Margert in the News

Far Rockaway, October 15, 2005....This last Saturday, Margert Community Corporation held its marquee homeownership event of the year, at St. Mary Star of the Sea School, in Far Rockaway. Presented as Rockaway Renaissance 2005, the event was co-sponsored by the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) in recognition of October as homeownership month.

Opened to the public at 11:00 am, the school auditorium contained exhibits from all the players in the home buying process, including bankers, attorneys, home inspectors, realtors, insurance brokers, developers, nonprofits and governmental agencies.

"We'd like to extend our thanks to all that contributed to the success of today's event," said Stephanie Lawes, Margert's Housing Director. "This includes HPD, NYCHA and HUD, NEDAP, Bank of America, Bank of New York, Citibank, JPMorgan Chase, HSBC, North Fork Bank, WAMU, ACES, Century 21 Langer, Prudential Action Real Estate, Roger Pierro, Esq., Ira Seplow, Esq., House Master and State Farm Insurance."

The report, entitled "An Analysis of Selected 2000 Census Data for the Rockaway Peninsula, Queens County, New York," a collaborative effort of NYC Councilman James Sanders, Jr., Margert Community Corporation (MCC), the Rockaway Development and Revitalization Corporation (RDRC) and the Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway Peninsula (JCCRP), provides an overview of the Rockaways through the prism of the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP). DHCR guidelines require specific criteria to qualify communities for NPP assistance. These criteria (vacancy rates, poverty, age of housing and housing burden) were analyzed, together with various other housing related census data, to provide a comprehensive image of the housing landscape in the Rockaways.

Supported by Curtis Archer of the RDRC, and Harvey Gordon of the JCCRP, executive director Joseph G. Barden announced the release of the report to the gathering.

"Councilman Sanders performed his usual yeoman's job of leading us through an ambitious agenda within a tight timeframe," said Mr. Barden. "The participation of Bob Breglio, our technical assistance provider from the Neighborhood Preservation Coalition of NYS, will ensure that the second installment of the series is as powerful a tool for re-development as the first."

Representing a diverse cross-section of community service leaders, including representatives from Congressman Meeks, State Senator Malcolm Smith and the local Community (planning) Board, the gathering established an ambitious agenda for the next study, including economic development, education, health, transportation and general quality of life. Issues related to the unique needs of Rockaway's Older Americans will receive special attention. 

Look for the release of our second installment sometime around the end of the year.

Entire Report in PDF Format (Warning: this is a large file...it will take a while to load)

Far Rockaway, NY, January 5, 2004....The New York City Housing Authority's Ocean Bay HOPE VI Homeowner Preparation Program (HPP), designed to empower residents to break through existing barriers to low income and minority participation in the American Dream, completed its first semester of classroom training this past December. This NYCHA program is administered in partnership with Margert Community Corporation.

Successful completion of the Homeownership Preparation Program required 100% attendance for 24 hours of classroom training, independent study and a final exam. "I am extremely proud to report that 17 students were able to fully commit themselves to our rigorous course of study and receive a certificate of completion," said Ms. Stephanie Lawes, Director of Homeownership Services at Margert. "These graduates recognize that this is only the first step toward homeownership. They may now begin to rebuild credit and establish mortgage readiness with full knowledge of the home mortgage loan process. Experienced budget and credit counselors, provided exclusively for this program, are already working with the graduates to move them toward homeownership."

This unique classroom training opportunity, designed specifically by Margert for NYCHA residents, is being offered on both weeknights and weekends to accommodate as many residents as possible. All residents of the Ocean Bay Apartments Bay are eligible for the classroom training. However, only those that meet income eligibility guidelines may qualify for a NYCHA purchase assistance subsidy of up to $ 25,000. This subsidy will be made available for up to 24 income-eligible NYCHA resident households that successfully meet program requirements. Margert will provide an additional purchase assistance subsidy of $ 10,000 for those graduates that meet the eligibility guidelines of their DHCR funded HOME program.

"The rapport created by Ms. Lawes between the Margert homeownership team and the residents was truly genuine," remarked Joseph Barden, Margert's executive director, "and served as the foundation for a powerful learning experience. We are extremely grateful to have been fully supported by the executive staff of the NYCHA Department of Housing Finance and Development, especially Ms. Sharon Ebert, Mr. Richard French, Ms. Veanda Martin, Mr. Keith Johnson and Mr. Vaughn Banks."

NYCHA's commitment to the program was underscored by the presence of executive staff at both graduation ceremonies. All interested Ocean Bay residents are encouraged to reach out to Margert Community Corporation for more information on this unique opportunity.