Home and Business Fair tonight in Norwood will speak three languages

A number of nonprofit groups are coming together to host a resource fair for homeowners and small business owners this evening at the Mosholu Branch of the New York Public Library. In an effort to support the growing Bangladeshi population in Norwood, information will be provided in Bangla as well as English and Spanish.

Organized by University Neighborhood Housing Program, the resource fair will bring Queens-based Chhaya CDC and citywide groups such as the Legal Aid Society, the Parodneck Foundation and NYC Business Solutions together with local groups including the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition's Weatherization Assistance Program and the West Bronx Housing and Neighborhood Resource Center.

Homeowners who attend the resource fair which runs from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, will be able to learn about foreclosure prevention options including loan modifications, find out about free legal assistance that may be available, and receive a free weatherization kit while learning how to cut energy costs. Additionally, attendees can find out about assistance with immigration and get help starting or expanding a small business, including getting certified as a minority or women owned business (MWBE). Resources will also be available for first time home buyers, as well as information on credit workshops and free tax preparation services.

The event will be held in the basement of the Mosholu branch of the New York Public Library (285 East 205 Street between Bainbridge and Perry Avenues). More information is available on UNHP's website, or by calling 718-933-2539.

BxNN's Housing Resource Page

As we mentioned last week, we're trying out some new features on the site this month, including the navigation bars you see at the top of this page.

Among these: our new housing resource page, which we hope to build into your one-stop shop for all things Bronx housing. Right now, you'll find a link to the BxNN's housing archive--all of our current and past coverage of Bronx real estate, rent issues, tenant/landlord disputes and more.

You'll also find a list of important New York City agencies for information on tenant's rights, emergency rent assistance programs, home loans, who to call to report a violation or where to look for building records. There's a directory of local organizations throughout the borough that offer affordable housing, foreclosure counseling and other support for renters and homeowners.

Visit the page here, or by clicking the "Housing" tab on the navigation bar above. As always, if you think there's anything we missed, let us know in the comments section, or drop an e-mail to bronxnewsnetwork@gmail.com.

Help for Homeowners in Council District 14

Last week’s Homeowner Resource Fair attracted more than 40 households to community space at 2270 Walton Avenue near East 183^rd Street.  Co-sponsored by University Neighborhood Housing Program (UNHP) and City Councilman Fernando Cabrera, the fair targeted neighborhoods that have not received much attention during the recent foreclosure crisis.

While apartment buildings dominate the landscape of City Council District 14, there are more than 2,000 one-to-four family homes spread throughout its neighborhoods.  These neighborhoods had some of the highest rates of subprime lending in the City during the last decade, and there have been about 170 foreclosure filings within the district since July of 2008 (about one in every 12.5 private homes).  

Despite the torrential downpour that plowed through the Bronx at around 5:30 that evening (and leveled trees in parts of Brooklyn and Queens), turnout and feedback were impressive for a homeowner event in the west Bronx. 

Attendees were able to speak directly with staff from the Department of Environmental Protection regarding water billing issues, while foreclosure prevention counselors from the West Bronx Housing and Neighborhood Resource Center and the Parodneck Foundation also met individually with homeowners.  Free weatherization kits and information were handed out by the Weatherization Assistance Program of the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition.

Customer Representatives from DEP had their computers with them and were able to access and review the accounts of 26 homeowners that evening.  Attendees received assistance with usage clarification, payment plans, and metering and leakage problems.

Councilman Cabrera was on hand for the duration of the event and heard from homeowners on a number of issues. “Homeowners in the district face unique challenges such as high water bills and foreclosure issues; just to name a few,” stated the Councilman.  “When I get the chance to partner with organizations like University Neighborhood Housing Program that help remedy some of these issues, I welcome the opportunity.”

Homeowners that were unable to attend the fair but have issues regarding foreclosure, water billing, or are interested in weatherization are urged to call the UNHP outreach line at 718-933-2539 for assistance and referrals.

Homeowner Resource Fair Tonight; Advice on Water Bills, Foreclosure Problems

The University Neighborhood Housing Program and Councilman Fernando Cabrera are hosting a home owner resource fair tonight, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 2270 Walton Ave., between 183rd and 184th streets.

Homeowners can learn about how to save on water and energy bills and learn about to get help in avoiding foreclosure. Representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection will be on hand to talk specifically about water bills.

In a press release announcing the fair, Cabrera, who represents parts of Kingsbridge, University Heights and Mt. Hope, said, “There are upwards of 2,000 homeowners in my district. And through these tough economic times, our residents need all the resources they can get to help manage what has in some cases, become unmanageable.”

For more information, call (347) 590-2875 ext. 204.

Bronx News Roundup, May 13

Bronx Week events continue today--tonight, there's a Bronx Homeowners Forum at 6:30 at Fordham University’s McGinley Center, 557 E. Fordham Rd. A panel of experts, organized by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. and Senator Jeff Klein, will provide Bronx homeowners with legal advice regarding mortgages and homeownership. More on the event, and other resources for homeowners, here. 

In other news:

Bronx resident Frank Morocho, who drove into a crowd of pedestrians following a soccer match last weekend, has pleaded not guilty to drunk driving charges in a New Jersey court.

A 75-year-old Throgs Neck man is still missing after disappearing three weeks ago.

The New York Times profiles Abdul Aziz, a martial arts instructor from the Bronx.

More on the renovation of the High Bridge--the 1,200-foot walkway between Washington Heights and the Bronx--via a Times editorial. Check out the Mount Hope Monitor's coverage in February's issue.

Hip-Hop artists Jay-Z and Eminem will be headlining a concert at Yankee Stadium in September, the two announced at last night's game.

A turf war between two street cart vendors escalated into a robbery at knifepoint near Crotona Park, according to the New York Post. 


A UK-based organization is launching a training program to help teach visually impaired children to play cricket at Lavelle School for the Blind.

State Senator Eric Schneiderman, who represents portions of the Bronx and is vying to become Attorney General, won Manhattan in county committee votes last night.

Assemblyman Peter Rivera endorsed a bill yesterday to lift the state's cap on the number of charter schools.

The Fort Independence Park neighborhood, in Community Board 8, is being considered for landmark designation. 

A photography exhibit featuring Woodlawn Cemetary, set to run this fall at the Lehmen College Art Gallery, is looking for submissions.

Bronx Week Officially Kicking

Under the cover of a tent, Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. officially kicked off Bronx Week this morning at the Centennial celebration of the Madison Avenue Bridge.

“The best week of the year in our borough is back. This time we have organized even more events, while keeping the traditional ones, to celebrate the beauty, culture, talent and development of our neighborhoods and their residents. Let’s all celebrate The Bronx!” said Diaz Jr.

Bronx Week is organized by the Bronx Tourism Council and the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, and sponsored primarily by Montefiore Medical Center and HealthPlus, in association with Con Edison, Affinity Health Plan, Verizon, Emblem Health, the Bronx CUNY Colleges, AmeriChoice, Citi, BronxNet, WBLS, Domino’s Pizza, and the New York Daily News.

For a listing of all the festivities, click here.

Tomorrow night, don't forget to check out the Homeowner's Fair at Fordham University, which our colleague Greg Jost wrote about earlier today.

Bronx Homeowner Help

Bronx Homeowners have at least two opportunities to get some help if they are struggling with mortgage payments, need to straighten out water billing issues, or are looking for help with improvements and weatherization.

Tomorrow (Thursday) evening at Fordham University, a panel of experts will be on hand to offer legal advice to homeowners with their mortgages as part of Bronx Week. One-on-one counseling will also be available to help homeowners. It's a great resource for homeowners who are in foreclosure or are in danger of falling behind on payments and need help dealing with their lender regarding loan modifications or reductions in principal. The fair is on the 2nd floor of the McGinley Center and runs from 6:30 to 9:00 PM. For more information, call 718-590-8088.

Next week Tuesday, May 18, will be another homeowner fair, featuring DEP staff who will be on hand to help straighten out water billing issues with Bronx homeowners. This event will take place at Concourse House, 2751 Grand Concourse from 5:30 to 7:30. Homeowner counselors and weatherization staff will also be on hand, and homeowners will receive a free weatherization kit. For more information, contact UNHP at 718-933-2539.

Speaking of water bills, City Limits has an article out on what happens to delinquent homeowners who end up in the lien sale process. While the City Council is looking to exempt more seniors from the lien sale process (the 2010 lien sale just went through this week), DEP Commissioner Holloway wants to change the enforcement mechanism for delinquent single family homeowners from shutoff of service (which costs about $3,000) to adding them to the lien sale list.

Bronx Events Through Thursday, Dec. 17

A piece of photograhy from the 'Childhood in the Bronx' website.

Lehman College recently created an artistic website exploring, 'Childhood in the Bronx.' The online project was funded by a grant from the Metropolitan New York Library Council and exhibits photographs of Bronx children in schools, playgrounds and community centers that date back to the first decades of the twentieth century. View the work at www.lehman.edu/library/childhood-bronx.

Check out the Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music's final two Winter concert series performances on Wednesday, Dec. 16th, and Thursday, Dec. 17th. Both performances feature different choirs and orchestras and are held at 7 p.m. at the Lovinger Theatre at Lehman College, 250 Bedford Park Blvd. Tickets are a suggested $5 donation. For more information, please call (718) 329-8550.

The University Neighborhood Housing Program is hosting a Homeowner Resource Fair on Tuesday, Dec. 15 at the Concourse House, 2751 Grand Concourse, from 6 to 8 p.m. Topics to be discussed include how to lower your energy costs and how to modify your mortgage. The fair will also give away free weatherization kits and free food. Supplies are limited. For more information or to RSVP, call (718) 933-2539.

Community Board 5’s next general board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 16, at South Bronx Jobs Corps, 1771 Andrews Ave. All are welcome. For more information, call CB5 at (718) 364-2030 or e-mail brxcb5@optonline.net.

The 46th Precinct’s next Community Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the precinct station house, at 2120 Ryer Ave., at 7 p.m. Community council meetings fall on the on the third Tuesday of every month. They give residents the chance to meet local police officers and air their concerns. For more information, call (718) 220-5234.

The Office of the Bronx Borough President is holding a briefing on overcrowding in Bronx schools and the new 5-year capital plan, on Dec. 14 at 6 p.m., at the Bronx County Courthouse at 850 Grand Concourse. Leonie Haimson of “Class Size Matters” will give a presentation. A discussion will follow. All are invited to this free event. For more information, call (718) 590-3500.

Help for Bronx Homeowners this Thursday

Bronx Homeowners struggling to stay in their homes or just fighting to keep the costs of ownership down will find some much needed help this Thursday at the Northwest Bronx Homeowner Resource Fair.

With foreclosures at an all time high, property values dropping, unemployment in the double digits, and another double-digit water rate increase on its way, the resource fair will focus on lowering ownership costs through weatherization and energy-efficiency programs, in addition to foreclosure prevention counseling and legal services.

Registration and free dinner begin at 6:00 PM this Thursday at the Our Lady of Refuge Parish Center, 290 East 196th Street between Bainbridge and Briggs Avenues. All homeowners in attendance will will benefit from energy savings tips, a free weatherization kit, and a free rat-proof garbage can.

Homeowners facing financial hardship can learn about foreclosure prevention options, get help modifying their mortgage and receive free legal assistance. Representatives will be on hand from local organizations to explain services offered year-round.

This Homeowner Resource Fair is sponsored by University Neighborhood Housing Program, the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, the West Bronx Housing and Neighborhood Resource Center and Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation. Other participating groups include the Association for Energy Affordability (providing the garbage cans), New York Legal Assistance Group, the Parodneck Foundation, and NYSERDA’s Energy $mart Communities program.

For more information or to RSVP, contact UNHP at 718-933-2539.

Northwest Bronx Homeowner Resource Fair Tomorrow

The Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition and University Neighborhood Housing Program are sponsoring a Homeowner Resource Fair this Thursday evening. In addition to connecting homeowners in foreclosure with counseling services, the goal is to reach out to area homeowners who are just getting by and need help fighting the rising cost of owning a home in NYC.

With adjustable rate mortgages resetting, utility costs rising and wages stagnating, foreclosure rates will likely continue to climb unless homeowners can reduce their ownership costs. The Coalition's Weatherization Assistance Program will be there to discuss their application process and guidelines, and will also distribute free weatherization kits. A participating SONYMA lender (M&T Bank) will be on hand discuss the State's Keep the Dream refinance program and its requirements.

Homeowner counseling groups (the Parodneck Foundation and West Bronx Housing) and a homeowner organizing group (CHANGER) will also be on hand to talk with homeowners and offer their advice and resources.

Here are the logistics:

Thursday, March 13, 2008

6:00 - 8:00 PM
Concourse House

2751 Grand ConcourseBronx, NY 10468

(entrance on E. 196th St)

For more information or to RSVP
call 718-933-2539
Download the flyer (PDF).
Download the Homeownership Guide (PDF)

A Sign of the Slump?

Opinion by Guest Blogger Gregory Lobo Jost
New York City has seemed immune to the housing downturn afflicting most of the country, but there are plenty of signs that it may just be a matter of time. Foreclosure numbers continue to rise (at least in the outer-boroughs), many of the newly constructed infill housing (multiple 2- and 3-family homes on one lot) in the West Bronx sit vacant with For Sale and For Rent signs in the windows simultaneously, and now the latest from the Daily News: New housing construction down by one-third.

According to the article:

a new report from the city's housing and buildings departments shows building permit applications plunged 33% in the Bronx in 2007. Permits were issued for 3,104 new residential units in the Bronx last year, compared with 4,658 in 2006.

The ever-optimistic Borough President's Office counters that

the numbers do not represent a leveling off of local housing development, because there were still a record number of dollars invested last year — more than $925 million, compared with $713 million in 2006 and $237 million in 2002. Carrion's office said that more "substantial structures" were built in 2007 — including multi-family apartment buildings on smaller parcels of land and more elevator buildings, which cost more to build. The investment dollars also went into significant renovations of buildings. "It was a great year for housing in the Bronx — the fourth largest year in decades," said Carrion. "That's something to take notice."

Nonetheless it will be interesting to see how this plays out in the Bronx. No matter what, there will be some winners and losers. If housing prices do decline, current homeowners -- especially those in foreclosure who need to sell -- and banks will lose out. But if prices stay at the levels they are now, our affordability crisis will get worse as operating expenses like fuel and water continue to rise.

Bronx Homeowner Aid Confab at Spellman H.S. Saturday

In an effort to stanch the tide of Bronx home foreclosures, State Sen. Jeffrey Klein is sponsoring a meeting Saturday where homeowners can meet with bankers to review their mortgages. The all-day session is form noon to 8 p.m. at Cardinal Spellman High School. 

Bailouts Come Easy for Wall Street, Not Homeowners

Opinion from Guest Blogger Gregory Lobo Jost
How comforting to know that our government can act quickly to cut interest rates when things get bad. As markets tanked across the globe on Monday and Wall Street was spared thanks to the King Holiday, the Fed slashed the federal funds rate by 75 basis points or 3/4 of a percent this morning -- talk about fast action! And is anyone complaining about a bailout?

If such action could be taken on the hundreds of thousands of homeowners in danger of foreclosure (or already there), many Americans would be up in arms complaining about a bailout for their neighbors (even though it would help their own property values).

If you aren't convinced about how much better Wall Street bankers fare in hard times than our regular citizens, consider the huge bonuses given out this year. Despite huge losses for most of the corporations involved in the subprime lending debacle, bonuses are down only 4.7% from last year. This editorial on MarketWatch offers some interesting suggestions on what the bankers should do with their bonuses -- if they won't give them back, make them invest in the mortgage backed securities that are tanking! (Also, check out the section at the end of the article on the related protests against private equity firms.)

The Times' Vikas Bajaj has an interesting article today that gets to the root of the subprime fiasco. "Homeowners are suing mortgage lenders. Mortgage lenders are suing Wall Street banks. Wall Street banks are suing loan specialists. And investors are suing everyone." Why did lenders ever make loans that they knew borrowers couldn't repay? Because they were passing the responsibility and accountability on to others. The article doesn't mention the ratings agencies, however, who often rated securities much better than should have, partly because they were being paid by the banks issuing the securities. The New York Sun gives these ratings agencies a subpar rating.

Bringing things back closer to home, the Daily News has an article on how prevalent property flipping has been (and continues to be), and how it fed off subprime lending to inflate property values and push families into foreclosure.

On an unrelated note, the Daily News also reports that the Bronx had much fewer bedbug complaints to 311 than all the other boroughs (except Staten Island). While at first it felt great to think the Bronx finally ranks near the bottom in something bad, the numbers aren't quite as rosy for Bronxites once adjusted for population. In the 4 boroughs cited in the article, Queens had the lowest rate of complaints (1 per every 1,408 residents) and the Bronx came next at 1 per every 1,219 residents -- not too shabby, but not a first place finish like article mentions. Brooklyn (1 per 1,053) comes in slightly better than the most bed-buggy borough, Manhattan (1 per every 932 residents). The downside of looking at the absolute number of complaints instead of the rate of complaints is that none of the upcoming educational seminars on how to prevent bedbugs will be held in the Bronx.

Note: Population numbers come from the 2007 Population Estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau

Real Help for Bronx Homeowners on the Way!

Opinion from Guest Blogger Gregory Lobo Jost
Nearly two years ago at a forum on the State of Homeownership in the Bronx, University Neighborhood Housing Program called on the City and bank partners to expand their pilot foreclosure prevention on 311 program citywide. Finally, in early 2008, thay day will arrive, and it will benefit Bronx homeowners (and their neighbors) tremendously.

Earlier this month, the Mayor, City Council and NEDAP announced the Center for NYC Neighborhoods (CNYCN), a new nonprofit entity that will "fund a major expansion and coordination of counseling and referral services, legal assistance, loan remediation, preventive outreach and education, training, research and advocacy around sub-prime lending and mortgage foreclosures."

The reason that this program offers real help for homeowners is not just that it streamlines the process onto 311, but that it provides resources for existing counseling agencies to expand their work, hire new counselors, and funds legal assistance for homeowners throughout the five boroughs. The $1 million from HPD and $1.8 million from the City Council will be the base of the organization's $5.3 million budget for its first year, with financial and philanthropic donations making up the remainder. These resources will allow counseling groups to take on more volume instead of turning people away who need the help. Instead of another hotline referring distressed homeowners to the same over-strapped groups, CNYCN will offer real assistance for New York's homeowners and neighborhoods.

For the Bronx, this assistance comes not a moment too soon. For years, the only homeowner counseling group in the Bronx had been Neighborhood Housing Services of the North Bronx, where one counselor had been responsible for foreclosure prevention for an entire borough. Recently, through a City Council earmark, the Neighborhood Initiatives Development Corporation (NIDC) took on homeowner counseling, but their counselor also can't handle the volume.

Thanks to CNYCN, more counselors will be on the way, placed at these groups and/or other organizations. In addition, UNHP's Eric Fergen will be leaving the Bronx where he has been performing outreach, intake and referrals for homeowners for the past two and a half years. A centralized system on 311 with adequate counseling resources on the back end will help fill the gap, especially for homeowners in the West Bronx where none of the counseling groups are located.

Importantly, the new center will also fund legal assistance throughout the City, including attorneys placed in the Bronx. They will help handle the volume of homeowners that were victims of predatory lending and other scams such as deed theft.

The Center for NYC Neighborhoods will hopefully put all of the pieces together quickly so that it can officially launch and operate in early 2008. Until then, Bronx homeowners can still call 311 for a referral to a counseling agency, but it could be difficult to receive assistance until the new counselors come in. If you can't get assistance from a local group, there is also a national hotline that may be able to help you (1-888-995-HOPE), although they don't provide legal assistance.

But help is on the way!

In the midst of growing foreclosure crisis, water shut-offs are ill-timed

The New York City Water Board will meet Friday morning to discuss a proposal to shut-off water service to over 8,000 single family homeowners behind on their water bills. There are also reports that the Water Board is considering a mid-year rate increase of up to 18%.

As foreclosures continue to climb, a coalition of nonprofit organizations that works with homeowners throughout the City plans to attend the little-publicized Water Board meeting Friday morning to demand a two-year moratorium on shut-offs for homeowners and to call upon Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to improve communication and collaboration with the homeowner counseling groups in resolving unpaid bills. The groups also oppose any additional rate increase that may be on the table.

The proposal to shut-off water service to single family homeowners who owe at least $1,000 and are at least one year delinquent comes at the same time as foreclosure rates in the City are skyrocketing. Many of the homes targeted for shut-off are in the same neighborhoods victimized by high rates of subprime lending and foreclosures.

Water rates have already risen 22% in the past 18 months, and are projected to rise another 11.4% this coming July, as the DEP’s capital costs continue to escalate on major projects like the Croton Filtration Plant being built in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx.

The coalition of organizations attending the hearing include the New York Mortgage Coalition, the Association for Neighborhood Housing Development, Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica, CHANGER, Pratt Area Community Council, Community Assisted Tenant Controlled Housing, Neighborhood Housing Services of Staten Island, Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, and University Neighborhood Housing Program.

The NYC Water Board meeting and hearing will take place Friday, November 9, 2007 at 8:30 AM in Room 123 of St. John's University Manhattan Campus (101 Murray Street).

A Remedy for Rising Foreclosures

Foreclosures in the Bronx jumped to an all-time high for the 3rd Quarter of 2007, according to Bronx nonprofit University Neighborhood Housing Program (UNHP). 441 one-to-four family homes went into foreclosure during the most recent quarter, topping the previous high of 438 set in the 1st Quarter this year.

While the majority of the foreclosures occurred in the East Bronx, both the Northwest Bronx and the South Bronx continue to display an alarming number of foreclosures, despite having fewer 1-4 family homes. In fact, the largest percent increase in the most recent quarter was in the Northwest Bronx, where filings jumped 39% to 74.

It is against this backdrop that UNHP will host its Homeownership Preservation Workshop, Thursday October 4th from 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Bronx homeowners will learn what they can do to avoid foreclosure, and have the opportunity to speak to foreclosure prevention counselors from local non-profits. In addition, two large area lenders, Chase and Washington Mutual, will also be on hand to speak with their borrowers. The workshop is free, and will be held at Concourse House, 2751 Grand Concourse at the corner of E 196th Street.

For more information please contact Eric Fergen, UNHP’s Outreach Coordinator at 718-933-2539 or fergen@unhp.org.

Founded in 1983, University Neighborhood Housing Program is a nonprofit organization working to create, preserve and finance affordable housing in the Bronx.

Bronx Housing Squeeze makes it to Prison Radio

Imprisoned journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal's most recent piece on prisonradio.org, The Latest Battle in the War Against the Poor, focuses on housing struggles around the country.

In many cities, the forces of gentrification are weighing not only on home-buyers, but on renters, for as the price of housing properties increase, so does the price of rental properties in a market that is bursting through the roof. But, for many, the bubble has burst.

It's also evident that Mumia has been reading the West Bronx Blog and/or the UNHP report on Shrinking Affordability:

In New York City, homeowners are spending between 30-- to -- 50% of their income to pay for the mortgage. The prices, even of rents, drives people from Manhattan, from Brooklyn and from Queens, into the Bronx.

Nice to get a shout out from death row!

A Few Housing Updates for September

On the multifamily/rental front, a City Limits article this week exposed how Public Money Helps Fund an Expensive Housing Flip. A report by Tenants and Neighbors and UHAB showed that both the city employees’ retirement account and the New York State and Local Employees’ Retirement System are investing tens of millions in real estate funds that provide capital to the Putnam Holding Company to purchase five expiring Mitchell-Lama properties for almost $1 billion this past May.

With a purchase price that high, there's little doubt rents in these properties will rise dramatically in the coming years. One Assembly Democrat criticized "the investment of retirement funds for city and state employees in 'private equity groups that purchase former Mitchell-Lama developments and make them unaffordable to those same workers.'"

On the homeownership side, Andrew Beveridge in the Gotham Gazette documents the housing bust in New York City, and low income communities of color like the west Bronx will get the hardest. In New York City in 2006, a quarter of Hispanic/Latino homeowning households paid an astounding 81% of their incomes on homeownership costs (mortgage, taxes, utilities). Half of African American homeowners in the City paid more than 44% of their income on homeownership costs.

"Those most at risk of losing their homes because of high housing costs are more than proportionally minority, less educated, either very young or very old, and most especially with much lower incomes than those living in affordable situations. The median income of those paying less than 30 percent of their income on housing is $120,900. For those paying between 30 and 50 percent of their income, though, the median is $74,390, and for those paying over 50 percent the median income is $39,900."

In other words, the less money you make, the more of it goes towards housing. As a result, neighborhoods like the west Bronx will have a higher proportion of homeowners paying a big chunk of their paychecks towards their mortgages, taxes, insurance, fuel, water & sewer, and other costs paid by homeowners.

Finally, the New York Law Journal last month reported on lawsuits by eight black first-time homebuyers in Brooklyn against the real estate company United Homes. The lawsuits all claim that United Homes "oversaw a conspiracy to defraud minorities" looking to become homeowners.

"The plaintiffs' allegations share numerous common elements. After responding to ads on the subway or local newspapers promising 'We Make Dreams Come True,' the plaintiffs were rushed through a streamlined process in which the various defendants conspired to sell them overpriced, defective houses at unfair mortgage rates based on a succession of misrepresentations, according to the complaints."

According to Eastern District of New York Chief Judge Raymond J. Dearie, the plaintiffs claim that United Homes was behind a "fraudulent property-flipping scheme," and that they "bought damaged properties at foreclosure auctions or estate sales[,] performed some cosmetic repairs and, shortly thereafter, sold the properties, often at double the purchase price." The lawsuit targets both the company and their affiliated lawyers, appraisers, and lenders who participated in these schemes. A major accusation in the lawsuit is that these practices were targeted racially.

While it's not surprising that these types of practices were going on in Brooklyn in recent years (and most definitely in the Bronx as well), it is surprising that the allegations have stood up in court thus far. A recent motion to dismiss by the defendents was thrown out by the judge, and one of the plaintiff's attorney's reacted by stating,

"The decision is probably the first time a New York federal court has come to grips with this issue -- the intersection of predatory lending and race discrimination -- and Judge Dearie has made a clear statement that will have strong precedential value in this area."

Vacant New Homes Spreading Throughout City

The Times' David Gonzalez has a feature piece out on the spread of vacant newly constructed homes, especially in Far Rockaway, but also spreading out to neighborhoods in the Bronx.

Since most of these homes were built or planned before the recent subprime/credit catastrophe, the market for them has dried up significantly. Many single family homeowners who decided to cash out in the past few years and leave the neighborhood opened the door to developers to tear down their houses and build (usually ugly) 2 and 3 family homes. If you'd like to see how a block can change, visit Davidson and Grand Avenues in Kingsbridge Heights.

Gonzalez also interviews a Bronx homeowner that was a victim of deed theft, a practice that is now illegal in New York State.

The Daily News also is running a story in the Money section on homeowners in Queens that have been scammed. It's a good read to get the feel for how people are lured into these traps.

City's Foreclosure Prevention Efforts to arrive in the West Bronx for 2008

Just about two years ago the City began a pilot program to help distressed homeowners avoid foreclosure. The partnership, funded by a number of banks, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and administered in partnership with a number of neighborhood and citywide housing nonprofits and legal service organizations, has been active in a number of targeted neighborhoods, primarily in Brooklyn and Queens. PACE, as the pilot is known, was rolled out to the northeast Bronx last year in partnership with Neighborhood Housing Services of the North Bronx.

Through the program, homeowners in targeted neighborhoods could call the City's non-emergency information line (311) and speak to someone about their mortgage problems. The intake person at the City would then refer the person out to the appropriate neighborhood group for counseling, loss mitigation, and/or legal assistance.

UNHP's report on the State of Homeownership in the Bronx (April 2006) offered a number of ideas for expanding PACE citywide so areas like the West Bronx (that have no homeownership counseling groups) could get access to resources. According to an article in City Limits, it looks like PACE will finally expand to the entire city in 2008 (and not a moment too soon).

In the meantime, West Bronx homeowners in distress can contact UNHP to find out about resources to help avoid foreclosure.