Walker Square Initiative

Building and Stabilizing the Community

The Walker Square Neighborhood Development Initiative began in 1994 as an effort to increase neighborhood stability.  An intensive and comprehensive housing improvement and neighborhood development strategy was implemented to combat neighborhood crime, blight and low home ownership rates.

The program has helped increase the percentage of homeowners in the target area from 40% to nearly 80% over the last ten years.  Primarily trageted to assist individuals and families in purchasing their first home, it also provides the support and resources to help these families stay in their home. 

The Walker Square Neighborhood Development Initiative has had a stabilizing effect on the neighborhood and improved the quality of life for many families in the area.  Since 2003 the program has closed 465 houses for a total of $50.2 million in property values.  Each year the program hopes to grow and help more first-time homebuyers.

Programs and Services:

Homebuyers Education
Monthly Homebuyer Seminars are held for potential home buyers.  The seminars are provided in two parts:
     - Part 1 Credit and Budgeting
     - Part 2 Home Selection
The instructor of the seminars is a trained bilingual counselor with 15 years of experience in helping first time homebuyers  with purchase.  Each four hour workshop is conducted on site at the United Community Center.

Individual Home Buying Counseling
After completing the education courses, UCC's program coordinator can provide one-on-one counseling to potential homebuyers to prepare and guide them through the process of purchasing a home while becoming pre-qualified for a loan.  The program coordinator provides families with the following services:
     - Solving problems with key elements of home ownership
     - Credit management and budgeting
     - Analyzing qualifying factors for a mortgage application
     - Considerations in identifying a potential home to purchase
     - Working through issues arising during the application process
     - Working through issues arising during a loan closing

Individual Home Owner Counseling
Our program coordinator also provides one-on-one counseling to current homeowners.  We assist current homeowners to obtain refinancing and financial assistance for home improvements or to help prevent foreclosure actions. 
The program coordinator provides families with the following services:
     - Education on effective long-term home maintenance through Home   Improvement Workshops held monthly
     - Credit management and budgeting

Click here for a 2012 schedule of free homebuyer seminars.

Join us for Walker Square Park Neighborhood Meetings and Home Improvement Workshops. Click here for a 2012 schedule of free sessions.

Through the Walker Square Neighborhood Development Initiative, the UCC aims to:
     -Continue to improve home ownership rates
     -Reduce crime in the community
     -Increase property values
     -Increase economic viatlity
     -Stabilize the neighborhood
Most importantly through this effort, we hope to improve the quality of life for our families!

Please call, visit us or e-mail the program coordinator at fcampos@unitedcc.org  to learn more about our program and the dates of our upcoming Homebuying Seminars or Home Improvement Workshops.