Learn how to keep your home at open house

NHS of the Fox Valley, a nonprofit housing, counseling, and lending organization, recently held an open house to celebrate what the office has accomplished in three years. This includes helping 26 new homeowners, providing free homebuyer education classes in English and Spanish to 417 families, and impacting 37 properties with NHS affordable fixed-rate loans totaling more than $4.6 million.

Elgin Mayor Ed Schock commended the Fox Valley bilingual staff for providing credible help to Elgin families.

"There's been over 1,000 foreclosures in Elgin, but this office is on the front line to help our community save their homes," said Mayor Schock, encouraging people to attend an NHS "Keep Your Home" event in Elgin. It will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 2, at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way.

NHS of the Fox Valley Neighborhood Director Johnny Placeres praised the city of Elgin and Kane County for their support of the office's programs. Fox Valley administers Kane County's down payment assistance program, which gives qualified first-time homebuyers up to $20,000 an increase of $10,000 when they purchase a foreclosed property. One new Elgin homeowner Iliana Rodriguez took NHS' free homebuyer education classes and secured her fixed-rate loan through NHS of the Fox Valley.

The city of Elgin and the Fox Valley office will expand its focus to reclaim vacant properties through its Neighborhood Stabilization Program. "Empty, vacant properties have a detrimental affect on our neighborhood," Placeres said. "Programs like these provide tangible help to new homebuyers and create pride in place."

It takes the help of many private and public partners to revitalize neighborhoods. NHS of Chicago Executive Director Ed Jacob thanked the 11 partners who have funded the NHS of the Fox Valley office. He recognized Charter One and Scott Swanson, president of Charter One, for being the leading contributor to the NHS of the Fox Valley office, for their financial support as well as providing leadership on various boards and committees.

"Housing is the center of family. Charter One joins with NHS in advancing affordable housing strategies and education, and the stability these create in our communities," said Scott Swanson, president of Charter One, Illinois. "More than 150 homeowners are in their homes today as a direct result of NHS of the Fox Valley's efforts. That's outstanding."