Washington Homeownership Center

Click below on the Step to Homeownership where you are right now and need information about.

Click here for a short description of the steps to Homeownership>

Local Homeownership Resources for:
Eastern Washington: Adams, Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Spokane, and Stevens Counties

1. Education

Become Educated About the Home Buying Process

The Washington Homeownership Center strongly recommends that all potential homebuyers attend a First-Time Homebuyer Education Seminar, sponsored by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission. These seminars provide an overview of the home buying process, allowing you to be more educated as you begin on your path towards homeownership. Many of the down payment assistance programs require all homebuyers who are applying for a loan complete a First-Time Homebuyer Education Seminar.

Local Resources:

Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) sponsors free 5-hour seminars that are taught by industry professionals (lenders, non-profits, real estate agents) in an unbiased, non-sales oriented format. These seminars give an excellent overview of the various steps involved in purchasing a home and help the participant become familiar with the industry’s jargon. A certificate is given upon completion of the class and is valid for 2 years. This certificate is required to qualify for several first-time homebuyer loan programs. A current schedule of classes can be found by clicking here or visit www.wshfc.org

Community Action Partnership (Asotin County)
Community Action Partnership provides information to people with housing needs and problems including foreclosure prevention, landlord/tenant mediation, repairs and home equity conversion mortgages. Home-Buyer Education and Housing Counseling are free of charge and no income limits apply. Housing Development and Management advocates for affordable housing needs of low-income residents.
For more information, contact: 208.746.3351 or visit www.acommunityactionpartnership.org

Community Action Center (CAC) of Whitman County
CAC is a non-profit that offers homebuyer education seminars, housing counseling, credit counseling, and other housing programs. CAC provides referrals to lenders offering VA, FHA, conventional and state bond loan programs for first time homebuyers. Certified Home Buyer Education Workshops offered on a regular basis.
For more information, contact 509.334.9147

Inland Empire Residential Resources
Inland Empire is a multi-service real estate development agency. They partake in various housing related projects to provide homes for people with disabilities. Through partnering and being involved with other local agencies that serve the disabled, they are able to provide information and referral services to people with disabilities and are especially experienced in working with those who are developmentally disabled.
For more information call 509.789.2245

North Columbia Community Action Council (CAC)
The CAC is a non-profit agency that offers various housing and other types of services for people in need. They serve Lincoln and Adams County. For more information call 888.765.9206

Rural Resources Community Action
This is a non-profit agency whose mission is to help people and communities improve their general welfare. One-on-one housing counseling is offered to residents of Pend Oreille and Stevens County.
For more information call 509.684.8421

Spokane Neighborhood Action Program (SNAP)
SNAP is a HUD-certified, non-profit, housing counseling agency that assists households in becoming homeowners. They provide pre-purchase counseling and education and help households identify and overcome barriers to homeownership. Counselors also make referrals to a variety of down payment and homeownership assistance programs.
For more information call 509.456.7106 or visit www.snap.org

The Arc of Spokane

The Arc of Spokane is a non-profit agency that works with people with Developmental Disabilities. The Arc Home Ownership Specialist will help educate you about the home buying process and work with you to develop a plan for purchasing your home. You will learn about and receive help with qualifying for a mortgage, preparing a loan application, shopping for just the right house, managing finances and how to maintain your home once you are a homeowner. To be eligible for assistance you must have a documented developmental disability that is attributed to a mental or physical challenge before the age of 22, which is likely to continue indefinitely and results in substantial functional limitations of 3 or more major life activities such as self-care, learning, mobility etc.

For more information email cgriffith@arc-spokane.org, or call 509.328.6326 and ask for Cathie.

The Federal Fair Housing Act
Being educated on the Fair Housing Act will help to prevent discrimination in the home buying process.
Click here to learn more about who is protected under the Fair Housing Act and about statewide resources.

Predatory Lending
Predatory lending takes advantage of borrowers by charging higher fees and hidden costs. Every borrower is at risk, however the risk increase for people of color, the elderly and those with less than perfect credit.

Click to learn more and steps for avoiding predatory lending.

Local Resources:

Information, Referral and Education about Predatory Lending
•Washington Homeownership Center
206.587.5641
866-600-6466 (toll-free in Washington State)

To File a Complaint Against a Lending Institution
• Washington State Department of Financial Institutions
800.372.8303
www.dfi.wa.gov

Free Legal Advice
If you are low income and need legal advice contact:

• CLEAR:
888.201.1014
888.387.7111 (Age 60 or over)
www.nwjustice.org

2. Credit History

Learning About Credit

Credit is one of the most important components when applying for a mortgage. The more you understand your credit, the more likely you are to receive a mortgage that fits your situation.

Click here to understand the importance of credit in the home buying process and steps to improve your credit.

Local Non-profit agencies that can assist with credit counseling:
The following agency can help you with developing a budget, defining financial goals, tracking your expenses, and rebuilding your credit:

Community Action Center (CAC) or Whitman County
509.334.9147

Spokane Neighborhood Action Program
509.456.7106