Michigan Partners Provide New Homeownership Opportunities

Carlos A. Sanchez, ED of the GRHC expresses his appreciation to community partners, ICCF and Fifth Third Bank, who "have stepped up to the plate to assist the housing commission and HUD with the implementation of this new initiative.

Louis Berra, Field Office Director for the Grand Rapids HUD office welcomes attendees and congratulates the graduates as well as Fifth Third Bank, GRHC and ICCF for their commitment and utilization of HUD's Section 8 homeownership program to assist more low-income families in attaining the American Dream of homeownership.

Jonathon Bradford, ED for ICCF talks about his role as a partner in the GRHC's Section 8 HO program. Standing to his left is Louis Berra, FOD for the GR HUD office and Patrick Lonergan, VP from Fifth Third Bank.

Sue Ortiz, Program Manager with ICCF hands a certificate to one of the seven graduates present at the celebration event.

Future homeowners talk with housing commission and ICCF staff while awaiting the presentation of their certificates

Fifth Third Bank and the Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF) have joined into partnership with the Grand Rapids Housing Commission in its quest to implement the Section 8 Homeownership Program established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Grand Rapids Housing Commission (GRHC) is the first in West Michigan to incorporate the Section 8 Homeownership Program into their housing plan and one of less than fifty nationally. The housing commission sought out resources to provide homeownership education and loan services to support their plan. A long time community partner, Fifth Third Bank and ICCF stepped forward to partner with GRHC to design a program to meet the needs of the community as well as comply with HUD regulations.

Fifth Third Bank created a mortgage product for making and servicing loans to program participants while ICCF provides qualified families a 15-week Home Ownership Preparation and Education (HOPE) training. Upon completion of the program, families are eligible to purchase a home under the Section 8 Homeownership Program guidelines.

On June 17, 2002, and as part of Homeownership Month, the Inner City Christian Federation Housing Opportunity Center hosted an event for the first graduating class of the Grand Rapids Housing Commission Section 8 Homeownership Program. Seven individuals were present to receive certificates honoring them for their completion of the HOPE training and their dedication to becoming future homeowners.

Fifth Third Bank's Vice President of Community Affairs, Patrick Lonergan, addressed the audience and stated that, "Helping an individual or family shift from renting to being a homeowner positively impacts the entire community, which is why Fifth Third wanted to work with the Grand Rapids Housing Commission and ICCF." Sue Ortiz, ICCF Home Ownership Program Manager applauded HUD for their flexibility in creating the Section 8 Homeownership Program whereby renters have the option to build equity and become homeowners adding greater stability in the community.