HOME OWNERSHIP

A family’s home provides a stable place in which to form a healthy environment. A home also often represents a family’s primary asset, and serves as a base upon which to build additional assets. Furthermore, communities with a high percentage of owner-occupied homes are generally safer, economically stronger, and characterized by a more engaged citizenry.

The Foundation will consider support for organizations working to increase home ownership in low- and moderate-income urban and rural communities.

Community Development Corporation of Brownsville, Inc. CDCB manages a comprehensive home ownership program for very-low, low- and moderate-income families below 80% area median income in the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Heron has provided general support since 2003.

The Foundation is interested in organizations that develop and/or finance new or rehabilitated owner-occupied homes, including self-help housing; that assist people with affordable mortgages; or that provide pre- and post-mortgage counseling to first-time home buyers.

As in all program areas, the Foundation will give priority to organizations that can demonstrate results, including the number of low-income families that acquire and retain their homes, and show an increase in home-ownership rates within low-income communities.