County Council Lauds Housing Program

Delaware County Councilman Thomas J. McGarrigle introduced a resolution June 7 declaring June to be National Homeownership Month while noting the efforts of the Homeownership First Program.

Delco Council and it's Office of Housing and Community Development have helped 799 households buy homes since the Homeownership First Program's inception in 1996. The program helps qualified moderate and low income home-buyers afford down payment and closing costs with up to $5,000. 

Participants, with an average annual income of $34,107, are required to attend at least eight hours of home-ownership counseling. 

The average price of homes purchased by participants is $82,284.

Two non-profits, Chester Community Improvement Project and Media Fellowship House, administer the program on behalf of the county.

McGarrigle presented the resolution to Jim Ryal, of the board of directors of Suburban West Realtors Association, Larry Douglas, Housing Program Manager of Chester Community Improvement Project and Andrew Wetzel, Secretary-Treasurer of Suburban West Realtors Association, as well as Jerry Duffy, Executive Director of Media Fellowship House, County Planning Director John Pickett, who also is Director of the Office of Housing and Community Development for Delaware County and Linda Hill, assistant director of the Office of Housing and Community Development.

Joining in the presentation were Councilman Mario J. Civera Jr., Council Chairman Jack Whelan, Councilman Andy Lewis and Council Vice Chairman Christine Fizzano Cannon.