Aspiring Homeowners Flock to Housing Resource Fair

The Neighborhood Housing Services of the Inland Empire organized the recent Block Party Housing Resource Fair in San Bernardino. The fair focused on helping locals prepare financially for home-ownership with an emphasis on promoting fiscal responsibility. The fair included financial counselors, lenders, non-profit booths, and face-painting for the kids. According to NHSIE executive director and CEO Dawn Lee, the organization has helped thousands of families set themselves up for home ownership. She shares that one of their main objectives is for people to “reach a credit score of at least 640.” Fair attendee LaLisa Mack completed a NHSIE program that improved her credit score by over two hundred points. She planned on using her improved financial state to approach home loan lenders at the fair with the goal of buying a house. On fixing her credit score, she said, “You have to pay off the bills firsts. You can't have luxury funds.” Assemblymember Cheryl Brown, who co-sponsored the fair, said “The market is shifting. I see blocks of vacant houses as opportunity. Sacramento has passed legislative measures for new home owners.” Based in San Bernardino, NHSIE covers the entire Inland Empire and counsels many of its residents. Advancements in technology have allowed them to expand their clientele. NSHIE adviser Melanie Seawright said, “We have phone counseling, and in recent years we have used virtual counseling.”