HUD FORMALIZES PARTNERSHIP WITH NEW HAMPSHIRE NON-PROFIT AGENCY
Granite State Independent Living is the only HUD-approved agency in the nation that provides housing counseling services solely to the disabled population.

Granite State Independent Living, a statewide non-profit service and advocacy organization that provides tools to assist disabled individuals, has recently become a HUD-certified housing counseling agency. This formal partnership allows GSIL to apply for competitive grants that would otherwise be inaccessible to them. The partnership was formalized today during a recognition ceremony at the GSIL offices in Concord.

HUD-approved housing counseling agencies help homebuyers and homeowners realistically evaluate their readiness
for a home purchase, understand their financing and downpayment options, and navigate what can be an extremely confusing and difficult process. Agencies also help combat predatory lending by helping unwary borrowers avoid 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.

"Housing counseling is more important now than ever before," said Taylor Caswell, HUD's New England regional director. "As a HUD-certified agency, Granite State Independent Living will help provide necessary education to potential homebuyers to ensure the American Dream of home ownership does not turn into a nightmare."

Last year, HUD awarded $190,314 in housing counseling grants to five agencies in New Hampshire. The funding was part of $31.1 million awarded nationwide. Now that GSIL is certified by HUD, they can compete for these valuable resources.

Granite State Independent Living is the only HUD-approved agency in the nation that provides housing counseling services solely to the disabled population.

When evaluating the request from GSIL to become certified, HUD looked at: the target area and population that
GSIL proposed to serve; the documented housing needs and problems of the disabled that GSIL proposed to
address; and the staff and financial resources GSIL has in hand or will obtain in order to carry out their housing plan.

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

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