Houston-area residents looking to buy a home, keep the home they have or find resources to stay housed can get help at the Houston Affordable Housing Roadshow.
PNC Bank, TransUnion and The Fountain of Praise Church will host the third annual event Saturday, March 28, connecting attendees with housing and financial experts.
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Attorney Monique Winston, the event coordinator and moderator, said the roadshow was designed to be a one-stop shop for information and guidance.
“Our goal is to bring all of the information that people need right under one roof,” Winston said. Winston added the event is intended for first-time and repeat homebuyers, as well as current homeowners including seniors who may need help with property taxes, repair services or navigating next steps.
Organizers said the event included access to lenders, TransUnion representatives, housing counselors and other professionals who can help people understand the homebuying process and build a plan.
Winston said many people rule themselves out before speaking with experts, citing concerns about credit, savings or down payments.
“People don’t know what they don’t know, and they try to self-assess,” Winston said. She added that those concerns are often exactly why attending can help.
Dr. Mia Kay Wright, co-pastor of The Fountain of Praise, said the church partnered to host the event because homeownership remains a key pathway to building generational wealth.
“We find that homeownership is one of the leading ways in which people can have generational wealth,” Wright said. “Our goal is to partner with trusted partners that can help people to go into homeownership so that they can gain wealth.”
Winston encouraged first-time buyers to focus on education and preparation before applying for loans.
“It is so important that people prepare before they prepare,” she said, recommending HUD-approved counseling agencies and community resources. She also warned against submitting multiple loan applications without first reviewing finances and options with a trusted advisor.
“Not just homeownership, but sustainable homeownership,” Winston said.