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Homes Within Reach in the News ... Article from Homes Within Reach Newsletter Success through partnership The dedication and contribution of service to Homes Within Reach (HWR) from a wide variety of organizations and individuals is central to making affordable homeownership a reality – and therefore vital to realizing the vision and mission of HWR. These valued partners include, but are not limited to: funders; city staff and elected officials; community organizations; appraisers; closers; real estate agents; building contractors; insurance brokers; consultants and other vendors; and lending institutions (for applicant mortgages and to assist in the acquisition of property). All are part of an interconnecting circle of professionals that enable WHAHLT to meet its goals in creating and preserving affordable homeownership. They provide essential services to the HWR program. We are pleased to offer some background and insights from three of HWR long-time partners. Pam Lienemann – Aurora Closing Services. Pam helps HWR finalize the transactions needed to acquire properties and sell homes. One of the many reasons she enjoys her work with HWR is the feeling of giving back to the community. “I have been blessed in my life and feel it is my responsibility to provide others opportunities as I have experienced,” she explained. Pam supports the HWR program because it offers the buyer a true home investment and not just a roof over their heads, which escalates their sense of self worth. Time and again, she sees buyers transform into owners as their lifelong dream of homeownership becomes a reality – with all the rewards and opportunities that it provides. She believes the difference the Community Land Trust offers is the support network of loan officers, attorneys, HWR staff and more. “Everyone is sincere when they tell the client to call if they need help, and that support continues on after closing. It’s quite something to see,” she said. She also witnesses the dedication and willingness of local government show to actively expand the number of new homeowners – especially by the City of Minnetonka. Her hope is that more communities will work with funders and lenders to enable the creation and sustainability of affordable homeownership. “In this situation, everybody wins,” she said. Vicki Siskin – Real Estate Agent, Counselor Realty. Vicki helps HWR acquire the properties that will later be sold to qualified work-force families. Her contribution to HWR epitomizes the quality and importance of HWR partners: she works extremely hard to find properties based on applicants’ needs and community and market demands; and selflessly gives time and financial resources to the program. Vicki has been in real estate for over 25 years as an agent, developer and property owner and manager. She joined HWR on the ground floor, working with the board of directors in developing WHAHLT’s acquisition systems. Her initial reason to help was an intense desire to give back to communities she had served. Her commitment continues to grow because she has seen first-hand the benefits of giving homeowners a quality home in established neighborhoods. “This brings integrity to neighborhoods and balance to suburban communities by enabling them to flourish in a market that primarily wants to grow bigger and more expensive,” she explained. She is also driven by the new homeowners’ sense of pride because they worked so hard to buy their first home. Her hope is to expand to other communities and help those cities understand the value and benefits the program brings to all concerned. Kelly Elkin – Vice President/Non Profit, Bremer Bank. Bremer Bank has been an outstanding partner of HWR, providing monetary contributions to the program and financial resources to acquire the property. Bremer also helped with the quilt fundraising raffle by creating displays and spreading the word to the community. Kelly Elkin in particular has been critical to our relationship and has served HWR and its community well. “As a long-time resident in the western suburbs and as a Bremer employee, I very much appreciate and respect the work WHAHLT does for communities,” said Kelly. “It’s a privilege to partner with Homes Within Reach, as well as to work for a community bank with a one-of-a-kind ownership structure.” Bremer Bank is jointly owned by its employees and the Otto Bremer Foundation, and therefore is able to direct profits back to our communities through grants from the foundation. |
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5101 Thimsen Avenue, Suite 200 Tel 952-401-7071 Minnetonka, MN 55345 Fax 952-224-2857 Last modified: 04/23/09 |