Neighborhood Housing Services of the South Shore (NHS) has opened a new Homeownership Center in New Bedford, offering expanded access to affordable housing services to area residents.

The New Bedford location is in addition to offices in Quincy and Brockton.

Located in the newly redeveloped Robert C. Ingraham School at 80 Rivet St. – now known as Ingraham Place – the NHS office provides a wide range of affordable housing services, including free foreclosure prevention counseling, first-time homebuyer workshops and home rehabilitation loans. Executive Director Robert Corley said the agency’s expansion to the New Bedford area was made possible by a $350,000 grant from NeighborWorks America.     

"We are pleased to be able to expand our services to the New Bedford area," Corley said in a statement. "The difficult economy has impacted so many local families, and this grant from NeighborWorks America will help us assist families who may be in danger of losing their homes. 

Neighborhood Housing’s New Bedford office will be under the direction of Jacqueline Pina. A lifelong resident of New Bedford, Pina is an experienced housing counselor.      

"I’m very grateful for the opportunity to work with both Neighborhood Housing Services and NeighborWorks America, providing a much-needed service to the residents of my community," Pina said. "It’s a blessing for me, my family and the whole community."