Rebuilding The Bronx: Home management program helps homeowners protect properties

Joya Konya says when her family bought their three-family house several years ago, it was in disrepair. So they turned to Bronx Neighborhood Housing Services for help. The house was in bad condition. It came out. It was dirty. Now they're trying to find a tenant and turning to Bronx NHS again to manage the property. It's one of several services Bronx NHS offers along with community stakeholders like Bronx Bethany Church of Nazarene to help homeowners with resources and information. It impacts their mental health. It impacts their generational wealth, it impacts their family dynamic, it impacts so much and we want to make sure that our people are safe and cared for. Reverend Dr. Richard Griffiths says they're seeing a growing number of homeowners needing to know where to turn and who to trust. A number of people even in our congregation Are experiencing challenges with deed theft right now. are in the court system, helping them try to navigate lawyers for people who are claiming to own their homes, and they've been in this community for years. Griffiths says it's crucial to raise awareness by offering community conversations, workshops, and seminars. I think if we turn a blind eye, we don't engage right now, but we'll see in the next five to ten years, we'll be beyond what people can imagine. It's so homeowners like Joy understand their options and are not at risk. They help. They will help us who are struggling. In Wakefield. Tim Harfman, News 12 The Bronx.