BUSH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $37 MILLION IN GRANTS TO PROMOTE HOMEOWNERSHIP AND HOUSING FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES
Agencies in Anderson, Bloomington, Crown Point, Evansville, Fort Wayne, Gary, Hammond, Indianapolis, Marion, Mitchell, Muncie, South Bend and Tell City receive a total of $428,546

WASHINGTON - Nearly 730,000 individuals and families will have a greater opportunity to find housing or keep the homes they have because of more than $37 million in housing counseling grants announced today by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez.�

It is estimated these grants will assist more than 430,000 people to either become first-time homeowners or remain homeowners after their purchase.� The grants were awarded to 17 national and regional organizations and approximately 350 state and local housing counseling agencies.� These organizations will provide counseling services and will help meet the Bush Administration's goal of increasing minority homeownership by 5.5 million families by the end of the decade.

"These housing counseling grants are an important part of this Administration's goal to expand homeownership opportunities, particularly for minorities," said Martinez.� "President Bush and I are committed to opening the doors
to the American Dream to more American families."

The 17 national and regional agencies distribute much of the HUD funding to community-based grassroots organizations that provide free advice and guidance to low- and moderate-income families seeking to improve their housing conditions.� In addition, these larger organizations help improve the quality of housing counseling services
and enhance coordination among other counseling providers.� Notably, 3 of the 17 intermediaries are faith-based, including 2 that are first time housing counseling grant recipients.

"HUD is committed to making it easier for more families to realize the dream of homeownership," said. Joseph P.
Galvan HUD Regional Director for the Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin).� "Housing counselors will help more Americans, particularly minorities, to achieve that dream."

Of the $37.561 million in grants, $2.7 million is being awarded specifically to combat predatory lending (PL), including awards to 4 national and regional intermediaries and 34 state and local organizations.� Grantees will assist unwary borrowers in avoiding unreasonably high interest rates, inflated appraisals, unaffordable repayment terms, and other conditions that can result in a loss of equity, increased debt, default, and even foreclosure.

Additionally, $2 million is being awarded specifically for counseling in conjunction with HUD's Section 8 (S8) Homeownership Voucher Program, which allows low-income individuals to use rental vouchers to purchase homes.� Awards under this category are made to 4 national intermediaries and 35 state and local agencies.� These grant recipients will help program participants realistically evaluate their readiness for a home purchase, understand their financing and down-payment options, and navigate what can be an extremely confusing and risky process.�

Indiana recipients include:

Anderson

Anderson Housing Authority - $40,000 - Comprehensive Counseling (CC)

Bloomington

City Of Bloomington Housing and Neighborhood Development Department - $35,812 - CC

Crown Point

Lake County Community Economic Development - $25,000 - CC

Evansville

HOPE of Evansville, Inc. - $31,573 - CC

Fort Wayne

Housing Authority Of The City Of Fort Wayne - $33,899 - CC

Gary

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northwest Indiana, Inc - $35,000 - CC

Hammond

Hammond Housing Authority - $31,573 - CC

Indianapolis

CCCS of Central Indiana - $48,147 - CC
Indianapolis Urban League - $20,000 - CC

Marion

Affordable Housing Corporation - $24,687 - CC

Mitchell

Hoosier Uplands Economic Development Corporation - $15,000 - CC

Muncie

Muncie Homeownership And Development Center - $50,000 - CC

South Bend

Housing Development Corporation of St. Joseph County - $22,475 - CC

Tell City

Lincoln Hills Development Corporation - $15,380 - CC

President Bush is proposing to increase HUD's Housing Counseling grant program to $45 million next year - a 12.5 percent increase.� The organizations that provide counseling services help people become or remain homeowners or find rental housing.� In addition, HUD-funded housing counseling agencies assist homeless persons to find the transitional housing they need to move toward a permanent place to live.

Who benefits from housing counseling?

Based on past experience, HUD anticipates the counseling grants announced today will enable approximately 257,000 would-be homeowners to learn how to improve their credit, strengthen money management skills and avoid predatory lenders and other unscrupulous practices.� Another 175,000 existing homeowners will learn how to avoid delinquency and default, restructure debt and maintain their home.� In addition, nearly 213,000 individuals and families who will receive HUD-funded counseling are renters.� Counseling services will help them find housing closer to their jobs or health care as well as teach them about tenant rights.� Finally, an estimated 16,000 homeless individuals and families will learn how to find emergency services and secure transitional housing.

HUD awards annual grants under this program through a competitive process.� Organizations that apply for grants must be HUD-approved and are subject to biannual performance reviews to maintain their HUD-approved status.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities, creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans, supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS.� The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws.� More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet.

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Note to editors: See a state-by-state breakdown of grant recipients and detailed individual grant summaries.� Indiana summaries follow.

Affordable Housing Corporation, Marion, IN

$24,687 - Comprehensive Counseling

Affordable Housing Corporation provides a full range of housing services to residents of Grant County and surrounding areas.� It offers comprehensive counseling comprised of Pre-purchase, Post-purchase, Post-occupancy, Rental counseling and education.� The agency partners with the Housing Authority of the City of Marion, State Farm Insurance, and Eli Lily Endowment to provide free seminars on topics such as finance, preventing foreclosure, basic home maintenance, and electrical and plumbing systems operation and repair.� The purpose is to give skills and knowledge to consumers allowing them to become more responsible and in control of their particular situations.
� During last Fiscal Year, 61 clients were assisted, with an outcome of 10 purchasing homes.��

Anderson Housing Authority, Anderson, IN

$40,000 - Comprehensive Counseling

Anderson Housing Authority was established in 1974 and HUD Certified one year later.�� It is conveniently housed within and is part of the Anderson Public Housing Authority.� Counseling services offered to clients in Madison County and areas outside of the county include Pre-Purchase, Mortgage Default/Loss Mitigation, Pre-Rental, Rental Delinquency, Post Occupancy, HECM, Homelessness, Landlord/Tenant Law/Conflicts, Consumer Education and Fair Housing.� The Anderson Housing Authority provided services for 305 clients during the last fiscal year.� Full range of services are offered to clients who are currently renters and can, with help from the Anderson Housing Authority, achieve the dream of homeownership.�

CCCS of Central Indiana, Indianapolis, IN

$48,147 - Comprehensive Counseling

CCCS of Central Indiana began offering housing counseling in 1966.� During May 2003, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Tri-State merged with CCCS of Central Indiana.�� The agency is well prepared with a knowledgeable staff on board to offer the following services:� Pre-Purchase, Post-Purchase, Reverse Mortgage, Mortgage Delinquency, Rental Counseling and Homebuyer Education Workshops.� During the Fiscal Year of 2001-2002, CCCS of Central Indiana served a total of 2,606 housing counseling appointments.� An additional 7,616 clients received counseling for budget, credit and/or debt issues.� This high volume is also due to established partnerships such as Habitat for Humanity, Damien Center, Lighthouse Mission and many others, enabling them to reach a greater clientele.� The target is to increase housing opportunities for clients in Central Indiana.��

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northwest Indiana, Gary, IN

$35,000 - Comprehensive Counseling

Since 1994, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northwest Indiana has been serving the community and has recently expanded to reach residents throughout seven counties.� Their overall goal is to provide comprehensive and holistic counseling to all clients. Bilingual counselors and staff are available as well as an interpreter for deaf and/or hearing impaired clients.� The services offered are pre-purchase, post-purchase/Mortgage Default and Rent Delinquency and Home Equity Conversion (HECM) Counseling. Numerous workshops and presentations are offered reaching over 350 people in workshops and over 400 individuals and families in one-on-one counseling per month.

City of Bloomington - Housing and Neighborhood Development Department, Bloomington, IN

$35,812 - Comprehensive Counseling

The City of Bloomington Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) is HUD approved to administer a comprehensive housing counseling program.� Services offered are default, pre-purchase, post-purchase, and reverse equity mortgage counseling.� During the past fiscal year, 184 clients were assisted, of which 82 were pre-purchase clients and 26 of them decided to purchase homes.� HAND extends their services to Monroe, Owen, Greene, Brown, the southern part of Morgan and the northern part of Lawrence Counties.� The City of Bloomington (HAND) has established partnerships with numerous local organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Shelter, Inc., Community Kitchen, Hoosier Hills Food Bank, and People's University.

Hoosier Uplands Economic Development Corporation, Mitchell, IN

$15,000 - Comprehensive Counseling

Hoosier Uplands has been serving the community of Mitchell since 1966.� They will continue to provide comprehensive housing counseling to clients ranging from low to moderate income.� Counties to be served are Lawrence, Orange, Martin and Washington, as well as surrounding areas.� Types of counseling to be provided by agency are:� pre-purchase, post-purchase, mortgage delinquency, loss mitigation, renter assistance, Fair Housing assistance and mobility counseling.� Hoosier Uplands offers many services such as weatherization, Energy Assistance, Head Star, Child Care Services, Section 8 assistance, Rental Housing units, Home Healthcare and Hospice, and many others.� Hoosier Uplands also works with other local agencies, including banks and lending institutions in efforts to provide
the maximum benefits to clients seeking their assistance.� During October 2001 to September 2002 the agency
served 335 clients.

HOPE of Evansville, Inc., Evansville, IN

$31,573 - Comprehensive Counseling

Hope of Evansville (HOPE) will continue to provide Homeownership program, Post Occupancy, Rental, Rehabilitation, Default, and HECM counseling throughout Vanderburgh, Posey, Gibson, Warrick, Spenser and Dubois counties.� The agency manages a Down Payment Assistance Program, which has successfully facilitated numerous families to obtain homeownership.� HOPE is located in the middle of the low-to-moderate-income census track and in the center of the highest minority population in Evansville.� During the past Fiscal Year, 403 clients received housing counseling, of which 81 purchased homes.

Housing Authority of the City of Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, IN

$33,899 - Comprehensive Counseling

The Housing Authority of the City of Ft. Wayne offers comprehensive housing counseling to all who seek their assistance.� This agency is a municipal corporation with a mission to provide quality, affordable housing and to encourage self-sufficiency.� The main focus of their program is the Section 8 homeownership program.� During the period of October 1, 2001 to September 30, 2002, the agency served 181 clients.� The primary types of counseling provided included Pre-purchase, Mortgage Default, HECM, Rental Education, Rental Delinquency Counseling and Consumer Education.� The Housing Authority seeks to increase homeownership within Ft. Wayne and Northeast Indiana.

Housing Authority of the City of Hammond, Hammond, IN

$31,573 - Comprehensive Counseling

The Hammond Housing Authority has been HUD approved since 1985 and provides a wide range of comprehensive counseling services that are specifically designed to meet the needs of area individuals and families.� Counseling in
the fields of Homebuyer, pre and post occupancy, money and debt management, mortgage default, reverse equity mortgage and certification, rental, and home repairs are offered.� During October 1, 2001 through September 30, 2002, Hammond Housing Authority helped 357 clients.� Of these, 35 purchased homes.�

Housing Development Corporation of St. Joseph County, South Bend, IN

$22,475 - Comprehensive Counseling

Housing Development Corporation of St. Joseph County is a non-profit organization, which opened its doors to serve the public in 1986.� The agency was created to assist in the provision of decent, safe and affordable housing to all residents of St. Joseph County.� They also act as an advocate and catalyst for neighborhood revitalization.� The agency developed the REWARD (Real Effort Wins Affordable Residential Dwellings) Program, with a section taught in Spanish.� Through this program, low to moderate income clients can obtain assistance for down payment and closing costs in the purchase of a home in the area of South Bend or Mishawaka city limits.�� During the past grant year,
223 clients were counseled.

Indianapolis Urban League, Indianapolis, IN

$20,000 - Comprehensive Counseling

Indianapolis Urban League has been serving Marion County residents providing services such as Default/Foreclosure Counseling, Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (Reverse Mortgage), and Rental Counseling.� The agency also offers technical guidance on housing related issues to community-based organizations and acts as an advocate on Fair Housing issues.� Their program, which is a reflection of their goals, is also known as TEAM:� Teaching, Education, Advocacy and Mediation.� Indianapolis Urban League served 193 clients during the last Fiscal Year.�

Lake County Community Economic Development, Crown Point, IN

$25,000 - Comprehensive Counseling

Lake County has been offering comprehensive housing counseling services to 16 communities for over 15 years.� These services include HECM, Mortgage Default, Potential Mortgagor, Rental Delinquency, Potential Renters,
Homeless, Homeowner Rehabilitation and Energy Conservation Counseling.� During the past grant year, Lake County counseled 340 clients.� Through their programs, agency has provided monetary assistance to over 2,000 Lake County residents allowing them to rehabilitate their residences.

Lincoln Hills Development Corporation, Tell City, IN

$15,380 - Comprehensive Counseling

Lincoln Hills Development Corporation is located in Tell City, Indiana.� For 38 years, this agency has been involved in housing assistance and advocacy for low-income persons.� They provide Housing Counseling and Home Ownership services.� In addition, the agency owns and/or manages 590 housing units in six counties and manages approximately 250 Housing Choice Vouchers within three counties.� Lincoln Hills has consistently been active within their community offering additional services such as Head Start Program, Savings Program, Job Training, Adult Education and many others.

Muncie Homeownership and Development Center, Muncie, IN

$50,000 - Comprehensive Counseling

Since 1992, the Muncie Homeownership and Development Center, a comprehensive counseling agency, has offered services in pre-purchase, post- purchase, and default counseling.� The agency has played an important part in the revitalization in Downtown Muncie, Indiana.� Muncie Homeownership and Development Center combines efforts with Ball State University Urban Design Department and the Muncie Area Career Center Adult Education Building Trade Program to construct homes for low to medium income families.� The Homeownership Center will be constructing 44 new homes within the next four years.� Muncie Homeownership and Development Center served 195 families during
FY 2001-2002.