Friday, June 20 (Birmingham, Alabama) Researchers say the key to homebuyer happiness is education; consumers who understand the homebuying process are more likely to end up with a home they're happy with and less likely to be taken in by abusive lenders. With that in mind, the "Homeownership Express" headed into Birmingham, Alabama, to spread the word that when it comes to buying a home, a little knowledge can be a powerful weapon.

At a noon event at Centennial Place, a one-stop homeownership center designed to improve the homeownership rate for low- to moderate-income homebuyers, HUD Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations Steven Nesmith recognized the partnership between Southtrust Mortgage Corporation, Neighborhood Housing Services and the New Hope Federal Credit Union that created Centennial Place.

Within the past year, Neighborhood Housing Services has provided homeownership education for more than 135 families and assisted 40 of those families in becoming first-time homeowners. They expect to help even more families in the future through the addition of a resource like the Centennial Place homeownership center.

Within the center, families will find all the resources they need to make the transition from renting to owning their own homes, including credit counseling, assistance in identifying the best mortgage program to meet their individual needs, and information about their rights and responsibilities as homebuyers.

Sonia Tate Smith, a new home owner in Birmingham, went through a two-year process to buy a home after watching a television commercial.

Sonia Tate Smith is one of the many proud Birmingham families who have traveled the road to homeownership through the help of housing counseling. Sonia spoke to the crowd and recalled how, just two years ago, she had seen a television commercial about owning a home. That moved her to begin the process that eventually led to homeownership. Her smile spoke volumes about just how much it means to Sonia to have a home of her own.

In his remarks, U.S. Representative Artur Davis echoed sentiments frequently expressed by HUD Secretary Mel Martinez when he called for a bipartisan effort to increase homeownership.

The Birmingham Housing Authority was also recognized during the program for its successful efforts to secure a $28 million HOPE VI grant from HUD. Construction on the first phase of the $100 million project will begin soon. Overall, the project will create 637 townhouses, apartments and condominiums, with 264 of them specifically designated for public housing residents.

U.S. Congressman Artur Davis speaking at the Birmingham Homeownership event at Centennial Place. Centennial Place is a one-stop homeownership center designed to increase minority homeownership in Birmingham. The center was instrumental in helping Sonya Tate Smith buy her home. Listening to Congressman Davis is Steven Nesmith, HUD assistant secretary for congressional affairs.

The following individuals took part in the event and were recognized for their efforts to increase homeownership opportunities for Alabama families: Jim Ceyte, president, Alabama Association of Mortgage Brokers; Pastor Greg Clark, New Hope Baptist Church; Craig Nickerson, vice president, Freddie Mac; Wade King, president and CEO, South Trust Mortgage Corporation; John Johnson, board member, Mortgage Bankers Association of America; Damian Gilbert, chairman, Neighborhood Housing Services; and HUD Regional Director Brian Noyes.

Saturday, June 21 (Nashville, Tennessee)

In search of homeownership success stories to share with the rest of the country, the "Homeownership Express" crossed into Tennessee and didn't stop until it reached Nashville.

Residents gathered to greet the bus at a homeownership fair underway at the Woodbine Community Center. The Center's dynamic homeownership program has been instrumental in providing homeownership opportunities for many low- to moderate-income Nashville residents, especially families in the Hispanic community.

The fair was designed to attract potential homebuyers, and featured several homebuying agencies, as well as banks, lenders and housing counselors.

Gil Gonzalez, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development, addressed the crowd and highlighted USDA's commitment to housing. One of USDA's key missions is to support the "sound development of rural communities," which includes meeting the special housing needs of families in rural America.

During the festivities, Deputy Under Secretary Gonzalez recognized Carlos and Katie Sapon, new homeowners in the community.

U.S. Representative Jim Cooper also took part in the day's events, as did Dr. Edward Pringle, director, HUD's Nashville Office.