VCCDC Hosts Its First Homebuyer Workshop in Bakersfield
Ventura County Community Development Corporation (VCCDC) is offering its signature Homebuyer Education Workshop approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in Bakersfield this Saturday, February 8, 2020. The event taking place from 9am – 3:30pm will be held at the Baker Street Village Center located at 1015 Baker Street in Bakersfield. Key players in the home buying field ranging from real estate agents, mortgage loan officers and other home industry experts will share information about the homebuying process including information on improving credit, budgeting, obtaining up to $25,000 in down payment assistance, first time homebuyer loans, the escrow process and more with potential home buyers.
In the U.S., owning a home is still seen by most Americans as the primary pathway to building long-term wealth. A survey by the National Association of Realtors found that 84% of Americans believe that purchasing a home is a good financial decision. But for many first-time homebuyers realizing the “American Dream” doesn’t feel attainable. According to the Census Bureau, homeownership rates among households living on lower incomes stands at 50%, lower than the national rate of 64%. Those who have found their way to VCCDC find that the daunting process is ameliorated with customized education, guidance and resources. Since incorporating in 2001, more than 2,400 families have become first-time homeowners with the support of VCCDC’s Home Ownership Center’s services (education and counseling) and products (affordable loan products and down payment assistance loans).
VCCDC has built its capacity strategically, responding programmatically to community needs and opportunities. Foreclosure prevention services were added in 2007 as a core line of business and VCCDC expanded geographically from Ventura County to support impacted areas in Santa Barbara County. In 2004 VCCDC was certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) to support homebuyers with direct lending; and in 2011 VCCDC realty and brokerage services were added to leverage opportunities for acquisition/rehab/resale. In April 2014 VCCDC established its corporate offices and one stop Home Ownership Center in Oxnard, CA where it offers a full spectrum of services that includes a variety of financial education programs, credit counseling and repair, and homeownership and foreclosure prevention services and products, such as down payment assistance programs.
For the past 19 years VCCDC has specialized in meeting the financial capability and homeownership needs of underserved populations in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties and now it hopes to do the same in Kern County. The Homebuyer Workshop taking place this Saturday will serve as a gateway to customized VCCDC services and programs for the 30+ individuals already registered, eventually leading to successful homeownership.
VCCDC’s accomplishments are best described by the voices of its clients: “No one else would help me. I came to you and have achieved the American Dream of homeownership.” “I felt like the best team of professionals was working solely for me.” “You gave me a place to live exactly as I had dreamed.”
Participants in VCCDC’s Homebuyer Workshop will receive a HUD-approved Homebuyer Education Certificate, which is a requirement for most down payment assistance programs and some lenders. To register call 805-273-7800 or visit vccdc.org/events.