Foreclosure Prevention Services

Home Repair Grants

Homeless Prevention

Homeownership Orientation Classes

Homebuyer Assistance Programs

Financial Management Education

HUD Certified Housing Agency

RUPCO’s NeighborWorks® HomeOwnership Center offers a comprehensive range of services to help families achieve and sustain the American Dream of homeownership through pre- and post-purchase programs. These programs include: education and counseling, match savings programs, and grants for owner occupied rehabilitation, first time homebuyers and accessibility modifications.

Counseling is available for homeowners unable to pay their mortgage or in foreclosure through the Hudson Valley Foreclosure Prevention Program. Homeowners in Ulster, Orange, Dutchess, and Sullivan counties should call the centralized intake to get a counselor closest to them at 1-888-377-7713.

Our NeighborWorks HomeOwnership offers our homebuyer education program in both English and Spanish.

The first step to entering RUPCO's First Time Homebuyer Program is attending an orientation. Typically, Orientations are held every two weeks from 6:00-7:00 pm at our Community Room at 37 John Street. At the Orientation, you will learn what you need to purchase a house and the full array of match savings and grant programs RUPCO offers.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Laura Petit at (845) 331-9860 ext 220 or e-mail at lpetit@rupco.org. Reservations are required.

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The first time homebuyer program supports Ulster County residents in achieving the dream of homeownership. Through our comprehensive education and counseling program individuals will learn all the aspects of home buying such as finding a home, financing a home, legal aspects of buying a home, home inspections, home maintenance and energy conservation just to name a few. We offer match savings programs through the First Home Club, referrals to lenders for low fixed rate mortgage loans, and grants for down payment, closing cost or post closing rehabilitation for income eligible buyers.

First Home Club
This First Home Club is a homebuyer education program specifically designed for income-eligible first-time buyers. Every $1 you save towards the purchase of your first home will be matched with $4 from the Federal Home Loan Bank, up to $7500. There are nine participating banks in Ulster County. Assistance is also given to help to determine the buyer's monthly savings goal, and the time frame in which to achieve it. Homebuyer Education is required as part of the program. Education covers all different aspects of home buying, from start to finish.

Fast Track Program
The Fast Track Program is designed for the homebuyer who has good credit, sufficient savings and has been pre-approved by a mortgage lender. The two day, two hour, evening program brings together the professionals involved in the transaction of purchasing a home.

Section 8 to HomeOwnership
Section 8 to Homeownership provides a wonderful opportunity for families receiving Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) rental assistance to create roots in the community, create pride, and have a safe place for their children. The following eligibility requirements must be met to apply: you must be a current Housing Choice Voucher participant and have completed an initial lease term of one year; family household income must be at least equal to 2000 hours of work at federal minimum wage ($10,300); head of the household or spouse must be employed full time and have been continuously so employed for a period of at least two consecutive years; families must be in full compliance with their lease and Housing Choice Voucher requirements; must be eligible for a first mortgage loan, the family must enroll in RUPCO’s homebuyer education program, attend homeownership pre-purchase counseling and receive a Certificate of Completion, which would deem the family mortgage ready. Household participation in Family Self-Sufficiency Program recommended.

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For homeowners having difficulty keeping up with their mortgage payments, help is available. You are not alone. Over this past year hundreds of homeowners have contacted us to assist them. RUPCO is a partner in the Hudson Valley Foreclosure Prevention Program providing counseling services to homeowners in Ulster, Dutchess, Orange and Sullivan Counties. If you or someone you know requires assistance, please call our central intake number 1-888-377-7713.

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RUPCO is a HUD Certified Counseling Agency.

RUPCO provides the following assistance for residents of Ulster County:

Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Counseling
Home Improvement and Rehabilitation Counseling
Homebuyer Education Programs
Loss Mitigation
Money Debt Management
Mortgage Delinquency and Default Resolution Counseling
Postpurchase Counseling
Predatory Lending
Renters Assistance
Services for Homeless

For assistance contact RUPCO’s NeighborWorks® HomeOwnership Center at 845.331.9860.

English/Spanish Available.

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RUPCO’s NeighborWorks® HomeOwnership Center rehabilitation assistance program provides income eligible residents of Ulster County with grant funding and low interest loans to make necessary repairs and/or handicap accessibility modifications.

Owner Occupied Rehab Assistance

RUPCO provides grants to income eligible homeowners who occupy their residence so they can make home improvements and necessary repairs. These might include items such as the correction of health or safety hazards, creation of handicapped accessibility, and energy conservation measures. Owners must occupy their residence, but the property can include up to 4 units of housing.

Information Sessions Scheduled

Now accepting applications for the Single Family Home Repair Program wait list. Call 845-331-9860 to reserve a seat in info session on how to apply. March 10, 2010 at 1:00 pm or March 11 at 5:30 pm. Current program provides repair funding to eligible homeowners in Ulster County. This funding is provided by the Ulster County Community Development Block Grant Program. General program information and applications will be available at info sessions. Income limits, property requirements and other program restrictions apply.

Accessibility Modifications through Access to HOME Program

The Rural Ulster Preservation Company and Resource Center for Accessible Living are collaborating to provide a disability modification program for residents of Ulster County. Grant funding will be focused on modifications that will prevent a person from entering an institution and enable those in institutions to return to home. These modifications may include, but not necessarily be limited to:

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HPRP offers short-term emergency assistance to families and individuals in Ulster County who may be facing a housing emergency and can achieve stable housing if given either one time or short term assistance.

This program can provide:

For Ulster County residents who are:

To Apply:

Pick up an HPRP sreening form at any Family of Woodstock Walk-in Center.
39 John Street, Kingston (845) 331-7080
221 Canal Street, Ellenville (845) 647-2460
51 North Chestnut Road, New Paltz (845) 255-8801
16 Rock City Road, Woodstock (845) 679-2485

Information you'll need:

The documentation you need depends on what help you need. No help can be provided until all required documentation is received.

Rental Arrearages:
1. 3 Day notice of eviction from the landlord
2. 72 hour notice from Sheriff's Office
3. Lease Agreement
4. W-9 from Landlord

Utility Arrearages:
1. Shut off or Termination Notice
2. Notice from Fuel Vendor

Short or Medium Term Rental Assistance:
1. Lease agreement signed by the landlord & tenant or other documentation
2. Documentation of Risk of Homelessness
3. Provide budget information to prove financial hardship
4. Client must pay at least 30% of gross monthly income toward rent
5. Housing unit must pass habitability Standards Inspection

This program will NOT provide:
1. on-going or long-term rental assistance
2. mortgage payments or
3. back taxes.

This program is NOT Section 8 Rental Assistance.

All units assisted must pass habitability standards inspection.

All rents must be reasonable and affordable.

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