Recap of 2022 Programs and Services
As 2022 comes to an end, I want to thank you for your support. It has allowed The Housing Council to accomplish so much in the past 12 months. I want to share an overview of additional programs that the dedicated Housing Council staff have been providing this year to bring the comfort of home to area families. It has been a year of growth, with several new programs added and the addition of several new staff members. We are happy to partner with many extraordinary organizations that feel everyone deserves a healthy, comfortable home.
NeighborWorks' Housing Stability Counseling Program: The Housing Council has assisted over 80 renters to create a plan to prevent eviction and find stable housing through intensive 1-on-1 counseling and connections to community resources.
New York State's Homeowner Assistance Fund provided targeted, equitable outreach to assist low- to moderate-income homeowners impacted by Covid19. We quickly assisted more than 100 households in applying for funding to bring their mortgage current and prevent foreclosure.
HUD's Mobility Demonstration Program: The Rochester Housing Authority selected The Housing Council to assist Section 8 Voucher households in moving to Opportunity Zones throughout Monroe County. This program is part of a nationwide initiative of only thirteen cities selected by HUD to ensure productive long-term relationships between Section 8 Voucher recipients and landlords in prosperous communities.
Enterprise Community Partner's Landlord Ambassador Extension Program : This program stabilized small business housing providers in the City of Rochester through financial support and repair grants. We invested one million dollars to improve over 100 affordable rental units. We thank our partners at Enterprise Community Partners for their generosity.
The City of Rochester's Property Owner Readiness Program : The Housing Council will assist a cohort of first-time buyers in purchasing their first home and becoming housing providers themselves. This innovative pilot program will build wealth for the property owner and create affordable units owned and managed by local, educated housing providers.
Monroe County's Keys to Renting Course: This program provides low-income renters the tools they need to be informed consumers and productive neighbors. Our instructors offer comprehensive information on tenant rights and responsibilities, fair housing law, how to search for and maintain a rental unit, community resources, and preventing displacement and eviction.
Wayne County, Newark, and Geneva Housing Authorities: By working with PathStone's Home Rehabilitation and Energy Services (HRES), we will increase the number of available units that meet the Housing Quality Standard, making more apartments available for Section 8 recipients.
While 2022 was a challenging year, we are proud of what we've accomplished in partnership with our funders, community partners, and staff. I extend my sincere appreciation to all of you for your support. There is more to do in 2023 to achieve our mission to bring the comfort of home to everyone. We hope you will continue to help us in the coming year.
Happy Holidays,
Mary Leo, Executive Director