Housing Assistance: Loan, Sweet Loan

Hugo Garcia, a local minister, his wife and four daughters live in a condominium that they proudly own.

The low-income family was able to secure a home loan with help from La Habra Neighborhood Housing Services. Without the nonprofit organization’s assistance, the Garcias likely would not have qualified for a bank loan.

“I’m really happy because I now have peace of mind,” said Garcia, who serves on the neighborhood agency’s board of directors. “Nobody will come to increase my rent every single month, and I’ve made an investment for the future.”

Thanks to the agency, which this month celebrated its 20th anniversary, more than 375 families citywide now own their homes. The organization is expanding to help families in nearby cities as well.

The group builds and rehabilitates houses and apartments for rent to low- to moderate-income families. Its newest projects, the Garnet Lane Family Apartments in Fullerton and the Walnut Village Apartments in Brea, were completed this month, and renters are moving in.

“We serve a kind of a niche market of people who just can’t quite meet the bank loan requirements,” executive director Glenn Hayes said. “We make it possible for them to get loans by providing a second mortgage.”

Through partnerships with 14 lenders, the organization is able to secure low-interest loans for the buyers, Hayes said.

After they move in, the recipients are encouraged to become community volunteers and leaders.

One beneficiary, Rose Espinoza, started an after-school tutoring program in her garage and was commended by President Clinton through the national Points of Light program.

At each of the four modestly priced apartment complexes that the agency owns and manages, free after-school tutoring services also are offered.

Bob Burns, a former La Habra city manager and one of the organization’s founders, said the idea is “to give people who would not qualify for a normal bank loan an opportunity to own a home.”

In turn, he said, the pride of ownership has prompted the homeowners’ neighbors to improve their property as well. In the end, their neighborhoods become more attractive and safer, Burns said. “Our whole goal is to provide safe housing in safe neighborhoods.”