Working in Neighborhoods

HOUSING DEVELOPMENT - Working In Neighborhoods (WIN) revitalizes and brings stability to neighborhoods and communities through construction and rehabilitation of energy efficient homes for first-time homebuyers. WIN provides families with homeownership opportunities and strengthens neighborhoods through homeownership. Since this program began, WIN has built or renovated over 170 homes and sold them to first-time homebuyers. WINs efforts have increased home values in targeted areas by as much as 25%. In 2023, 1 rehab and 1 new home were under construction, the new home was completed and sold in 2023. 2 new contructions homes are in predevelopment.

COMMUNITY BUILDING WIN helps neighborhood residents gain awareness and understanding of people, resources, and processes to enable them to network together to develop a common vision for their community and affect positive change. WIN also works with residents in the community to implement community improvement projects. In 2023, 842 residents were involved in South Cumminsville Out of Poverty project and Beekman Corridor Coalition. 12 Pop-ups were held to distribute food to 116 families (over 26.4 tons of food). WIN provides Summer Enrichment Programs, as well as three youth holiday events through-out the year for local children. In 2023, 225 youth participanted in WINs Summery Camp and/or WINs Youth Holiday activities.

HOUSING COUNSELING AND FINANCIAL LITERACY - WIN provides counseling and education services related to homeownership and financial capability. WIN prepares families to purchase, maintain, and protect their investment in their homes by offering Homebuyer Classes and individual Housing Counseling and Foreclosure/Delinquency Prevention Housing Counseling. WIN offers Financial Stability Workshops that teach people how to be financially responsible, reduce debt and expenses, and develop an emergency savings plan. In 2023, 225 people participated in Homebuyer Classes or Financial Literacy Workshops, 158 individuals received one-on-one pre-purchase housing counseling services, and an additional 186 people received phone counseling to prepare for homeownership. WINs counseling services worked with 59 families to help them towards resolving their mortgage delinquency/foreclosure. 81 families were assisted with applications for mortgage assistance. 60 households are actively participating in one-on-one counseling for the Port CARES project. 8 people actively participated in the Senior Home Repair Individual Development 13 people received financial coaching and supportive services at Shelton Gardens. 14 WIN involved home repair.