12/11/2012
Citizens Bank Foundation awards $50,000 grant to HAPHousing in Springfield
Grant to support revitalization efforts in Six Corners and Old Hill neighborhoods, homeownership courses for low- and moderate-income community members
BOSTON (December 11, 2012) – The Citizens Bank Foundation announced today that it has awarded a $50,000 grant to HAPHousing to support revitalization and homeownership efforts in Springfield’s Six Corners and Old Hill neighborhoods. These areas that continue to rebuild and recover from the June 2011 tornado that caused significant damage and destruction in parts of these neighborhoods.
“More than a year has passed since the tornado, and HAPHousing is continuing its neighborhood revitalization work while redoubling our efforts in areas devastated by the storm. The steadfast support of Citizens Bank continues to make this work possible as we strive to create vibrant neighborhoods and rebuild.” said Peter Gagliardi, Executive Director, HAPHousing. “With the help of the Citizens Bank Foundation, we will make great strides toward neighborhood revitalization and recovery.”
“By investing in these programs that support revitalization projects and affordable homeownership, we can help HAPHousing stimulate the local economy,” said Jerry Sargent, President, Citizens Bank and RBS Citizens, Massachusetts. “HAPHousing has been an exceptional and tireless partner in Springfield as residents continue to rebuild from the storm and we commend their efforts.”
Since 2009, Citizens Bank Foundation has awarded $175,000 in grants to HAPHousing. With the bank’s latest support, the organization will expand its revitalization efforts. HAPHousing is collaborating with DevelopSpringfield, the City, and neighborhood residents to plan for new schools, new homes, and new commercial and open space spurring further revitalization.
In addition, HAPHousing plans to train more than 375 families through its pre-purchase course, a program that has the Massachusetts Homeownership Collaborative Seal of Approval. HAP will also provide pre-purchase counseling to nearly 200 families and will serve 30 households through the Homebuyer Club, an initiative that provides longer-term support to families preparing for homeownership.
About the Citizens Bank Foundation
Citizens Bank Foundation is a subsidiary of the Citizens Charitable Foundation, which is a charitable contributions vehicle of RBS Citizens Financial Group, Inc., RBS Citizens, N.A. and Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania. The foundation’s support is focused on human services, affordable housing and economic development. RBSCFG’s website is citizensbank.com.
About HAPHousing
HAPHousing is a nonprofit organization that, in nearly 40 years, has earned a reputation as the region’s leader in facilitating access to housing and homeownership. As the region’s housing partnership, HAPHousing collaborates with other community-based organizations to create affordable housing and to revitalize urban neighborhoods. Originally established to provide innovative forms of assistance to families seeking to rent decent, safe housing, HAPHousing has come to provide a wide range of services to tenants, homebuyers, homeowners and rental property owners. HAPHousing assists more than 20,000 households each year and is the largest nonprofit developer of affordable housing based in Western Massachusetts.
