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City Cast Test City

Buying a home can be exciting and intimidating, especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer. City Cast Philly recently spoke with two housing experts to break down the buying process, budgeting, and all the 

resources you need to secure your dream home

. Here are a few of those tips and tricks:

“Philadelphia is booming. Philadelphia is hot,” says Abraham Reyes Pardo, vice president of the Office of Housing and Diversion Services at the 

. People from New York, Washington, and Maryland are also entering the Philly buyers’ market. While he says Philly is still an affordable city, he believes Philadelphians should proceed with “a sense of urgency.”

If you’re concerned about interest rates, Mary Harper, the Urban League’s director of housing, says that interest rates are still at an all-time low — a carryover from the COVID era.

Many people believe home ownership is a far-fetched idea, especially if they come from economically disadvantaged communities. If that sounds like you, take advantage of housing counseling and 

Various programs and organizations provide grants and funds for first-time homebuyers. The City of Philadelphia’s 

 program covers up to 6% of a home’s purchase price, while the Urban League offers a 

$1,000 grant that goes toward closing costs

More home-buying advice!

How To Buy Your First Home in Philadelphia

Help Your Neighbors

schedule check

If you or members of your family are easily overstimulated or live with sensory sensitivities, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to enjoy all the great sounds, sights, and experiences Denver has to offer. Here are some city institutions that offer sensory-friendly events, programming, and resources.

 aims to foster a safe, welcoming, sensory-friendly environment for people of all abilities, where they can explore, socialize, and grow in a space that suits their needs.

For guests with Autism or other specific sensory needs, the 

,” quiet spaces, quiet times, and special sensory-friendly programming.

One Saturday a month throughout summer, you can experience the serenity of the gardens without the crowds in a low-stimulation environment coupled with sensory-based programming at the gardens’ 

, check out a sensory kit from the concierge booth. These free kits include ear protection, sunglasses, a weighted blanket, and other fidget tools. The zoo also offers quiet spaces throughout the facility.

Dim lighting, lower volume levels, wide seat aisles, and quiet corners are some of the ways music concerts can be adjusted to welcome even those who are easily overstimulated. Look at Swallow Hill’s concert calendar for 

In partnership with the Autism Society, AMC Theatres offers 

 where the lights are turned on and the sound is turned down for a judgment-free space where wiggles are welcome!

Experience a low-sensory Denverite

BFM: Help Your Low Sensory Denver Neighbor

Since the federal government ended the pandemic-era expansion of SNAP benefits, many Coloradans are facing food insecurity issues. Food Bank of the Rockies says it’s 

 of families and individuals seeking free, accessible food. If you’re struggling with food insecurity or want to help out your community, here are some nutrition resources:

 is not only an arts and socially-focused community hub, it also hosts its own “food box day” every Monday at 3 p.m. at Globeville Center, offering boxes of fresh produce and other staples.

is a sustainability-focused food hub, providing boxes of healthy (and often organic) “rescued” food to households in the Denver and Lakewood area.

offers a market-style food bank, where guests can “shop” for their own groceries. Be sure to 

 is a completely volunteer-run mutual aid organization that regularly stocks refrigerators located across the city where anyone can come and take what they need.

 operates a mobile food market with rotating locations throughout the city several days a week; some locations are walk-up, some are drive-thru. See the organization’s website for more details.

 has been serving the Westside community for more than five decades, and has recently launched a mobile food pantry with varying locations and times.

 is a faith-based food pantry serving the Southwest Denver area; be sure to check the website in advance for specific hours of operation and instruction on receiving food.

Since the federal government ended the pandemic-era expansion of SNAP benefits, many Coloradans are facing food insecurity issues. Food Bank of the Rockies says it’s currently seeing unprecedented numbers of families and individuals seeking free, accessible food.

Help Your Neighbors

How To Buy Your First Home in Philadelphia

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BFM: Help Your Low Sensory Denver Neighbor

Latest articles

Where to Find Free, Healthy Food in Denver