Boston Community Capital is applying for $50 million in federal stimulus funds in an effort to dramatically expand its assistance to Massachusetts residents facing home foreclosure.

The nonprofit agency, whose mission is to build stronger communities, hopes to receive the money under a neighborhood stabilization program that is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Since last November, the 25-year-old Boston group has committed almost $4 million to buy vacant houses, lend money to small developers rehabilitating empty properties, and help struggling homeowners hold onto or buy back their homes.

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