EANDC: A Year in Review
With nearly 350 participants in our virtual HomeToday workshop series and an exciting I PROMISE Housing groundbreaking — the impact of COVID-19 has not stopped the East Akron Development Corporation (EANDC) from advancing our mission to decrease the housing gap and strengthen communities in Summit and Stark counties.
As we reflect on the past year, we are deeply grateful for the commitment of our staff members and board of directors who were resilient and creative in response to the challenges of an ongoing pandemic and its resulting financial and health crises.
The commitment of our team and extended community has been a source of hope over the past year, and below are a few highlights worth celebrating:
Ongoing partnership and support from NeighborWorks America — Throughout 2021, NeighborWorks America organized a national educational campaign to provide their partner agencies and homeowners with education to recognize and avoid foreclosure scams. With the pandemic-related unemployment and housing crisis still unfolding, homeowners who struggle to make payments are also more likely to be victimized. Being a charter member of the NeighborWorks America network allows us to extend their resources to the communities we serve.
Holiday Gift Giving Continued, Thank You — Every year, our social services staff coordinates gifts for local families. This year, we were able to provide gifts to 3 EANDC families with a wonderful Christmas. From Lori Haren, social services coordinator, “Thank you to everyone who donated, helped wrap, helped organize and helped deliver these gifts! We provided 13 kids with presents to open and huge smiles on their faces Christmas morning! I look forward to this every year and enjoy every minute of it.”
EANDC Breaks Ground on I PROMISE Housing Development — On September 29, 2021, EANDC hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking to highlight their key partners in the funding and vision for a long term housing development that will serve students and families of the LeBron James Family Foundation I Promise schools. James’ mother, Gloria James and Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan both spoke at the event. In his speech Horrigan said, “If a student doesn’t need to worry about where their next meal is coming from, or where they lay their head at night, if they don’t have to worry about basic survival, then they do have a real opportunity to thrive in an educational setting.”
EANDC, as the owner and developer, worked with seven different entities to pull together $15,500,000 of financing for the development of this project. LJFF’s role involves extending its provision of wraparound support to the I PROMISE Housing development, including access to a state-of-the-art Family Resource Center and dedicated staff to administer a wealth of community resources including job and family services, medical and mental healthcare, educational and career advancement training, and financial literacy programming.We became stronger, again. The annual report can create a sense of “delayed gratification” for nonprofit professionals who don’t often get to summarize and reflect on their progress until a year later, when all the reports have been finalized and outcomes measured. It’s worth celebrating; however, that the recent release of our 2020 annual report showed EANDC’s organizational strength and stability during a year when many nonprofits and businesses struggled to survive. We are deeply grateful for the efforts of our staff , board members, and the outpouring of community support that helped EANDC face the unknown and prepare for the unthinkable — which continues to disproportionately impact marginalized communities like those we serve.
Click here to view an online summary of the 2020 EANDC Annual Report, released prior to our annual meeting October 27, 2021.
As President/CEO, Cheryl Stephens, and Board President, David Buchanan, shared in their letter to the community, “the dedicated EANDC staff is what makes our work possible, so our most important goal for 2020 was to ensure their safety and security in spite of the challenges the pandemic has caused. In return, our employees worked tirelessly and creatively to support each other and our tenants.”
We are proud to report that EANDC continues to survive the unthinkable and our staff team looks forward to a bright future, strengthened by the challenges we have faced and overcome together.
Thanks, also, to these funding partners that serve as a foundation for our work: Akron Community Foundation, Capital One, CF Bank, Collaborative of Ohio, Fifth Third Bank, Key Bank, NeighborWorks America, Ohio CDC, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo
Community Partners in Possibility
Alicia Townsend, U.S. Bank’s Vice President and Community Affairs Manager for Ohio metro areas, says she has always been “keenly aware of the great work East Akron Neighborhood Development Center (EANDC) was doing as an organization” based on a relationship between the bank and EANDC that has been nurtured and strengthened under the recent leadership of Cheryl Stephens, President and CEO, and EANDC’s board chair David Buchanan, a U.S. Bank employee.
“We have a heart for affordable housing” Townsend notes, indicating that EANDC “rose to the top pretty quickly” during a 2020 competitive grant opportunity which the U.S. Bank Foundation mobilized to invest $1 million nationwide in response to the urgent needs of COVID-19.
As part of U.S. Bank’s Community Possible initiative, Townsend sees EANDC as “an organization whose work is in alignment with our goals and values, making it so much easier to make a connection and have meaningful, long-lasting impact, especially in communities.”
“Our work isn’t done, and neither is East Akron’s,” says Townsend, noting the key role that Buchanan and Stephens have played in continuing to advance EANDC’s mission and deepen the relationship with U.S. Bank since the 2018 retirement of the nonprofit’s founding CEO, Grady Appleton. As a funding partner, the bank values their ability to be responsive to the needs of the East Akron community during COVID-19 but also looks forward to supporting the continued work of addressing the community’s racial and economic inequities.
Visit USBank.com to learn more about U.S. Bank’s commitment to being a part of the solution in closing racial wealth gaps, creating greater financial wellness, and addressing climate change.
Risk of Housing & Foreclosure Scams Increased During COVID-19
COVID-19 has caused thousands of Northeast Ohio residents to lose their jobs through no fault of their own, said retired Cleveland Clinic CEO Toby Cosgrove in a plea to local leaders at the end of last year, insisting that a housing crisis looms large for Cleveland and surrounding communities.
As a result of those job losses, families and individuals affected, who are unable to secure work often face the loss of their home through foreclosure or eviction — with Black and brown communities disproportionately impacted.
In additional to the financial strain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Northeast Ohio homeowners who are struggling to keep their homes are also at risk of being targeted by foreclosure scams. The emotional and financial distress of foreclosure often makes people more likely to overlook red flags and sign up for “too good to be true” services that could make their situation worse.
Do you know how to spot a home foreclosure scam?
Our colleagues and supporters at NeighborWorks America know all the dirty secrets and we're helping spread the word. Below is a list of their top 6 signs you're dealing with a scammer:
1. A company or person asks for a fee in advance.
Don't pay for a service before you receive it. It is illegal for a company/individual to charge fees in advance for mortgage assistance services. Note: Attorneys are allowed to charge fees in advance if they meet certain requirements and place fees in a client trust account.
2. A company or person promises you they can stop foreclosure or eviction.
Nobody can make this guarantee. Scammers use fear and the promise of security to trick people in need. Legitimate, trustworthy HUD-approved counseling agencies will only promise they will try their very best to help you.
3. A company or person tells you to stop paying your mortgage or landlord and pay them instead.
Despite what a scammer will tell you, you should never send a payment to anyone other than your mortgage company or landlord. The minute you have trouble making your monthly payment, contact your lender, landlord or a HUD-approved housing counselor.
4. They pressure you to sign over the deed to your home or sign any paperwork that you haven't had a chance to read and don't fully understand.
Be careful. Signing over the deed to your home may not prevent foreclosure. You are still responsible for paying your mortgage even if you sign over the deed to your home. A legitimate housing counselor would never pressure you to sign a document before you had a chance to read and understand it.
5. They claim to offer government approved or official government loan modifications.
They may be scammers pretending to be legitimate organizations approved by, or affiliated with, the government. Contact your mortgage lender first. Your lender can tell you whether you qualify for any government programs to prevent foreclosure. Remember, you do not have to pay a fee to benefit from government-backed loan modification programs.
6. They ask you to release personal financial information online or over the phone.
You should only give this type of information to companies that you know and trust, like your mortgage lender or a HUD-approved counseling agency.
The NeighborWorks America website also includes information about the 9 most common loan scams which range from fake housing counselors (always make sure you’re working with a HUD certified counselor) and rent-to-own or lease back scams, fake government programs or encouraging bankruptcy to avoid foreclosure. Click here for the full list.
If you or someone you know is struggling to keep up with mortgage payments due to a job loss or other financial struggles, help is available. Please contact one of our HUD certified counselors at the Center for Homeownership by calling 330-724-0244.
5 Reasons Donors Give to East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation
WE CREATE OPPORTUNITY THROUGH HOME OWNERSHIP: Access to quality, affordable housing is the cornerstone of the American dream. While companies and organizations across the country begin to consider how they can have a positive impact on the racial wealth gap in America, EANDC stands on a long history of community-focused investment that makes “the dream” accessible to our clients and their families.
INVESTMENT IN EDUCATION: Education is a lifelong process and some of our most important life lessons take place outside of a traditional classroom. To succeed in today’s economy, adults must understand the basics (and the myths) about money management, apply for credit, and the home buying process. Through our homeowner resource center, HUD-certified counseling services, and our free financial literacy workshops EANDC clients are empowered to succeed.
WE BELIEVE IN COMMUNITY: Strong neighborhoods are the cornerstone of thriving communities. EANDC is committed to overcoming the blight caused by the foreclosure crisis in Summit and Stark counties and revitalizing the neighborhoods our clients call home. Strong communities include core services such as fair banking, quality retailers and access to education. This commitment includes collaborations and partnerships such as those we have with PNC Bank, Third Federal, Dave’s grocery stores and LeBron James Foundation I Promise Schools.
THE NUMBERS SHOW OUR IMPACT: Through strategic planning and strong leadership, EANDC showed an increase in net assets during one of the most difficult economic years in history. We are in a new phase of sustainable growth and are uniquely positioned to help reduce the 19,600-unit affordable housing deficit in Ohio’s Stark and Summit counties. Everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home.
HELPING REAL PEOPLE: Just as important as dinner on the table, where we live is deeply connected to our sense of security and identity. By supporting EANDC, our donors are supporting aging seniors, families with children, first generation homeowners and veterans on a limited income. A donation of EANDC helps make homeownership accessible and provides priceless peace of mind to those we serve.
Why Do I need a Homeownership Class?
One of the most important things that people gain after participating in our HomeToday workshops is the confidence and information they need to set and achieve financial goals.
Homeownership is the biggest way that families gain wealth in America, and investing in a home is how parents and grandparents pass on financial security to their children. This access to wealth hasn’t always been equally accessible to Black and Hispanic/Latinx families in the U.S., but the counseling and classes offered at the EANDC Center for Home Ownership help ease the transition to homeownership for people of color and first-generation home buyers. Our services also help families become more prepared to keep their homes during times of economic hardship.
Toya Kelker, Director of Homeownership at EANDC, has spent over 15 years as a housing counselor, and she helps simplify the process of homeownership and financial goal setting through group workshops and 1-1 counseling sessions.
“I never knew that closing my credit cards after they were paid off wasn’t the right thing to do,” said one potential homebuyer who was having difficulty getting a mortgage. After talking with Toya, she set a goal to pay off monthly balances and keep “open credit” which increased her credit score and improving her home loan options. This is just one of the myths about credit scores that Toya and our financial literacy experts discuss during the HomeToday workshops.
Other topics covered include realistic tips for money management and financial goal setting and information about mortgage lending and fair housing. After you complete the course, you are eligible for 1-1 counseling with a credit counselor who will provide you with copies of your credit report action steps for how to correct any issues.
The support provided by EANDC’s Center for Homeownership doesn’t stop there, either. We also help clients with guidance on the homebuying process and how to maintain a home after purchase, including how to maintain good credit and save money on your utility bills.
Everyone should be proud of their home and their community. EANDC offers a variety of services designed to make your life as a tenant, homeowner, or future homeowner easier. Click here to see what we offer and if you have any questions, give us a call at (330) 773-6838.
Summit and Stark County Residents, You Can Keep Costs Low This Winter
Winter is coming and COVID-19 is still a part of our daily lives. Soon, cold temperatures will arrive and with many school districts transitioning to virtual learning, families will be spending more time indoors, using an increasing amount of energy.
Through the services and support of East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation (EANDC) residents of Stark and Summit Counties can still have energy-efficient homes.
Anna Deger, EANDC Vice President of Residential Services is an expert on money-saving tips to help keep your energy bills low. With 20 years of experience working in energy services, Deger and the EANDC team continue to work vigorously to assist 1500+ clients each year.
To keep your household running efficiently year-round, Deger suggests following these steps:
Plug home electronics, such as TVs and gaming systems, into power strips; turn the power strips off when equipment is not in use.
Turn off electronics when you are not in the room.
Air-dry dishes or clothes.
Install a programmable thermostat.
Close off unused space like closets and guest rooms so they are not heated or cooled unnecessarily.
Keep the clothes dryer lint screen clean.
Use cold water when you can for laundry.
Replace lighting with LED bulbs.
Switch to ENERGY STAR appliances, fans, and electronics when possible. (May be available free through our Energy Audit program.
EANDC’s Energy Efficiency Programs help eligible Ohioans reduce their electricity usage in their home. EANDC performs in-home audits and installs appropriate electric energy efficiency measures to reduce electric usage. Customers also receive information on how they can reduce their electric use and improve their home’s efficiency.
Ohioans are eligible for EPP if they are on or eligible for the Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP), having a total household income that is at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty levels. Click here for program details or call our Energy Services department at (330) 773-2095.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for this program, your household must meet the following annual income requirements:
1 Person $19, 140
2 People $25, 860
3 People $32, 580
4 People $39, 300
5 People $46, 020
6 People $52, 740
7 People $59, 460
8 People $66, 180
For households with 8 or more people, add $6, 720 for every additional person (9 = $72, 900; 10 = $79, 620...). These numbers are based on Federal Income Guidelines for 150% of the Poverty Level.
If you are experiencing financial stress or difficulty paying your rent/mortgage due to COVID-19, please contact EANDC directly for rental assistance. Community Legal Aid is also available for assistance with securing stimulus check funds, eviction assistance, unemployment resources and criminal record expungement. Helpline support can be accessed by phone at 1-800-998-9454 or online at communitylegalaid.org.
What Does Success Look Like for Our Homeownership Class Participants?
Recently, we sat down for a (virtual) talk with Toya Kelker, East Akron Neighborhood Development Center’s Director of Home Ownership, a longtime champion of EANDC’s homebuyer and financial literacy programs! She offered a wealth of information and some inspiring stories about the success our class participants can experience within 6-12 months of participation. In particular, the one-to-one coaching that is available seems to make a difference for those who want to take control of their financial future.