Sen. Carper Unveils Faith-Based Homeownership Initiative and Partnership with Fannie Mae and DE Federation of Housing Counselors

Wilmington, DE – Senator Tom Carper on Friday, January 28, 2005, will visit each of Delaware’s three counties to highlight his new faith-based homeownership initiative and introduce some of the families who have benefited from this effort. The goal of the initiative is to increase homeownership rates among especially minorities using new outreach strategies and technology to streamline the home buying process. Senator Carper developed this statewide strategy with major assistance from Delaware Federation for Housing Counselors, various lenders, local churches, and Fannie Mae (FNM/NYSE). The three-part process, as overseen by the Delaware Federation for Housing Counselors, works in the following way: · Homeownership workshops are sponsored by trusted neighborhood organizations, such as churches; · Those interested can register for follow-up housing counseling sessions with Delaware Federation for Housing Counselors; · Once the mortgage is ready, the customer’s application may be transmitted electronically from Home Counselor Online ä, Fannie Mae’s free Web-based counseling-support software, to a participating lending partner, thereby streamlining the mortgage application process. To date, 18 churches, 10 counseling agencies, and three lenders (GMAC, Wachovia, and Wilmington Trust) are participating in Wilmington, Dover, and Georgetown. On Friday, the homeowners will open their homes for tours and speak about the benefits of the program. The homeowners’ pastors, Senator Carper, a representative from Fannie Mae, DE Federation of Housing Counselors, and the lenders will also speak. All will be available for interviews and photos. FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 2005 New Castle County 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. The Home of Mr. Robert Wright 2303 N. Monroe Street Wilmington Directions: Take I-95 Take Concord Pike South Exit At off-ramp go to the right onto Concord Pike South Make a right onto Concord Pike Go straight through the first light (over Broom Street) Make a right at the second light onto Baynard Boulevard Make a left onto 23rd Street Make your first left onto N. Monroe Street Mr. Wright’s house is the second house on your left, number 2303. Kent County 12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. The Home of Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Bing 136 Birkdale Lane Camden Directions: Take Route 1 South Exit Route 1 South at exit for Salisbury and Route 13 South Make a left onto Route 13 South At the 3rd traffic light, make a left turn onto Route 10 East (Landmarks: Dairy Queen, signs for Dover AFB and Rising Sun) Once on Route 10, take your first right onto Rising Sun Road. Travel approximately 1/2 mile to Traybern Development. Turn right onto Traybern Boulevard Make the next right onto Traybery Way Make first left onto Birkdale Lane Go to the end of Birkdale Lane and Mr. and Mrs. Bing’s house is the last house on the right before the cul de sac. Sussex County 2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Future Development of Ms. Gail Jones* 114 Truitt Avenue Shepherd’s Point Georgetown *Ms. Jones has completed a contract and is waiting for her new home. Directions: From North to South, Take Route 113 South to the Georgetown area From the intersection of Route 113 South & Route 18, take Route 113 South for 0.4 miles Make a right onto Ennis Avenue (At the sign for Howard T. Ennis School) Make an immediate left onto Truitt Avenue Follow Truitt Avenue until you see the grey model home on the right (#114) From South to North Take Route 113 North to the Georgetown area From the intersection of Route 113 North & Route 9, take Route 113 North for 0.7 miles to the left turn lane. At the Howard T. Ennis School sign, make a left to cross over Route 113 South onto Ennis Avenue Make an immediate left onto Truitt Ave Follow Truitt Avenue until you see the grey model home on the right (#114) # # # Home Counselor Online is a trademark of Fannie Mae. Unauthorized use of this mark is prohibited.