By: Janet Howard| Photo courtesy: Fenix Suriel/IQ inc.
On July 26th, the Bronx Neighborhood Housing Services (BNHS) hosted its Home Ownership Resource Fair, an event that brought together mortgage lenders, insurance companies, city agencies, and elected officials under one roof. The mission was clear: to equip low- and moderate-income families with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to pursue and sustain homeownership.
For BNHS Executive Director Gladstone Johnson, the fair was more than just an information session—it was a powerful push to break down skepticism about homeownership grants and to show residents that, with patience and preparation, the dream of owning a home is attainable.
“Our constituency can be very skeptical. They hear of a $40,000 grant or a $100,000 grant and think it’s too good to be true—or they expect to just walk in and get it. The truth is in the middle. It is true, but it’s a process,” Johnson explained.
Grants, Education, and the Process of Preparation
At the heart of the event was information about the $100,000 forgivable loan offered by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). Johnson emphasized that this assistance isn’t a quick handout but part of a structured process that begins with education.
Prospective homeowners must attend an orientation, complete a six-hour class, and work with a HUD-certified housing counselor before even making an offer on a home. Once in contract, BNHS can request the grant on the buyer’s behalf. The loan is forgivable if the homeowner stays in the property for 15 years.
Johnson recalled one attendee who had recently secured the grant:
“After closing on his house, he told me he kept feeling afraid that someone would call him and say it was a mistake and he’d have to give back the $100,000. I assured him that as long as he stayed in that house for 15 years, that call would never come.”
Preventing Foreclosure and Supporting Home Retention
The fair wasn’t only about helping people buy homes—it was also about keeping them. BNHS works closely with banks to help homeowners in financial distress modify loans or arrange forbearances. But Johnson warned that timing is critical:
“Most of the people come to see us too late. If foreclosure proceedings have started, it’s already a legal matter. We need people to come in early, before it reaches the courts, so we can negotiate and help them keep their home.”
Bringing Resources Together
One of BNHS’s strengths is its ability to convene diverse partners in one place. This year’s fair drew nearly 1,000 people, allowing attendees to speak directly to agencies and organizations that could address their specific needs—whether that meant clearing housing violations, securing repair loans, or understanding new legislation.
Johnson highlighted the importance of early planning for seniors, many of whom face fixed incomes after retirement but still carry mortgages:
“If you’re going to retire in four years, we need to put together a plan now so you can afford your home when your income drops. Sometimes it’s downsizing, sometimes it’s turning around a rental situation in a multi-family home. We can help with that.”
Repair Assistance and Healthy Homes
BNHS also connects homeowners with vetted contractors for necessary repairs, even when grants aren’t available. For those needing to borrow, the organization’s partnerships with banks can offer competitive rates on home equity loans.
“We’re not going to let you go out there to the wolves,” Johnson said. “We’ll give you a list of licensed contractors we work with regularly—and we hold them accountable.”
The Power of Peer Testimony
Johnson noted that peer-to-peer learning plays a big role in overcoming skepticism.
“There’s no better testimony than from someone who’s received the service and is satisfied. We keep video clips and contacts from past clients so new clients can hear directly from them. But they have to understand—patience is key. It can take six to eight months in the pipeline before you get that grant.”
Looking Ahead
BNHS’s work doesn’t end with the fair. Upcoming programs include an eight-hour training on August 23, a virtual orientation on September 2, and the Community Impact Award Gala on October 17.
As Johnson summed up, the mission is long-term:
“Our goal is to make sure people have the information, resources, and guidance to not only buy a home but to keep it in the family for generations.”
The Home Ownership Resource Fair showed that with the right education, strategic planning, and community support, homeownership in the Bronx is not just possible—it’s sustainable.
For more information, visit bronxnhs.org or call 914-275-3961.
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