NOAH INVITES GLADES RESIDENTS TO STAY AFLOAT WITH SHIP

The man called Noah used an Ark to help the faithful survive an earth-cleansing flood. The agency called NOAH is using a SHIP to help working families in the Glades survive a flood of dismal economic conditions: job losses, closed businesses, foreclosures and bank failures.

NOAH provides opportunity even in difficult times. NOAH invited residents of the Glades to an April 25 Homebuyers Fair to convince working family members that not only can they survive the flood, but they can also thrive in new homes.

There are 10 single-family home lots in the Raderville section of Belle Glade that are ready to be built and NOAH is reaching out to help residents with enticements including the State Housing Initiative Program (SHIP).

The fair was organized to help families take advantage of opportunities to get financial assistance to buy the homes. SHIP provides assistance to very low, low and moderate income applicants who are first-time home buyers. The Raderville homes are valued from $167,000 to $197,000.

The money available to help the residents move into the homes ranges from $30,000 to about $75,000 and in some cases, could go up to $150,000, said Wanda Gadson, a consultant helping NOAH get families into the homes. Most of the clients for such programs are single mothers.

NOAH targeted school teachers, hospital workers, correctional facility workers and others who make up the Glades’ core working community for the seminar. NOAH even sweetened the invitation with free food. 

"We sent flyers to churches, schools, hospitals, non profits and the school board to get the word out to teachers and we also did radio spots on Sugar 99," Gadson said.

"Because it’s a first-time homebuyers program, we are doing the initial pre-qualifying today (at the fair). We’re pulling credit, and if they qualify we will contact them later to sign a contract and move forward.

"If people are not credit worthy, we will refer them to the United Way Prosperity Center to help them get their credit together," Gadson said.

Wells Fargo was there to provide financing. Other financial partners with NOAH are National City and Bank of America. Right now the waterfront lots are empty, but NOAH wants to fill them fast.

"We don’t do spec homes, so we don’t build a house until we have someone ready to buy a home," Gadson said. "We would like to build five at a time, so as soon as we get five people signed up we can get started."

The fair was at the Rev. Leon Camel Resource Center on Canal Street, right across the street from where the lots are so potential homebuyers could see the property.

Missed the fair? It’s not too late. Call (561) 996-2300 or visit www.noahark.org for information.

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