Housing Initiative Partnership, Inc. is an innovative nonprofit developer based in Prince Georges County, Maryland dedicated to revitalizing neighborhoods. HIP creates housing and economic opportunities for persons of low and moderate income and provides services that improve the quality of life in the communities we serve.
To date, HIP has acquired and completely rehabilitated a vacant apartment building in Mount Rainier. HIP continues to own and manage this building which provides affordable housing for very low-income families earning 50 percent or less of the area median income. Rents are $475. HIP receives no operating or rent subsidies for these units.
Two part -time Resident Advocates provide information and referral services to the low and moderate income residents of the Queens Manor Apartment complex as well as to the residents of HIP's own Artists' Apartments. These services are available in both English and Spanish. One of HIP's unique programs is its Tenants to College Program, in which HIP pays for its tenants to attend college classes. On average 25 percent of the tenants are enrolled in classes at HIP's expense. HIP also runs a Reading is Fundamental program which provides free, brand-new books once a month to children in the community. In addition, HIP runs a small after school tutoring program and summer program for neighborhood children.
In an effort to expand its housing program, HIP launched a homeownership program in the spring of 1998. HIP's program consists of two components: single-family rehab and homebuyer education. Under the single-family rehab component, HIP acquires dilapidated, vacant single-family homes in distressed communities. Working closely with the community HIP substantially rehabilitates these homes. HIP focuses its rehab program in inner-beltway communities, working in Palmer Park, Seat Pleasant, Riverdale, Hyattsville, Mount Rainier and Fairmont Heights. In some cases HIP receives HOME funds from the county to help write down the purchase price of these homes. Homes are affordable to families earning 80 percent or less of the area median income. All homebuyers are required to graduate from HIP's homebuyer education program. The homebuyer education program began in July 1998 and our housing counselors worked with 1,200 people last year. This program consists of both individual and group counseling as well as homebuyer education classes held in HIP's Hyattsville office. The curriculum thoroughly prepares potential purchasers for the joys and challenges of homeownership. Staff works with families on repairing credit, developing a budget, shopping for a mortgage, understanding the steps and professionals involved in buying a home, and learning how to maintain a home and budget after becoming a homeowner. Classes are available in both English and Spanish.
Did you have the painful experience of paying a lot of taxes this year? If you have Maryland Tax liability, we can help ease your pain. Make a donation to HIP ($500 to $100,000) and you can get seventy five to ninety two per cent of it back depending on the size of your company, That means a large company could donate ten thousand dollars to HIP and only be out of pocket $700! If you are an S corp, you can use the credits on your personal taxes in proportion to how much of the business you own.
CALL MOSI AT 301-699-3835 FOR MORE INFORMATION.
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