Foreclosure Prevention Services

Home Repair Grants

Homeownership Orientation Classes

Homebuyer Assistance Programs

Financial Management Education

HUD Certified Housing Agency

Click here for Income Guideline Chart

Are You a Smart Homebuyer?

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.

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

Be a smart homebuyer! Take a class.

RUPCO offers classes regularly in Kingston. Pre-registration is important to be sure we have enough materials for everyone who wants to come. Call Mary Ann Marrero at (845) 331-9860 x220 or email mmarrero@rupco.org.

2013 Orientation Schedule 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Mon 1/7/13
Wed 1/23/13
Mon 2/4/13
Wed 2/20/13
Mon 3/4/13
Wed 3/20/13
Wed 4/3/13
Mon 4/22/13
Mon 5/6/13
Wed 5/22/13
Mon 6/3/13
Wed 6/19/13
Mon 7/1/13
Mon 7/22/13
Mon 8/5/13
Wed 8/21/13
Wed 9/4/13
Mon 9/16/13
Wed 10/2/13
Mon 10/21/13
Mon 11/4/13
Wed 11/20/13
Mon 12/2/13
Wed 12/18/13

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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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If you're having difficulty keeping up with your mortgage payments, help is available. You are not alone. Over this past year hundreds of homeowners have contacted us to assist them.

RUPCO is happy to endorse the Fannie Mae (FNMA/OTC) WaysHome, a free, interactive multi-media tool to educate homeowners about their options to avoid foreclosure. You can quickly learn some foreclosure basics with this web-based, interactive video. You'll be empowered to make informed decisions and motivated to take action. As part of Fannie Mae's "Know Your Options" initiative to help struggling homeowners, the WaysHome video uses innovative technology to allow you to put yourself in real-life situations, make informed choices and immediately see the outcomes of those actions. WaysHome is available at www.KnowYourOptions.com.

WaysHome was developed by Fannie Mae to educate distressed homeowners on the short- and long-term impacts of their decisions. Through video reenactment, WaysHome allows you to experience scenarios that address a range of options for avoiding foreclosure. We suggest you take a look, but also consider contacting RUPCO for in person assistance.

More housing help is available from agencies on our links page, or at www.rupcoforeclosurecounseling.org.

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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 for details. 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:

Home Repair Application

Download now

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Being a smart homebuyer means you know how to pick a good house, get the best mortgage rate possible, insure that the house is really within your budget, and understand the maintenance implications of homeownership.

Smart homebuyers get education so they know what to look for, how to plan and how to budget. In their education, they learn how to put together a team of qualified and ethical attorneys, bankers and real estate brokers.

You can be a smart homebuyer! No matter what your income or current living status, you can learn how to achieve the American Dream and how to sustain that ownership once you've achieved it. While RUPCO staffers would love to see you in class, you don't have to be there in person to get the education. Now you can take the course on-line, moving at your own pace, when it's convenient for you to take it.

RUPCO is a proud participant in the NeighborWorks America sponsored e-home America program. To learn more, go to http://ehomeamerica.org/rupco.

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