NeighborWorks Week 2022

NeighborWorks Week showcases how members of the NeighborWorks network strengthens communities and celebrates our collective impact. The Housing Council and other PathStone affiliates will be celebrating this milestone the first week of June with more than 200 other NeighborWorks network members.   

“The Housing Council empowers individuals and families to reach their housing goals, which leads to a stronger community for everyone. Sometimes it’s difficult for people not familiar with our services to understand exactly what it is we do. That’s why we’re happy to take this time to reflect on our work and its impacts,” Mary Leo, Executive Director of The Housing Council stated.

The Housing Council’s services support Rochester area residents, with a focus on low to moderate income families, in obtaining safe, affordable housing. This includes:

·         Counseling, guidance and advice that educates tenants on their rights and responsibilities, assistance in finding an apartment, fair housing information, and additional community and government resources to help stabilize their housing situation, where eligible.

·         Classes, counseling and other resources for landlords that allows them to improve their business practices, avoid fair housing violations, get information on housing laws, evictions and tenant selection. Improving housing stock and increasing the professionalism of small business landlords positively effects the quality of housing for our community.

·         Homebuyer counseling and education which assists first time buyers in making their best decisions so that they can experience the American dream of homeownership in a way most affordable to them, while building equity for their future. These programs may also connect and qualify eligible participants for first-time buyer and other assistance grants.

·         Homeowner services include information and advice needed to maintain the home, planning and budgeting for the inevitable home repairs and how to make smart investments for long-term success. Our counselors can also advise on resources for home repair, energy upgrades and other community resources to maintain a safe and healthy home.

·         Homeowners who are concerned about foreclosure can receive free, confidential counseling and advocacy for saving their home.

·         The Housing Hotline where anyone with a housing-related questions or concerns can speak to HUD certified Housing Counselors for free and confidential advice on their issue.

The Housing Council is a trusted and reliable resource that assists residents in stabilizing their housing and guiding them towards reaching their goals. This vital work could not be sustained without the many local community partners and leaders, funders, Board of Directors, and individual donors who make it possible for us to deliver our critical services to the community. Read our most recent Annual Report and learn more about our work and those who support it.

The Housing Council is proud to be part of the national network of organizations who, in fiscal year 2021, provided 470,704 individuals with housing and counseling services; created 22,001 new homeowners; and constructed, acquired, and preserved 13,749 rental homes. The collective impact of the NeighborWorks Network is astounding -ensuring housing security, community stability and equality, and consumer financial health. Thank you to all who uplift our work help us to be champions of the communities that we served.