San Diego area office employees were center stage during a homebuyers' fair at San Diego's recent "Leadership Day," an annual event sponsored by a local television station to help communities grow stronger by bringing together nonprofit organizations, businesses and other service agencies.

Leadership Day has been successful at strengthening San Diego communities by attracting area residents who learn about homebuying and other important topics from government agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses and other service agencies.

HUD employees Myrna Pascual, David Seaton and Tiana Gaertner provided fair attendees with information about first-time homebuyer programs and homebuyer education classes. A number of key HUD partners, including local government officials, fair housing and housing counseling agencies, lenders and realtors, also participated to help make Leadership Day a great success for San Diego and the more than 20,000 attendees and 400 participating community organizations.

Many prospective homeowners at the fair talked to lenders and real estate agents about how to afford a home. Housing counseling agencies provided one-on-one advice about credit and housing affordability. Bank of America loan officers pre-qualified potential homebuyers and gave away two $1,000 prizes to help prospective homebuyers cover down payment and closing costs. Consumer Credit Counseling Service provided free credit reports as part of its give-away prizes. And KGTV, Channel 10 in San Diego, the main sponsor of Leadership Day, distributed resource guides that contained listings of community agencies and organizations that provide services and help to San Diegans.