From the Desk of Former Mayor Malinda Miles

It has been two years since I decided to remove myself from the political scene in Mount Rainier, MD, Prince George's County, and the State of Maryland. Holding the lofty position of Mayor was such a great honor, but as the years flew by, I realized that it was time to do something else -- get a life.! I did, and still continue to provide resources to the residents through The Front Porch Ministries (TFPM). Real people pass through The Front Porch Ministries weekly. LIFE is good.

Friday, December 06, 2013

Want to make an END-of-the-YEAR Contribution?

Help our Families Bounce Back

Dear Friends of HIP,

We hear it everywhere... the housing market has "bounced back". Home prices are up and bidding wars are breaking out.

Unfortunately, that's not what we see among the lower income families we serve. Despite the headlines, foreclosures in Maryland have skyrocketed an astounding 180% since this time last year, making Maryland the third highest ranking state nationally in foreclosure activity.

Worse, Prince George's County continues to have the second highest number of foreclosures in the state while Montgomery County is fifth highest. And it's not just homeowners who are struggling. A shocking 20.8% of households in the Washington metro area are "cost burdened", spending more than 50% of their income towards rent or mortgages. Average rents are now $1,823, way out of reach of many working families. And many of the families we serve have experienced a permanent loss of income due to job loss or underemployment.

Three years ago, HIP created its "Bounce Back" program, an intensive coaching and peer support program that builds the financial capacity of families who have avoided foreclosure through HIP's assistance. We helped 148 homeowners in 2013. To date, none have re-defaulted on their mortgages, compared to a 50% default rate nationwide.

In the past year, HIP assisted 1,370 foreclosure clients, obtaining 717 positive loan workouts so far. We helped 219 families buy homes. We sold five formerly distressed and vacant homes to first-time homebuyers. We partnered with The Ingerman Group to construct 72 affordable family apartments with another 62 on the way. And we provided ongoing support to 194 households in our rental properties.

Won't you help us continue our good work? Please consider donating to HIP so we may help more families "bounce back".

May this be a season of thanks for you!

Donate to HIP today by visiting us
at www.hiphomes.org

Mayor Malinda Miles

As a long-time resident of Mount Rainier and a homeowner, it is important to me that municipal government be inclusive of all of its residents. It is equally important that information be communicated through all possible channel so that residents can get involved. It is also important for residents to volunteer and serve on committees, commissions, boards and task forces. I truly believe that municipal government is the government closes to the people, and as such should be easily accessible. This BLOG is another effort to reach out to the residents of Mount Rainier.