- Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
- Division of Banks
Media Contact for Foreclosure Counseling & First-Time Homebuyer Education Grant Awards
Carolyn Assa, Director of Communications, Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
Boston — Today, the Baker-Polito Administration’s Division of Banks (Division) awarded over $2.5 million in grants to fund first-time homeownership education programs and foreclosure prevention counseling centers throughout the Commonwealth. The funds awarded through the Chapter 206 grant program went to a total of 21 organizations including 10 foreclosure prevention regional centers and 11 consumer counseling organizations.
Chapter 206 grants assist homeowners who are often experiencing some type of financial hardship caused by either a loss of or reduction in income or a medical issue as well as prospective homebuyers who are determining if homeownership is right for them. The Division administers funding of these grants with fees associated with the licensing of mortgage loan originators. Funded organizations served over 9,000 Massachusetts consumers and homeowners in 2020.
“Over the past year, due to the pandemic emergency, it has been more important than ever to help keep the people of the Commonwealth in their homes. The Division remains committed to providing resources and consumer education at this critical time,” said Edward A. Palleschi, Undersecretary Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. “The organizations receiving Chapter 206 grants aim to make homeownership feasible for many by offering guidance to prospective home buyers and a lifeline to those struggling with home retention. The value of that work is priceless.”
“We are proud to be able to support Massachusetts consumers for the thirteenth consecutive year by funding programs that offer foreclosure counseling and homeownership education. These grants fund important resources in our local communities,” said Commissioner of Banks Mary L. Gallagher. “The funded organizations have demonstrated strong work plans to continue to serve clients both in-person and remotely adapting to our new normal.”
Since the inception of the grant program in 2008, the Division has awarded over $18 million to organizations that have been able to assist almost 60,000 consumers thanks to these grants. The following organizations are receiving Chapter 206 grant awards for 2021:
|
Regional Foreclosure Education Centers |
2021 Award |
|
City of Boston Department of Neighborhood Development |
$225,625.00 |
|
Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation |
$200,000.00 |
|
Homeowner Options for Massachusetts Elders (H.O.M.E.) |
$119,454.00 |
|
Home Preservation Coalition of the Merrimack Valley |
$248,991.00 |
|
Neighborhood of Affordable Housing, Inc. (N.O.A.H.) |
$140,000.00 |
|
NeighborWorks Housing Solutions of Massachusetts (formerly NeighborWorks Southern Massachusetts) |
$150,000.00 |
|
NewVue Communities, Inc. |
$283,408.03 |
|
South Middlesex Opportunity Council, Inc. (SMOC) |
$45,815.00 |
|
Urban Edge Housing Corporation |
$155,000.00 |
|
Way Finders, Inc. |
$306,311.00 |
|
Total: |
$1,874,604.03 |
|
|
|
|
Consumer Counseling Organizations |
2021 Award |
|
ACT Lawrence, Inc. |
$158,000.00 |
|
Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation |
$25,000.00 |
|
Berkshire County Regional Housing Authority |
$62,500.00 |
|
Chelsea Restoration Corporation |
$106,766.00 |
|
Ecumenical Social Action Committee, Inc. (ESAC) |
$35,000.00 |
|
Franklin County Regional Housing & Redevelopment Authority |
$33,126.00 |
|
Gloucester Housing Authority |
$25,000.00 |
|
Lawrence Community Works, Inc. (LCW) |
$62,947.00 |
|
Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership, Inc. |
$50,000.00 |
|
Quincy Community Action Programs, Inc. (QCAP) |
$47,500.00 |
|
Valley Community Development Corporation |
$63,000.00 |
|
Total: |
$668,839.00 |
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