Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Housing Fair November 16 Making Home Ownership More Affordable with New Services

October 26, 2011

CANAAN, CT—Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation today announced that HousingUs will hold a Housing Fair at Geer Village in Canaan on November 16 from 4-7pm. Information about new affordable home ownership resources will be provided including: free first time home buyer courses, down payment and closing cost assistance, homeownership counseling, information on creating an accessory apartment and affordable homes being built by local nonprofits. Home ownership counselors will be available for questions. The Housing Fair is sponsored by HousingUs, an initiative of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation in partnership with the Housing Development Fund.

Jocelyn Ayer, HousingUs program coordinator said, “For our towns in the Berkshire Taconic region to thrive and grow, we need a wide range of housing options for working families, young people and seniors. That’s what HousingUs is all about. We’re delighted to sponsor this housing fair to bring resources right to the people who can use them…first time home buyers and home owners having trouble affording the home they’re in.”

This year, HousingUs will help connect first-time homebuyers to local non-profits in the Northwest Corner that are building affordable homes. With help from HousingUs, the Housing Development Fund (HDF), a non-profit based in Stamford, CT has now expanded their first time homebuyer services into the Northwest Corner and will have space at the Foundation for Community Health offices in Sharon.

HousingUs has also expanded its Accessory Apartment Program by partnering with the Women’s Institute for Housing & Economic Development. It now provides low interest loans to homeowners who want to create accessory apartments. Accessory apartments are a creative way to address the housing crisis and earn homeowners rental income in a down economy.

For more information go online or call Jocelyn Ayer, HousingUs program coordinator at 413.229.0370 x105.

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation builds stronger communities and improves the quality of life for all residents of northwest Litchfield County, CT; Berkshire County, MA; and Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY, acting as an agent for positive change in the region. Since 1987, Berkshire Taconic has managed a growing collection of charitable funds created by individuals, families and businesses. Each year, the foundation distributes over $7 million through grants and scholarships for programs in the arts and education, health and human services and environmental protection, helping thousands of donors achieve their philanthropic goals and hundreds of nonprofits carry on their good work. Berkshire Taconic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity.

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