Workshop will educate on buying or repairing your home

CEDAR RAPIDS — Local nonprofits are hosting a homeowner resources workshop next month to help educate residents who are looking to buy or renovate their own home.

The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 1 at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 4700 Johnson Ave. NW.

The workshop is for those contemplating homeownership or who have repairs they’re struggling to afford. The workshop will share information about available programs to help fix homes or qualify for a mortgage and down payment assistance.

­Cedar Valley Habitat for Humanity, Horizons Family Services, Iowa Legal Aid and Neighborhood Finance Corp. are partnering to host the workshop.

The workshop cost is $10, which includes lunch. Register by March 28 at cvhabitat.org/hrw. Contact Kelly Murphy with questions by email at kelly.murphy@cvhabitat.org or phone at (319) 366-4485.

A similar workshop was offered in the fall. After that workshop, Murphy said an attendee was able to apply for Homeowner Assistance funds and have her mortgage reinstated after working with Horizons.

The workshop offers three sessions:

Session 1 — How to buy a home: Experts will discuss the types of loans available to first-time homebuyers and programs to help people boost their credit scores and qualify for a mortgage.

Session 2 — How to maintain a home: Current and potential homeowners will learn in this session about home repairs and maintenance, home warranties, affordable repair and renovation programs, forgivable loans and other resources.

Session 3 — Understanding your mortgage: Learn the basics of escrow and home insurance, plus default, foreclosure and COVID-19 mortgage relief programs.

The city of Cedar Rapids also will be available to talk about the city’s first-time homebuyer down payment assistance program.

That program can assist up to 15 households with up to $14,999 in down payment and closing-cost assistance. Aid is reserved for households whose income qualifies and can obtain a mortgage. Additional program requirements and information on how to apply is available at CityofCR.com/FTHB.

Comments: (319) 398-8494; marissa.payne@thegazette.com