One of the most important things that people gain after participating in our HomeToday workshops is the confidence and information they need to set and achieve financial goals.
Homeownership is the biggest way that families gain wealth in America, and investing in a home is how parents and grandparents pass on financial security to their children. This access to wealth hasn’t always been equally accessible to Black and Hispanic/Latinx families in the U.S., but the counseling and classes offered at the EANDC Center for Home Ownership help ease the transition to homeownership for people of color and first-generation home buyers. Our services also help families become more prepared to keep their homes during times of economic hardship.
Toya Kelker, Director of Homeownership at EANDC, has spent over 15 years as a housing counselor, and she helps simplify the process of homeownership and financial goal setting through group workshops and 1-1 counseling sessions.
“I never knew that closing my credit cards after they were paid off wasn’t the right thing to do,” said one potential homebuyer who was having difficulty getting a mortgage. After talking with Toya, she set a goal to pay off monthly balances and keep “open credit” which increased her credit score and improving her home loan options. This is just one of the myths about credit scores that Toya and our financial literacy experts discuss during the HomeToday workshops.
Other topics covered include realistic tips for money management and financial goal setting and information about mortgage lending and fair housing. After you complete the course, you are eligible for 1-1 counseling with a credit counselor who will provide you with copies of your credit report action steps for how to correct any issues.
The support provided by EANDC’s Center for Homeownership doesn’t stop there, either. We also help clients with guidance on the homebuying process and how to maintain a home after purchase, including how to maintain good credit and save money on your utility bills.
Everyone should be proud of their home and their community. EANDC offers a variety of services designed to make your life as a tenant, homeowner, or future homeowner easier. Click here to see what we offer and if you have any questions, give us a call at (330) 773-6838.