HUD Atlanta Homeownership Center participates in Greater Greenville, SC and Metro-Atlanta HomeOwnership Month Educational Forum and Workshop

In honor of June as National Homeownership Month, HUD Region IV Atlanta Homeownership Center participated in the Greater Greenville, South Carolina Association of Realtors Virtual Homeowners and Renters Assistance Forum on June 10, 2021; and the Metropolitan Atlanta Urban League's, Super Saturday - Homebuyer Education Workshop, on June 26, 2021.

The Greenville virtual educational forum was the first of its kind for the Greenville, SC metropolitan statistical area. The forum provided area realtors, lenders, and housing industry professionals an opportunity to share various housing assistance programs which are designed to help delinquent borrowers and renters. The mortgage or rent relief information provided also aids in additional individuals and families realize their homeownership dreams.

Rachel A. Lavelanet, Director, Program Support Division with the Atlanta Homeownership Center, provided remarks on behalf of FHA, describing the importance of homeownership in creating sustainable communities and the Administration's commitment to provide racial equity in housing. Lavelanet also mentioned as part of the CARE ACT, FHA's Covid-19 forbearance option which provides borrowers an initial forbearance of the monthly mortgage payment for up to 180 days; and they may request an additional 180 days.

The annual Metropolitan Atlanta Urban League forum, "Super Saturday", afforded potential homebuyers an opportunity to learn the "A through Z's" of the homebuying process and what it means to be a homeowner. After hearing presentations from various representatives involved in the purchase process, consumers were able to interact one-on-one to receive additional information.

Lavelanet, spoke virtually to the Super Saturday participants on behalf of FHA amplifying the Administration's commitment to providing racial equity in housing and that FHA is an excellent option for first-time and minority homebuyers. She also highlighted the FHA's new calculation of student loan debt which allows for additional borrowers to enter the homeownership market. The Super Saturday chat session also afforded the HUD Atlanta Homeownership Center an opportunity to interact with almost 300 potential homeowners providing answers during the individual one-on-one Q&A segment. At the end of the day, participants received critical and timely information including a certificate which provided access to down payment information and assistance.

###