OLCDC in the News
   
January, 25, 2004 ~ Miami Herald
 
A Herald "Neighbors" article, entitled "Tax Prep Assistance is Offered," announces the Tuesday, January 27, opening of the CDC's 2004 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Center and Services (click here for more VITA Center information):
The Opa-locka Community Development Corporation will kick off its 2004 Volunteer Income Assistance program from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the WLEC/Hurt Building, 490 Opa-locka Blvd.  

Officials of the IRS, the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, the Human Services Coalition, the United Way of Miami-Dade, community and faith-based organizations and elected officials will join the CDC to help people file for their Earned Income Tax Credit and child tax credit refunds at no charge. 

Families will be able to go to the CDC through April 15 to file their returns and deposit refunds directly into a banking account. 

Through the VIT A services, many families will be able to use the larger refunds -- up to $4,204 in 2004 -- to open a bank account and/or joining a savings club, the CDC said.

The CDC, quoting IRS figures, said more than 300,000 households in Miami-Dade County might qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit. Many people pay for tax prep aration and for a surcharge for getting a rapid return and do not get the full benefit of their eligibility, the CDC said. 

The CDC said it aims to increase the number of families who file free of charge, increase the amount they receive, link them to cheaper financial services through banks and offer credit and home buyer education counseling for homeownership.

The IRS started the VIT A program to help people who may not be able to afford pro fessional tax assistance. The program is popular with low-income individuals and families, college students, senior citizens and others who are on a tight budget.

For more information, call the OLCDC at 305-687-3545, ext. 222.
 

December 16, 2003 ~ OLCDC Offices
 

Washington Mutual Bank, OLCDC's Corporate Citizen of the Year, comes through again, presenting Exec. V.P. Stephanie Williams-Baldwin and Real Estate Development Director Manny Martinez with a $25,000 holiday grant to support OLCDC programs.
 

August 9, 2003 ~ OLCDC Offices 

Future homeowners learn the nuts and bolts of home buying at the OLCDC's August 8 homeowner counseling seminar.
 

July 21, 2003 ~ OLCDC Offices

On Monday July 21, the OLCDC provided a home rehab loan to Mrs. Olga Pichardo. Mrs. Pichardo is a resident of the City of Opa-locka, which is within the OLCDC’s service area. She will use the loan to repair her leaking bathroom and falling tiles.  She also will use part of the loan to pay off an existing high interest loan. 

“I will be able to payoff this loan in the same amount of time that would have taken me to pay off the old loan alone, and I will be paying $35.00 less a month,” said Mrs. Pichardo. “I will save over a thousand dollars and will have a brand new bathroom that will add to the value of my home.”

OLCDC was able to provide this rehab loan through its new lending corporation, the Community Fund of North Miami Dade, Inc.  Loans such as this one are made at a low interest rate, and the credit history of the homeowner will not be the sole determination in the approval process. 

“We hope that homeowners in the community will call us with their rehab loan needs,” stated Willie F. Logan, Vice President of the Community Fund of North Miami Dade and president of the OLCDC. “We want to help the community rebuild with loans to low and moderate income homeowners.”

Homeowners interested in the program should call (305) 687-3545, extension 236, for an application. The OLCDC would like to make at least 10 loans before the end of the year.
 

July 12, 2003 ~ Pro Player Stadium, North Miami 

The OLCDC celebrates its 23rd year with a grand night of dinner and dancing at Pro Player stadium in Northwest Miami Dade on Saturday, July 12.  
OLCDC Board Secretary Mary Alice Brown, Board Chair Dave Pemberton, Board Treasurer Mike Martin, and President Willie Logan present the Washington Mutual Bank family with the 2003-2004 Corporate Citizen of the Year Award.
 

June 13, 2003 ~ Historic Opa-locka Train Station 
Officials cut the ribbon on the OLCDC's renovated Historic Opa-
locka Train Station.  From left to right: OLCDC President Willie Logan & Miami-Dade County OCED Planner Sandra Ramos with Opa-locka's Mayor Myra Taylor, Commissioner Timothy Holmes, Vice Mayor Dottie Johnson and Commissioner Joe Kelly.


Earlier News