SOURCE: Davidson Housing Coalition

Davidson Housing Coalition has received a $10,000 grant from Bank of America Charitable Foundation providing general operating support for its affordable housing, homebuyer education and financial counseling, and HAMMERS home-repair programs.

“The Bank of America Charitable Foundation grant will strengthen our capacity to more effectively support and serve the community,” said Marcia Webster, executive director of the Davidson-based non-profit housing group.

Davidson Housing Coalition (DHC) works to preserve and create affordable housing and to prepare families and individuals for financial stability and homeownership. DHC serves as the arm of the Town of Davidson in its implementation of the Affordable Housing Ordinance, which requires 12.5 percent of units in new residential developments to be designated as affordable housing.  The organization has purchased or developed 68 affordable units for rent and purchase—many times by first time homebuyers. In 2008 DHC served 134 residents, including homeowners and tenants.

All residents who seek to purchase a home through DHC are required to complete the Homebuyer Education and Counseling program, but these and all financial services are open to the general public as well. Among those who have completed DHC’s Homebuyer Education and Counseling program, none who have purchased homes have ever been forced to foreclose on those properties.

In addition to its Homebuyer Education and Counseling, DHC offers monthly Financial Fitness for Life workshops. These are aimed at helping low-income youth, families, and individuals stabilize their financial situations, reduce debt, improve credit scores and become economically independent.  In 2008 DHC served 175 people through its Homebuyer Education, Counseling and Financial Fitness efforts.

The DHC program called “HAMMERS” (Hands Around Mecklenburg/Mooresville Making Emergency Repairs Safely), makes emergency home repairs on owner-occupied dwellings of lower-wealth Lake Norman residents. HAMMERS uses volunteer labor and donated material wherever possible to repair owner-occupied homes belonging to people who cannot afford to repair their own homes, thereby helping them to keep their homes. In 2008 HAMMERS served 93 homeowners in Mooresville, Davidson, Cornelius, and Huntersville.

For more information on Davidson Housing Coalition, call 704-892-4486 or visit www.davidsonhousing.org