The Chautauqua County Land Bank Corporation is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for first-time or low-income homebuyers, who have interest in becoming owner occupants of a Sales4Rehab property. The Land Bank has formed a new partnership with Home HeadQuarters, Inc., a non-profit housing and community development organization based in Syracuse to launch a Rehab Loan Fund. Because Sales4Rehab properties do not qualify for traditional financing, this partnership with Home HeadQuarters is a vital part of the Land Bank’s continued expansion of programs and resources designed to return vacant properties back to productive use, with a special focus on addressing housing disparities and better serving historically underserved populations within Chautauqua County.

Gina Paradis, Executive Director for the Land Bank, states “We have been anxious to expand access to our programming to those who might not have the ready cash to purchase and renovate our homes, which often need substantial work. With seed funding from us and Enterprise Community Partners, Inc., Home HQ created and will administer this fund. They are a great partner to our land bank, as well as to other land banks around the state who have similar programs.”

Home HeadQuarters is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that serves individuals and businesses that cannot access resources from traditional financial institutions. By applying more flexible underwriting standards, they can provide home ownership financing to those otherwise unable to access it. They are also a certified NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center, offering a wide range of programs and services for all homeownership needs from pre to post-purchase. Under the new partnership for the Rehab Loan Fund, Home Headquarters will offer both acquisition and construction financing assistance to qualified first-time or low-income homebuyers seeking to purchase and rehabilitate properties from the Chautauqua County Land Bank.

“Offering this alternate path to homeownership and wealth building has the potential to be a complete game-changer for people who may not otherwise have to access the resources needed to purchase and rehab these buildings,” said Aili Makuch, program coordinator for the Land Bank.

If you are an interested first-time or low-income homebuyer, call the Chautauqua County Land Bank office at (716) 969-7843 for more information about the Rehab Loan Fund.

Haggis takes stand to clear name in rape suit