ATTENTION: LDCCH Hosts Home Buyer Workshop; 1/25; 7PM

The Local Development Corporation of Crown Heights (LDCCH)- in collaboration with Project Brooklyn Homeowners- will host a Free Interactive Home Buyer Workshop on January 25th, 2012 at First Baptist Church of Crown Heights.

WHEN: Wednesday, January 25th 2012
7:00PM to 9:00PM
WHERE: First Baptist Church of Crown Heights
450 Eastern Parkway, 2nd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11225

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU????
• Learn How to buy a home
• Learn what to look for in a home and the right questions to ask
• Learn how to qualify for a mortgage. We make sure all attendee’s fully understand the mortgage process from start to finish
• Learn what to do if they have credit challenges and the steps to repair their credit
• ON THE SPOT MORTGAGE PRE-QUALIFICATION
• FREE CREDIT REPORT AND CREDIT CONSULTATION
• Opportunity to preview homes from our inventory of 130 HOMES throughout the Brooklyn and Queens areas and speak to our team of Realtors that will be present at the work shop

To register, email Evantz Saint-Gerard at Evantz@yahoo.com or Yinery Martinez at LDCCH752@aol.com, or call 718-467-8800.

ATTENTION: Chase Bank Presents Homebuying Seminar

On February 8, 2011, Chase Bank will be hosting a free homebuying seminar. Topics to be discussed include--

-Preparing for bomeownership
-Affordable mortgage programs
-Questions and answers with mortgage specialists

WHEN: February 8, 2012
6:30PM- 8:00PM

WHERE: Bed-Stuy Restoration Plaza
1380 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11216

Seating is limited. Please RSVP at (718) 230-1284 by February 2.

ATTENTION: Federal Disaster Aid Available in BK (NYC)

Some Brooklyn organizations are eligible to receive disaster aid related to Hurricane Irene damages.

Government and some nonprofits. Some nonprofits in Brooklyn (as well as Bronx, Nassau, New York, Queens, Rockland, Suffolk, Westchester) counties can receive partial reimbursement for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by Hurricane Irene.
The federal assistance is for the reimbursement (up to 75%) of covered and documented expenses. You don't have to wait to begin your repairs, just keep a careful record of your outlays.

If you think that you, your business or your organization are eligible, begin applying for assistance tomorrow by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA(3362).

Updated Information from NYT's Cityroom here.

Update: Property Damage and Tree Removal (Hurricane Irene)

Damage

Individuals whose property has incurred damage due to Hurricane Irene are encouraged to report any damage to 311 ASAP, or report damage online.



The City investigates reports of damage to homes or building structures caused by severe weather. This includes:



• Unstable sidewalk sheds or scaffolds

• Debris falling from a building

• Defective or cracking interior and exterior walls



Please report damage here:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/oem/html/nycsevereweather/damage_form.shtml



Tree Removal

The City removes street trees and large branches that have fallen to the ground in front of houses, in parks, and in other public spaces. The City also removes trees or branches that are blocking sidewalks or streets, as well as branches that are cracked or hanging, and about to fall. Removal may be delayed during a storm if the branches are not blocking streets or sidewalks.



The City is not responsible for:

• Any non-City tree that falls on private property

• Any small non-City tree branch that falls on private property

• Any tree that is on private property



Property owners must consult with a private landscape contractor to arrange for the removal of non-City trees or tree branches. Property owners are responsible for knowing whether a tree is on their property or on the City's property. Trees can appear to be growing on your property but actually be on City property. Reference your title survey to verify property lines before removing a tree or conducting any tree work on or around trees in your front yard.



The Department of Parks and Recreation is not accepting requests for removal of standing dead trees until Tuesday, August 30. You may request forestry service action here: http://gis.nyc.gov/parks/forms/



Otherwise, you are encouraged to contact 311 with any reports, or with further questions.

CM James Announces Pilot Co-op/Condo Council, Urges Finance Department To Cap Property Taxes

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
August 2, 2011

Contacts: Amyre Loomis at (718) 260-9191

NYC COUNCIL MEMBER LETITIA JAMES ANNOUNCES PILOT CO-OP AND CONDO COUNCIL FOR 35TH COUNCIL DISTRICT AND URGES THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE TO CAP PROPERTY TAXES IN BROOKLYN
It has long been acknowledged that housing cooperatives and condominiums pay more than their fair share of property taxes

(Brooklyn, NY) Serious concern about the New York City Department of Finance's assessments of real property values for cooperative and condominium properties exists. Some residents have seen increases in market value of up to one-hundred fifty percent, and the resulting real property tax increases could be extremely damaging to affordable housing in many neighborhoods.

Council Member James said: “I ask that co-op and condo owners in the 35th Council District who may be experiencing increases in property taxes and other issues related to their residences, call my office. The pilot Co-op and Condo Council that I am forming has three purposes: 1. to get condo taxes capped at an affordable rate in Brooklyn, 2. to create discounted purchasing opportunities, 3. to develop green initiatives, and 4. to share information.”

Property tax rates for co-op and condos were capped at 10% (only in the borough of Queens) for the 2011 year, and co-ops/condos in Brooklyn and Citywide should also be capped. It is still unclear what the cap will be for 2012. The City Council is currently working with a panel/commission to examine the issue.

Tamara Clements, a resident of co-ops located at 149 and 153 Clinton Avenue said: “My neighbors and I want to understand how things work in the tax and real estate areas. We will support any efforts to research and speak out against built-in and structural unfairness in government, specifically as it relates to property taxes.”

The general consensus is that because co-op ownership (and condo ownership to a smaller degree) is the most accessible way for working-class people to become property owners, it is unfair that this group should shoulder a larger tax burden than traditional homeowners (whose property is more valuable overall). The goal of this pilot initiative is to cap property tax rates for these owners at a maximum of 8%, as suggested by the City Council.

“I’m certain a joint effort by co-op and condo owners to force the capping of escalating real estate taxes is very possible in Brooklyn through the formation, and work of this pilot Co-op and Condo Council,” said Council Member James.

###

REMINDER: Chase Multi-Day Event To Help Struggling BK Homeowners

Chase Sets Up Five-Day Event in Brooklyn to Help Struggling Homeowners
Advisors will work face-to-face to help keep families in their homes

WHAT: Chase loan advisors will set up shop at the Brooklyn Bridge Marriott for five days to help struggling homeowners find the best solution.

Homeowners with Chase mortgages can receive the following services:
-Initial counseling to apply for a mortgage modification
-Counseling for those who are current on their mortgage but are struggling
-Short-sale assistance for those who cannot afford their home or don't want to stay in it
-Document signing and drop-off for modifications
-Collection of outstanding documents for those on trial modifications
-On-site execution of final modification agreements for customers who have completed their modification application

WHO: Chase loan counselors will assist borrowers with a Chase, EMC or WaMu mortgage.

WHEN: Thursday, March 31- Monday, April 4; 8AM to 8PM

WHERE: The Brooklyn Bridge Marriott, Salon E-1, 333 Adams Street, Brooklyn
(Free parking at the Adams Street Garage next to the Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge; bring parking ticket to event)

HOW FAST: No appointments are necessary. Chase expects to sit down with most borrowers within 15 minutes of their arrival.

The event supplements Chase Homeownership Centers that help New York families every week, including locations at:

4 Chase Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, 718-242-2500 (open Monday-Saturday)

Things We May Have Neglected To Mention

The New York City Department of Finance wants you to know that you can now contest Parking and Environmental Control Board tickets on-line!

U.S. Representative Ed Towns invites you to join him at the JP Morgan Chase Homeowner Assistance Program from March 31st- April 4th. Representative Towns will be present at the third session between the hours of 12noon- 2PM on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at the Brooklyn Marriott.

Reverend Michael Bacchus and the Full Gospel Assembly Church invite you to a health event where you may obtain FREE mammogram and blood pressure screenings.

WHEN: Saturday, April 2, 2011
9AM- 3PM
WHERE: Full Gospel Assembly Church
131 Sullivan Place
Brooklyn, NY 11225

ATTENTION: BK Chamber of Commerce, Con Edison Present "Real Green! Meet the Experts on Energy." 4/1; BK Boro Hall; 8:30AM

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with Con Edison, will present "Real Green! Meet the Experts on Energy" at Brooklyn Borough Hall on Thursday, April 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The event is designed to encourage business owners and homeowners interested in "green-proofing" their businesses and residences, but who are stymied by concerns about cost or are searching for ideas about how to get started. The process for obtaining funding for green projects will be demystified and attendees will be able to explore ideas about eco-friendly construction illustrated by case studies that offer a road map approach to sustainability.

The selected case studies represent some of Brooklyn's newest and most exciting development projects- commercial projects will be the focus in the morning and will include a LEED-certified clothing store, Bird, and Brooklyn's newest recreation destination, Brooklyn Bowl. Residential projects will be covered in the afternoon and will feature projects such as The Silhouette and Greenbelt. In addition, attendees can take advantage of a full day of table presentations and the opportunity to meet one-on-one with representatives from NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority).

Presenting sponsor, Con Edison, will offer free energy surveys for which attendees can sign up on-site at the event. This exciting "one-stop" fair will get attendees on their way to the most cost effective and achievable means to implement their wish list of green projects.

Real Green! is free and open to the public; advance registration is required.

Attendees may RSVP online at www.ibrooklyn.com; if you are interested in scheduling an appointment with a NYSERDA project manager, please send an email to Lori Raphael at lraphael@brooklynchamber.com or call (718) 875-1000 ext 140. Light refreshments will be served.