Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!
This office will be closed December
24th and 25th for Christmas and December 31st and January 1st for the New Year Holiday.
Orientation will resume Thursday, January 3rd at 10:30 am and 5:30 pm
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Friday, December 30, 2011
January 2012
TRULY BLESSED!
(Slidell, LA) “The Lord has blessed us real good!” says new NHS-Northshore first-time homeowner Jason Reavis. The Reavis family moved into their new house in November, 2011. This is the first time that Jason, his wife and two children were able to host a Thanksgiving Holiday Dinner and celebrate Christmas in a home of their own.
Jason Reavis came to an orientation held for City of Slidell employees by Neighborhood Housing Services-Northshore and Metairie Bank in May of 2009. For nearly two and a half years he received intensive pre-purchase counseling, and attended homebuyers’ and financial fitness fitness training. Receiving these services and steadfastly building a savings allowed him to access $12,000.00 in IDA grants from Southern University and United Way of Southeast Louisiana. Mr. Reavis was also able to secure a 1% home mortgage loan thru the United States Dept of Agriculture, (USDA). The USDA, Southern University and United Way of Southeast Louisiana are all NHS-Northshore partners.
When asked what he likes most about his new home, Jason responded, “The stability it provides for the kids”. His wife Tanya said that being able to make your own decisions and do what you want is what she likes most. Son Gage, is excited about having his own room and being able to go outside and play in the oversized, fenced back yard. Daughter Destiny says she can now lock the door to her bedroom and most importantly, “The whole family can sit at the kitchen table and eat together.”
GET TAXES DONE FOR FREE!
If you make $50,000 a year or less, you can have your taxes done at no cost at NHS-Northshore! In partnership with the IRS and United Way of Southeast Louisiana, NHS-Northshore has two Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites:
Bogalusa -- 2030 S. Columbia St. -- 985-732-0064
Mandeville – 1400 North Lane – 985-809-9472 Returns will be completed by appointment throughout the end of tax season (deadline: April 15, 2012). A trained NHS-Northshore counselor, IRS consultant or volunteer will work with you at the time of your appointment. Returns will be e-filed. Some restrictions do apply. We will not be able to complete your return if you are self employed and it is necessary to prepare a Schedule C form.
Call now to make an appointment to get your taxes done for free!
2011 TAX TIPS & CHANGES
Earned Income Credit (EIC)
Amount of Credit Increased
For 2011, the maximum credit is:
• $3,094 with one qualifying child
• $5,112 with two qualifying children
• $5,751 with three or more qualifying children
• $464 with no qualifying child
Earned Income Amount Increased
To be eligible for a full or partial credit, the taxpayer must have earned income of at least $1 but less than:
• $36,052 ($41,132 if Married Filing Jointly) with one qualifying child
• $40,964 ($46,044 if Married Filing Jointly) with two qualifying children
• $43,998 ($49,078 if Married Filing Jointly) with three or more qualifying children
• $13,660 ($18,740 if Married Filing Jointly) with no qualifying child
No More Work Pay Credit for 2011
Standard Deduction Increases
The standard deduction for taxpayers who do not itemize deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040) has increased. The standard deduction amounts for 2011 are:
• $11,600 – Married Filing Jointly or Qualifying Widow(er)
• $8,500 – Head of Household
• $5,800 – Single or Married Filing Separately
Exemption Amount
The amount a taxpayer can deduct for each exemption increased to $3,700 for 2011.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Spread The Word!
NHS-Northshore has been chosen (among other agencies) to administer the EHLP program. Check out the flyer below to get an idea of what this means for you. More details and the application can be found at http://ehlp.nw.org/. (click on the red box titled, "Pre-Applicant Screening Document") Applications must be submitted to NHS by July 22, 2011. Pass along this information to anyone experiencing foreclosure difficulties.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
June 2011
Repairs For Seniors!
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| (Bogalusa, LA) "My new shower and windows are exactly what I needed. I was surprised at how fast everything was done and the quality is great too." - Betty Adams |
Eligible senior citizens in St. Tammany and Washington parishes are enjoying repairs to their homes thanks to a program at the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Dallas, and a partnership between Iberia Bank and Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS). Iberia Bank and NHS joined forces to complete a competitive application, and as a result, were awarded grant opportunities for 15 families.
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| (Mandeville, LA) "We really needed that bathroom and kitchen flooring replaced. We couldn't have had it done without the grant!" - Alvin and Carolyn Anderson |
NHS-Northshore provided 10 grants to rural homeowners who qualified for the Affordable Housing Program (AHP). 6 families in Washington Parish and 4 families in St. Tammany received $7,500 each in rehab work that included: roof replacement, grab bars in bathrooms, new flooring and sub flooring, new hot water heaters, working air vents, steps and handrails, new windows and doors. For more information on AHP grants see product spotlight below.
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| (Mandeville, LA) "I feel safer walking down these stairs now that I have handrails. I'm so glad that NHS-Northshore helped me get this and otherwork done on my house." - Lillie Ellis |
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| (Bogalusa, LA) "The new windows are a blessing. It's so nice to not have water running into the house every time it rains. I am extremely grateful! - Windell Green |
FHLB - Dallas
Affordable Housing Program funds may be available in August. No guarantees as yet!
Requirements:
- Owner Occupied - Name on Deed
- Income eligible
- Over 55 years of age
- Attend 2-hour home maintenance training
Wireless For Hope
NHS-Northshore is partnering with Affordable Wireless to provide 500 FREE cell phones with 100 FREE ROLLOVER minutes to residents of Louisiana who qualify! No credit check, no fees, no bills, no problem!
The giveaway day is: Tuesday, June 14 from
10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Cassidy Park on Willis Avenue
Pavilion A
Bogalusa
You qualify if you receive any of these assistance programs:
- Food Stamps
- Medicaid
- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
- Low-Income Home Energy Program
- Supplemental Security Income
- Federal Public Housing Assistance
- National Free Lunch Program
See 'ya there!
Flood Insurance
Recent storms and events have taught us that everyone is at risk of flooding. Flood insurance is a vital key to protecting your property and to hurricane preparedness. Please note that most homeowners policies do not offer flood protection. It is vital that property owners protect their homes and personal contents before the next threat of flooding is upon us. Keep in mind that hurricane season begins June 1st. Please don't put it off, in general flood insurance policies do not take effect until 30 days after a flood policy is purchased.
To learn more about how to purchase a National Flood Insurance Policy and about the benefits of protecting home and property against flooding call 1-888-379-8631 or visit FEMA.gov.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
January 2011
Happiness is...
A Habitat Home!
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| A smiling Stacy Bickham and her daughter Latisha |
"Stacy Bickham moved steadily through our program," says Lara Batchelder with Habitat for Humanity St. Tammany West. "She was a willing volunteer and conscientious learner, always asking questions about how to take care of her home. Stacy is very proud of her new Habitat house," says Batchelder.
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| Jill Harley proudly holds the key to her new home |
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| The Bourgeois family in the dining room of their new home |
For more information on eligibility for Habitat for Humanity programs, see below.
Requirements for admission into Habitat program:
- Live or work in St. Tammany Parish
- Income Eligible
- Need - Currently live in substandard or temporary housing, overcrowded conditions, or be rent-burdened etc.
- Willingness to Partner - Be willing to fulfill the sweat equity requirement (attend education classes, work at construction site, etc.), save money for closing, and accept the responsibilities of homeownership
- Ability to Pay - Be able to pay the monthly mortgage
If you've paid to have your taxes filed, then you know it's an expensive transaction. Tax preparation companies charge anywhere from $150 to $400 to prepare a tax return. That kind of money can be hard to come by.
Why not do yourself a favor this year and get your taxes done for free? NHS-Northshore's Bogalusa Office is approved by the IRS to be a VITA site (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). What does this mean? On January 28th between the hours of 8:30 and 4:30 residents of Washington Parish can walk-in to our office and have their taxes done for free! Your return will be completed by one of our counselors or an IRS consultant. If you can't make it on January 28th, give us a call. We will complete returns by appointment only after January 28th. If you have any questions or need to make an appointment, please call the Bogalusa Office at 985-732-0064.Some restrictions do apply. We will not be able to complete your return if you are self employed and we have to prepare a Schedule C form.
Tip of the Month!!!
You may be able to take a Residential Energy Efficiency Property Credit if you made energy saving improvements to your home in 2010. The credit is limited to $1500 over 2009 and 2010. Qualified energy efficiency improvements that may qualify:
Certain heat pump water heaters; electric heat pumps; central air conditioners; natural gas, propane or oil water heaters and stoves that use biomass fuel.- Qualified natural gas, propane or oil furnaces; and qualified natural gas, propane or oil hot water boilers.
- Certain advanced main air circulating fans used in natural gas, propane or oil furnaces.
- Solar electric property, solar water heating property
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
December 2010
A Christmas Story(Covington, LA) It will be a merrier Christmas this year for the Simmons family! First time homebuyers Jeremy and Jennifer and their four children will celebrate the holidays in their new 4-bedroom, 2-bath home off Hwy. 190 in Tammany Hills subdivision.
Counselors Kevin Zamjahn and Theata Mason remember Jeremy as being a hard worker who "was determined" and fully committed in the Financial Fitness and Homebuyer Training classes.
"Jeremy has a young family, and he took a lot of initiative to get his family in to a home," says Kevin. "After completing NHS-Northshore pre purchase services, Jeremy was able to get an FHA loan from Fidelity Homestead. He was also a participant in the Southern University IDA program, saving $1000 and getting a match of $4000 for a total of $5000 to use for down payment assistance and closing costs." For more on the Southern University and Greater New Orleans United Way Individual Development Account (IDA) programs, see below.For the Simmons family, Santa came early this year. Jeremy, Jennifer and the kids tell us that they are looking forward to many more yuletide visits from Old St. Nick at their new home.
IDAs are a match program designed to help families purchase a home.
Greater New Orleans United Way
- Income eligible
- 4 to 1 match up to $2000
- Return up to $8000
Southern University
- Income eligible
- 4 to 1 match up to $1000
- Return up to $4000
For more information, call:
Mandeville Office 985-809-9472
Bogalusa Office 985-732-0064
LHFA Bond Money
So You're intrigued about the possibility of homeownership, but there's a problem.....you're money is funny, and your change is strange.
You could be a candidate for the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency (LHFA) bond money program. The LHFA offers an opportunity for affordable homeownership for first time homebuyers, and low to moderate income families, through its assisted and unassisted programs.
The assisted program currently allows a mortgage interest rate of 4.5% and allows as much as 3% of the loan amount to be used towards down payment and closing costs.
The unassisted program is currently at a mortgage interest rate of 3.95%. For the bond money there are income limitations, and the counselors at NHS-Northshore, will be happy to review the income guidelines with potential candidates. The bond money program works in conjunction with FHA, VA, and rural development programs, so conforming credit criteria does apply.
So....if your credit won't get it and your pennies aren't many, let NHS-Northshore get you on the right path to homeownership, with the LHFA Bond Money program, or other opportunities.
Tip of the Month!!!Arctic temperatures are upon us. Even in our neck of the woods the temperature can drop well below freezing for an extended period of time. Busted pipes and a busted budget could be the result of not being prepared. Use these simple tips and the winter holidays will be a lot more merry.
When temps dip below freezing:
- Wrap any outside exposed pipes
- Let water run throughout the night
- If you have a well, put a light next to your pump
- Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow the warm air to heat the pipes
Friday, November 19, 2010
November 2010
A Special Thanksgiving!
(Hammond, La) "If it hadn't been for Kevin and NHS-Northshore, I wouldn't have a home today," says 58-year-old Deborah Hampton. Ms. Hampton lost her job at the phone company in 2006 and began getting behind in her mortgage payments. With foreclosure looming, she and her daughter Kimlyn and Roxx the Pomeranian thought their days in the very comfortable country cottage were numbered. "I was already packing up and began looking for apartments," said Ms. Hampton.
According to RealtyTrac based in Irvine, California, there were 1,897 foreclosure related actions in Louisiana in October, 2010, a number that is 50% higher than a year ago. Last month a sale notice was sent to 1,142 Louisiana property owners. 1 in every 993 households in our state received a foreclosure related notice.
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| Ms. Deborah Hampton and Roxx enjoying a moment at home |
Have PowerPoint Will Travel(Bogalusa, La) NHS-Northshore employee Justin Jernigan conducts an Orientation for 100 participants at Northshore Technical College. Justin talked about the benefits and barriers to homeownership as well as available subsidies for prospective homebuyers and NHS services.
If you would like NHS-Northshore to do a similar presentation at your organization or business, just give us a call!
Mandeville - (985) 809-9472
Bogalusa - (985) 732-0064
At this time of Thanksgiving we thank-
Our Advisory Board -
- Marina Stevens - Assistant Planning Director, City of Slidell
- Masood Faizi - Shell Exploration & Production
- Carl A. Thompson - Community Lending Loan Officer
- Sandy Bloom - Personnel Director, City of Bogalusa
- Stanley Scianna
- Hattie Brown - Community Representative from Covington
- Stephanie Bedford - VP, Metairie Bank
- Nathan Young - Upward Community Services
- Ertis (EJ) Barnes - Community Representative from Mandeville
- Nahketah R. Bagby - Director of Planning & Zoning, City of Covington
- Kevin Williams - FDIC Community Affairs Specialist, Louisiana
Our Funders -
- Northshore Community Foundation
- Whitney Bank
- Washington Parish
- St. Tammany Parish
- United Way Greater New Orleans
- NeighborWorks America
Our Partners -
- Habitat St. Tammany West
- Habitat East St. Tammany
- Habitat Washington Parish
- Southern University - IDA Program
- United Way - IDA Program
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Internal Revenue Service
Fall Brings Falling Leaves!
Allowing debris to sit on your roof:
- Traps moisture, causing mildew
- Interrupts water flow
- Blocks gutters
- Causes undue weight in one area
Each of these items can drastically decrease the life of your roof.
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