|
|
Contact: Jim Bentubo, BHA Communications Assistant, 617-988-4380
Location: Dallas, TX
|
The Boston Housing Authority has won the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) Award of Excellence for its involvement in the Fleet Self-Sufficiency Loan Program. The award, officially presented at NAHRO’s National Conference and Exhibition in Dallas on October 21, recognizes innovative and outstanding achievement in housing and community development programs throughout the nation.
“We are excited to accept this prestigious award,” said BHA Administrator Sandra Henriquez. “Our staff has worked tirelessly to help lead families down the road to self-sufficiency.”
The Fleet Family Self-Sufficiency Loan Program’s purpose is to provide families with guidance on issues of economic self-sufficiency. Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) counselors help families meet their goals by making emergency loans available for credit rehabilitation, debt consolidation and emergency expenses.
The Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Southern New England provides a financial assessment of the applicant and then sends the application to Fleet, who makes the final decision. The program has already distributed over 100 loans worth more than $600,000. Each individual loan is worth between $500 and $5,000 and last from one to five years.
“This project is important because it allows residents to establish credit with a prime lender,” said Director of FSS at the BHA, Suzanne Forgione. “The ultimate goal of most of our clients is homeownership and maintaining good credit is a good start in that direction.”
The program was started by a task force of FSS Coordinators who met once a month since 2000 in order to find a way for families to secure loans. Additional support for the project was provided by the housing authority of Shrewsbury, Methuen and North Andover.
“Programs like these set standards that are worthy models for the public and private sectors,” said NAHRO President Kurt Creager. “NAHRO is proud of its members, who consistently go the extra mile in providing service for residents and their communities.”
The Fleet FSS Loan Program is now available in communities throughout New England for housing authorities and non-profits who participate in a training session conducted by FSS Coordinators, Fleet and the Consumer Credit Counseling Service.
|
