Daily Webinar Workshops for Aspiring Michigan Homeowners June 24-28; National Homeownership Month

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Daily Webinar Workshops Offered to Aspiring Michigan Homeowners June 24-28, During June’s National Homeownership Month.

 Events offered as new May 2024 report highlights racial inequalities in home ownership in the state.

 Gesher Human Services, one of the largest human service agencies in metro Detroit, will offer Michiganders free programs during the week of June 24-28 aimed at making home purchase a reality for more people. Webinars will be held daily from noon to 1:30 p.m. during that week, to highlight June’s National Homeownership Month. Topics will include credit scores required to purchase a home, shopping for a home that meets your needs, generational wealth, and ongoing costs for homeowners.

Housing professionals will be available,

and there will be daily question and answer sessions giving participants time to talk about housing needs, review credit and create budgets. Participants who attend three or more sessions will be provided with giveaways such gift cards to Amazon, Uber Eats and Target. In addition, the nonprofit organization will run a social media campaign weekly through June called Financial Fridays, providing tips and resources for potential homeowners. For more information and to register for the week-long workshop webinars go to geshermi.org/events.

Last year, the White House issued a proclamation acknowledging Homeownership Month,

saying “we recognize the power of owning a home when raising a family, planting roots in a community, building equity, and passing down generational wealth” and said the administration was committed to removing barriers to homeownership. However a new report by University of Michigan, in partnership with Michigan State Housing Development Authority, says challenges for homeownership are especially profound for Black Michiganders with “79 percent of white households owning their own home compared to just 45 percent of Black households.”

Gesher’s Financial Education Manager Laltsha Cunningham

agreed that racial inequalities remained a huge barrier to homeownership, with one of the biggest challenges being the ability to qualify for a mortgage because of poor credit. “A big focus of our workshops will be trying to address income to credit card debt ratios, and how people can get their credit card debt and student loans reduced,” she explained. “Homeownership is a goal for many families, but we often find that they aren’t preparing adequately, so in addition to our June programming we also offer mortgage readiness and other prepurchase programs throughout the year.”

Cunningham said that the current high interest rates are unlikely to drop soon, so waiting until they do is unrealistic for many families. “Instead, by reducing debt elsewhere, by taking a deep dive into your family’s budget and looking at spending – needs vs. wants – people may be able to afford the current rates,” she said. Also, because there is a current dearth of properties in the market, there will be realtors on hand in the programming to give potential homeowners tips on locations where housing inventory is more available.

June 24-28 Homeownership Webinars noon to 1:30 p.m.

• June 24 – “A home isn’t a home until you purchase it” will highlight the importance of homeownership and discuss stability, investment, generational wealth and tax benefits.
• June 25 – “Qualifying for a Home in Today’s Market” will discuss credit scores needed to purchase, saving for a down payment and managing money.
• June 26 – “Shopping for the home that meets your needs” will discuss how to shop for the perfect home, taxes based on property area, wants and needs, housing resources, grants and down payment assistance.
• June 27 – “Housing costs that never go away” will highlight ongoing costs like maintenance, repairs, taxes and insurance, utility payments and association fees.
• June 28 – “Staying in and Keeping your home” will discuss home retention, managing mortgage payments, foreclosure timelines and resources.

To register for the free programs call 248.233.4299, email financialhelp@geshermi.org or go to the events page at geshermi.org.

About Gesher Human Services

Gesher Human Services is a non-profit organization providing a bridge to hope and opportunity for people at work, at home and in the community. It is dedicated to helping people across metro Detroit lead more stable and fulfilling lives through workforce development, career mobility, behavioral health, inclusion programming and residential services that serve all metro Detroiters while meeting the needs of the Jewish community.

The organization works with job seekers, people with disabilities, older adults, and the community at large to provide skills, support, and equitable opportunities for people to succeed. Uniting two of metro Detroit’s most influential Jewish human services agencies, JVS Human Services and Kadima, Gesher brings over 110 years of combined experience facilitating equitable employment opportunities and better mental health outcomes for residents. With a network of more than 400 employees and volunteers across 25 locations in southeast Michigan, Gesher delivers a continuum of services and support that directly impacts the lives of over 26,000 individuals and families annually. More information at www.geshermi.org.