Winter 2022
SCDHC Celebrates First Closings at the Hollands Subdivision on Perry Street
On Wednesday, January 19th, SCDHC celebrated the closing of the first of 8 newly constructed homes in its Hollands Subdivision on Perry Street in the Swansboro neighborhood of Richmond. SCDHC celebrated the closing with Dr. Shawnrell Blackwell, the homebuyer, Mary White from TowneBank Mortage, who provided mortgage financing for Dr. Blackwell and one of her new neighbors, and representatives of Truist Bank, who provided the homebuyer mortgage for another of Dr. Blackwell’s new neighbors as well as some grant funding for site work costs at the beginning of the project. When talking about closing on her new home, Dr. Blackwell said, “It means everything to me that I am now able to create generational wealth for me and my family. That I’ll be able to pass on something and have a legacy.” SCDHC and Dr. Blackwell also met with Senator Joe Morrissey and Lt. Governor Winsome Sears earlier in the week to discuss the importance of making affordable homeownership opportunities available to Black and Brown first-time homebuyers to build generational wealth and close the wealth gap. The 8 completed 3-bedroom homes were all sold to low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers at or below 80% of the area median income and were priced at $195,000. Seven of the 8 homes were sold to BIPOC homebuyers (Black, Indigenous, people of color). They are the first of 22 affordable homes to be built in the subdivision over the next two years. SCDHC is grateful for the support of the City of Richmond which helped construct the first eight homes.
Struggling to Pay Your Rent?
SCDHC is still working with the Virginia Rent Relief Program, which can help Virginia residents struggling to pay rent during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, have a valid lease in your name, and are struggling to pay your rent, please call us at (804) 231-4449 or toll-free at (877) 501-3456. We can help you apply for rent assistance through the Virginia Rent Relief Program!
The Advantages of Pre- and Post-Purchase Housing Counseling
As a first-time homebuyer, it's important to know preparation is key. Meeting with a Housing Counselor for pre-purchase counseling helps a potential homebuyer learn things that are invaluable on the pathway to homeownership. During your counseling session, your Counselor will discuss tools for financial management, down payment assistance programs and will explain the full cost of homeownership. A Counselor will also help you create a budget that balances your new obligations. SCDHC offers free pre-purchase counseling through our Housing Counseling Program for first-time homebuyers. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our HUD Certified Counselors.
Virginia Mortgage Relief Program Offers Assistance for Virginia Homeowners Financially Impacted by the Pandemic
The Commonwealth of Virginia was awarded $250 million in COVID-19 relief funds from the U.S. Treasury to support homeowners facing housing instability resulting from the pandemic. Virginia Housing’s Virginia Mortgage Relief Program, or VMRP, is using these funds to assist eligible Virginians to help prevent and/or ease mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures, and displacement of homeowners experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic.
To see if you are eligible to apply and to understand qualified expenses, please visit www.VirginiaMortgageRelief.com for more information.
Jim’s Handy Home Hints
Roof Ice Damming
Snow, freezing rain and ice often form when there is falling precipitation and temperatures approach freezing. When snow and ice collect on an area of the roof, often the eaves, ice damming is the blockage that results. Melting snow on the upper portion of the roof cannot drain properly as it becomes trapped behind the ice dam. If the ice dam is large enough and sufficient water collects, it will back up under the shingles and leak into the eaves or worse, into the exterior walls or building interior.
Increasing attic insulation and ventilation are two measures to lower the air temperature in the attic and reduce the tendency for snow to melt over the heated portions of the house.
Register Now for SCDHC’s Virtual Workshops!
SCDHC has opened up new workshop dates in 2022 for its Virtual Homebuyer Workshops, Digital Navigation Classes, and Virtual Financial Opportunity Center Workshops! These workshops are the first step to registering for our services, which can help you improve your income, reduce your debts, and prepare for homeownership.
Register today at www.scdhc.com/workshops!
SCDHC’s Virtual Homebuyer Workshops are partially supported through grants from the Truist Foundation and the Fulton Forward Initiative, SCDHC is very appreciative for the support from Truist Bank and Fulton Bank.