Accomplishments


Updated October 2007

  • In recognition of its successful Community Land Trust Program, Newtown received the 2007 Housing Hero Award for Local Initiatives from the Arizona Department of Housing.

  • Governor Janet Napolitano visited one of Newtown's recently rehabilitated homes to learn more about Newtown's work and its Community Land Trust program (7/07).

  • Newtown received the HUD Phoenix Field Office's Most Valuable Partner Award for supporting HUD's initiative of increasing homeownership opportunities.   

  • Recently, Newtown was selected as one of five housing counseling providers to receive valuable technical assistance, training and “state-of-the-art” marketing materials through a new JP Morgan Chase / NeighborWorks pilot project.  The goal of the program is to increase the capacity and efficiencies of housing counseling providers and fee for service opportunities.

  • Newtown received unconditional approval as a HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agency.

  • This past year Newtown and Habitat for Humanity Valley of the Sun created the first Community Land Trust (CLT) / Habitat home in Arizona. 

  • Newtown had its first CLT resale this year.  In June 2002 the home appraised for $120,800 and sold for $90,000.  In July 2007 the home appraised for $225,000.  Newtown exercised its first right of refusal, acquired the home, completed about $20,000 in rehab and resold the home for $145,000.  The original CLT owners realized approximately $30,000 in appreciation and equity from the sale.

  • Newtown currently has 34 properties in its Community Land Trust Program. The homes are a combination of acquisition / rehabilitation (23), new construction (5), a Habitat for Humanity / Community Land Trust home (1) and Deed-Restricted Townhouses/Condos (5).  15 of the homes were acquired and/or completed this past fiscal year.

  • Newtown received the 2005 Neighborhood Builder's Award through the Bank of America Neighborhood Excellence Initiative.

  • From July 2006 to June 2007, 255 participants attended Money Smarts for Homeownership, a 1 ½ hour workshop.  168 completed an 8-hour homebuyer education class.   68 new participants enrolled in Newtown's Homebuyer Assistance Program, 44 opened an IDA savings account and 27 participants purchased a home.

  • Since beginning its Individual Development Account (IDA) program 83 participants have purchased homes using over $1.3 million in IDA match funds provided by Newtown.

[ top ]