Neighborhood Home Solutions (NHS) Takes Local Veteran from Homeless to Homeowner

St Petersburg, June 25, 2015 (Newswire.com) - ​Ron Riley was experiencing multiple daunting circumstances three years ago—the local war veteran was homeless and dependent on drugs and alcohol. Although these obstacles may be far too high of hurdles for others to believe they could overcome, Riley acknowledged that he needed to change his habits and maintained an optimistic view. With the assistance and guidance of two local organizations, 54 year-old Riley is now sober, employed, and a homeowner for the first time.

When Mr. Riley was evicted from the place he was renting a few years ago, he sought help from the Veterans Affairs which directed him to St. Vincent de Paul Center of Hope. The Center of Hope is a transitional living facility for low-income or homeless people. During his year and a half stay, Riley had the self-realization that he had substance problems and began attending church—“...I’ve been to the best treatments in town, and I went to a church and I got treated!” said Riley. Riley also participated in a technical skills program offered by St. Vincent de Paul where he became an electrician, and was quickly offered a job in Tampa.

Riley then went to Neighborhood Home Solutions (NHS), a St. Petersburg based non-profit, HUD approved housing counseling agency where he began the path to homeownership. NHS’ mission is to “provide affordable housing and homeownership solutions for individuals and families.” The agency’s certified counselors guide potential homebuyers to overcome the many hurdles encountered along the road to homeownership.

Mr. Riley successfully completed NHS’ Financial Fitness, Credit Rebuilding, and Homebuyer Education classes; he received confidential one-on-one counseling to develop his personal financial action plan.  He obtained a Certificate of Completion required by the City of St. Petersburg for down payment assistance loans and by many home mortgage lenders. All NHS’ services are free to all income levels. “They showed me how to manage money, do a budget, and how to clean up my credit,” said Riley.

Founded in 1980, NHS’ Services include the full range of homebuyer needs – from initial outreach and first-time home buying to mortgage-default prevention and rebuilding credit.

Since 2000, NHS has assisted 1,007 families become successful homeowners, and educated over 5,000 families in its Financial Fitness and Homebuyer Education courses. Through the Foreclosure Intervention and Prevention Program, 1,026 families have avoided foreclosure.

In 2002 President George W. Bush, designated June to be National Homeownership Month. He began this initiative to encourage people to become educated in personal finances and opportunities of achieving the American Dream—Homeownership.

Deborah Scanlan, President & CEO of Neighborhood Home Solutions states, “Mr. Riley’s story is one of many of the agency’s success stories. Now more than ever, NHS is needed to meet the affordable housing needs of the community”.

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To learn more about Mr. Riley’s heartwarming story, read the article in The Weekly Challenger.

NHS is located at 1600 Dr. M. L. King Jr. St. South, St. Petersburg, FL  33701, www.nhsfl.org

727-821-6897, Deborah F. Scanlan, President & CEO.

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Editors: To schedule an interview contact Brooke Boyd at [email protected] or 727.623.9085.

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