This grant from NeighborWorks America will be used to strengthen our affiliate Community Concepts Finance Corporation who’s work includes foreclosure and credit counseling, homebuyer education, residential and small business lending,” said Michael Burke, President and CEO of Community Concepts.

 
In 2012, NeighborWorks America will provide nearly $50 million in grants to its national network of more than 230 nonprofit organizations operating in over 4,400 rural, urban, and suburban communities, including Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin Counties in Maine. The grants will be used to revitalize and strengthen communities by providing counseling for homeowners on the brink of foreclosure; increasing the number of certified foreclosure and homeownership counselors through training; stabilizing areas hard-hit by the foreclosure and economic crisis by putting vacant properties back into productive use; empowering consumers through financial and homeownership education and counseling; creating homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income families; and producing and managing affordable, high-quality rental properties.

 
“In FY 2011 alone, NeighborWorks America and its affiliated NeighborWorks network leveraged nearly $4.2 billion in direct investment―a ratio of $25 for each core funding dollar appropriated, “ said Eileen Fitzgerald, NeighborWorks® America. “As good stewards of taxpayer dollars, NeighborWorks® ensures our investments are working in ways that truly make a difference.”

 
In 2011Community Concepts  weatherized 564 homes, repaired 171 homes, provided 214 energy audits, loaned over $800,000 to small businesses, managed 155 units of affordable housing, provided Home buyer education to 272 families and assisted 628 households in foreclosure counseling.
Community Concepts is a member of the NeighborWorks network, which was created by NeighborWorks America to improve homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income families, provide financial education and improve financial literacy, rebuild and repair properties; develop affordable multifamily units, and, use innovative strategies to improve safety and revitalize communities across the nation.  Collectively, NeighborWorks America and the NeighborWorks network have been able to:

• Invest more than $4.0 billion in America’s urban, rural, and suburban communities in fiscal year 2011
• Create the nation’s largest force of certified homeownership education counselors and foreclosure intervention counselors
• Provide housing and financial counseling and other assistance to nearly 260,000 families
• Develop, own and manage over 90,000 affordable, high quality rental units
• Help more than 13,000 families achieve homeownership
• Mobilize thousands of volunteers to revitalize communities

For more information about Community Concepts and Community Concepts Finance Corporation please visit our websites: www.community-concepts.org, www.mainebusinesslending.org & www.homequestmaine.org
For more information about NeighborWorks America, please contact Douglas Robinson, 202-220-2360, drobinson@nw.org

HomeQuest, a NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center, and an affiliate of Community Concepts, provides foreclosure counseling services for homeowners delinquent or struggling to make mortgage payments. Dennis Lajoie, of Community Concepts says it is important for homeowners to realize they have options, but not wait until it is too late. “Everyone has a different story, every situation is unique. We look at the big picture and recommend a plan based on the individual or family.”

HomeQuest is able to work directly with lenders to negotiate loan modifications, short sales, forbearance and revised payment plans to get homeowners back on track. Beyond foreclosure counseling, HomeQuest also offers Home Buyer Education courses for future home buyers, budget and credit counseling and even mortgage and home improvement loans.

For more information on HomeQuest or to learn more about their services visit www.HomeQuestMaine.org or call 1-866-221-4383.

240 Bates St, Lewiston

Beside being a beautiful new building and swanky offices for us, the brand new facility will become “home” to all of Community Concepts and Community Concepts Finance Corporation’s services, bringing everything we do and offer under one roof for ultimate convenience and ease of use.  Stay tuned for more information on this exciting next chapter for us!

*Please note: our Auburn location will be closed March 17 & 18 to prepare for our move into the new building.  We will be open to the public again, at our new location, on Monday March 21 at 8:00am!

Does your home energy efficiency leave something to be desired? HomeQuest HomeOwnership Center can help.  By offering guidance, funding and referrals HomeQuest can help you get from A to B in your home heating and energy efficiency needs.

Visit the ZipMEup page on our website to learn more!

Laurie Winsor, Community Concepts' new Chief Operating Officer

South Paris, Maine – We are proud to announce that Laurie Winsor has joined Community Concepts, Inc. in December 2010 and brings 36 years of public sector and non-profit experience to the agency.  Most recently, she served as Marketing & Development Director for Androscoggin Health Care & Hospice.Responsibilities in her new role include development, interpretation and coordination of the agency’s policies concerning all program budgeting, staffing operations and the integration of the individual programs to the whole. She is also responsible for monitoring and directing program activities as they relate to the agency’s mission and goals.

Laurie holds a BFA in Arts degree from Southern Connecticut State University, and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.

Founded in 1965, Community Concepts, Inc. is a private, non-profit community action organization serving central & western Maine. Its mission is to provide leadership, education and support to build thriving individuals, families and communities. The agency provides a broad spectrum of services to individuals and families, under the guidance of an all-volunteer Board of Directors.

Beautiful, 3 Bedroom, Brand New Home on Chickadee Ave in Jay Maine, $800/month

HomeQuest properties are now available for rent, with the first tank of oil for free!

We have brand new ranch style houses available for rent.  All have full basements.  Tenants are responsible for electricity, heat and hot water, and to provide their own snow clearing and lawn care, however we will provide the first tank of oil for free! New stove and refrigerator will be provided and the houses have washer/dryer hookups. These will be month to month leases as they are all currently listed for sale. Security Deposit equal to one month’s rent and a minimum of three years of good rental history with references is required.

Properties available for rent include:

Lot 2 Deerfield Lane, Farmington – 2 Bedroom – $800 per month

144 Ralph Richardson Road, Norway – 3 Bedroom – $800 per month

128 Ralph Richardson Road, Norway – 3 Bedroom – $800 per month

Lot 16a Poplar Hill Road, Mexico – 3 Bedroom – $750 per month

10 Chickadee Ave, Jay – 3 Bedroom – $800 per month

For more information or an application please call Sally at 739-6559.

From left to right: Steve Whitney, SVP Risk Management - Norway Savings Bank, Juanita Smith, SVP Retail Loan Sales & CRA Officer - Norway Savings Bank and Dennis Lajoie, Director of Real Estate - HomeQuest

NORWAY, Maine – Norway Savings Bank and Community Concepts Finance Corporation, a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), an affiliate of Community Concepts, Inc. have announced a partnership in which Norway Savings Bank will provide $400,000 annually to Community Concepts to provide loans to low and moderate income home buyers, businesses and other borrowers who are eligible to borrow from a Community Development Financial Institution.

“We are very pleased that Norway Savings Bank will be providing an ongoing source of financing for Community Concepts Finance Corporation in order for us to provide much needed capital to those looking to start or expand a business, improve their home or buy a home,” said Dennis Lajoie, Director of Community Concepts Finance Corporation.

“As a community bank, we are committed to reinvesting in our local communities,” explained Juanita Smith, Senior Vice President, Retail Loan Sales & CRA Officer with Norway Savings Bank. “We have developed a strong partnership with Community Concepts over the years because their mission is in alignment with the mission and values of Norway Savings.  We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with such a great organization to help it meet the needs of individuals, families and businesses in our communities.”

Since 1965, Community Concepts, Inc. has offered a variety of social services that promote self-sufficiency within the people of the communities of Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties of Maine.

Knott said the committees’ primary goal is to “help NeighborWorks America meet its strategic plan and goals by helping to build and sustain a national network of homeownership centers. We obtain critical input from each centers management on best practices, internal and external partnership opportunities and insight into emerging market trends and issues.”

HomeOwnership centers like HomeQuest have mortgage funds available to first time homebuyers, as well as current homeowners needing loans for repairs and upgrades.  Resources are also available to provide free, confidential counseling services to those facing the possible loss of their homes due to mortgage delinquency and foreclosure. They provide the State approved homebuyer education classes and assist families to become mortgage ready. Monies are made available through federal, state, and financial institutions or private funds.

Knott will serve a two-year term, helping to identify and satisfy the professional needs and opportunities of NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Centers across the country.  Knott’s Co-Chair is from the HomeOwnership Center of Hawaii.