Local Affordable Housing Agencies Push for
Increased Latino Homeownership in Nashville

Panelists who presented good news about the national commitment to homeownership are (left to right) Metro Councilman Ron Greer, Woodbine Executive Directpr Cathie Dodd, Mayor's Office of Affordable Housing Director Hank Helton, Congressman Jim Cooper, HUD Nashville Field Office Director Dr. Edward Pringle, and Spanish Interpreter David Morales.

A full house attended Woodbine's Latino Homeownership Fair.

Enthusiasm abounded at the Homeownership Fair in Nashville on Saturday, June 21, 2003, as local affordable housing agencies and non-profits teamed with the Woodbine Community Organization and HUD's Nashville Office to promote Latino homeownership and local affordable housing programs. The Homeownership Express rolled in for the fair to help draw attention to local assistance programs and the success stories of new homeowners. Speakers and panelists presented good news to a full house of potential homeowners about national and local commitment to increasing homeownership opportunities.

Among those attending the event were Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development (USDA) Gil Gonzalez, HUD Southeast/Caribbean Regional Director Brian Noyes, 5th District Congressman Jim Cooper, Hank Helton of the Mayor's Office of Affordable Housing, Greater Nashville Association of Realtors President John Gifford, and Metro Public Housing's Phil Ryan. Mr. Gonzalez and Mr. Noyes, along with other guests, brought messages of hope to potential homebuyers.

Hundreds of people visited information tables to obtain materials, ask questions and make contacts. Translators were available as needed to assist those attendees who are among the nearly 100,000 immigrants and persons from different nations living in the metro area. As a result of this event, six new potential homeowners applied for the "Front Door" training program given by Woodbine Community Organization.

The USDA Tennessee State Office presented a homeownership "horn of plenty" to new homeowners, Mr. and Mrs. Sapon, originally from Guatemala. Further "success stories" were revealed as leaders from the above-mentioned agencies were taken on a tour of new housing in Rainwood Subdivision, a North Nashville subdivision.

A new homeowner in the Rainwood Subdivision welcomes touring officials into her new home.	Another new homeowner talks with HUD's Brian Noyes and USDA's Gil Martinez on her front porch.

Partnerships between the local Nashville Habitat for Humanity, Nashville Housing Fund, the Metro Housing and Development Agency, Tennessee Housing Development Agency, Fannie Mae and others use unique mortgage-approval networks with local non-profits and private financial resources to help new homeowners obtain housing, when in the past they would not have been eligible.

HUD Nashville Field Office Director Dr. Edward Pringle, recognized the following individuals for their part in making the Homeownership Fair a success: Cathie Dodd, Woodbine's Executive Director; Jose Gonzalez, Executive Director of Connexion Americas, a local Hispanic affordable housing and service agency; Terry Horgan of Woodbine who worked with Terry Livingston of the Nashville HUD Office to host the event; and the staff on the Homeownership Express. He commended all partners for their collaboration in working on a vital initiative, Blueprint for the American Dream, set forth by the President.