Wells Fargo 2012 Annual Report Download - page 27


Revitalizing communities
one neighbor at a time.
Idania Remon was able to buy a home with the help of a
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WellsFargo’s NeighborhoodLIFTSM program.
more than ,
The WellsFargo NeighborhoodLIFT and
CityLIFTSM programs have already helped
more than 1,600 potential homebuyers
becomehomeowners.
Idania Remon of Tampa, Florida, immigrated to the U.S. from
Cuba 10years ago with her husband and two children. She got
a job as a machine operator in a sports apparel manufacturing
company and began working with WellsFargo to establish
credit. When she was interested in buying a home, she talked
to Home Mortgage Consultant Jaime Yepes.
Yepes said, “Ireally wanted to help, but like many first-time
homebuyers, Idania couldn’t find a house that she could aord.
Itold her Iwould keep in touch if anything came along that
could help.”
Enter NeighborhoodLIFT, a program in which WellsFargo
provides down payment assistance grants, homebuyer assistance
and education, and housing counselor support in partnership
with NeighborWorks® America and local nonprofits. Through
the LIFT programs, WellsFargo has committed $170million
for 20areas in need ofhelp across the country.
The NeighborhoodLIFT program came about during the
prolonged housing downturn when community leaders told
WellsFargo they needed extra help to turn the corner. The
NeighborhoodLIFT program aids in stabilizing some of the
hardest-hit communities. Every two-day event includes tours
of aordable homes, home-buying education for attendees,
and one-on-one meetings with Home Mortgageconsultants.
When the NeighborhoodLIFT program came to Tampa,
Yepes invited Remon to attend, and she was approved on the
spot for a $15,000 grant to help buy a home.
“I was ready to buy a home but just needed a bit of help,”
said Remon. “It would have taken me years to save up the down
payment. The NeighborhoodLIFT program changed mylife.”
COMMUNITY