Willamette Neighborhood Housing Services is proud to be part of this collaboration and happy to work with other organizations that empower people to pursue the American Dream in the ways that best suit their circumstances. Other nonprofits with HomeSmart Oregon include HomeSource of NeighborImpact, NEDCO (Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation), NeighborWorks Umpqua, and Portland Housing Center. For more information, visit the HomeSmart Oregon website.

Willamette Neighborhood Housing Services has been contracted to provide these services in Linn and Benton Counties. WNHS has two office locations so that we can provide assistance to people in the communities where they live. Our main office is in Corvallis at 257 SW Madison Avenue. This office is open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. We also have an office in Lebanon where we meet with clients by appointment. Additional information about our foreclosure prevention services is available on our website.

For more information about our foreclosure prevention services or to schedule an appointment with one of our Certified Housing Counselors, please call our office at 541-752-7220 ext. 300 or email us. For general information about the foreclosure process, options to avoid foreclosure, or to locate a housing counselor outside of Linn and Benton Counties, visit oregonhomeownersupport.gov.

The rehab plan includes extensive interior and exterior renovations and improvements to energy efficiency that will help residents save money on monthly costs while also helping our environment. Other improvements will help increase the life of Lancaster Bridge and reduce maintenance costs which will further help maintain a sustainable, affordable housing property that helps fill a huge gap in affordable housing availability in Corvallis. Rehab will start in early 2013.

Final decisions on funding will be made by the Housing Council at their July 13 meeting. Until that time, these are recommendations only.

A special thanks goes out to the Corvallis Gazette-Times for giving roses to heavy equipment operator Vernon Kessi who spotted the mastodon bones while digging a sewer line.

On March 7, 2012 Benton County residents may apply for the Mortgage Payment Assistance Unemployment Program. The program is administered by Oregon Housing and Community Services and can provide up to one year of mortgage payment assistance or $20,000, whichever comes first, to approved homeowners.

The program is available to homeowners that are receiving Unemployment Insurance to help them avoid foreclosure while they seek work. OHCS expects to serve approximately 3,000 homeowners with the program.

Homeowners can start the process with the program’s online application at www.oregonhomeownerhelp.org. Local agencies, such as Willamette Neighborhood Housing Services, will process applications and support participants throughout the program.

“We are very happy to be a part of helping our unemployed neighbors,” said Brigetta Olson, Deputy Director of Willamette Neighborhood Housing Services. “Mortgage payment assistance will allow people to focus on getting a job without the added anxiety of making a monthly mortgage payment.”

Homeowners can apply for the program online, during two-week application cycles. The program website provides helpful information about application cycles, including a how-to video that answers the most common questions about the program.

A first round of the state’s mortgage assistance program has provided more than $40 million in benefits on behalf of more than 4,000 Oregon homeowners.

Homeowners without Internet access can visit their local WorkSource Oregon Center at 545 SW 2^nd Ave. (corner of Western and 2^nd) for computer and printer use or WNHS’ office at 257 SW Madison, Corvallis, OR. Prospective applicants can also call OHCS at 503.986.2025 for application support.

Beginning Dec. 10, 2010, Benton County residents can apply online for the state’s new Mortgage Payment Assistance (MPA) program at www.oregonhomeownerhelp.org. Applications for the program will be open from Dec. 10, 2010 to Jan. 14, 2011.

See this Corvallis Gazette-Times article for more details.