Publication Date: 10/19/2010

October in our Community

As we focus upon our mission of building community, we hope that this month's packed edition of our newsletter will provide information that you will find helpful for your home and community. Be sure to check out the side bar for many upcoming seminars and events.

TRIP/RCHR Annual Homecoming Dinner

Honoring Exemplary Contributions
in the Capital Region
Wednesday, October 20th, 2010 5:30pm
Franklin Terrace Ballroom 126 Campbell Ave. Troy
2010 Community Citizenship Award -
E. Stewart Jones, Jr.
2010 Troy Treasure Award -
Rev. Willie Bacote
Tickets are still available
Please Call 272-8289 to reserve a seat

Don't Be a Victim: Protect Your Identity

Don't be a victim of identity theft, a growing problem in the United States. Over 10 million Americans were affected by identity theft last year. Consumers must protect themselves and become educated about identity theft to prevent and resolve problems."

To help in this effort, the OCC has joined with others and has designated October 17 - 23, 2010 Protect Your Identity Week. As part of this initiative, the OCC has made Web resources available that help consumers understand identity theft risks and how they may safeguard their personal information.

To find out more about what you can do and the resources available, click here.

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Interest Rates are Low

The State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) now has the lowest interest rates ever offered in 40 years. SONYMA's Low Interest Rate Program is at a rate of 4% and it's Achieving the Dream Program, for low-income first-time homebuyers, is at 3.5%!

SONYMA is dedicated to providing affordable home ownership opportunities to low- and moderate-income families in the State of New York by offering competitively-priced mortgages. SONYMA was created in 1970 with the mission of helping low- and moderate- income families become homeowners. It offers a variety of low down payment mortgages that provide below-market fixed interest rates, as well as closing cost assistance through a network of participating lenders across the state.

For more info, click here.

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Home Buyer Incentive Program

Oct. 19 | 6pm | City Hall | 279-7149

Grant funds will be available to low/moderate income, first-time homebuyers, to assist with down payment or closing costs for the purchase of a home located within the City of Troy.

A public orientation meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 19th @6pm at City Hall, 1776 6th Ave Conference Rm A, 2nd flr.

For more information:
http://troyny.gov/home/HIP.html
or contact 279-7149

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Furnace Repair or Replacement

The Furnace Repair and Replacement Component of the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is available to help eligible low-income home owners repair or replace furnaces, boilers and other direct heating components necessary to keep the home's primary heating source functional.

Furnace benefits amounts are based on the actual cost incurred to replace or repair the applicants' furnace, boiler, and/or other essential heating equipment necessary to keep the home's primary heating source operational.

For more information on the program and guidelines, click here.

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Community Loan Fund

Oct. 25 | 5-7pm | State Capitol

The Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region is celebrating its 25th Anniversary on Monday, Oct. 25th from 5-7pm at the State Capitol. This organization has been making loans available to small business owners, not-for-profit organizations and homeowners throughout the area, providing credit when it otherwise was unavailable or too expensive to access.

TRIP was o clf logo ne of the very borrowers, helping us meet the financing gap on several of our earliest housing developments. Since then, there is an illustrious list of Troy-based businesses or groups which have sought financing from the Community Loan Fund, including Olde Judge Mansion B&B, The Sanctuary for Independent Media, Ark Community Charter School, Café Deli-icious, Troy Community Food Coop, Xs to Os Vegan Bakery, Independent Living Center, Art Gallery, Friends of Washington Park (street resurfacing), TAUM, and more.

To find out more, click here.

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Recycling in Troy

Mayor Harry Tutunjian has announced that residents can now combine all of their recyclables into one container and no longer need to separate them. This new process called "single stream recycling" makes recycling easier for the residents while incurring no additional costs to the city.

recycle

"Single stream recycling means you no longer have to keep pap er and cardboard products separate from plastics, metals and other commodities. Instead, you can place all of your recyclable materials into one blue recycling bin and not have to worry about what goes where," said Mayor Tutunjian. "Increasing the ease of recycling has been shown to reduce the amount of garbage that goes to our landfills. Single stream recycling is a simple, environmentally friendly way to support 'green' practices all at no cost to our residents."

Click here for more info.

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