Home owners and building owners from Bathgate, Belmont, Crotona, Fordham, East Tremont, West Farms are invited to attend a December 20th "Owners' Night" at the Rev. Casella Plaza Community Room, 961 East 180 Street, organized by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). The event will provide information on the availability of low-interest loans, building management and maintenance, owner-tenant relations, help with correcting housing violations and assistance with mortgages and refinancing. Attendees will watch a DVD entitled "Services for Residential Property Owners" that presents HPD's services and rehabilitation loan programs. A panel of experts from HPD will then answer questions. The event is co-sponsored by Council Member Joel Rivera.

HPD's Owner Services Program travels from borough to borough, educating residential property owners about the availability of low-interest loans, free educational classes on subjects such as lead paint, energy conservation and fair housing as well as free owner counseling. Launched in February 2001, Owner's Nights have drawn more than 7,000 property owners to events across New York City.

WHAT: New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development Owners' Night

WHEN: Tuesday, December 20, 2005, from 6:30pm-8:00pm

WHERE: Rev. Casella Plaza Community Room, 961 East 180 St. (corner of Vyse Ave) Bronx, NY SUBWAY: 2 OR 5 TRAIN TO 180 ST. STA. BUS: BX36 OR BX9 TO BOSTON RD. WALK 1 BLOCK TO VYSE AVE.

SEATING IS LIMITED: PLEASE RSVP BY CALLING 212-863-7054 OR 311 BEFORE DECEMBER 18

For information on upcoming Owners' Nights and other resources HPD makes available to building owners call 311 or log on to www.nyc.gov/hpd

HPD is the nation's largest municipal housing preservation and development agency. A major responsibility of the agency is to encourage the preservation of affordable housing through education, outreach, loan programs and enforcement of housing quality standards.