2008 Homes4NC Affordable Housing Achievement Award Winner

U.S. Representatives G.K. Butterfield and Brad Miller Join REALTORS® in Honoring Housing Award Winners

(Greensboro, NC) Noting that good news seems hard to find these days, U.S. Representatives G.K. Butterfield and Brad Miller recently joined housing industry leaders to celebrate those working to keep affordable housing alive for hardworking North Carolina families. On October 20, five organizations and one individual were honored as the winners of the 2008 Homes4NC Affordable Housing Achievement Awards. These awards, given by the NC Association of REALTORS® Housing Opportunity Foundation, recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to affordable housing in the state.

In his keynote address, Congressman Butterfield, who serves the First District of North Carolina, talked about the recent federal financial bailout and how crucial it was to restoring confidence in our financial system. He noted the importance of a strong housing industry and thanked attendees for providing the leadership and innovation needed to get our economy back on track.

John Newman, vice president of Homes4NC, echoed Butterfield’s comments and described why the Achievement Awards are so important. “We developed this special awards program to educate and inspire others through the innovative work that’s being done by our award winners.” He added, “Now, more than ever, we need to let the public know that good things are happening in the housing market because of the collaboration between REALTORS® and our many housing partners. Together, we can make a real difference in the quality of life for all citizens.”

This year’s award winners are:

William C. Bass Leadership Award
Frank Wiesner, Olde South Homes, Raleigh
Frank Wiesner led the 2008 Habitat for Humanity Builder Blitz in Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties, organizing hundreds of contributors and thousands of volunteers to complete 10 homes, spread across three counties, in five days and at no cost to Habitat. Frank can be reached at (919) 420-7400.

Project of the Year Award
Builders of Hope, Raleigh
Builders of Hope rescues donated homes from demolition, moves them to affordable housing communities, refurbishes the homes and then sells them at cost to low-income, working families. They also rebuild lives through their work training programs for at-risk youth and those experiencing chronic unemployment. For more information, visit www.buildersofhopenc.org.

Public Policy Award
Guilford County Homeownership Center, Greensboro
Understanding the importance of blending private and public resources, the Guilford County Homeownership Center brings everyone to the table to increase the financial literacy of citizens and provide a matched savings program to buy a home, get an education or start a business. Contact them at (336) 553-0946.

Brokerage Award
Partners for Homeownership, Winston-Salem
Partners for Homeownership has helped 215 families achieve affordable homeownership and has leveraged more than $34 million in new housing, jobs and materials. From developing raw land and partnering with builders, to educating homebuyers and offering special financing, Partners for Homeownership expands the market of who can be served. For more information, visit www.partnersforhomeownership.org.

Finance Award
Bank of America, Charlotte
Through special homeowner financing programs and its extensive Home Buyers Education Program, Bank of America helped more than 4,000 North Carolina families achieve their dreams of affordable homeownership in 2007. In its development role, the bank helped create or preserve more than 26,000 affordable housing units across the country. For more information, visit www.bankofamerica.com.

Education Award
Greensboro Housing Coalition, Greensboro
The Greensboro Housing Coalition teaches budgeting, fair housing laws and first-time home buyers classes to move its clients from homelessness to homeownership. In 2007, they helped 326 clients purchase a home, moved 71 homeless into decent housing, prevented 183 evictions and 21 foreclosures, and brought 141 unsafe houses and apartments up to standards. For more information, visit, HYPERLINK "http://www.greensborohousingcoalition.com" www.greensborohousingcoalition.com.

About Homes4NC: Understanding that homeownership is the key to a better quality of life, NC REALTORS® established Homes4NC to help more North Carolinians find a safe, decent and affordable place to call home. Since its inception in 2004, Homes4NC has distributed more than $175,000 to NC agencies that help families with their housing needs. Homes4NC grants have helped build 20 Habitat homes, provided downpayment assistance to eight families and homebuyer education to 5,000 consumers. For more information, visit www.homes4nc.org.

About NCAR: With more than 43,000 members, the North Carolina Association of REALTORS® is the voice of the real estate profession and one of the largest, most influential associations in North Carolina. For more information, visit www.ncrealtors.org.