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Free Homebuyer Workshops at Greater Phoenix Urban League on 2nd Thursdays of Each Month

The Greater Phoenix Urban League (GPUL), Wells Fargo Bank, and the Women’s Council of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers Phoenix Chapter are co-sponsoring free homebuyer workshops in 2012.

Learn how to qualify for up to $15,000 in down payment and purchase incentives (limited time only)!

Refreshments will be provided.

The workshops will be held the 2nd Thursday of each month and the next workshop will be held Thursday, February 9, 2012, at 5:30-7 PM, at the GPUL facility, 1402 S. 7th Avenue, Phoenix.

The workshops are free to the public and RSVPs are encouraged.

For additional information, go to: www.wcofnarebphoenix.webs.com or www.wellsfargo.com/register.

You may also call Greater Phoenix Urban League at 602-254-5611 or Women’s Council of the Nation Association of Real Estate Brokers at 602-688-6327.

President Obama's Administration Awards Additional $45 Million to Stabilize Arizona Neighborhoods Hard-Hit by Foreclosure

Third round of NSP grants to build on efforts to confront abandonment and blight
 
PHOENIX – U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today awarded an additional $45 million in funding to Arizona communities struggling to reverse the effects of the foreclosure crisis. The grants announced today represent a third round of funding through HUD’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) and will provide targeted emergency assistance to help local Arizona communities acquire, redevelop or demolish foreclosed properties (see attached chart).

HUD’s Assistant Secretary, Dr. Raphael Bostic announced Arizona’s new funding with Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and a group of local elected officials at the home of one Phoenix family which benefited from NSP assistance.

“These grants will support local efforts to reverse the effects these foreclosed properties have on their surrounding neighborhoods,” said Donovan. “We want to make certain that we target these funds to those places with especially high foreclosure activity so we can help turn the tide in our battle against abandonment and blight. As a direct result of the leadership provided by Senator Chris Dodd and Congressman Barney Frank, who played key roles in winning approval for these funds, we will be able to make investments that will reduce blight, bolster neighboring home values, create jobs and produce affordable housing.”

Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon added, “It’s no secret that Phoenix is one of the hardest-hit cities in our country in terms of foreclosed and abandoned homes.  Here in Phoenix, we’re using all the tools in the NSP toolkit to fight blight and stabilize our neighborhoods.”

The funding announced today is provided under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. To date, there have been two other rounds of NSP funding: the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (HERA) provided $3.92 billion and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) appropriated an additional $2 billion. Like those earlier rounds of NSP grants, these targeted funds will be used to purchase foreclosed homes at a discount and to rehabilitate or redevelop them in order to respond to rising foreclosures and falling home values. Today, 92 cents of every dollar from the first round of NSP funding is obligated – and is in use by communities, buying up and renovating homes, and creating jobs.

State and local governments can use their neighborhood stabilization grants to acquire land and property; to demolish or rehabilitate abandoned properties; and/or to offer downpayment and closing cost assistance to low- to moderate-income homebuyers (household incomes not exceed 120 percent of area median income). In addition, these grantees can create “land banks” to assemble, temporarily manage, and dispose of vacant land for the purpose of stabilizing neighborhoods and encouraging re-use or redevelopment of urban property.

NSP 3 will take full advantage of the historic First Look partnership Secretary Donovan announced with the National Community Stabilization Trust last week. First Look gives NSP grantees an exclusive 12-14 day window to evaluate and bid on properties before others can do so. By giving every NSP grantee the first crack at buying foreclosed and abandoned properties in these targeted neighborhoods, First Look will maximize the impact of NSP dollars in the hardest-hit neighborhoods – making it more likely the properties communities want to buy are strategically chosen and cutting the traditional 75-to-85 day process it takes to re-sell foreclosed properties in half.

NSP also seeks to prevent future foreclosures by requiring housing counseling for families receiving homebuyer assistance. HUD seeks to protect future homebuyers by requiring States and local grantees to ensure that new homebuyers under this program receive homeownership counseling and obtain a mortgage loan from a lender who agrees to comply with sound lending practices.

In determining the allocations announced today, HUD, as it did with NSP1, followed key indicators for the distribution formula outlined by Congress. HUD is using the latest data to implement the Congressional formula. The formula weighs several factors to match funding to need in the 20 percent most distressed neighborhoods as determined based on the number and percentage of home foreclosures, the number and percentage of homes financed by a subprime mortgage related loan, and the number and percentage of homes in delinquency. To estimate the level of need down exactly what to the neighborhood level, HUD uses a model that takes into account causes of foreclosures and delinquencies, which include housing price declines from peak levels, and increases in unemployment, and rate of high cost and highly leveraged loans. HUD also considers vacancy problems in neighborhoods with severe foreclosure related problems.

In addition to a third round of NSP funding, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act creates a $1 billion Emergency Homeowners Loan Program to be administered by HUD. This loan program will provide up to 24 months in mortgage assistance to homeowners who are at risk of foreclosure and have experienced a substantial reduction in income due to involuntary unemployment, underemployment, or a medical condition. HUD will announce additional details, including the targeted areas and other program specifics when the program is officially launched in the coming weeks.

More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov.

The Tax Guy: New IRS Documentation Requirements for Homebuyer Credit

The Tax Guy

According to the IRS, thousands of individuals claiming the first-time homebuyer’s $8,000 tax credit may be trying to scam the system. Claims for the tax credit are being filed by those who were not first-time buyers, those who hadn’t yet bought houses, and those who were under age 18, according to an inspector general’s report. More than $500 million in claimed credits are currently being questioned by the Internal Revenue Service.

In addition the IRS has opened 115 criminal investigations, has frozen more than 110,000 refunds pending further examination and is stepping up audits of questionable claims. Recently, a tax preparer was sentenced to federal prison for filing fraudulent returns — the first in connection with housing tax credit fraud.

In light of these developments the IRS has come up with new documentation requirements for taxpayers who claim a homebuyer credit on their 2009 original or amended return. Taxpayers must now attach a copy of their settlement statements/agreements. Generally, this would be a properly executed Form HUD-1, or for newly constructed homes, with no executed settlement statement, a copy of their certificate of occupancy showing the taxpayers name, property address, and the date of the certificate.

Taxpayers looking to claim the Long-time resident’s credit must show proof that they had the same principle residence for at least 5 consecutive years during the 8 year period ending on the purchase date of the new home. Documentation showing you met this test would include Form 1098s, Property tax records, or Homeowner’s insurance records from prior years.

Because of these new documentation rules, Form 5405 Homebuyer Credit, must be filed by paper and can not be e-filed. Also processing for amended returns will take longer (approx. 12-16 weeks) longer than normal.

Jermaine A. Southern a.k.a. "The Tax Guy" is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) living in Phoenix, Arizona. He received his B.A. in Accounting from Morehouse College, and graduated from Arizona State University's W.P. Carey School of Business with a Masters of Taxation. He has been in public practice for more than nine years along the way working at both international (Deloitte & Touche LLP) and regional (Clifton Gunderson LLP) firms. He is now principal of his own private practice. The Tax Guy's articles do not necessarily reflect the views of PhxSoul.com. Please visit southerncpafirm.com to reach Jermaine for additional questions with regard to this article or other tax assistance.

Phoenix Receives $60 Million Federal Grant to Stabilize Neighborhoods Hit Hard by Foreclosures

The city of Phoenix was awarded a grant of $60 million under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP2), funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded a total of $1.93 billion dollars to states, cities and organizations. Phoenix, along with its partners, received the sixth largest grant amount in the competitive process.

“This is a big win for the city of Phoenix,” said Mayor Phil Gordon. “This $60 million will help continue our efforts to stabilize neighborhoods hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis and create more jobs.”

The funds will be administered through the city’s Neighborhood Services Department and used to continue programs created earlier this year using $39.4 million in funds from the Housing and Economic Recovery Act. These programs address abandoned, foreclosed properties through acquisition, rehabilitation, demolition, redevelopment and financial incentives. An estimated 1,700 homes will benefit from these programs.

“The Neighborhood Stabilization Programs benefit all residents of Phoenix by reducing the numbers of abandoned foreclosed homes and helping to stop the decline of home values,” said Interim Deputy City Manager Jerome Miller.

Please visit phoenix.gov for more information.

Advice from Nova Home Loans on Tax Credits, Mortgage Protection, Short-Selling, Refinancing and More

Submitted by Arthur Brison, Nova Home Loans

Attention Arizona, you have options! Whether you’re buying or refinancing a home, there are several options available to you. If you’re a first-time homebuyer or haven’t owned a home in the last three years, you may qualify for the $8,000 tax credit. 

If you have owned and lived in your home for the last five consecutive years out of the past eight years and are buying up you could qualify for a $6500 tax credit. Don’t let the fear of this economy keep you from taking advantage of this opportunity to buy when home prices and interest rates are historically low.

If job stability is your only hesitation, Nova Home Loans provides Safehouse Mortgage Protection Insurance which will assist you in making your payment up to $2,000 in the event of an involuntary job loss for six months. 

In today's economic landscape, many are interested in buying or refinancing a home, but are concerned that their jobs may not be secure. Nova Home Loans has a program that will make the decision easier. The Rainy Day Foundation created a homeowner retention program called HELP (Homeowner Education and Loan Protection) to provide a comprehensive education, counseling and financial protections to homebuyers during these uncertain times.

The SafeHouse Mortgage Protection Plan offers you a job loss insurance benefit that may provide for your mortgage payment to be made for up to 6 months. For more information, email me at arthur.brison@novahomeloans.com or call 602.385.4814.

Who is Eligible?

• Homeowners 18 – 66 years of age
• Must reside in the US
• Cannot be self-employed, contract employee, seasonal worker or Active Military
• Employed full time (minimum of 30 hours/wk) at time of mortgage closing
• What is the Coverage period?
• 24 months from the closing date of the mortgage on purchase transactions
• 12 months from the closing date of the mortgage on refinance transactions

What is the Benefit?

• The lesser of the actual mortgage payment (PITI) or $2000 per month (under the job loss insurance)
• Emergency mortgage grants for which someone is eligible may vary on a case by case. See eligibility guidelines.

What is the Benefit period?

• Up to a maximum of 6 months during each coverage period. See program outline for details.

Is there a waiting period to receive Benefits?

• Yes, 30 days from commencement of unemployment

What is the Vesting period?

• 60 days from closing. If job is lost during the first 60 days, no benefits will be received for that occurrence.

What are the Conditions?

• Unemployment must commence during the coverage period
• Coverage is limited to payments due 30 days after unemployment begins (waiting period)
• Claimant must qualify for state unemployment benefits
• Claims payment cease immediately upon re-employment
• In the event of subsequent unemployment, a new 30 day waiting period applies.

Short-Selling and Short Refinancing Your Home

If you’re upside down in your home, you don’t have to get behind on your mortgage just to get a lower payment or modify your loan. If you have a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loan, there is financing available up to 105% Loan-to-Value. You can also request a short refinance which allows the lender to lower the principal to an amount that will allow you to qualify for a new loan at a lower rate. 

If you must short sale, enlist the help of an agent who is very familiar with short sales and has a good track record and relationship with the mortgage companies and mortgage servicing companies. Under President Obama’s new foreclosure-prevention plan borrowers get $1,500 from the government for selling their homes, the mortgage servicing company gets $1,000 for each completed short sale, and the second mortgage holders can get up to $3,000 of the sales proceeds for releasing their liens. The great news ... according to the plan’s guidelines, borrowers who complete a short sale under this program must be fully released from future liability for the debt.

If you’re currently in the process of buying or refinancing and would like a second opinion on your loan scenario, please give me a call at 602.385.4814 or email me at arthur.brison@novahomeloan.com. I’m here to help, visit www.BrisonTeam.com!

Smitherman Earns Prestigious Designation to Help Homeowners in Danger of Foreclosure

Cynthia Smitherman of Emage` Fine Properties, LLC of Chandler, has earned the prestigious Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation, after completing extensive training in foreclosure avoidance and short sales. This is invaluable expertise to offer at a time when the area is ravaged by “distressed” homes in the foreclosure process.

Short sales allow the cash-strapped seller to repay the mortgage at the price that the home sells for, even though it is lower than what is owed on the property. With plummeting property values, this can save many people from foreclosure and even bankruptcy. More and more lenders are willing to consider short sales because they are much less costly than foreclosures.

In the Phoenix metro area there are thousands of homes in danger of foreclosing. It is happening in all price ranges. Local experts say that even high-priced homes are not immune.

“This CDPE designation has been invaluable as I work with sellers and lenders on complicated short sales,” said Smitherman. “It is so rewarding to be able to help sellers save their homes from foreclosure.”

Alex Charfen, founder of the Distressed Property Institute in Boca Raton, Fla., said that Realtors® such as Smitherman with the CDPE designation have valuable training in short sales that can offer the homeowner much better alternatives to foreclosure, which virtually destroys the credit rating. These experts also may better understand market conditions and can help sellers through the emotional experience, he said.

The Distressed Property Institute opened in January 2008 and provides training on-site and online. The CDPE is the premier designation for Realtors helping homeowners in distress and handling short sales.

“Our goal is to educate as many people as possible so we can help as many homeowners as possible. If you are facing foreclosure call today, these services are offer at no cost to the homeowner.

Contact foreclosure expert:

Cynthia Smitherman, DB, CDPE, ABR, GRI, Vice President, AAREB, REALTIST

Emage` Fine Properties, LLC

602 697-4487

http://www.homes4saleaz.com/

Greater Phoenix Urban League Offers Valuable Assistance to Current, Future Minority/Disadvantaged Home Owners

The Greater Phoenix Urban League (GPUL) aims to assist African Americans, other minorities, and the disadvantaged with homeownership opportunities by offering services at no charge and an educational opportunity to make their home buying process less of a stressful experience. 

Educating homebuyers during and after this process will ensure for a greater success rate once the purchase is complete. In addition, the GPUL provides delinquency/foreclosure prevention to assist homeowners facing economical challenges options to save their home.

The GPUL has been operating in the valley since 1945 and has been providing housing services and the first-time homebuyer program since 1997.

The following housing services are provided:

Affordable Low-Income Apartments

The Greater Phoenix Urban League provides quality housing for individuals whose income is no greater than 60% of the median income in Maricopa County.
 
Credit Review and Budgeting

Counselors review client’s credit report to ensure accuracy and that all credit issues have been cleared up and provide assistance in clearing up derogatory credit. Counselors assist clients in preparing a budget to begin saving money for the down payment and closing costs, on an ongoing basis.

First-Time Homebuyer Education

Future and prospective homeowners are guided through the pre-qualifying process and provided with information on programs targeted at first-time home buyers thru an educational training that walks clients through the home buying process. Loan program information, credit qualifying, and loan transaction procedures are presented to clients thru home buying seminars.

Foreclosure/Delinquency Counseling

Clients are provided with counseling and resources to assist in preventing delinquency and foreclosure by providing options for loan modifications and workout plans with participating lenders.

The GPUL is able to provide these services thru funding efforts raised by grants, donations, and local support provided by community and government entities.

The services provided by the GPUL are offered at no charge to any members of the community.

The GPUL can be contacted at any of the options listed below:

Address: 1402 S. 7th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Phone: 602-254-5611

Website: gphxul.org

E-mail: jcameron@gphxul.org

BBB Warns Homeowners of Misleading Property Tax Letter

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning Arizona residents to beware of misleading letters from an alleged Phoenix-based company called Property Tax Review Board (PTRB) that claims, for a fee of $189, that they can help homeowners reduce their property tax bills for the 2009 tax year.

“These letters are designed to look as if they are coming from a government agency, but are nothing more than an attempt at charging Arizona residents for something they can easily do on their own for free,” Matthew Fehling, BBB President/CEO said.

The letters state that due to the drop in property values, residents need to file again for a reassessment of their 2009 property taxes.  However, the Maricopa County deadline to file an administrative review for a possible reduction for the 2009 tax year expired in April 2008.

BBB advises consumers not to send checks, cash, credit card or bank account information to an unknown solicitor. Property owners who have questions about property values and taxes are advised to contact their County Assessor’s Office directly.

Click here to view an example of the bogus letter.

The Mortgage Man: SafeHouse Mortgage Protection Plan

Editor's Note: "The Mortgage Man" is a new column on PhxSoul.com that will provide useful, professional mortgage and home ownership advice.

Submitted by Arthur Brison

"The Mortgage Man" Arthur Brison

As a valued partner, I wanted to be the first to let you know of an incredible program that NOVA has just unveiled. NOVA is now offering the SafeHouse Mortgage Protection Plan which is a program that will pay mortgage expenses on time should the participant lose his/her job or experience an economic misfortune. 

In this economy, many of your clients may be hesitant to purchase a home because they are worried about the stability of their jobs. With the SafeHouse program, your clients will know that their home, usually their largest investment and source of greatest security, will be protected from the decisions that an employer may face. This should give your clients great comfort as they continue to plan for their future.
 
As you know, this is an ideal time to buy a home. I do not want to see anyone else miss out on low interest rates and bargain home values because they are concerned about the stability of their employment. NOVA’s SafeHouse Mortgage Protection Plan makes the decision to buy a much easier one. Below is some important information about the program:

Eligibility

• Homeowners 18 – 66 years of age
• Must reside in the US
• Cannot be self-employed, contract employee, seasonal worker or Active Military
• Employed full-time (minimum 30 hours per week) at time for mortgage closing

Coverage

• 24 months from the closing date of the mortgage on purchase transactions
• 12 months from the closing date of the mortgage on refinance transactions

Benefit

• The lesser of the actual payment (PITI) or $1800 per month
• Emergency mortgage grants for eligible participants

Benefit Period

• Up to a maximum of 6 months during each coverage period

Waiting Period

• 30 days from commencement of unemployment

Conditions

• Unemployment must commence during the coverage period
• Coverage is limited to payments due 30 days after unemployment begins (waiting period)
• Claimant must qualify for state unemployment benefits
• Claims payment cease immediately upon re-employment
• In the event of subsequent unemployment, a new 30-day waiting period applies

Should you or any of your clients be interested in discussing the SafeHouse Mortgage Protection Plan in more detail, please don’t hesitate to call me.

Arthur Brison is a Senior Loan Officer for Nova Home Loans/Nova Commercial in Scottsdale, Arizona where he provides innovative financing solutions for First-time Home Buyers, Real Estate Investors, Commercial, and Small Business Owners. As an 11-year veteran of the real estate and mortgage industries, Brison leverages his proven experience in mortgage underwriting, fraud investigation, sales, and management. Prior to joining the mortgage industry, Brison served his country as a Crytologic Petty Officer in the United States Navy. 

A mentor and entrepreneur at heart, Brison is passionate about the future state of the youth and developing African-American and other minority small businesses. Currently he serves as a volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona as well as a member of its Professional Leadership Council. He also serves his community as a member and Treasurer of the Greater Phoenix Urban League Young Professionals.

Brison can be reached at 480-614-6430 or by e-mail at arthurb@novahomeloans.com.

Weatherization Program Offers Grants to Improve Home Energy Efficiency

The city of Phoenix Neighborhood Service Department is offering grants to improve the energy efficiency of low-income households, through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program. A household of four can earn up to $44,100 annually, and qualify for the program.

Last year, Neighborhood Services completed 180 weatherizations on Phoenix homes and recently received $7.2 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to complete approximately 1000 more, during the next three years.
 
“These additional funds will allow the department to continue our vision of building vibrant neighborhoods,” said Jerome Miller, director, Neighborhood Services. 

Professionally trained weatherization crews perform on-site home energy audits using state-of-the-art equipment to determine ways to increase a home’s energy efficiency. 

Grant funds may be used for a variety of projects, including insulation, duct sealing, weather stripping and caulking, repair or replacement of heating and cooling systems, among other projects.  These weatherization measures create an average annual savings of $300 per home. 

The city of Phoenix offers additional loans and grants designed to improve the safety, appearance and value of homes – available to Phoenix residents that meet income requirements.

For more information, contact the Neighborhood Services Department at 602-495-0700.

Dept. of Housing Launches YourWayHomeAZ.com to Help Arizonans Purchase Foreclosed Homes

Arizona Department of Housing Director Donald E. Cardon today announced YourWayHomeAZ.com – a one-stop Web site with the latest information on Arizona’s Neighborhood Stabilization Programs (NSP), including assistance for purchasing foreclosed homes.
 
Those interested in purchasing foreclosed homes in select areas throughout the state will be able to determine if they might be eligible for the Your Way Home AZ programs and which program meets their needs.
 
“Especially during these tough economic times, Arizonans are looking for the stability, safety and hope that a secured home provides,” said Director Cardon. “Your Way Home AZ brings the joy and responsibility of owning a home one step closer for those who were unable to afford a home even a year ago.” 

Funding was made available through the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). The state of Arizona and nine other counties and communities received more than $121 million to help stabilize the state’s hardest hit neighborhoods through a variety of efforts.
 
Information regarding the NSP projects for the state of Arizona, Maricopa County, Pima County and the cities of Avondale, Chandler, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Surprise and Tucson will be available at www.YourWayHomeAZ.com.
 
The state of Arizona will use up to $20 million of its $38 million allocation to assist homeowners in purchasing foreclosed homes through a down payment assistance program. Individuals and families who have a gross income of 120 percent or less of the average median income (AMI) may be eligible for the assistance. AMI is determined by the federal government for each county in Arizona.
 
Some of the NSP projects are already underway and information can be found on www.YourWayHomeAZ.com. The state of Arizona’s down payment assistance program will be available to residents of Apache, Coconino, Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Mohave, Navajo, Pinal, Santa Cruz, Yavapai and Yuma Counties in May 2009. It will then be open to all Arizona residents in July 2009.
 
“We encourage all Arizonans to visit www.YourWayHomeAZ.com to determine if they may be eligible to participate in the opportunity this program provides,” Cardon said. “The information is free and you could be closer to owning your own home than you might imagine. This truly is a great opportunity for families as well as individuals to experience a major element of the American Dream – which many believe includes owning your own home.”
 
Arizonans should check the Your Way Home AZ site often as communities update their projects.
 
For more information about the Arizona Department of Housing, please visit www.azhousing.gov.

Check Out PhxSoul.com's Community and Nightclub Calendars for Phoenix Area Events and Entertainment

PhxSoul.com has added a Community Calendar and a Nightclub Calendar so you can easily find African American events that are happening in the Valley of the Sun!

You should always review our Community and Nightclub Calendars - especially on the weekends - for a complete wrap-up of what's happening for US in the Phoenix area!

• In our Community Calendar, you'll get information on cultural fairs, theatrical performances, business networking opportunities, social gatherings and much more!

• In our Nightclub Calendar, you'll see recommended nightclubs, happy hour spots, spoken word venues, upcoming concerts, live local music shows and more!

• Where's the Nightlife for Mature Black People in the Phoenix Area? Click HERE to find out!

• Also, Follow us on Twitter @PhxSoul and Like us at Facebook.com/PhxSoulcom!

Special Note: If you are organizing an event that may be of interest to the African American community in the Phoenix area, please send us an e-mail! It's FREE for you to send us press releases, electronic flyers and general details to help you spread the word about your event(s) and organization(s). However, DONATIONS to PhxSoul.com are appreciated!

 

Mortgage Help is Available for Phoenix Homeowners

Phoenix homeowners who are struggling to keep up with increases in their adjustable mortgage rates or who are facing possible foreclosure on their homes now have help available.

The city's Housing Department and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development say homeowners can get assistance from several government agencies and private organizations.

In Arizona, more than 24,000 loans - many of them in Phoenix - were either in foreclosure or seriously delinquent toward the end of last year and industry experts are predicting that one in five sub-prime loans is likely to end in foreclosure.

The following could help people save their homes:

• FHASecure gives credit-worthy homeowners who are now in default a second chance with a FHA insured loan. To qualify, homeowners must have a non-FHA insured adjustable rate mortgage or ARM that has reset, sufficient income to make the payments, and a history of on-time payments before the loan reset. To apply, visit www.fha.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FHA (225-5342) for more information.
• HOPE NOW provides information and resources to distressed homeowners. English- and Spanish-speaking counselors can be reached at 1-888-995-HOPE (4673) and more information is available at hopenow.com.
• Local Phoenix housing counseling agencies also are available to explore options. Included are: Arizona ACORN, 602-253-1111 or acornhousing.org; Chicanos Por La Causa, 602-253-0838 or cplc.org; Community Housing Resources of Arizona, 602-631-9780 or communityhousingresources.org; and Neighborhood Housing Services of Phoenix 602-258-1659 or nhsphoenix.org.

Visit the City of Phoenix Website for more information.

African Americans Are Spread Out All Over Maricopa County - Just Accept It!

If you've visited Websites such as City-Data.com, wikipedia.org or if you've taken the opportunity to read the The State of Black Arizona Report created by the Greater Phoenix Urban League and Arizona State University, you'll learn that the black population in Maricopa County ranges between 3 percent to 4 percent and that the total population in Maricopa County is approximately 3.7 million people (as of 2008).

Based on those figures, we can estimate that we have almost 150,000 African Americans in the cities and towns (such as Phoenix, Tempe, Glendale, Chandler, Mesa, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Goodyear, Surprise, Maricopa, etc.) inside Maricopa County.

As one of the largest counties in the United States (population and size), it becomes a little easier to understand how the black community here can be so fractured. We have a lot of space here and few people! We live all over this county!

So for all of those people who are complaining about how the Valley of the Sun doesn't have any BLACK neighborhoods or lacks BLACK culture, I ask you now, is it a little easier to understand why?

I'm one of the rare African American natives in the Phoenix area. Most of our population consists of people who move here from other areas. And I've noticed that many black people move here for a few years, realize they don't like it here because of the small black population and the perceived lack of black culture, and then they move out! Do I blame them? I don't really know, but you must realize that this makes it extremely difficult for the black community to establish any kind of stability and strength.

I have to admit that I get a little annoyed when people complain about the small African American population here and the fact that we haven't established a "BLACK" neighborhood. What is this, the 1960s?

In order to set up a black neighborhood - in South Phoenix for instance - we'd have to ask all African Americans who live in Scottsdale, Tolleson, Peoria, Surprise, Queen Creek, Mesa, Tempe and other communities to sell their homes and set up shop on the south side. I live in South Phoenix, but if I worked in north Scottsdale, Surprise or Buckeye, I'd be mad as hell about making that looong commute every morning just to satisfy a few people who want a "BLACK" neighborhood!

Black people in Maricopa County should have the freedom to live where and how they want to live. If you are an African American in Maricopa County, you have the opportunity to explore many different cultures and forms of entertainment. How do we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream by restricting ourselves to ONE neighborhood, ONE group of people and ONE way of life? In order to make America a better, more racially tolerant place, we must have a presence in ALL cities and towns, not only in Maricopa County, but across the nation!

Black people, let's please quit the bloodclot cryin' about having CULTURE SHOCK when you move to Phoenix.

Of course, I still want African Americans in Maricopa County to be unified. When we see each other on the streets, in corporate offices and other places, I want us to acknowledge each other and make some type of emotional connection! And we must consistently host events that allow us to celebrate our history, our talents and our future.

However, I think that we need to accept the fact that the Maricopa County's culture will never be like Detroit's, Atlanta's, Chicago's or Charlotte's! Black people will never be the majority in Maricopa County. Instead, we must EMBRACE the fact that Maricopa County is a direct reflection of America - A MELTING POT!

And in the long run, we will understand that we and our future generations will be better off for the diversity, opportunities and experiences here! Let's start to look at the glass as half-full, not half-empty!

PhxSoul.com Readers: How do you feel about this blog? If you agree or disagree with my above statements, I invite you to share your Thoughts and Comments! I look forward to your feedback!

Is South Phoenix Headin' South?

I love South Phoenix. I've worked and lived in South Phoenix for the last five years and I'm a native of Phoenix.

I remember the days when South Phoenix used to be considered as the black part of town (now it's mostly Hispanic - which is cool with me). I remember the days when South Phoenix used to be considered as the bad part of town. In many circles, South Phoenix is still considered as the bad part of town!

I remember the days when it was cool to cruise up and down Central Avenue and Keys Market was the primetime hangout spot! I grew up in the Moon Valley/Deer Valley area and I nearly lost my mind when I'd visit friends on the south side because black people seemed to be everywhere!

I had some great times as a kid in South Phoenix until the gang-bangin' era really got crazy in the mid-to-late 1980s. For a while after that, South Phoenix scared me to death!

But about six or seven years ago, South Phoenix became the focus of a renaissance! New, affordable homes started poppin' up everywhere and businesses slowly started investing in the community. It was cool to see all of the young black professionals who were buying homes on the south side and showing their optimism about the future. I heard whispers of plans to build a new mall, a movie theater, golf courses, restaurants and improve the schools here.

A few years ago, I can recall driving by 24th Street and Baseline Road religiously in anticipation of the Target/Fry's Shopping Center! And when Starbucks came to the south side, I was like, "What???? Have we arrived?"

But now, I'm starting to get worried about South Phoenix.

Is it me or does it seem that the rate of violent crimes are on the rise? I just read a story about a 22-year-old woman who was shot and killed in a truck not too far from my home. Almost every night on the news, I see a story or two about home invasions, shootings or armed robberies in South Phoenix.

Also, many of the walls surrounding the new neighborhoods are being defaced on a regular basis by taggers and vandals.

Lastly, it seems that the retail momentum in South Phoenix has slowed tremendously! Sure, we have new shopping centers on 51st Avenue and Baseline Road, 35th and Southern Avenues and the shopping center at 19th Avenue and Baseline Road is on the way, but is that it? I've seen a lot of fenced-off corners that seem to be earmarked for development but these lots seem to sit untouched for months!

I've talked to a few long-time residents of South Phoenix and I've been told that many of them are irritated with the growth that they've seen here! They say it's out of control and it has broken the sense of community they once had. Some complain that it's actually more difficult to drive in South Phoenix because more people live here. Overall, they're upset because they didn't have a chance to voice their opinions about all of the new development.

I've even been told that some of the crime, graffiti, vandalism and public opposition to new retail is caused by people who are sick of the "progress" in South Phoenix!

If that's true, I think that's absolutely crazy, but that kind of backlash is not a foreign concept in America! I would love to think that everyone has embraced the "renaissance" here, but obviously you can't please everyone!

I believe more of the old-school residents would be more willing to accept the growth if they had a chance to share their thoughts in townhalls with potential business owners and home builders. I had the opportunity to attend a few community meetings while I was a newspaper reporter and South Phoenix has been home to some of the most spirited discussions I've ever seen!

Overall, I have great hopes for South Phoenix and there are many positive and intriguing aspects to MY side of town, but my eyes are not as wide open as they were a few years ago.