Homewise is one of the best-run, most effective organizations I've come across. The problem they seek to solve is getting moderate-income families into homeownership, which is proven to stabilize both the family and the community. They do this in several sensible steps: individual counseling, classes in financial literacy, credit repair, saving, and then navigating the homebuying and mortgage processes. They have highly qualified real estate brokers on staff, who do not work on commission! And in Santa Fe, where housing has become very expensive, Homewise decided to build affordable houses. But they didn't build them cheaply -- they built them for low TOTAL cost of ownership: quality materials and building techniques that require less maintenance, low-energy use appliances, extra insulation, etc. I know personally one of the counselors and several of the staff, and they all exhibit the same high level of empathy and professionalism.
615 Pageviews Read Stories
- EIN 85-0346325
- 505-983-9473
- 1301 Siler Road Building D Santa Fe NM 87507 USA
- http://www.homewise.org
- sfhomewise
- Add to Favorites
Promote This Nonprofit
Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Homeless & Housing
Mission: The mission of Homewise is to help working New Mexicans become successful homeowners in order to achieve financial security, strengthen families and increase the economic and social vitality of our communities. We do this by: Providing free financial literacy and homebuyer education classes Individual financial counseling towards the goal of home purchase Providing low-interest, fixed rate mortgages and home improvement and refinance loans Real estate services
Results: $58,673,148 loaned in 2013, $346,266,508 to date; 69 jobs created; 173 refis in 2013, 161 families moved into their first homes, 89 lowered their costs and improved their quality of life with home improvement loans, and 528 people took foundational classes in 2013.
Target demographics: moderate income families achieve homeownerships
Direct beneficiaries per year: 161 families move into new homes, 173 refinance, 89 to improve homes, and 528 people who took classes.
Geographic areas served: 8 Northern New Mexico counties
Programs: financial literacy and credit repair classes, one-to-one counseling, low-cost, fixed interest mortgages, refi and home improvement loans, and by building high-quality, energy-efficient low total cost of ownership new homes.