Neighborhood Housing Services of Southwestern Maricopa County, Inc.

Street Address:
19 North Central Ave
Avondale, AZ 85323


Phone: 623-932-9077
Fax: 623-932-9165
Website: nhsofswmc.org

Aurora Gonzales, Executive Director

Contact Name: Aurora Gonzales
Phone: 623-932-9077
Fax: 623-932-9165
Email: nhsswmc@mindspring.com


Staff Size: Full Time: 5 

Background
The organization was originally incorporated in September, 1988 under the name of "Avondale NHS", in order to revitalize City of Avondale's older neighborhoods. In 2000, the organization changed its name to Neighborhood Housing Service of Southwestern Maricopa County, Inc. Therefore expanded the service areas to include the entire Southwestern Maricopa County; a predominately rural area of 4,325 square miles. Services include: owner occupied houisng rehabilitation, infill development, new home construction, air conditioning and evaporative cooling loans, homebuyer and financial literacy education, foreclosure prevention,resident leadership development, and one on one homeownership case management and counseling. The majority of families helped by the organization are very low income.

Mission
Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of Southwestern Maricopa County is a dynamic partnership of residents business, and government leaders who develop and promote affordable housing opportunities and other activities designed to revitalize neighborhoods and rural communities.

Total Operating Expense (9/30/2007): $252,797

 Lines of Business
  • Community Building and Organizing

  • Home Ownership Promotion Services

  • Lending and Loan Portfolio Management


    • Accomplishments in FY 2008
  • Provided 34 families with pre- and post- purchase housing counseling.
  • Rehabilitated or repaired 1 rental or owner occupied units (1-4 units).
  • Assisted 15 families in purchasing a home through homeownership counseling, downpayment, closing cost or financing assistance.
  • Owned or managed 46 rental units.
  • Invested $40,000 in the community through Neighborhood Housing Services of Southwestern Maricopa County, Inc.'s revolving loan fund, which leveraged $2,708,739 from conventional lenders and other sources.
  • Total direct investment in the community is $2,748,739.

    • Additional Accomplishments
    Date Additional Accomplishment
    4/24/2008 Neighborhood Housing Services of Southwestern Maricopa County, Inc. has purchased a new building of 13,000 sq. ft. We have a training room for our education classes and we are renting some of the space.
    4/24/2008 We are also running a Daycare Center.

    Community Services
  • Community Building

  •  Clean-up Project

  •  Community Outreach and Organizing

  •  Landscape and Neighborhood Beautification

  •  Leadership Training

  • Family Health Programs

  •  Christmas-Adopt a Family Program

  •  Daycare Center

  •  Food Bank

  • Financial Planning and Assistance

  •  Down-payment Assistance

  •  Elderly Tax Information

  •  Financial Education

  •  Foreclosure Prevention Training

  •  IDA Savings Program

  • Green Building and Home Improvement

  •  Environmental Friendly Building Materials

  •  Handyman Referrals

  •  Indoor Environment Quality

  •  Renewable Energy Resources

  •  Sustainable Site Planning

  •  Water Quality and Conservation

  • Housing Programs and Home Ownership Counseling

  •  Home Ownership Counseling

  •  HomeBuyers Club

  •  Housing for Elderly

  •  Rental Housing


    • Board of Directors
    NameBoard Role/TitleSectorCompany/OrganizationJob Title
    Tony BanegasBoard MemberBusiness  
    Julia BellBoard MemberResident retired
    Carmen SanchezBoard TreasurerResident not employed
    David SchwakeBoard Vice PresidentResident  
    Jim ZimmermanBoard President; Board MemberBusiness  

    About the NeighborWorks ® Network
    The NeighborWorks® network is a nationwide network of more than 240 community development organizations working in nearly 4358 urban, suburban and rural communities across America. These organizations engage in revitalization strategies that strengthen communities and transform lives. In the last five years alone, NeighborWorks® organizations have generated more than $8.5 billion in reinvestment and helped more than 500,000 families of modest means purchase or improve their homes or secure safe, decent rental or mutual housing.

    NeighborWorks ® America Contact Information
    District:  Rocky Mountain
    Name:  Josie Martinez-Littig
    Phone:  303-782-4805
    Toll-Free:  
    Fax:  303-782-5568
    Email:  jlittig@nw.org