Two seminars on buying a home in Upper Manhattan will be held at the Health Sciences campus on May 21 and 22 on and the Morningside campus on May 24 and 25. Columbia faculty and staff interested in purchasing a home through the Columbia Housing Assistance Program (CHAP), which offers a non-interest bearing, forgivable loan for homes purchased in Upper Manhattan, are encouraged to attend. Employees interested in home purchasing regardless of area are also invited.

The two seminars entitled Buying and Renovating a Brownstone and Buying a Co-op or Condo will introduce faculty and staff to the first steps in becoming a home owner in New York City. Information includes a briefing on the counseling services available, determining home affordability and the types of loans available to prospective home owners.

"Buying and Renovating a Brownstone"

"Buying a Co-op or Condo"

All faculty, officers, and support staff who have worked full-time with the University for a minimum of two years are eligible for a CHAP loan. Qualified employees may receive a non-interest bearing loan of up to $15,000. All loans are forgiven at the rate of 20% per year over a period of five years of continued employment. Eight Columbia employees have already received or are awaiting a CHAP loan.

In addition to providing an opportunity to Columbia employees to become homeowners in New York City, the CHAP program supports the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone's efforts to promote home ownership in upper Manhattan.

The CHAP program is a collaborative effort between the University and Fannie Mae, the country's largest provider of mortgage financing. For additional information contact hrchap@columbia.edu or (212) 870-3251.