Hollister and San Benito County housing officials are sponsoring
a free, two-day
”
Housing Expo
”
aimed at giving current and prospective homeowners information
about programs that can help them keep or buy a home.
Hollister and San Benito County housing officials are sponsoring a free, two-day “Housing Expo” aimed at giving current and prospective homeowners information about programs that can help them keep or buy a home.
The event, organized by the county’s Housing and Economic Development Division along with the city’s Redevelopment Agency, is designed to “help stabilize the local economy and minimize the negative effects of vacancies and foreclosures” locally, according to a press release from C.J. Valenzuela, the county’s housing programs coordinator, and Francisco Cases, and RDA project coordinator.
“The level of need for at-risk homeowners and tenants who need assistance regarding residential vacancies and foreclosures throughout the city and county has expedited the need to provide the City/County Housing Expo,” the release said.
Organizers noted that as of Jan. 7, San Benito County had 267 pre-foreclosures (notices of default), 309 auction properties (trustee sales) and 288 bank-owned properties.
Day 1 of the event Feb. 25, will be an all-day foreclosure prevention workshop designed for at-risk homeowners and tenants who are affected by residential foreclosures.
Lenders and Housing and Urban Development-approved foreclosure-prevention counselors will be at the Veteran’s Memorial Building at 649 San Benito St. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to get the process started for potential loan modifications, repayment plans or other loan solutions. The session will also feature workshops covering the foreclosure process, renter’s rights and tax information.
Day 2, from 3-7 p.m., is dedicated to those interested in home ownership. Information for prospective homebuyers includes workshops covering down payment assistance programs, discussion of the home-buying process, credit information, conventional and government loan programs and homebuyer tax credit information.
Local nonprofit and government agencies will participate along with lenders, legal aid representatives, certified public accountants, real estate professionals and local housing partners.
Walk-ins are welcomed on both days of the event, though RSVPs are recommended. For more information, contact Maria Mendez at 636-4316, ext. 10 or e-mail her at
ma**********@ho*******.gov
.
