To improve the quality of life in the neighborhoods which it serves by promoting revitalization through home ownership, rehabilitation and economic development.
Family Services
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CNHS, Inc. is serving three counties (Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough). It has expanded its services as well, from focusing solely on home ownership to providing educational opportunities, business technical assistance, property rehabilitation, real estate development and property management activities.
Isay Gulley, President and CEO, has been with the organization for more than 30 years, providing a stabilizing force within the organization. CNHSs Board of Directors is a partnership of residents and business leaders who are fully engaged in the organizations work and have facilitated a number of partnerships.
Financial Planning and Assistance
Green Building and Home Improvement
Housing Programs and Home Ownership Counseling
Home Maintenance Training
Housing and Housing Rehab for the Elderly
Housing & Housing Rehab for the Handicapped
History of Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc.
Through a partnership approach, Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (CNHS) was formally established in 1979 by a group of concerned residents who wanted to address the continued decline of the South Greenwood neighborhood, a community of more than 6,600 residents with some of the oldest housing stock in the city. Owing to its success in home ownership counseling, housing development, rehabilitation and small business development, CNHS later expanded its target area of service to include North Greenwood in 1990.
In 1997, CNHS,Inc. expanded its targeted areas again to include Tarpon Springs. In 2009, the East Gateway District (Clearwater) was added as yet another target area for redevelopment. Since its inception, CNHS,Inc.has successfully managed the construction and rehabilitation of more than 900 single-family residential properties, primarily in Pinellas County.
In 1983, CNHS,Inc. further expanded its role in the creation and retention of small business development and lending programs. In 1999, it extended its lending capacity by becoming a Small Business Administration (SBA) micro loan lender.
In 2003, CNHS,Inc. partnered with Bank of America in the renovation of 192 rental units known as the Palmetto Park Apartments, formerly known as the Greenwood Apartments. This residential community had a history of being known as a pocket of blight, coupled with high crime and variety of social ills. CNHS,Inc. led the charge to change these conditions resulting in a $14.3 million public/private partnership.
By 2009, CNHS,Inc. continues to serve the three county area :Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough. It has expanded its services as well, from focusing solely on home ownership to providing educational opportunities, commercial lending, property rehabilitation, real estate development and property management activities. Isay Gulley, President and CEO, has been with the organization for more than 30 years, providing a stabilizing force within the organization. CNHSs Board of Directors is a partnership of residents and business leaders who are fully engaged in the organizations work and have facilitated a number of partnerships.
2011 CNHS,Inc. obtained its Registered Residential Contrators License from the State of Florida. This license is limited to construction, remodeling, repair or improvement of one-family, two family, or three-family residences not exceeding two habitable stories above no more than one unhabitable story and accessory use structures.
CNHS,Inc. was the first Neighborhood Housing Services in Florida to receive its charter from Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, now known as NeighborWorks America. Today, CNHS,Inc. is committed to meeting its mission by providing the following lines of business: Existing Homeowners Services, Home Ownership Promotion Services, Real Estate Development and Community Based Economic Development.
CLEARWATER NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES, INC. (CNHS)
HomeOwnership Programs
Foreclosure Counseling
Foreclosure is a legal process through which a lender seeks to take ownership of a borrowers home because the borrower has failed to pay his or her mortgage loan as agreed. The foreclosure process typically begins when a borrower is more than 90 days late on a mortgage payment and the lender files a notice of default. According to some studies, half of home foreclosures occur without borrowers ever talking to their lender, servicer or to a non-profit housing counselor. Although there is no simple or single solution, it is important that at risk borrowers take immediate action. Foreclosures may be avoided if individuals are well informed about available resources.
CNHS will assist homeowners that are in urgent need of foreclosure counseling and support by providing outreach, education, counseling, and mediation assistance. CNHS will also assist in addressing the underlying issue(s) that are keeping the homeowner from making timely monthly mortgage payments as agreed. Foreclosure counseling includes one-on-one counseling sessions to assist homeowners in assessing their current situation and empowering them to make decisions to rectify current and future homeownership situations.
Housing Counseling
For over 30 years and counting, Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (CNHS) has dedicated its mission to making the dream of homeownership a reality for many of the residents in the communities we serve. The success of our families has been the cornerstone of our expertise and the building blocks of strengthening and revitalizing our neighborhoods.
As a result of our long standing reputation, we have been able to develop and strengthen new and existing partnerships to provide you with expanded resources and referrals to professionals within the homeownership industry that are essential pieces to the puzzle of purchasing your first home.
At Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (CNHS), we understand that responsibilities to family and work can be sometimes overwhelming, making the process of purchasing a home a stressful undertaking. That is why we have developed a One-Stop-Shop to provide you with services core to purchasing a home.
Our pre purchase services are designed to help you improve your current housing condition and understand the responsibility of homeownership. Specifically, these services include one-on-one housing counseling, action planning for mortgage readiness, homebuyer and financial fitness education, budgeting, credit building and/or repair, down payment and closing cost loans, and assistance with obtaining city and county first time homebuyer funds.
When you enroll in the CNHS Homebuyer program, you can expect to work with a team of trained professionals, at your own pace, that will guide you through the pre purchase process.
Contact Us today so we can guide you through pathway of homeownership.
Homebuyer Education Class: Keys To Home Ownership
The overall objective of the class is to provide information to First Time Home Buyers about the home buying process and creating better-informed consumers and responsible Homeowners.
Topics include:
CNHS Housing Rehabilitation Program
CNHS, through funding provided by NeighborWorks America can provide loans up to $10,000 to income eligible households to help you rehabilitate your home. In order to be eligible for the Home Repair program, you must own and occupy your residence.
Rate and Term: 2% interest for up to 15 years.
Program Eligibility:
Click Here for Application
City of Clearwater Downpayment Assistance Program
Assistance is available to help income eligible households who meet specific program guidelines cover part of their down payment and closing costs when purchasing a home within the city limits of Clearwater. The home must be used as a primary residence. Properties must be located inside the city limits of Clearwater.
Pinellas County Down Payment Assistance Program
Assistance is available to help income eligible households who meet specific program guidelines cover part of their down payment and closing costs when purchasing a home within unincorporated Pinellas County. The home must be used as a primary residence. (Properties located inside the city limits of Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Belleair Shores are not eligible for this program.) Funding is provided by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners.
Maximum Subsidy Amounts:
*Contact CNHS for target area maps
Maximum Purchase Price: $175,750
Rate and Term: Repayment is deferred for five years. Beginning in year six, the loan is repaid at 0% interest over the next three to ten years, depending upon the amount of the loan.
CLEARWATER NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES, INC.
Business & Economic Development Programs
Economic Development
Small Business Development Contact: Jenee Skipper
Monday & Wednesday: 727-453-7781
Tuesday & Thursday: 727-784-3332 ext. 3015
Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (CNHS) is a private non-profit commercial lending institution. In addition to commercial financing, CNHS is committed to promoting economic development. CNHS provides technical assistance to small businesses in Pinellas County.
Through a partnership with Pinellas County technical assistance to small businesses is being provided.
Community Impact: CNHS has been providing economic development loan assistance since 1983 in partnership with the City of Clearwater. In addition, CNHS has been a micro lender as a Small Business Administration (SBA) Intermediary in Pinellas County since 1999. During that time, CNHS closed 96 start-up business loans. Forty-two of those loans were funded by the City of Clearwater totaling $697,000.00. The remaining 54 loans were funded by the SBA program totaling $1,079,764.00. The loans funded ranged from $1,000.00 to $35,000.00 with the average loan amount at approximately $15,000.00
In order to learn more about these services, call and make an appointment to discuss your particular needs.
Volunteer Opportunities
CNHS Business Development Center
The Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (CNHS) Business Development Center is located at 1045 N. Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Clearwater, Florida. The facility is an old commercial building that has been used in the past as a community bar, lounge and restaurant since construction in 1945. CNHS acquired the building with federal funding from the City of Clearwater in 2003, in an effort to eliminate blighted conditions and to help move the community forward. The building was rehabilitated through the use of EDGE funds from BB&T Bank and NeighborWorks® America. The size of the building is 5,960 sq. ft.
The Business Development Center is the home of one of the Pinellas County Heat Start Centers.
The Business Development Center is located within Census Tract #262 of the City of Clearwater. This area is known as the North Greenwood community. It is also known as the lowest income census tract in the City. Other types of businesses located in this commercial corridor are, beauty shops, barber shops, small mom and pop cafes, mini market, bars, social clubs, health care centers, youth organizations and many churches. Also, on the same street, is a newly built aquatic center and library. Other businesses that are located nearby are somewhat the same, with the exception of gas stations, Dollar General store, health care facility, automotive places and service type businesses.
Make-A-Difference Center
Palmetto Park Apartments, formerly known as the Greenwood Apartments, Make-A-Difference Center is located in the North Greenwood Community of the Clearwater, FL. This neighborhood had some the most blighted housing in the city. Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (CNHS) saw the need for decent, safe and affordable rental housing in this community. With partners among public entities, private companies and community organizations, the old dilapidated Greenwood Apartments was revitalized through a $14 million rehabilitation project.
The primary emphasis at the Make-A-Difference Center is on the development of attitudes, responsibility, a love of learning and values about learning and living together in the community, which promote success in life.
The Make-A-Difference Center, funded by the Bank of America includes; a playground, computer lab, library, kitchen, restrooms and laundry. The center provides financial literacy programs, healty/nutritional classes, homebuyer counseling, home maintenance workshops, after-school programs and summer camp. The Make-A-Difference-Center is staffed by CNHS.
All activities and programs are for the tenants of Palmetto Park Apartments. Children ages 6 - 12 are eligible to participate in the after-school and summer program. The Center provides help with homework, offers an afternoon snack, movies, computer assistance and recreational activities. This is a free service and is available to your children on a daily basis Monday thru Friday (with the exception of Holidays and vacation schedules)
Palmetto Park Apartments Make-A-Difference Center
For more information please click here to contact CNHS
Volunteers Needed for Make a Difference Center (MADC)
Guest Speakers or providers for youth & adults
Tutorial Assistance
Computer Technology Instructor
Health / Nutrition Class
Artist
Make a Difference Center Wish List
Video Game System (Playstation II / III)
Educational Video Games
Educational Software (Grades K-6)
School Supplies
Books
Home Materials (Worksheets & Excercises K-6)
Board Games
Volunteer Certified School Teacher(s)
DVD Player
STAFF
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND MEMBERS
CNHS MAIN PHONE NUMBER: 727-442-4155
CNHS MAIN FAX NUMBER: 727-446-4911
Isay Gulley Ext. 19
President / CEO
igulley_hotmail.com
Ronald Wade Ext. 13
Construction Specialist
rwade_clearwaternhs.org
Mary Ann Cole Ext. 18
Financial Officer
macole_cnhs_hotmail.com
Frank LaMagna Ext. 20
Loan Officer
flamagna_clearwaternhs.org
Jenee Skipper
Business Resource Network Specialist
Tuesday & Thursday: 727-784-3332 Ext. 3015
jeneeskipper.brns_gmail.com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairperson: W. Pearl Johnson
Housing & Community Relations Vice-Chair: Gilbert P. MacPherson
Secretary: Teresa G. Cintron
Treasurer: Frank Cassara
MEMBERS
Ricardo J. Guice
Paul Burroughs
Samuel Davis
Brian Perdek
Norma H. Brooks-Parks
Annie T. Larkin
Wayman J. Pearson
Robert Landis
City-DPA App -BLANK Form -.doc
Pinellas County Application form.doc
City-DPA App -BLANK Form -.pdf
Pinellas County Application form.pdf
Please mail application documents to:
CNHS
608 North Garden Avenue
Clearwater, Fl 33755
or eMail to Mary Ann Cole at
Webmaster: Alethalady Design ~ www.alethalady.com ~ 727-692-7592 ~ Copyright: November 2011 ~ All Rights Reserved
