PEP, May 2008: DC 37 Housing Fair

Agency _____________________________________________

I am interested in attending the following workshops:

Home Ownership
The Home Ownership Seminar will put prospective homeowners together with representatives of all aspects of the home purchasing process — including lenders, realtors, home inspectors and attorneys from DC 37’s Municipal Employees Legal Services (MELS), as well as homes available in the lottery system and any grants that may be available to help members reach the dream of owning their own home. In many cases they will be able to apply on the spot.

Reverse Mortgage
A reverse mortgage is a loan against your home that you do not have to pay back as long you live in the property. The seminar will instruct individuals 62 years of age and older how to turn the value of their home into cash without having to move or repay the loan. The seminar will also review the pitfalls of obtaining a reverse mortgage and offer exercises on determining who may be a good candidate for this type of mortgage.

Foreclosure Prevention
(The Save Our Home Campaign)
In response to the catastrophic effect of the foreclosure crisis on some of our members in the city, DC 37 has set up this foreclosure prevention seminar and intervention clinic to assist members who are in foreclosure or have fallen behind in their mortgage payments. We will coordinate with nonprofit providers, government agencies, MELS and representatives from financial institutions.

Credit Counseling
The seminar will concentrate on the importance of reviewing members' credit history in all aspects of day-to-day life, not simply home ownership. Participants who sign applications to authorize the housing program to look into their credit will be able to obtain their credit scores. Classes and counseling will be offered on financial fitness and budgeting.