CITY OF ATLANTIC CITY
*PRESS RELEASE *
FOR IMMEDATE RELEASE: November 9, 2015
Contact: Elizabeth Terenik, Director of Planning and Development
Phone 609-347-5404
Atlantic City Offers Information on Grants to Home Buyers
Topic is the Subject of November 18th Noon Time Talk with the Planning Department
Atlantic City - As part of an ongoing effort to foster homeownership, the City of Atlantic City is sponsoring a public information session on the many funding programs available to home buyers. Representatives from local homebuyer assistance programs, housing counseling agencies and mortgage companies will present their programs. In addition, a representative of each of the City’s diverse neighborhoods will speak about the character and assets of their community.
The event will be Wednesday, November 18th at noon in City Council Chambers (2nd floor of City Hall) located at 1301 Bacharach Boulevard. This will be the 16th monthly Noon Time Talk, a public forum intended to cultivate a dialogue and common vision about the future development of the City.
Mayor Don Guardian stated “The City has been working to increase demand in the housing market by investing in infrastructure, attracting commercial development and jobs, improving parks and playgrounds, paving streets, and other actions to improve the quality of life for existing and new residents.” The effort is paying off. Donna Harris, of the City’s Community Development office, has seen a significant increase in applications for homeownership grants by young couples, new police officers and teachers, and others that are taking advantage of reasonably priced housing in the City. The City’s program offers $20,000 down payment assistance for households that income-qualify.
“The City recognizes home ownership is not just about making a mortgage payment” states Planning and Development Director Elizabeth Terenik. “Our approach is more comprehensive and includes credit counseling, education regarding home ownership, and other incentives such as 5 year tax abatements on any improvements.” The City also conducted a competitive process and is working with housing non-profits to create new housing on City owned properties.
Speakers for this month’s event include: Donna Harris, City of Atlantic City First Time Homebuyer’s Program; Joseph Giralo, Atlantic County Improvement Authority, First Time Homebuyer’s Program; Stephanie Bittner, New Jersey Community Outreach and Education Manager, Clarifi; Ingrid Febres, Housing Counselor O.C.E.A.N., Inc.; Sabrena Brandon, Atlantic City Housing Authority; Wells Fargo Home Mortgage; The PNC Financial Services Group.
Topics include: Atlantic City/County First Time Homebuyer Programs (down payment and closing cost assistance); Credit Counseling Programs; New Jersey Housing Mortgage Finance Agency First Time Homebuyer Programs; Pre-purchase Homebuyer Education Workshops; Mortgage Application Process.
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