Monthly Archives: February 2012

2/12/12 – Binghamton Homeownership Academy announced this week the 2012 First Time Homebuyer Course schedule due to a surge in interest.

• Session One: January 19, 26; February 2, 16, 23
• Session Two: March 15, 22, 29; April 5, 19
• Session Three: May 17, 24, 31; June 7, 21
• Session Four: August 30; September 6, 20, 27; October 4
• Session Five: October 18, 25; November 1, 15, 29 (only if necessary)

All classes will be held at Lincoln Court Apartments, 21 New Street, Binghamton. Classes begin 5:30 sharp and are 3 hours each.

Pre-registration is required, and can be completed by calling 723-0723. Space is limited, so please call and enroll now!

Graduates of the First Time Homebuyer Course are eligible to access range of services and programs, including a $10,000 grant to assist with closing costs and down-payment. Graduates may also open First Home Club savings accounts, in which every dollar saved can be matched by four dollars to be used for purchasing a first home.

The Binghamton Homeownership Academy is a collaboration between the City of Binghamton, Metro Interfaith, Quaranta Housing Services, and other local housing agencies.

February 10, 2012 – The City announced in January the doubling of the First Time Homebuyer Grant, to $10,000, which can be used to help cover closing costs and down payment.

“Closing costs have jumped dramatically over the years, and if we want to continue assisting those families and individuals who are ready, responsible, and qualified to shift from renter to homeowner, we need to keep pace with market trends,” said Tarik Abdelazim, Director of Planning, Housing and Community Development. “We want low and moderate income families to achieve homeownership, but more importantly, we want them to maintain homeownership. The Academy offers financial counseling, savings programs and basic education that will be very beneficial to our participants and it makes us feel much more confident that the small investments we’re making in academy graduates will reap long-term benefits for the new homeowner, the neighborhood, and the community.”

Graduating from the Binghamton Homeownership Academy is now a pre-requisite to qualify for the City’s First Time Homebuyer Program, and graduates may also be connected to housing grants and resources offered by other academy partners, such as First Ward Action Council, Quaranta Housing Services, or Metro Interfaith.

Academy classes are free and held at Metro Interfaith, which is the Academy Coordinator and located at 21 New Street, Binghamton.

Pre-registration is required, and can be completed by calling 723-0723. Space is limited. The January/February class series was booked to capacity, and the academy is now enrolling students for the March/April series.