Public Employee Press


Snapshots
Edited by Alfredo Alvarado

Union offers members help with housing

About 200 DC 37 members attended an affordable housing seminar at union headquarters Jan. 29. The seminar is one of the many benefits of belonging to a union.

The Municipal Employees Housing Program offers a bimonthly informational seminar for members and retirees who want to buy single and multi-family homes, a condo or co-op apartment, or those seeking affordable rentals in New York City and six surrounding counties.

"We had tremendous participation for a Friday night program. More members turned out and more vendors showed up including banks and credit unions, realtors and home inspectors," said Robert Ajaye, chair of the DC 37 Housing Committee and president of Local 2627. "Many of our members realize that interest rates are currently low, so now may be the best time to make that move."

Ruth Peña, the program's manager, gave details about other services like refinancing, reverse mortgages, and affordable rentals listed through the Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development. She said, "Additionally, union members who may be homeless or victims of domestic violence can find safe housing through the program."