NWIRA’s Homebuyers workshops are held twice monthly in a face-to-face group setting at our main office, satellite offices, and other various locations throughout the communities. The workshops educate and empower citizens on ways to maximize their income through budgeting, credit establishing and rebuilding, and protecting their investments.
The Pre-Homeownership workshops are 8-hour classes provided to empower participants with the basic tools for preparation for homeownership. During the workshops, money management/affordability, credit, and lender guideline requirements are discussed. Information on FHA, lending products, and down payment assistance programs are also discussed. Also, an overview of the mortgage process, loan application, closing cost, appraisals/home inspections, closing process, and consumer rights. Other topics discussed during the workshop are fair housing and predatory lending practices. A Certificate of Completion is issued to clients upon completion of the classes and is good for a year. After the classes, participants will be scheduled individual counseling sessions to review, advise, and recommend the next steps to become homeowners.
Post-purchase homeownership will be provided to empower participants with the tools to sustain homeownership. Topics discussed in class will be financial management (utility cost & energy efficiency), escrow funds (property taxes, homeowners insurance, and homeowner’s association fees), home maintenance/improvements, homeowner rights and responsibilities, and loan options (home equity loans). Community resources and referrals will be provided to the participants.
The Northwest Indiana Reinvestment Alliance is a non-profit, community-based organization dedicated to promoting and encouraging fair housing & fair lending in Northwest Indiana.
