Westchester Residential Opportunities Inc

Fair housing programwro's fair housing program works to eliminate discrimination in the housing and lending markets. The program handles complaints and conducts investigations, including both systemic and complaint-based testing, and accessible design and construction investigations. Accessible design and construction surveys are conducted to promote housing access for people with disabilities. Wro's fair housing program provides education and outreach to consumers, civic and business and other non-profit organizations, and trains real estate professionals, co-op boards and management companies to comply with fair housing laws. In 2024, 167 families and individuals were assisted with fair housing complaints, and 16 real estate agencies including over 350 individual real estate professionals and 133 co-op apartment directors were trained in our fair housing workshops.additionally, wro manages an affirmative housing marketing program for rent and resale of fair and affordable homes. As part of this program, wro collects applications and administers a lottery for eligible applicants. In 2024, wro marketed over 500 rental units in six rental developments, two ownership units in one development, and assisted in the closing of two re-sales of existing affordable homes.

Eviction prevention & rental assistance programwro assists qualified households facing rental and/or utility arrears, by providing financial assistance grants against those arrears. Wro also works with households looking to secure rental housing by providing financial assistance grants for security deposits, moving expenses, first month's rent, etc.in addition to providing financial assistance, the program (1) provides counseling to primarily low-to-moderate income households to find and maintain affordable housing, (2) negotiates with landlords to help keep people housed, and (3) makes referrals as appropriate to locate additional sources of financial and other forms of assistance. In 2024, the program assisted 620 individuals and families, and disbursed almost $209,000 in rental arrears grants to 55 households.

Home ownership programswro provides assitance to qualified households in three areas: (a) first-time homebuying program, which provides education and counseling in spanish and english on the homebuying process, and facilitates access to various down-payment and closing cost assistance programs. In 2024, 235 individuals completed our homebuying education program, and 16 clients purchased a home, including a total of almost $319,000 in grants secured to help purchase their homes. (b) mortgage foreclosure prevention program, which assists homeowners who are facing foreclosure due to temporary interruptions in income or financial hardship, including exploring possible options available with their lender. In 2024, wro served 175 clients, and closed on 65 loan modifications or reinstatements, including almost $345,000 in foreclosure prevention grants secured for clients.(c) aging in place program, which assists senior homeowners (62 and over) to remain in their existing homes by making modifications to the home to accommodate age-related changes or disabilities. In 2024, wro served 26 clients with evaluations of modification needs or facilitating actual modifications.