Press Releases
HOME offers Free Classes for Managing Your Money
January 18, 2007
Following the holidays, many families realize just how far they have fallen further into debt as bills start to arrive. The percentage of the average family’s disposable income devoted to covering debt payments reached an all-time high in 2006. Credit cards are maxed out and many are now falling behind on their rent or mortgage. In Richmond, the projected foreclosure rate for subprime loans made in 2006 is 20.2%. That is 1 out of every 5! The average American credit card holder has $9200 in debt.
Virginia Families Must Earn $17.13/Hour to Afford 2-BR Apartment
December 12, 2006
According to a report released today, the Housing Wage for Virginia is $17.13. The Housing Wage is the hourly wage a family must earn – working 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year – to be able to afford rent and utilities in the private housing market. This represents an increase of 42% since 2000.
HOME WINS GOVERNOR’s BEST HOUSING ORGANIZATION AWARD
December 5, 2006
Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, Inc. has received the Best Housing Organization Award as presented by Gov. Tim Kaine at the 2006 Governor’s Housing Conference in Norfolk on November 30th.
HSBC Awards $90,000 Grant to HOME
May 24, 2006
HSBC North America Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HBC) today announced it has awarded a $90,000 grant to Housing Opportunities Made Equal to fund the Richmond-based not-for-profit organization’s financial literacy and first-time homebuyer programs.
HOME’s Renewed Fight for Change
March 20, 2006
Housing Opportunities Made Equal, Inc. today announced an organizational realignment to better fight inequities in housing access and opportunities.
Fair Housing Complaint Filed Against Manassas
January 10, 2006
Housing Opportunities Made Equal, Inc. announced today that it has filed a fair housing complaint against the City of Manassas for the adoption and enforcement of an ordinance defining “family” in a way that limits the ability of Latino households to live in Manassas.
“Sign Swiping Day” Sept 30 in the City of Richmond
September 29, 2005
Signs that say, “WE STOP FORECLOSURES! WE BUY HOMES! HOMES FOR CASH!” are sprouting up all across the US, and Richmond is certainly seeing its share. But beware! A new form of fraud and predatory lending is sweeping the nation and it is called “foreclosure rescue scams”.
Carrington Gardens Residents Start to See Hope
June 6, 2005
Last week, the city’s social services went to the aid of those displaced from Carrington Gardens after the city’s inspector condemned the 216 unit complex. Richmond‘s Dept. of Social Services was able to put the remaining 40-50 residents in a local hotel for a week.
NCLC’s “Dreams Foreclosed” Report Details Rampant, Nationwide Theft of Americans’ Homes and Equity
June 1, 2005
The coast-to-coast real estate boom has spawned a nasty dark side in the form of an extremely widespread and damaging consumer scam. Foreclosure “rescue” scams find their opening at the intersection of surging home values and the new financial stresses many families face, says NCLC’s new report “Dreams Foreclosed: The Rampant Theft of Americans’ Homes Through Equity-Stripping Foreclosure ‘Rescue’ Scams.” Read the full report here.
Predatory Lenders Beware! October 20th
October 19, 2004
The City of Richmond and Housing Opportunities Made Equal (H.O.M.E.) will be in Blackwell & Beaufont Grove (formerly Jefferson Village Apartment Complex) communities on Wednesday (October 20th) to educate homeowners about predatory and abusive lending practices.
“Don’t Borrow Trouble” The New Virginia Lending Protection Project
March 26, 2004
A groundbreaking new homeownership initiative to simultaneously help Richmond area borrowers avoid predatory lenders, prepare for the financial responsibilities of homeownership, and access a wider range of safe, flexible mortgage products was unveiled today by a new coalition that includes Housing Opportunities Made Equal, Inc. (H.O.M.E.), Branch Banking and Trust (BB&T), the City of Richmond, and Freddie Mac, one of the nation’s largest investors in residential mortgages.
Prudential Insurance Discrimination Lawsuit by HOME Now Involves Liberty Mutual
October 7, 2003
The lawsuit of Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) and other fair housing organizations against the Prudential Insurance Company took an unusual turn yesterday as the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) petitioned the State of Indiana Department of Insurance to reject the sale of Prudential’s Property and Casualty Division (PRUPAC) to Liberty Mutual Insurance Company.
