a girl with a laptop searches online

“A fabulous team that helped [me] every step of the way”

Natalie found the NHSSF Emergency Relief Program for Housing Stabilization online. She was searching for rental assistance for Broward residents since she saw a cut in her funds due to Covid-19 and was unable to pay her rent for a few months.

She applied for the program in middle March. After a brief email exchange with our intake processor, in early April she was approved to receive the financial aid that helped her immensely to caught up on her back rent: “Having that huge debt of past due rent is now off my shoulders and I can relax now.”

As part of the program, available for Broward County residents thanks to the support from the Jerry Taylor and Nancy Bryant Fund of the Community Foundation of Broward, Natalie received counseling from one of our housing experts. The additional coaching assistance provided her with the tools and information necessary to stabilize her housing situation.

“I have not previously had counseling sessions, but this one was very helpful and informative. I greatly appreciate the advice and guidance for my future financial needs,” says Natalie when asked about the takeaways from the one-on-one session with us

“I’d like to add, that I am very grateful to the entire team that worked my case and helped my family. From Annye to Luz and everyone there; and I am extremely grateful for intake specialist Melissa Clark! She called me, sent emails and made sure to get all my documents your team needed to provide the assistance. I absolutely don’t know how I would handle it, if I didn’t receive the assistance. Again THANKS!!!!!”

Thank you again, Natalie, for your trust, and we are happy to have helped you every step of the way!


photo of the sun rising on a new day

A loan program for energy-saving measures – A better environment & more resilient homes

As part of our mission to collaborate with partners & stakeholders on building resilient and revitalized communities across South Florida, one of the most urgent issues we face right now is the impact of climate change on our residents. It is a matter of saving our planet and addressing the effects of climate change thru efficient and feasible measures, energy conservation among one of them.

In celebration of Earth Day, NHSSF will be launching in late May 2021 a loan fund to help low-income residents make energy-saving measures, such as installing new high-efficiency air conditioners in their homes. “It is our honor to help residents join in the clean energy movement. Not only is this a way for residents to save money through energy efficiency and improve the environment. It is also a way to help low-income communities take part in the growth sector of our economy. It is my hope that in learning about and implementing these measures in our homes, our customers will also learn how they may take part in the clean energy economy as a job choice or business venture,” stated President and CEO Kimberly T. Henderson.

The loan program is still in the making. Yet, it’s aimed to help South Florida residents maximize energy efficiency in their households thru funding mild home repairs or home appliances’ replacements. The loan pool is made possible by funding from the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN), the national association of community development financial institutions (CDFIs). NHSSF is a U.S. Treasury certified CDFI. The goal of the NHSSF CDFI is to connect low-income and distressed communities to capital. NHSSF CDFI is one of the few nonprofit CDFIs that lend directly to the consumer.

In the meantime, you can do something about climate change, starting in your own home, as this NPR “Life Kit” note recommends.


photo of a City of Miami survey marker

Homeownership Preservation Program from the City of Miami

The City of Miami opened the application period for the new Miami Forever Bond-funded Homeownership Preservation Program (HPP) on April 1. The program offers assistance of up to $70,000, to income-eligible homeowners within City of Miami limits seeking to repair the exterior envelope of their homestead property to better withstand storms while maximizing energy efficiency.

The assistance can be used to repair or replace the roof, windows and/or doors (exterior facing) of eligible residences, which include single-family homes, townhomes, twin homes and condominiums that are owner-occupied (homestead exemption). The property’s most recent assessed market value cannot exceed $400,000, and the household must qualify as 140% Average Median Income (AMI) or below based on household size and income standards, provided annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The City of Miami is accepting applications for its Homeownership Preservation Program through Friday, April 30. Applications are available for downloading and printing in English, Spanish & Creole at https://www.miamigov.com/Residents/Housing/Homeownership-Preservation-Program

For more information call 305-416-2188.

 

City of Miami homeownership preservation program