Homebuyer Education Class Schedule 2011

Nature of its work:

The LLC has focused its limited resources on providing services to low-income residents of Houston’s communities. The LLC has targeted the needs of low-income residents of Houston’s. Particular emphasis has been placed at addressing gaps in services for adult education and services to the elderly and disabled communities.

Need for Homebuyer Education:

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, Houston’s home ownership levels lag behind the rest of the nation at 46% compared to 68% nationally. Home ownership levels are deteriorating further for low-moderate income families within Loop 610 as development of the inner city progresses at an astonishing rate. Whole neighborhoods are being gentrified as land values increase and replacement housing is beyond the means of low-moderate income families.

Complicating the issue of affordability is the fact that many low-moderate income families are being victimized by predatory lending practices when purchasing a home. A study conducted by the National Council of La Raza entitled Jeopardizing Hispanic Homeownership highlights the effect that predatory lending has on Hispanics. Key finding include:

Therefore, one can conclude that low-moderate income families especially minority families not only cannot afford the high home prices but when they do buy a home they have to pay more for it.

Community Benefits:

Our goal is to assist families successfully make a home purchase with educated decisions, helping them avoid predatory lending and finding mainstream lenders. Classes are held in a comfortable classroom environment in our centrally located campus. Classes are held in both English and Spanish to accommodate every segment of our population. After six (6) hour class each family is provided with two (2) hours of one-on-one counseling to address their particular needs. The program covers the following areas:

º  Homeownership preparation
º  Selecting a Home
º  Obtaining a mortgage/loan application
º  Working with a Real Estate Professional
º  The Closing process/Homestead exemption
º  Life as a Homeowner/Avoiding default
º  Qualifying for down payment assistance programs

Families Benefiting:

Last year 2010, 711 families benefiting with our program:

a. - Hispanics families 78%
b. - African American families 10%
c. – White families 7%
d. - Asian families 3%
e. – Others families 2%


Homebuyer Education Class Schedule 2011

To register for the next session call:

Carlos Garcia at 713-223-1391 or email coordinator@latinolearningcenter.org