News & Information
Argenta CDC gets Gold LEED-H for residential green building project
Register for free homebuyer education classes-Next class- Sept. 13
Walton Family Foundation donates $5000 to CDC
State Farm Donates $5000 to CDC
Help is available for many facing foreclosure
Argenta CDC becomes host site for The Benefits Bank of Arkansas
The Benefit Bank of Arkansas is a joint effort between
the State of Arkansas and the Arkansas Interfaith Conference (AIC) in
partnership with the Department of Workforce Services and Department of
Human Services to serve the working families in Arkansas by creating
points of access convenient and trusted by those served. The program
emphasizes the Earned Income Tax Credit, food stamps, TEA andmedical benefits including Medicaid and ArkKids B.
About 94 percent of currently unclaimed benefits in Arkansas are from
federal programs. Argenta Community Development Corporation has been a
designated site for the Benefit Bank of Arkansas at no charge. In Arkansas each year $280
million in benefits and tax refunds, the majority of which are federal,
are left unclaimed. Most people seeking benefits are working or are
looking for employment, and since benefit-application offices are
typically open only during business hours, many eligible persons find it
extremely difficult to apply. To help ease these problems, The Benefit
Bank of Arkansas is about meeting the clients where they are. It is
about providing as many opportunities as possible for our working
families to succeed. The Benefit Bank empowers local communities to
reach out and provide a hand-up to our working families. No doubt this
will be a value added services to our clients and the community. This free public service is available from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by
appointment only at Argenta CDC, 401 Main Street, Suite 200, in North
Little Rock. For additional information or to meet with a counselor,
call 501-374-0622 or email
thebenefitbank@argentacdc.org. Additional information about The
Benefits Bank can be found online atwww.thebenefitsbank.com.
The last of the economic stimulus checks have gone under the planned payment schedule, which was a timetable for tax returns filed before April 15. However, the Internal Revenue Service will continue processing tax returns and issuing economic stimulus checks for the rest of 2008. Over 70,000 Arkansans have not filed for their checks. It is not too late to file a return to claim an economic stimulus payment. The IRS urges people to file by October 15 to ensure they receive a payment prior to year's end. As a host site for The Benefit Bank of Arkansas, Argenta CDC can process tax returns, from 2004 to present, for households making $54,000 or less. It can take up to eight weeks for the IRS to process the return and issue the check. For people who have no tax liability or no tax filing requirement, there is a minimum payment of $300 ($600 for married couples), plus the $300 for each qualifying child. To be eligible for the minimum payment, individuals must have at least $3,000 in qualifying income. Qualifying income includes any combination of earned income, nontaxable combat pay and certain benefit payments from Social Security, Veterans Affairs and Railroad Retirement. The IRS is continuing to work with numerous state, local and national partners to reach those people and help them file a simple Form 1040A.
You can contact Argenta CDC at 501-374-0622 or email thebenefitbank@argentacdc.org to make an appointment and to obtain additional information.
Argenta Arkansas Construction is full service firm that develops residential properties, renovates historic homes and has expertise in residential "green" construction. From early planning stages through project completion, Argenta Arkansas Construction offers a comprehensive list of professional services and experienced professionals to help you make the right choices for your construction project. For information or to schedule an appointment, contact Brian Cox at 501-374-0622 or brian@argentaarkansasconstruction.com.
Homeowners facing foreclosure are urged to reach out for help
If you are facing foreclosure or are more than 60 days late on your mortgage, we encourage you to give us a call at 501-374-0622 to set up a free counseling session. Our HUD and NeighborWorks® America trained counseling staff is here to help you find solutions. You can also contact 1-888-995-HOPE, a national counseling service provided by the Homeownership Preservation Foundation. If you prefer online counseling, please click here. All sessions are confidential. The sooner you call, the sooner you can regain your peace of mind. Remember, you're not alone. We are here for you.
State Farm Donates $5000 to CDC
Argenta Community Development Corporation was recently presented a check for $5000 by representatives of State Farm Insurance Companies. Funding will support the efforts of the Argenta CDC’s NeighborWorks® America Homeownership Center. Through the collaboration of residents and business leaders, government and nonprofit partners, the Argenta NeighborWorks® HomeOwnership Center offers all of the services and training that customers need to shop for, purchase, rehabilitate, insure, maintain and manage a home. This includes group and individual counseling on budgeting, credit, the mortgage process and post purchase counseling. Since it’s inception in 1998, the HomeOwnership Center has counseled over 3000 households and referred over $40 million in mortgages. State Farm's spokesman for Arkansas, Gary Stephenson of North Little Rock, said, "Community development is one of State Farm's charitable focuses, and the 'first-time' home buyers education that Argenta does fits perfectly within that focus. We have awarded several grants to Argenta CDC over the years, and we continue to support their work, because of their product, that is, a successful community development program." Over the past seven years, Argenta CDC has received over $50,000 in contributions from State Farm’s Good Neighbor Citizenship Program. The Good Neighbor Citizenship Program is one of the insurance company’s community involvement initiatives supporting programs that enable home ownership, empower schools, encourage highway safety, and build strong communities.
Limited Number of Downpayment Assistance Grants Available
Argenta Community Development Corporation has a limited number of down payment assistance grants from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas for individuals who plan to purchase a home in Pulaski County. The guidelines are: 51-60% of the annual median income guidelines as set by HUD can qualify up to $3000 or 50% or below of the annual median income guidelines as set by HUD can qualify up to $4000. A portion of the grants have been set aside for the elderly, defined as 55 or older, and for those with disabilities, or for those who have a dependent with a disability that reside with them. Applicants must be able to contribute $500 and obtain a home loan through a pre-designated bank. For complete details, please contact Argenta CDC at 501-374-0622.
