News 12 is partnering with Bronx Neighborhood Housing Services for its Rebuilding the Bronx series starting 2026.

The nonprofit provides forgivable loans, free tax preparation and other housing services.

For the first Rebuilding the Bronx story of the year, News 12 spoke with a Bronx man who received $100,000 through the organization to help him purchase his first home.

The American dream of homeownership once felt out of reach for Carlos Valerio.

“I wanted a house, but I felt like I could never buy one because it’s so expensive,” Valerio said.

After years of renting, Valerio decided to buy a condominium, but the deal fell through. He then began searching for programs that could help him navigate the homebuying process. That’s when he discovered Bronx Neighborhood Housing Services.

“I had so many questions,” Valerio said. “The bank was asking me things I didn’t understand. Just having someone available to answer those questions made the process much easier.”

Valerio began orientation with the nonprofit in June 2024. After a year of classes and training focused on first-time homeownership, he received a $100,000 grant to help with the down payment on his home.

“It’s basically equity,” Valerio said. “That $100,000 didn’t come out of my pocket. It came from them, and now it’s mine. You can’t go wrong with that. It was a process, but every step was worth it.”

Gladstone Johnson, executive director of Bronx Neighborhood Housing Services, said the program is designed for low- to middle-income residents. Before grants are awarded, applicants are screened through pay stubs, credit scores and other financial documents.

“Many of these homes are worth $600,000 to $800,000 today,” Johnson said. “Low- and moderate-income families can’t qualify without help. We’re here to fill that gap.”

Bronx Neighborhood Housing Services is hosting an online first-time homebuyer orientation later today. Additional orientations are offered twice a month. More information is available at www.bronxnhs.org.