Community Housing Resource Center

January 2010    

From the Executive Director

Hello,

It’s hard to believe that 2009 is already over and a new year is upon us. The arrival of 2010 means our 10^th annual “Home Is Where the Heart Is” breakfast event is just around the corner.  Invitations have yet to go out, but I do have a few exciting updates to share with you in the articles below.    

The first article introduces you to our keynote speaker, Scott Jarvis.  After you read the piece, I think you’ll see why we’re so excited to have him speak. 

The second article recognizes our first confirmed Gold sponsor, JP Morgan Chase. This is the first time we’ve had the opportunity to partner with Chase, and we’re grateful for their leadership right out of the gate.

Finally, the third article spotlights 2009’s Partner of the Year recipient, Bill Conner of the Washington State Housing Finance Commission.  Bill is a dedicated advocate for Washington families, and we were delighted to honor him last year.  Read the article and you’ll discover why we feel so lucky to count him as a partner in our work. 

Of course, you’ll have to come to the event to find out who wins the 2010 Partner of the Year award.  I hope you’re planning to attend.  February 26^th may seem far off, but believe me; it will be here before we know it.

With much thanks,

Teri Duffy, Executive Director

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Scott Jarvis to Deliver Keynote Address

We are pleased to announce that the keynote speaker for the 10th annual “Home Is Where the Heart Is” breakfast will be Scott Jarvis, Director of the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions.

Scott is a vocal advocate of financial education efforts such as the classes we offer at the Center, and a tireless defender of consumers. He previously served as Washington’s Deputy Commissioner of Consumer Protection and recently sat on Washington’s Task Force for Homeowner Security. As the top financial regulator in the state, Scott’s message of consumer protection promises to be particularly relevant in this time of loan modification scams and rampant foreclosures.

The event will be held on Friday, February 26th, 2010 from 7:30 - 9:00 am at the Red Lion at the Quay in Vancouver, Washington. To reserve your ticket, please contact at 360-690-4496 x 104.

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Chase Capitalizes on a Golden Opportunity

From left: Lena Houston (CHRC Board Secretary/Treasurer,) Marcel Goulet (CHRC Board President,) Teri Duffy (CHRC Executive Director) and Brian Stewart (JP Morgan Chase Community Relations Officer.)

2009 ended on a positive note at the Community Housing Resource Center.  Just before the end of the year, we received word that JP Morgan Chase will be a Gold level sponsor of our 2010 “Home Is Where the Heart Is” event. 

In addition to sponsoring the event, JP Morgan Chase provided $10,000 towards our Mortgage Default Prevention Counseling program in 2009. The Vancouver/Portland metropolitan area has been ground zero for the foreclosure crisis in the Pacific Northwest, and we have expanded the program in order to meet the increased demand and add the ability to serve Spanish speaking clients.  We are grateful to JP Morgan Chase Bank for their commitment to the community and for leading the way with this important, initial contribution. 

Additional sponsorship opportunities are still available.  To reserve one for your business, please contact at 360-690-4496 x 104.

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Bill Conner: 2009 Partner of the Year

At last year’s “Home Is Where the Heart Is” event, we honored Bill Conner of the Washington State Housing Finance Commission as our Partner of the Year.  He had another commitment that day and wasn’t able to accept the award in person. However, the continued importance of his and the Commission's efforts on behalf of the Center certainly warrants a second attempt at recognition. 

Officially, Bill works as a homebuyer education and training administrator.  While that’s still a part of what he does, Bill notes, “I’m spending more time as a grants administrator now.”

One important grant he administers is from the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling program.  Bill and his colleagues advocated on behalf of Washington residents for this important funding. “We’re always out there looking for potential opportunities,” says Bill.

Because of the Commission’s efforts to secure this funding, we were able to strengthen our Mortgage Default Prevention Counseling program.  SW Washington and the Portland metro area has been one of the regions in the Pacific Northwest hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis, and just last year, our program served over 1,200 homeowners who were at risk of losing their homes. 

“Obviously, there’s a great need, especially in the last couple years and going forward, for post purchase foreclosure prevention counseling,” states Bill.  Although the reported number of new foreclosures is slowly declining, you wouldn’t be able to tell it by looking at our office.  Our classroom is consistently full and counselors’ schedules are booked weeks in advance despite expanding our services last fall.

The only silver lining to this otherwise grim reality is that it means we’ll be continuing to work closely with Bill.  Hopefully,  the foreclosure crisis will be well behind us by the time he is eligible to win the award again.

Please join us on February 26^th at the Red Lion on the Quay as we honor 2010’s Partner of the Year. To reserve your ticket, contact at 360-690-4496 x 104.

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