HOMEOWNERSHIP RESOURCES AND TOOLS!
LISC Virginia
We work with residents and partners to forge resilient and inclusive communities.
This month, our newsletter focuses on compiling several Richmond-area community resources to be your one-stop-shop for homeownership.
Housing counseling and assistance
LISC Virginia's WORTH RVA initiative supports local nonprofits in administering housing counseling services and downpayment assistance. Read more about WORTH RVA at this link. Below, you will find information about our WORTH RVA partners that are providing the program's services to clients. Read more about each organization and reach out at one of the links below.
Better Housing Coalition
BHC's Homebuyer’s Club supports renters who want to buy a home with services to assist with credit repair,?budgeting, down payment assistance sources, and training on homeownership?responsibilities and maintenance. After completing the club program, participants whom obtain a mortgage approval letter and?receive up to a $1,000 stipend to apply to their closing costs associated with a new home. Visit their website here.
Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia
HOME's HUD-certified housing counselors provide pre‐purchase counseling services to clients virtually and/or in‐person?covering steps to homeownership, managing money, identifying the client’s housing need, and homeownership goals and action plan to become mortgage ready. Additionally, HOME of Virginia may administer available financial assistance to resolve homeownership barriers by paying judgments, charge offs and collections, and administer available down payment and closing cost assistance. The assistance may be up to?$10,000. Visit their website here.
Southside Community Development and Housing Corporation
SCDHC's HUD-certified housing counselors provide pre‐purchase counseling services to clients virtually and/or in‐person classes, covering the steps to homeownership, managing money, identifying the client’s housing need, and homeownership goals and action plans to become mortgage ready. Additionally, SCDHC may administer available financial assistance to resolve homeownership barriers by paying?judgments, charge offs and collections, and administer available down payment and closing cost assistance. The assistance may be up to?$10,000.?Visit their website here.?
Other housing assistance programs
Henrico County recently announced its Employee Home Purchase Assistance Program (EHPAP)! The purpose of the program?is to assist eligible Henrico County employees with the purchase of their first home. Rising home prices throughout the region have made homeownership less affordable for a substantial number of employees, especially first-time homebuyers. Read more about the program at this link.
Report housing discrimination
You have a right to fair housing. The Fair Housing Act protects people from discrimination when they are renting or buying a home, getting a mortgage, seeking housing assistance, or engaging in other housing-related activities. If you believe you have been the victim of housing discrimination on the basis of any of the following characteristics, you have the right to report it:
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Learn more about fair housing and make a report with HOME of Virginia here. You can also make your report directly to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at this link.
Heirs' Property
“Heirs' property”?refers to real estate where the legal ownership of the property is unclear due to a previous owner having passed away. This can happen because the original owner died without a will ("intestate") and property was transferred to all living heirs of the deceased, determined by state law, creating multiple owners of a property or "tenants in common." The surviving owners may not even be named on the deed, live on the property, or be aware they have heirs' property. Heirs' property can also be created when someone passes away and has a will that names multiple heirs to one property without outlining the specific portions of the land, creating “cloudy title” and unclear ownership.
The Richmond Heirs' Property Network (RHPN) is comprised of nonprofits organizations and pro-bono attorneys dedicated to helping low-wealth households experiencing legal ownership challenges. RHPN connects these households to resources including legal assistance to help them gain full ownership of their homes.
Read more about the program, services offered, and access the interest form at this link.
Home repair
Safe, accessible housing is an ongoing effort. Home repair programs contribute to sustaining long-term homeownership and improving neighborhood quality. Through partnerships with the City of Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield Counties, and the Tri-Cities, project:HOMES provides one-time critical home repair assistance?to qualifying low-income homeowners in the areas served. Read more about project:HOMES' home repair program and requirements at this link.
The LISC Virginia team is proud to support and share homeownership resources across our region.
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