Visionary Home Builders of California

WASHINGTON — The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency today announced that the independent foreclosure review required under the agency’s enforcement actions taken in April 2011 has begun.

Under the enforcement actions taken in April by the OCC, the Federal Reserve, and Office of Thrift Supervision, 14 large mortgage servicers were required to correct deficiencies in their servicing and foreclosure processes and to engage independent firms to conduct a multi-faceted independent review of foreclosure actions that occurred in 2009 and 2010. Independent consultants are charged with evaluating whether borrowers suffered financial injury through errors, misrepresentations, or other deficiencies in foreclosure practices and determining appropriate remediation for those customers. Where a borrower suffered financial injury as a result of such practices, the consent orders require remediation to be provided.

“The independent foreclosure review is a significant component of the mortgage servicers’ compliance with our enforcement actions,” said acting Comptroller of the Currency John Walsh. “These requirements help ensure that the servicers provide appropriate compensation to borrowers who suffered financial harm as a result of improper practices identified in our enforcement actions.”

Today, the 14 mortgage servicers covered by the enforcement actions began mailing letters to eligible borrowers that explain how to request a review of their case if they believe they suffered financial injury as a result of errors, misrepresentations, or other deficiencies in foreclosure proceedings related to their primary residence between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. Borrowers may also visit www.IndependentForeclosureReview.com for more information about the review and claim process. Assistance with requesting a review and answers to questions about the process are available at 1-888-952-9105, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (ET) and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET).

Requests for review must be received by April 30, 2012.

In addition to this outreach and claims program, independent consultants will also review a variety of sample cases from each servicer. Where they identify issues, they will conduct additional secondary reviews to identify as many affected borrowers as possible.

“The challenge is substantial, but the steps we have required the servicers to take are vitally important to resolving these issues in a way that respects the rights of those who have been harmed and helps to restore confidence in the system.”

Mr. Walsh said the reviews will take several months to complete, considering the large pool of borrowers that could be part of the review.

The enforcement actions also require the servicers to correct other deficiencies in residential mortgage loan servicing and foreclosure practices. Work related to correcting these deficiencies is also underway and includes enhancing oversight of third-party foreclosure service providers, upgrading management information systems associated with mortgage servicing and foreclosure processing, and improving communication with customers by establishing a single point of contact and eliminating “dual tracking,” in which servicers continue to pursue foreclosure even though a borrower may have been approved for, or is performing under the terms of a modification or trial modification, among other steps.

Mr. Walsh added that while independent consultants will be responsible for conducting the independent review and servicers will be accountable for taking other corrective actions required in the consent orders, the OCC and other federal regulators will continue to hold the mortgage servicers accountable for complying with all aspects of our orders. In addition, he said, “we will oversee the independent consultants to make certain they conduct the reviews in an independent and responsible manner.”
Related Links

• Independentforeclosurereview.com
• Interagency Review of Foreclosure Policies and Practices

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In a continued commitment to assist homeowners in neighborhoods hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis, the Alliance for Stabilizing our Communities, along with local partner, Visionary Homebuilders of California is hosting a Home Rescue Fair on July 8^th – 9^th, 2011.

The Fair will take place at the Stockton Hilton from 4:00 – 8:00pm on Friday, July 8^th and 10:00 – 3:00pm on Saturday, July 9th.  This event will provide counseling services, foreclosure prevention workshops and in-language assistance, along with community booths providing informational materials related to health, employment and social services.

There are opportunities for related organizations to participate at this event.  If your organization has an interest in having a presence by staffing a booth and providing informational materials to the attendees, please contact Visionary Home Builders.

Visionary Home Builders of California, the local partner, is working in collaboration with the national partnership of Alliance for Stabilizing our Communities.  The Alliance works with national nonprofit housing leaders and Bank of America to bring hands-on counseling services and Home Retention Fairs to local markets, with a goal of providing at-risk homeowners with the best housing solutions possible.

For more information please call 209-461-2118. Below are the flyers detailing what information you will need to bring with you that day:

VHB-2011 July Rescue Fair Flyer English

VHB-2011 July Rescue Fair Flyer Spanish

Visionary Home Builders launches
Bounce Back to Home Ownership Program

Saturday, April 9th, 2011
10:00am to 12:00
315 N. San Joaquin Street
Stockton CA 95202

Visionary Home Builders of California (VHB), a non-profit organization based in Stockton, is now accepting applications for Bounce Back to Home Ownership, an “Option to Own” program. The first class will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2011. Bounce Back to Homeownership will help people enter – or in the event of foreclosure – re-enter homeownership.
“For those who have lost their home to foreclosure, or are wondering how they will ever be able to own their own home, the Bounce Back to Home Ownership program is an opportunity to gain confidence in making long-term, financial decisions to buy a home,” states Carol Ornelas, CEO of Visionary Home Builders. “Our goal is to provide a sound education and opportunity to give people the chance to obtain the American Dream of owning their own home.”
The core of the program is the financial education provided by VHB Housing Coaches. Bounce Back to Home Ownership participants, through finance courses, will develop a plan that allows them to live in their future home for three to five years, help repair their credit, save for a down payment, and plan a household budget that will help sustain a home. At the end of the program, participants should be ready to purchase the home. To be eligible for the Bounce Back program, participants cannot currently own a home and income must not exceed 120% of San Joaquin County Area Median Income limits.
Classes are taught by HUD certified Housing Coaches and will held at Visionary Home Builders -Home Ownership and Education Center, 315 North San Joaquin Street, Stockton.
For further information about Bounce Back to Home Ownership and other educational classes offered at VHB, contact 209-466-6811 or visit www.visionaryhomebuilders.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Stockton, CAA) Visionary Home Builders of California has recently acquired the Bradford Apartments, a 38-unit, two story multi-family affordable housing community located at 1020 Rosemarie Lane in Stockton.

The blighted, foreclosed property is in an area known for its high concentration of drug dealing and crime. Visionary Home Builders is working with the mayor and the City of Stockton to address the needed repairs, as well as health and safety issues. The construction is scheduled to begin Fall 2010.

The Bradford Apartments are located within a short distance from University of the Pacific and Brookside Christian High School. “Our goal is to add to the strength of this neighborhood by transforming this property to create a healthier environment where all people can develop to their full potential. We believe this project will improve the economic status of residents, transform the neighborhood and stabilize the lives of those who will live there,” says Carol Ornelas, CEO of Visionary Home Builders of California. “Our beautiful communities feature lush landscaping, spacious units, community centers, and on-site property management.”

With the commitment to maintaining the integrity of the structure and to continue strengthening the community surrounding the property, once completed, Visionary Home Builders will actively manage the property through ConAm Management Corp. The on-site property managers will hold monthly tenant meetings and quarterly unit inspections. Tentative plans include a community center, which will provide services for the area. The new project will also include the planned use of energy efficient appliances, and the use of sustainable, green materials.

The Bradford Apartments was acquired through the City of Stockton Neighborhood Stabilization Program. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development website, “the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) was established for the purpose of stabilizing communities that have suffered from foreclosures and abandonment.” The funding originated with the Housing and Recovery Act of 2008 and is part of the Federal Stimulus Package. The monies are allocated to states, counties and cities to purchase foreclosed properties from banks, renovate them and resell or rent them.

Founded in 1983, Visionary Home Builders of California is a nonprofit housing development company and housing counseling agency based in Stockton, California. It is the leading agency of its kind in the San Joaquin Valley, having developed more than 1,000 units of rental housing and has renovated/built more than 500 single-family homes. Visionary Home Builders has brought more than $250 million dollars in grants and private dollars to develop affordable housing in the valley. VHB is a HUD approved Housing Counseling Agency. For more information contact Justin Llata at 209-466-6811 or visit the website at www.visionaryhomebuilders.org.

The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the State Route 4 Crosstown Freeway Ramp Extension Project is now available for review. A public hearing is set for Thursday, February 18th and comments on the DEIR will be accepted through Monday, March 22nd. Find the pdf version here.

CA4_Freeway_Public_Notice in .pdf format

The Northern California premiere of the Believing In A Place Called Home event was held on Saturday, January 23, 2010 here at Visionary Home Builders.  The classroom was filled to capacity and the home tour was enjoyed by all.  Four homes in various neighborhoods in Stockton were on tour and all are ready to be sold.  Each person who attended the event received a certificate worth up to 4% of the home purchase price to be used towards closing costs.  For example, if the home purchase price is $100,000, the certificate is worth $4000 which can be used towards closings costs.  The certificate can be combined with other down payment assistance programs if the homebuyer  is qualified. The next opportunity to take advantage of this free event will be on Saturday, February 27, 2010 in Modesto.  A continental breakfast and lunch will be served.  Stay tuned for registration information.

Photos from the BIAPCH in Stockton on January 23, 2010.

At the seminar attendees will learn:

• What and whom you need to know when buying a home.
• How to prepare for homeownership
• The types of mortgages available
• How the home buying process works and what to expect
• Each attendee will receive a “buyers closing cost certificate”
• Each attendee will receive partial credit for the Homebuyers Education Certificate

The program and curriculum, developed by HomeSteps, a Unit of FreddieMac, with sponsorship from Wells Fargo, Visionary Home Builders and Realty World, starts off with a morning of education taught by the education staff of Visionary Home Builders, followed by a bus tour. The bus tour will include a walk-through of up to five HomeSteps, a Unit of FreddieMac, REO properties that meet the requirements of an FHA loan.

Founded in 1983, Visionary Home Builders (VHB) is a nonprofit housing development company and housing counseling agency based in Stockton, California. It is the leading agency of its kind in the San Joaquin Valley, having developed more than 1,000 units of rental housing and has renovated/built more than 500 single-family homes. Visionary Home Builders has brought more than $250 million dollars in grants and private dollars to develop affordable housing in the valley.  VHB is a HUD approved Housing Counseling Agency.

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HomeSteps, a Unit of FreddieMac, Offers Free

Home Buying Seminar for Potential Homebuyers

A free home-buying seminar, Believing In A Place Called Home, designed especially for potential home-buyers, will be held on Saturday, January 23^rd, 2010 at Visionary Home Builders of California, 315 N. San Joaquin Street, Stockton. The workshop is being held from 8:30am to 2:00pm followed by a bus tour of available properties from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. A continental breakfast and lunch will be served. Seating is limited to 25 people and reservations must be made by January 18, 2010 at www.wellsfargo.com/register or by calling 209-466-6811.

Attendees will learn:

• What and whom you need to know when buying a home.
• How to prepare for homeownership
• The types of mortgages available
• How the home buying process works and what to expect
• Each attendee will receive a “buyers closing cost certificate”
• Each attendee will receive partial credit for the Homebuyers Education Certificate

The program and curriculum, developed by HomeSteps, a Unit of FreddieMac, with sponsorship from Wells Fargo, Visionary Home Builders and Realty World, starts off with a morning of education taught by the education staff of Visionary Home Builders, followed by a bus tour. The bus tour will include a walk-through of five HomeSteps, a Unit of FreddieMac, REO properties that meet the requirements of an FHA loan. This  program has been successfully operating in Southern California.  This Stockton event represents the unveiling of this program in Northern California and plans are in place to continue to offer this opportunity to local homebuyers.

Founded in 1983, Visionary Home Builders (VHB) is a nonprofit housing development company and housing counseling agency based in Stockton, California. It is the leading agency of its kind in the San Joaquin Valley, having developed more than 1,000 units of rental housing and has renovated/built more than 500 single-family homes. Visionary Home Builders has brought more than $250 million dollars in grants and private dollars to develop affordable housing in the valley.  VHB is a HUD approved Housing Counseling Agency.

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BIAPCH Flyer – FINAL

Local developer Carol J. Ornelas of Visionary Home Builders

invited panelist at national building conference

(Stockton)  Stockton businesswoman and developer, Carol J. Ornelas served as a panelist at the 2009 NeighborhoodWorks America Conference “Rising to the Challenge: Stabilizing Communities in the Wake of Foreclosure” held in Washington DC on December 9, 2009.   Ornelas, CEO of Visionary Home Builders in Stockton, served with other housing experts speaking on the subject: “Getting Down to Brass Tacks: Case Studies in Property Acquisition/Disposition.”  Property acquisition-disposition is a key strategy for Neighborhood Stabilization Program grantees, and one of the most challenging.  Panelists presented ideas to build long-term sustainability to communities, given local and regional market conditions.

Ornelas is an advocate for providing quality “affordable housing” for families within the tri-county area (San Joaquin, Sacramento and Stanislaus).  For the past 20 years, she has been the Chief Executive Officer for Visionary Home Builders of California, formerly ACLC, Inc.; a non-profit residential development company headquartered in Stockton, Ca.  She serves with distinction as one of a few female housing developers in the Central Valley.

A licensed general contractor and an expert in her field of development, Ornelas is highly recognized as a leader within the community.  Her strength is in building and creating partnerships with citizens of the community, and collaborating with local city, state officials and other agencies to provide quality “affordable housing” for the communities she serves.  Under her direct leadership, Visionary Home Builders has built and rehabilitated over 1000 units of rental housing and more than 500 residential homes for first time homebuyers within the San Joaquin Valley.

Currently her organization has received funds to implement the Neighborhood Stabilization Program for the City of Stockton and the County of San Joaquin. Stockton has received national attention and has been considered “ground zero” of foreclosures. Her organization has assisted over 1,500 families through the foreclosure or loan modification process. Visionary Home Builders has brought more than $250 million dollars in grants and private dollars to develop affordable housing in the valley.  VHB is a HUD approved Housing Counseling Agency. For more information contact Carol J. Ornelas at 209-466-6811 or visit the website at www.visionaryhomebuilders.org.

NeighborhoodWorks, the conference organizer, is a national non-profit organization created by Congress to provide financial support, technical assistance, and training for community-based revitalization efforts.  Together with national and local partners, NeighborWorks creates new opportunities for residents while improving communities. The NeigborhoodWorks American Conference is designed to focus on comprehensive, sustainable policy and planning actions.  Sessions highlight innovative financing, property acquisition and development strategies aimed at helping organizations and communities improve and advance neighborhood stabilization, with a long-term goal of vibrant sustainability. (For further information www/nw.org)

Visionary Home Builders

offering

Homebuyer Education Classes

(Stockton, CA)  Visionary Home Builders is offering Homebuyer Education Classes at their Homeownership Center every Saturday. The one-day class reviews all aspects of home purchase, including understanding credit scores and good faith estimates, budget analysis, housing payment affordability, and how to develop your home buying team.

 The Homebuyer Education Class satisfies the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirement for those interested in considering a home through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Visionary Home Builders is a HUD Approved “Housing Counseling Agency”.

 A Class Registration Form is available at Visionary Home Builders’ Homeownership Center located in downtown Stockton at 315 N. San Joaquin Street, or can be downloaded – www.visionaryhomebuilders.org.  Pre-registration is mandatory.  Classes are held from 8:30am to 5:30pm each Saturday and are offered in both Spanish and English.

The staff of Visionary Home Builders is also available to teach the Homebuyer Education Class to employees at businesses in Stockton, Manteca and Tracy.

 For further information about classes, please contact Joan Jacobs at 209-466-6811 or visit the website at www.visionaryhomebuilders.org.

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First “green” Multi-unit Apartment Complex

in San Joaquin County

  (Stockton-San Joaquin County) A press conference is scheduled to celebrate the grand opening of Villa Monterey, the first “green” multi-unit apartment community in San Joaquin County renovated by Visionary Home Builders of California.  Located across from Weberstown Park East, the festivities will be held on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 from 11:30 to 1:00.  Official comments will be made at 11:45 followed by self-guided tours and lunch on the patio.   Villa Monterey is located at 4707 Kentfield Road, Stockton CA 95207.  

In addition to celebrating the completion of Villa Monterey – which is a catalyst for change in the revitalization of the Kentfield Neighborhood – it is also to emphasize the ‘green’ efforts and success of Visionary Home Builders of California through collaboration of, the City of Stockton, the California Energy Commission, Sun Power Corporation, Davis Energy Group, the Grupe Company and Union Bank of California.  “Working to rebuild Villa Monterey, we have realized that it is possible to be environmentally conscious, and in the process save energy, clean the air and cut utility cost which will benefit the tenants in this community.  It is important in all areas of development – from inner-city projects to high-end structures to do all we can do to save our environment. Together we have accomplished a wonderful new facility for the Kentfield neighborhood.”

The added value of Villa Monterey is the emphasis to build a ‘green – zero net energy’ structure.  VHB received funding from the California Energy Commission’s Public Interest Research Program (PIER) for Zero Energy New Homes (ZENH) the project is expected to receive the U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification for new construction.  In addition to Energy Star Appliances and Solar Panels, some of the green benefits include: Apartment units exceed Title 24 standards by at least 20 percent; Solar and Energy Efficiency features result in 30 percent – 50 percent drop in expected kwh/year consumed; 30 percent – 50 percent drop in expected utility costs per year; and carbon dioxide reduction of 2,100 lbs/year/unit – equating to 2,600 vehicle miles per year.  “Villa Monterey continues the momentum of transforming the housing industry by using high energy efficient building principles to save Californians money on their utility bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ” said California Energy Commission Chairman Karen Douglas.

The rehabilitated complex is now home to a family resource center for the Community Partnership for Families of San Joaquin County.  Villa Monterey has a Community Activity Center, office space for Stockton Police community policing, office space for after school tutoring and educational programs as well as a full computer lab.  Encouraging healthy recreational activities, a beautiful outside courtyard is available to all residents.

 For many years, the Kentfield Neighborhood has been burdened with disproportionate poverty and high crime rates, but that is changing.  The Villa Monterey project will be a positive influence in the Kentfield Neighborhood, revitalizing a once blighted building into a beautiful, environmentally friendly complex.  Organized in 2006, the Kentfield Action Team developed a plan.  Resident involvement, engagement and extensive action on the part of the community, have resulted in a 20 percent decrease in crime in the neighborhood.  “Community members deserve the most credit for the positive changes made in the Kentfield Neighborhood,” said Mayor Ann Johnston. “The Stockton Police Department and a neighborhood officer worked closely with the community to leverage federal, state, county and city resources, along with public and private entities, resulting in significant change in the neighborhood, including this beautiful new structure. The success of this collaboration is now creating a positive environment in a neighborhood that is ready for change.”

Who:                   Villa Monterey Multi-Unit Apartment Complex

                                Visionary Home Builders of California

What:                  The Grand Opening Celebration

When:                 Wednesday, May 6, 2009 – 11:30 am to 1:00pm

Where:               Villa Monterey  – 4707 Kentfield Road – Stockton CA  95207

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