Neighborhood Housing Services of Freeport, Inc.

Street Address:
27 W. Stephenson Street
Freeport, IL 61032


Phone: 815-232-6197
Fax: 815-235-3560
Website: 

Debbie Elzinga, Executive Director

Contact Name: Debbie Elzinga
Phone: 815-232-6197
Fax: 815-235-3560
Email: elzinga@aeroinc.net


Staff Size: Full Time: 3 

Background
In July of 1996, the City of Freeport entered into a development agreement with Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation to establish a local organization that would promote affordable housing and the revitalization of Freeport's older neighborhoods. Established in 1997, Neighborhood Housing Services of Freeport is a community-based nonprofit organization, committed to improving our neighborhoods and the lives of people in our community. Initially, NHS of Freeport focused its activities in four targeted neighborhoods, and later expanding its services to a larger area in 1999. Currently, NHS of Freeport offers its lending services citywide and offers its homebuyer education and counseling services to all county residents.

Mission
The misson of NHS of Freeport is to advance home ownership, home improvement and community-building activities designed to strengthen neighborhoods and improve the lives of people.

Total Operating Expense (9/30/2007): $281,794

 Lines of Business
  • Community Building and Organizing

  • Home Ownership Promotion Services

  • Lending and Loan Portfolio Management

  • Real Estate Development


    • National NeighborWorks ® Programs
  • NeighborWorks Rural Initiative

    • Accomplishments in FY 2008
  • Provided 47 families with pre- and post- purchase housing counseling.
  • Rehabilitated or repaired 4 rental or owner occupied units (1-4 units).
  • Assisted 37 families in purchasing a home through homeownership counseling, downpayment, closing cost or financing assistance.
  • Owned or managed 6 rental units.
  • Invested $59,357 in the community through Neighborhood Housing Services of Freeport, Inc.'s revolving loan fund, which leveraged $3,497,377 from conventional lenders and other sources.
  • Total direct investment in the community is $3,556,734.

    • Additional Accomplishments
    Date Additional Accomplishment
    1/27/2006 Provided 100 loans for home improvement and home purchase. Assisted 66 families in achievinghome ownership. Impacted 70 homes with small and large rehabilitation loans. Facilitated the creation of two resident-created parks.

    Community Services
  • Community Building

  •  Clean-up Project

  •  Landscape and Neighborhood Beautification

  • Financial Planning and Assistance

  •  Down-payment Assistance

  •  Tandem Lending

  • Housing Programs and Home Ownership Counseling

  •  Home Ownership Counseling

  •  Rental Housing


    • Board of Directors
    NameBoard Role/TitleSectorCompany/OrganizationJob Title
    Tom BurtBoard Vice President; Board MemberBusinessMetlifeClaims Unit Manager
    Bettye CorbinBoard Secretary; Board MemberOtherBarrett RealtorsRealtor
    Bobby DykstraBoard MemberUnion Savings BankLoan Officer
    Dan LashinskiBoard TreasurerFinancial InstitutionUS Bank 
    Patricia MaleyBoard MemberCareerTec 
    Dan NealBoard PresidentResidentJane Addams/FHNVP Behavior Health
    Cecil PearsonBoard MemberResident  
    Windy PearsonBoard MemberNeighborhood Resident 
    Patricia SneidermanBoard MemberChamber of Commerce 

    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:  North Central
    Name:  Diana Mitchell
    Phone:  816-714-1211
    Toll-Free:  800-823-1428
    Fax:  816-714-1291
    Email:  dmitchell@nw.org