Make plans to take part in a special HUD Homeownership Fair on Wednesday, February 5th in the Headquarters cafeteria, or through HUD TV and web cast. The fair is designed especially for the men and women who work in every part of America's Homeownership Agency. It will demystify the home buying process and give you the guidance and inspiration you need to become a first-time homebuyer.

From 11:00 am until 2:00 pm on February 5, 2003, HUD employees in Headquarters and across the country will have a unique opportunity to learn the A-B-Cs of home buying, home financing, the importance of housing counseling and much more. Staff in field offices across the nation are encouraged to watch the satellite broadcast. Anyone who takes part can learn how any HUD employee with the desire a just a little discipline can become a homeowner.

Deputy Secretary Alphonso Jackson and Assistant Secretary for Housing John Weicher will open the Fair at 11:00 am. You'll also hear first-person accounts from a number of HUD employees just like you who took action to become homeowners.

Do you think that buying a home is out of your reach? Even if you tried to buy a home before, HUD's Employee Homeownership Fair can show you the A-B-C's of homebuying and help you be successful and get the home of your dreams. The Fair will help you understand what you need to know about the home financing and the settlement process. While all the presentations will be valuable, if you're in HUD Headquarters, you can meet with representatives of 12 organizations from 11:30 am until 2:00 pm.

The homebuying process can be complex, and many potential homebuyers who've tried to navigate it on their own became frustrated with the paperwork and just gave up! Clear information and helpful guidance from the Homeownership Fair can overcome these frustrations. For example, you can learn more about the importance of housing counseling - did you know there are more than 30 housing counseling agency locations in the Washington, D.C. area alone, and more than 1,400 across the nation? They're available to help HUD employees and any other family or individual in their local area.

If there's one presentation you won't want to miss, be sure to catch Marcia Griffin, President of Homefree, a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. This experienced housing counselor will draw a "road map" of the homebuying process, and how HUD employees can get the information they need to start the homebuying process. She'll also offer time-tested advice on who should work with a housing counselor before shopping for their first home.

Plan to attend, on Wednesday, February 5th - less than two weeks from today - and get ready to live your own American Dream. Have questions or want more information? Contact Kitt Rodkey by email (Clyde_K._Rodkey@hud.gov), or by telephone at (202) 708-0614 x2096.