California

Sharing the Steps of First-Time Home Ownership

On a recent Saturday in Lynwood, California, a group of Latino families spent the day learning All You Need to Know about the Home Buying Process through the generous support of State Farm Insurance, in partnership with the Montebello Housing Development Corporation (MHDC) and Assemblymember Ricardo Lara.

MHDC offers a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) certified home-buying class in both English and Spanish languages for families who want to make the American dream of homeownership a reality. In this process, families commit to an eight-hour session – as required by HUD – to learn about money-saving techniques and consumer credit management. Additionally, State Farm Agent Ena Alcaraz, in partnership with MHDC counselors, educated participants on the home-buying process and shared information on how to protect and insure their newly-purchased properties.

Event organizers know the families served by this class obtain valuable information that helps build resources within the Latino community, an area the organization considers desperately in need of financial education and services.

“What a great opportunity to serve our Latino community,” Alcaraz said. “Through these programs, we provide the community with information to help them realize dreams for both themselves and their families.” 

The Montebello Housing Development Corporation (MHDC) is a HUD-certified agency through their affiliation with the National Council of La Raza. The MHDC was incorporated as a public service, non-profit agency. Working closely with the city's Economic Development Department, board members make first-time homeownership of low-to-moderate income families a priority.