St. John's United Church of Christ is in mission with Phoenixville Homes, a new secular, non-profit organization formed in December 1994 by the Greater Phoenixville Area Council of Churches in response to a need for more affordable housing opportunities for people with low to moderate incomes.
On Friday, December 5, 2003, Robert Noll, long time member was honored by the Phoenixville Community Health Foundation as a ‘Champion of the Community”. Bob was nominated by Donald Coppage and was among three others who were awarded Champions of the Community. Bob was nominated and won this award for his long standing ministry here at St. Johns and his ministry on the Board of the Phoenixville Homes. Our congratulations to all those so nominated and awarded for their community service and especially to our own Robert Noll. Bob shared his financial gift for his award of $2000. to Phoenixville Homes and to St. Johns United Church of Christ. The financial aspect of the award will continue to serve persons in need within our Phoenixville area.
In June of 1995, Phoenixville Homes was granted Community Housing Development Organization status by the Chester County Office of Housing and Community Development. Phoenixville Homes works closely with the Phoenixville Borough and surrounding townships, social service organizations and businesses in the area to meet the housing needs of Northern Chester County and parts of Montgomery County.
For more information about Phoenixville Homes, please call 610/594-7715, or write: Phoenixville Homes, PO Box 721, Phoenixville PA 19460.
Reprinted with
permission from "THE PHOENIX", Friday June 6, 1997
an article by Michael Walker, Jr., "Phoenix" Staff
Writer
PHOENIXVILLE - Phoenixville Homes, a local non-profit housing group, expects to begin construction of 10 twin homes on a vacant stretch of Wilson Street by July 1, 1997. But first the non-profit housing group needs to find people to live there.
What Phoenixville Homes is looking for is first-time homeowners earning 80 percent or less of the area's median income (for one person - that's $28,750).
According to executive director Bruce Connus, Phoenixville Homes is hoping to find these prospective homeowners at two financial seminars sponsored by Intercounty Mortgage, a New Jersey-based housing lender.
Representatives from Intercounty will host the seminars at St. Peter's Place, 111 Church Street in Phoenixville on Thursday, June 12, at 7:00pm and Saturday, June 14, at 10:00am. Babysitting will be provided.
The seminar will be, in effect, a screening process for applicants, says Connus. Prospective owners are asked to bring in financial statements (loan information, income statements and credit card statements). After a credit check, Intercounty representatives should be able to tell people at the seminar if they qualify for the new homes. The homes will be sold on a first come, first served basis.
Connus said he's optimistic that Phoenixville Homes will sell all of the 10 homes before construction begins. "I feel it's a good value," he said. "A three bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom home for $80,000 is a very good value."
Phoenixville Homes estimates the houses will have a market value of $120,000. Phoenixville Homes plans to sell the federally-subsidized twin homes for $80,000. But buyers must, said Connus, qualify for a mortgage on their own to buy a home. That's where Intercounty Mortgage comes in. "We will be able to qualify and approve applicants at the seminar so they will know on the spot if they have purchased a new home," said George Fleig, senior mortgage officer for Intercounty in a written statement.
The federal subsidies apply to the second mortgage which requires no payments or interest. The terms of the first mortgage will be governed by the terms of the lender.
If the family stays in the home for less than five years, they must pay the second mortgage in full. If they remain in the home for 10 years, the mortgage will be forgiven.
Thus, to receive the full subsidy, the homeowner must stay in the home for at least 10 years.
Connus said he's received "a lot" of inquiries from Spring City and Phoenixville residents about applying for a Wilson Street home. The housing group has publicized the housing offer to local churches.
