HOUSING & FINANCIAL COUNSELING

515

PEOPLE ATTENDED

Homebuyer Education Classes

Helping Immigrant Families Access Homeownership

Through targeted outreach, a homebuying fair entirely in Spanish, expert housing counseling, and a special loan program, Southeast CDC helps immigrant households access homeownership and avoid foreclosure.

Cristina*, Luis*, and their family became homeless in 2021 when their rental house caught fire. The fire happened in the middle of the night and none of the fire alarms in the house worked, so by the time the family woke up, the fire had completely taken over the first floor of the house. Cristina, their son, and their nephew got out safely, but Luis experienced such severe burns that he spent the next four weeks in the hospital and another few months unable to work.

Southeast CDC’s Family Stability program provided case management and resources and then the family met with Southeast CDC’s housing counselor Glenda to plan for their goal of buying their own home. Cristina and Luis worked diligently to start establishing a credit history, opening a bank account, depositing every paycheck in the bank, and applying for a secured credit card. The family was committed, dedicated, and organized, moving from having no credit and savings to having a 700+ credit score and enough savings for a downpayment.

In December, 2022, Luis, Cristina, and their young son moved to their new home in Southeast Baltimore. This family owns their own home thanks to their own perseverance, backed up by the team of professionals at Southeast CDC.

*Names changed for privacy.

PEOPLE RECEIVED Individual Counseling

$825,000

467 loans and down payment assistance provided through a special loan program for immigrant clients