On May 14, 2016, Southeast CDC held Viva Baltimore! The event was held at Highlandtown Elementary Middle School #215 on Pratt Street from 10 AM to 2 PM. This is the second time Southeast CDC worked to put together an event to promote homeownership entirely in Spanish. More than 40 people attended. One family came from as far away as New York for the event.
The first 2 hours of Viva Baltimore! helped to educate new buyers about the home buying process. “We put together a panel of experts and let them talk with the participants,” said Glenda Sierra Shultz, SECDC Housing Counselor. The panel included, Pitina Stuckey, Berkshire Hathaway; Eric Davalos, Bank of America; David Rosario, State Farm Insurance Agencies; Abdel Piedramartel, CASA; Micah Hughes, Mundial Consulting Title. “This event helps people understand all the parts of the process and helps them understand how Housing Counseling can help them along the way. Many Spanish speaking people in the community don’t know that they can buy a home.” said Sierra- Shultz. “We also go through the down payment and closing cost assistance programs that can help them buy and renovate a home in the community.”
At 11:45 AM a bus came to the school and took participants to see 5 homes in Patterson Park and Highlandtown. The second half of the event was a home tour – Visitatemors Casas a la Venta. Ms. Pitina chose 5 properties for sale for participants to see. “People really enjoy seeing the inside of the homes – it makes them excited to own a home.” said Ismael Quezada.
The day was sponsored by Healthy Neighborhoods, Baltimore Housing, the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development, State Farm Insurance, and the Maryland Association of Realtors. Attracting and retaining home buyers to our Healthy Neighborhoods communities is the core of the community development program at the Southeast CDC. One target market is the Latino community, which represents more than one-third of the population in the greater Highlandtown area. Our goal is to attract potential home buyers and retain existing Latino residents in the greater Highlandtown area who already have strong social ties to this community.
The tour also has an added benefit. One (1) individual will be selected by lottery to receive a grant of $2500. following May 14th event, from a pool of participants. The Viva Baltimore incentive can be used toward buying a home anywhere in Baltimore City.