By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

CHDC serves households throughout Contra Costa County and beyond. The majority of our clients live in the greater Richmond area. We serve people of all income levels, but specialize in serving low and moderate income families. A large majority of our clients have incomes below 80% of the area median income. Some of our programs have specific income and geographic requirements. Specific programs include:

First Time Homebuyer Program If you have a low or moderate income, and are thinking of purchasing your first home, CHDC can help you turn your dream into reality. We are a HUD approved housing counseling agency.

Since 1981, Neighborhood Housing Services of the East Bay has worked to strengthen low income families and neighborhoods through the promotion of affordable housing and financial literacy. Founded by a dedicated group of low-income Richmond residents, East Bay NHS was established to reverse the adverse effects of systemic segregation, redlining, disinvestment and blight. Today, NHS has grown to serve the needs of over 7,500 families across the East Bay.

According to a recent study by the National Fair Housing Alliance, banks are doing a much better job maintaining bank-owned foreclosed homes in white neighborhoods than in minority neighborhoods.

In a report released last month the National Fair Housing Alliance.reported that at a rate of almost two to one bank-owned minority properties have more cases of boarded up windows, unkept lawns and other physical deficiencies that contribute to increasing urban blight and continue to drive down the property values in the neighborhoods.

OCO is a federation of congregations, schools, and allied community organizations, representing over 40,000 families in Oakland. OCO leaders share common values from our diverse faith, racial, political, and social traditions. We bring these values into the public arena through action on concrete issues. Through relationships, research and action, OCO leaders live out the call to serve one another and to seek justice.

The San Francisco Neighborhood Fix-it Chart contains lists of multiple local businesses that can assist you in any home repairs or renovations.  The chart also includes all the public services you might need related to neighborhood repair and cleanup

Download the PDF for the list of resources: http://www.freeprintshop.org/download/fixit.pdf

The San Francisco Neighborhood Fix-it Chart is one of several free help charts prepared by the Free Print Shop in San Francisco.

Over its more than 50 year history, OCCUR has consistently served as a community “watchdog” agency and has honed its strategic effectiveness in serving the interests and improved quality of life for low-income youth, residents and families in the balanced delivery of goods, effective public policy and community services.

The foreclosure crisis is in its fifth year since the peak of the housing market in 2007.  In the wake of the destruction, a full 25% of all Americans find their homes underwater and millions are behind on payments and facing foreclosure.  Many of the foreclosures are people who simply bought more home than they could afford, but far too many are innocent victims of predatory loans and banking practices that were thrust upon them.  Nowhere is this more evident in poor, minority communities where whole city blocks are falling to the banks through repossession.

You don't have to go to Geico or State Farm to get insurance.  There are over 450 choices.  To shop for a better deal check out our article "How to Shop for Car Insurance"