HUD RA Lynne Patton, Schenectady Habitat, new Habitat family, celebrate National Homeownership Month

HUD RA Lynne Patton, Schenectady Habitat, new Habitat family, celebrate National Homeownership Month.

New Homeowners Jackie and Tracey Joseph, their 4 year old Tranayih; and HUD Region II RA Lynne Patton listen to Schenectady Habitat Executive Director Madelyn Thorne.

Stakeholders and friends gather to celebrate the Joseph family and their new home.

U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regional Administrator for New York and New Jersey, Lynne Patton, travelled to Schenectady to celebrate HUD's Homeownership Month, and highlight Habitat for Humanity of Schenectady County and new homeowners Jackie and Tracey Joseph and their family.

"HUD is thrilled to collaborate with Schenectady Habitat to assist in making Jackie and Tracey Joseph's homeownership dream come true," said Lynne Patton, HUD Regional Administrator for New York and New Jersey. "HUD and Secretary Ben Carson provided HUD HOME Program funding through the City of Schenectady. The Joseph family's new home will stabilize not only their lives; but serve as a vital building block toward stabilizing the entire community."

Habitat for Humanity Schenectady County Executive Director, Madelyn Thorne worked with the City of Schenectady's Development Department and with the Josephs to make sure the family transitioned successfully from housing instability to sustainable homeownership.

Homeownership for the Joseph's was made possible by their commitment to their dream of homeownership; and by multiple stakeholders who work hard every day to provide stability to Schenectady residents and communities. HUD provided $60,000 to Schenectady Habitat through the City of Schenectady's Development Department. Schenectady Habitat worked with the family and secured additional resources; including land donation from a private source; and additional HUD funding secured through the Schenectady Housing Development Fund Corporation to offset closing costs.

Habitat for Humanity Schenectady works with potential homebuyers that meet HUD low-income requirements (www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il/il2019/2019summary.odn), provide two-year proof of income, take a Habitat homeowner education course, and are willing to put sweat equity into their homes.

HUD celebrates Homeownership Month in June to highlight the importance of homeownership. HUD supports homeownership through HUD-funded housing counseling agencies (https://apps.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm); and through HUD's Federal Housing Administration, or FHA; that provides mortgage insurance and makes homebuying easier for low to moderate income homebuyers.

June is also HUD Healthy Homes Month. This year's theme, Growing Up Safe and Healthy: 5 Minutes to a Healthy Home focuses on the opportunity to protect current and future generations of children from the exposures to lead from contaminated paint, dust and soil; through the importance of home assessments and the impact it has on your health.

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