Thanks to partnerships between HUD's Cleveland Field office and a growing number of local governments and agencies, low- and moderate-income families throughout northern Ohio have HELP to become homeowners. The Homebuyer Education Learning Program (HELP) operates in the local community and draws on resources from the Department and a wide variety of public and private partners.

Homebuyer Education Learning Program partnership agreements have been signed with Summit County, and the cities of Euclid and Akron. HUD staff are called on to support local HELP classes by serving as instructors, explaining how FHA mortgage insurance can help most families buy their first home, and providing a variety of HUD publications ranging from predatory lending to manufactured housing. In addition, HUD booths at home fairs from Lucas County to Columbiana County gave HELP to thousands of potential homeowners as HUD staff distributed materials about the Department's programs, products and services.

One of the most recent partnerships is between Cleveland HUD and the Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority. In this case, the signed HELP agreement formalizes a collaboration between HUD, the Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority, Stark County Out of Poverty, and area banks. Signing the agreement (left) are Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority Executive Director Amanda Fletcher, Section 8 Homeownership Coordinator Denise Webber, and Cleveland Field Office Acting Director Douglas W. Shelby.