Tampa Bay CDC

We Teach We Build We Lend

Shannon Gazdacka

The New Owner of Tampa Bay CDC’s Latest Rehabilitated Home

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[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_display=”] [av_video src=’https://youtu.be/vuMqHmOBARM’ format=’16-9′ width=’16’ height=’9′] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”] At 75 years old, U.S. Air Force Veteran Nelson Yuret, never envisioned becoming a homeowner again. On a fixed income of Social Security Disability and a retirement pension, he assumed he was bound to his 700 square ft apartment for life.

During his time in the Air Force, 17-year-old Yuret served in the area where jets landed and communicated with bombers, giving them supplies for quick pick up during the Cold War between 1958-1964. After six years of service and going back to college, Yuret worked and lived in New York, Puerto Rico, and Tennessee before moving to Florida in 2010.

In 1986, Yuret developed congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation which lead to two bypass surgeries, 12 stints, a pacemaker and a defibrillator. Due to his ongoing medical condition, he also had to adjust to limited mobility in a motorized wheelchair. With unexpected medical bills and rising rental rates, Yuret now had credit issues and faced the possibility of homelessness.

Despite his disability, Yuret’s determination always prevailed. Through AARP, Yuret found himself at Tampa Bay CDC where he started working as an administrative specialist and soon learned of the homeowner services offered there.

He started to share the challenges he was encountering with staff members at Tampa Bay CDC and they encouraged him to take their HUD-certified homebuyer education class. In June of 2016, Yuret gave in and attended the class, realizing that home ownership could be a possibility for him. From there, he worked one-on-one with a housing counselor to repair his credit and prepare for homeownership while finding down payment assistance available to him.

Through a partner lender, Yuret was pre-approved for a mortgage and secured down payment assistance through Pasco County Community Development and additional funds through the state bond program.

Now that he had the funds, he began his search and quickly found a home through Tampa Bay CDC’s rehabilitation program. This was a special home for Tampa Bay CDC, as it was the 550th property that had been redeveloped. Yuret’s new home had recently been acquired by Tampa Bay CDC as a vacant home with countless repairs needed to be brought up to code. With the help of Pasco County’s “Pasco Opportunity Program” (POP), the necessary repairs were made, installing weatherproof windows and doors, replacing old appliances, installing a new heating and cooling unit, and so much more.

On July 20, Yuret finally closed on his home and no longer has to worry about unexpected rises in living expenses. The Veterans Administration will be installing ramps for his wheelchair, and Yuret can move about without restriction in his open floor plan home. His oversized one car garage offers him room for his van and lift gate to operate without limitations.

Yuret had simplistic taste and has asked for nothing other than “one of those refrigerators with the freezer on the bottom.” Now that Yuret is all moved in and mostly unpacked, he is happy to be home, as he says, “till the end of time.”
[/av_textblock] [/av_one_full][av_slideshow_full size=’no scaling’ stretch=’image_no_stretch’ animation=’slide’ autoplay=’false’ interval=’3′ control_layout=’av-control-default’ src=” attachment=” attachment_size=” position=’top left’ repeat=’no-repeat’ attach=’scroll’] [av_slide_full slide_type=’image’ id=’1766′ video=’http://’ mobile_image=” video_format=” video_ratio=’16:9′ title=’Realtor Carol Bell and Lender Linda Kemp’ custom_title_size=” custom_content_size=” caption_pos=’caption_bottom’ link_apply=” link=’lightbox’ link_target=” button_label=’Click me’ button_color=’light’ link1=’manually,http://’ link_target1=” button_label2=’Click me’ button_color2=’light’ link2=’manually,http://’ link_target2=” font_color=” custom_title=” custom_content=” overlay_opacity=’0.5′ overlay_color=” overlay_pattern=” overlay_custom_pattern=”][/av_slide_full] [av_slide_full slide_type=’image’ id=’1767′ video=’http://’ mobile_image=” video_format=” video_ratio=’16:9′ title=’Nelson’s Team’ custom_title_size=” custom_content_size=” caption_pos=’caption_bottom’ link_apply=” link=’lightbox’ link_target=” button_label=’Click me’ button_color=’light’ link1=’manually,http://’ link_target1=” button_label2=’Click me’ button_color2=’light’ link2=’manually,http://’ link_target2=” font_color=” custom_title=” custom_content=” overlay_opacity=’0.5′ overlay_color=” overlay_pattern=” overlay_custom_pattern=”][/av_slide_full] [av_slide_full slide_type=’image’ id=’1768′ video=’http://’ mobile_image=” video_format=” video_ratio=’16:9′ title=’Nelson’s Closing’ custom_title_size=” custom_content_size=” caption_pos=’caption_bottom’ link_apply=” link=’lightbox’ link_target=” button_label=’Click me’ button_color=’light’ link1=’manually,http://’ link_target1=” button_label2=’Click me’ button_color2=’light’ link2=’manually,http://’ link_target2=” font_color=” custom_title=” custom_content=” overlay_opacity=’0.5′ overlay_color=” overlay_pattern=” overlay_custom_pattern=”][/av_slide_full] [av_slide_full slide_type=’image’ id=’1769′ video=’http://’ mobile_image=” video_format=” video_ratio=’16:9′ title=’Whit Lancaster of Westcor’ custom_title_size=” custom_content_size=” caption_pos=’caption_bottom’ link_apply=” link=’lightbox’ link_target=” button_label=’Click me’ button_color=’light’ link1=’manually,http://’ link_target1=” button_label2=’Click me’ button_color2=’light’ link2=’manually,http://’ link_target2=” font_color=” custom_title=” custom_content=” overlay_opacity=’0.5′ overlay_color=” overlay_pattern=” overlay_custom_pattern=”][/av_slide_full] [av_slide_full slide_type=’image’ id=’1764′ video=’http://’ mobile_image=” video_format=” video_ratio=’16:9′ title=’Michael Bauer giving Nelson his new house keys’ custom_title_size=” custom_content_size=” caption_pos=’caption_bottom’ link_apply=” link=’lightbox’ link_target=” button_label=’Click me’ button_color=’light’ link1=’manually,http://’ link_target1=” button_label2=’Click me’ button_color2=’light’ link2=’manually,http://’ link_target2=” font_color=” custom_title=” custom_content=” overlay_opacity=’0.5′ overlay_color=” overlay_pattern=” overlay_custom_pattern=”][/av_slide_full] [/av_slideshow_full] [av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=’av-align-top’ space=” margin=’0px’ margin_sync=’true’ padding=’0px’ padding_sync=’true’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ radius_sync=’true’ background_color=” src=” attachment=” attachment_size=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_display=”] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”] Special thanks to the team who helped make this possible for Nelson:

Carol Bell as Nelson’s buyers agent.
“He knew he could call me anytime with questions about the process and I made sure the contract was followed and the contract to closing details were arranged with all partners on this transaction. Making Nelson as comfortable as possible about the process and answering the practical questions he had about his special needs were our goal.”
Carol Bell
The Bell Team of Future Home Realty
7605 Cita Lane Suite 101
New Port Richey, FL 34653
Licensed Realtor in Florida
Mobile: 727-692-6008
eFax: 1-866-765-6497
carolbellrealtor@hotmail.com

Julie Holt for transferring the property into Nelson’s name and getting all of the official documents executed and recorded and issued to the title insurance insuring his ownership.
Julie Holt
Anclote Title Services, Inc.
38868 U.S. 19 N
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
727-934-5453

Linda L. Kemp for getting Nelson pre approved in April 2017. He was able to get $20,000 in down payment assistance, and combine it with the Florida Housing program through Raymond James Bank and get an additional $15,000 in down payment assistance.
“Nelson was the perfect customer. He always provided what was needed as soon as possible, and always positive and upbeat.” – Linda Kemp
Linda L. Kemp
Vice President
Mortgage Consultant
Raymond James Bank
710 Carillon Parkway
St. Petersburg, Florida  33716
Office #727-567-2568
Fax #1-855-824-7390
Linda.Kemp@Raymondjames.com

Whit Lancaster for covering all of Nelson’s moving costs.
Title Insurer
Westcor Land Title
wlancaster@wltic.com
Clearwater, FL
(866) 866 – 4828

Andrew A Ogloza
Sygma Builders Inc DBA American Hurricane
CEO

Kelly F Smith for helping Nelson with his insurance needs on his house while working with Pasco County, Tampa Bay CDC, Carol Bell and Ryan Nelson (the inspector) in order to get him the best pricing to give him the protection that he wanted and needed on his home and keeping it as affordable as possible with his needs.
“Nelson is a very special veteran that needed help and I was very happy to have been part of the process to ensure that he had proper coverage and get him in an affordable house.  Veterans have given so much for our country it’s nice to be able to help and give something back.” – Kelly Smith
Kelly F Smith
Owner
AA Insurance Consultants, Inc

  • Nomad Movers
  • Kerry Johnson Lawn Care
  • Pasco County Community Development
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26th HOPE Expo

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[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_display=”] [av_video src=’https://youtu.be/uA_XCCduIaA’ format=’16-9′ width=’16’ height=’9′] [av_textblock size=’16’ font_color=” color=”] Giveaways, sponsor tables, and homebuyer education classes inspired bay area home buyers on Saturday (June 10).

The seven-hour 26th HOPE Expo at Raymond James brought together homebuyers, realtors, and lenders in the spirit of home ownership.

With approximately 200 students in the english home buyer education class and 40 in the Spanish, it was a full house.

The HOPE Expo is always open to all home buyers seeking down payment assistance on a home. It is the 26th event taught by Tampa Bay CDC who has multiple homebuyer education classes monthly.

Bright eyed and optimistic homebuyers arrived before 9am, they filled their bags with freebies and awaited a  raffle drawing every hour. Lucky students took home gift cards, cash prizes, tool kits, bikes, and a smart TV all donated by sponsors of the event.

Between class breaks and raffle drawings, students mingled among a room packed table to table with realtors and lenders hoping to help guide them in their home buying journey. This time gave students a chance to build a strong list of candidates who could join them in their home buying process without ever having to leave the building.

Now, with 26 HOPE Expos now complete, Tampa Bay CDC would like to wish all students the best of luck in their new home buying endeavors and will be here to help connect you with the appropriate down payment assistance when you are ready!

Call Tampa Bay CDC at 727-442-7075 to schedule an appointment with a housing counselor to optimize your down payment assistance.

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overlay_custom_pattern=”][/av_slide_full] [av_slide_full id=’1647′ slide_type=” video=’http://’ mobile_image=” video_format=” video_ratio=’16:9′ video_controls=” video_mute=” video_loop=” video_autoplay=” title=” custom_title_size=” custom_content_size=” caption_pos=’caption_bottom’ link_apply=” link=” link_target=” button_label=’Click me’ button_color=’light’ link1=” link_target1=” button_label2=’Click me’ button_color2=’light’ link2=” link_target2=” font_color=” custom_title=” custom_content=” overlay_enable=” overlay_opacity=’0.5′ overlay_color=” overlay_pattern=” overlay_custom_pattern=”][/av_slide_full] [av_slide_full id=’1648′ slide_type=” video=’http://’ mobile_image=” video_format=” video_ratio=’16:9′ video_controls=” video_mute=” video_loop=” video_autoplay=” title=” custom_title_size=” custom_content_size=” caption_pos=’caption_bottom’ link_apply=” link=” link_target=” button_label=’Click me’ button_color=’light’ link1=” link_target1=” button_label2=’Click me’ button_color2=’light’ link2=” link_target2=” font_color=” custom_title=” custom_content=” overlay_enable=” overlay_opacity=’0.5′ overlay_color=” overlay_pattern=” overlay_custom_pattern=”][/av_slide_full] [av_slide_full id=’1645′ slide_type=” video=’http://’ mobile_image=” video_format=” video_ratio=’16:9′ video_controls=” video_mute=” video_loop=” video_autoplay=” title=” custom_title_size=” custom_content_size=” caption_pos=’caption_bottom’ link_apply=” link=” link_target=” button_label=’Click me’ button_color=’light’ link1=” link_target1=” button_label2=’Click me’ button_color2=’light’ link2=” link_target2=” font_color=” custom_title=” custom_content=” overlay_enable=” overlay_opacity=’0.5′ overlay_color=” overlay_pattern=” overlay_custom_pattern=”][/av_slide_full] [av_slide_full id=’1649′ slide_type=” video=’http://’ mobile_image=” video_format=” video_ratio=’16:9′ video_controls=” video_mute=” video_loop=” video_autoplay=” title=” custom_title_size=” custom_content_size=” caption_pos=’caption_bottom’ link_apply=” link=” link_target=” button_label=’Click me’ button_color=’light’ link1=” link_target1=” button_label2=’Click me’ button_color2=’light’ link2=” link_target2=” font_color=” custom_title=” custom_content=” overlay_enable=” overlay_opacity=’0.5′ overlay_color=” overlay_pattern=” overlay_custom_pattern=”][/av_slide_full] [av_slide_full id=’1657′ slide_type=” video=’http://’ mobile_image=” video_format=” video_ratio=’16:9′ video_controls=” video_mute=” video_loop=” video_autoplay=” title=” custom_title_size=” custom_content_size=” caption_pos=’caption_bottom’ link_apply=” link=” link_target=” button_label=’Click me’ button_color=’light’ link1=” link_target1=” button_label2=’Click me’ button_color2=’light’ link2=” link_target2=” font_color=” custom_title=” custom_content=” overlay_enable=” overlay_opacity=’0.5′ overlay_color=” overlay_pattern=” overlay_custom_pattern=”][/av_slide_full] [av_slide_full id=’1639′ slide_type=” video=’http://’ mobile_image=” video_format=” video_ratio=’16:9′ video_controls=” video_mute=” video_loop=” video_autoplay=” title=” custom_title_size=” custom_content_size=” caption_pos=’caption_bottom’ link_apply=” link=” link_target=” button_label=’Click me’ button_color=’light’ link1=” link_target1=” button_label2=’Click me’ button_color2=’light’ link2=” link_target2=” font_color=” custom_title=” custom_content=” overlay_enable=” overlay_opacity=’0.5′ overlay_color=” overlay_pattern=” overlay_custom_pattern=”][/av_slide_full] [/av_slideshow_full] [av_textblock size=’16’ font_color=” color=”] Grand Prize provided by BB&T – Lunch Sponsored by Wells Fargo

EXHIBITORS:

LENDERS:

BB&T (Gold Sponsor)
Champions Mortgage (Silver Sponsor)
First Home Bank (Gold Sponsor)
Hancock Whitney Bank (Gold Sponsor)
Raymond James Bank (Gold Sponsor)
Regions Bank (Gold Sponsor)
Synovus Mortgage (Gold Sponsor)
U.S. AmeriBank (Silver Sponsor)
VanDyk Mortgage (Gold Sponsor)
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage (Gold Sponsor)

DOWNPAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND GOVERNMENT HOUSING AGENCIES:

Bright Community Trust (Non-Profit Sponsor)
City of Clearwater (Gold Sponsor)
City of Largo / “Sold on Largo” Program (Gold Sponsor)
City of St. Petersburg / “WIN” Program (Silver Sponsor)
Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County (Non-Profit Sponsor)
Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County (Gold Sponsor)
Neighborhood Home Solutions (Non-Profit Sponsor)
Pinellas County Community Development & Planning Department
(Gold Sponsor)
Tampa Bay Community Development Corporation (Non-Profit Sponsor)

REALTORS:

Bruce Taylor Inc. Realty – Duke Tieman (Silver Sponsor)
Coastal Properties Group (Gold Sponsor)
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate (Gold Sponsor)
Global Lifestyle Realty (Silver Sponsor)
Holland Associates (Silver Sponsor)
Realty Executives/Adamo & Associates – Lindsay Dicus-Harrison (Silver Sponsor)
Realty Executives/Suncoast (Silver Sponsor)
Select Properties Inc.  (Silver Sponsor)

BUILDERS/DEVELOPERS:

Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas County (Non-Profit Sponsor)

HOUSING/CREDIT COUNSELING AGENCIES:

Bright Community Trust (Non-Profit Sponsor)
Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services (Non-Profit Sponsor)
Community Service Foundation (Non-Profit Sponsor)
Neighborhood Home Solutions (Non-Profit Sponsor)
Tampa Bay Community Development Corporation (Non-Profit Sponsor)

HOMEBUYER EDUCATION PROVIDERS

Bright Community Trust (Non-Profit Sponsor)
Community Service Foundation (Non-Profit Sponsor)
Neighborhood Home Solutions (Non-Profit Sponsor)
Tampa Bay Community Development Corporation (Non-Profit Sponsor)

OTHER HOUSING PROFESSIONALS

Duke Energy (Gold Sponsor)
Eli Emery Insurance Agency (Silver Sponsor)
Florida Association of Mortgage Brokers ((Non-Profit Sponsor)
First American Title Insurance Company (Gold Sponsor)
Tampa Bay Times (Gold Sponsor)

THE 2017 HOPE EXPO IS ENDORSED BY THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONS:

City of Clearwater
City of Largo
City of St. Petersburg
Community Service Foundation
Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County
Neighborhood Home Solutions
Pinellas County Community Development and Planning Department
Pinellas Realtor Organization
Tampa Bay Community Development Corporation
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On Air With “No Place Like Home”

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[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=’av-align-top’ space=” margin=’0px’ margin_sync=’true’ padding=’1px’ padding_sync=’true’ border=’1′ border_color=” radius=’1px’ radius_sync=’true’ background_color=” src=” attachment=” attachment_size=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_display=”] [av_video src=’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3lh0Iwwg4Q&feature=youtu.be’ format=’16-9′ width=’16’ height=’9′] [/av_one_full] [av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_display=”] [av_textblock size=’16’ font_color=” color=”] In March, our Vice President Carrie Vitale, and our Homeownership Center Manager Joe Goulart sat down with the “No Place Like Home” radio show. This radio/TV show is sponsored by the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County and co-hosted by Karmen Lemberg, Program Administrator with the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County, and Julian Hills, Public Information Officer with Pinellas County Marketing and Communications Department.

It was a great opportunity for us to share more about who we are and what we do. On air we discussed each of our services and engaged in a great conversation about our role in the Tampa Bay community. Thank you, Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County!
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New Hope For Veteran Home Owner

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[av_video src=’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XD5quTqLJg&feature=youtu.be’ format=’16-9′ width=’16’ height=’9′] [av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_display=”] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”] After his tour in North Africa with the US Air force, Mr. Armstrong was lucky to come home alive, having been injured after hitting a “bouncing betsie.” With that injury and other back injuries lingering in his daily life, he had been out of work since 1977.

These physical disabilities didn’t put a damper on his life however. Mr. Armstrong moved down to Florida from up Connecticut in 1988, right next door to his son in a St. Petersburg Neighborhood. He bought the house knowing it had needed some repairs but deemed them fixable.

He hadn’t foreseen having to use an oxygen tank. Mr. Armstrong’s determination keeps him going, so when it was time to repaint his bedroom, he started on this task without any assistance.

After a day’s work, he felt the pain and realized this couldn’t be done alone. A friend of Mr. Armstrong’s noticed paint peeling from his ceiling, window unit and unpaved driveway. He told Mr. Armstrong to look into the Home Repair Loan program through Tampa Bay CDC.

After talking with Tampa Bay CDC, he was deemed eligible for home repair loan and his home improvement quickly were underway. A brand new air conditioning unit, lighting, fan, refrigerator, and electric stove were installed. Perhaps 2 of Mr. Armstrong’s most favored new features are his paved driveway, making it easier to walk to and from his car with his oxygen tank, as well as a backdoor in his bedroom for emergencies.

These little improvements are often times overlooked by many. But for those who cannot afford to make these repairs and installations both financially and physically, the Home Repair Loan is able to provide. In tough times, Tampa Bay CDC is just a phone call away and is able to make homes comfortable and accessible once again.
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Looking to The Future

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[av_video src=’https://youtu.be/vG9xgcwMUoM’ format=’16-9′ width=’16’ height=’9′] [av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=” mobile_display=”] [av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”] John Noell was happy. He had a great job that he had been with for 10 years, benefits included, and a union to be a part of. Everything seemed to be good. Until he got fired. His daily life came to a grinding halt.

John lost his job as a result of drug abuse. He moved back in with his mom and lived on her couch for a period of time. John didn’t stay down for long though. He recovered, got his realtor’s license, and was able to get his life back on the right track. Things were looking up and the only thing missing was a house. But the problem with buying a house is you need good credit to do so. With 14 pages of bad credit, John wasn’t sure where to go from there. So he went to Tampa Bay CDC in search to repair his credit.

Tampa Bay CDC pulled his credit report and then a HUD-certified counselor sat down with him to prioritize his action plan and next steps to becoming a sustainable home owner. They started with his recently repossessed truck and guided him through negotiating the back payment, and finally resolving the judgement. From there, the counselor and John addressed all other derogatory trades and were successful in getting his credit score back where it needed to be.

With his credit back in check and newfound success in his real estate career, John decided it was time to purchase a home of his own. He was busy working long days, often times 7 days a week, when the perfect opportunity came to him. In a “hot” market and after a home buyer decided to retract their offer on one of his listings, John knew this was a prime opportunity to make his own home buying dream come true.

Once again John went to Tampa Bay CDC and this time started the Sold on Largo Program. With this program John was approved to receive a $10,000 down payment assistance loan at zero percent interest. But his good fortune didn’t stop there, within a few weeks he was also approved for an $80,000 loan from SunTrust Bank. John was brimming with pride. Because of his improved credit score and hard work, he was able to buy his own home.

Nearly 20 years later, John still lives in the home he purchased with the Sold on Largo program and also owns 16 additional properties. John is grateful to have had the opportunity to invest in so many properties and make his real estate dreams come true. But John says he isn’t stopping there, he still plans to buy his dream home on the beach one day.

If your journey is similar to John’s, don’t delay, call Tampa Bay CDC to realize your financial dreams and we’ll help guide you home.
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