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Housing Education & Counseling

Am I Ready to Buy a Home? Use these questions to help you decide if you are ready to buy a home:

• Do I have a steady source of income?
  
• Have I been employed on a regular basis for 2-3 years?
  
• Is my income reliable?
  
• Do I have a credit history?
  
• Do I have a good record of paying bills?
  
• Am I able to pay my bills and other debts?
  
• Do I have the ability to make the mortgage payment every
  month plus handle additional costs for taxes, insurance,
  maintenance, and repairs?
  
• Do I have money saved for a downpayment or closing costs?
  

If you answer yes to these questions, you might be ready to buy a home. If you answer no to any of them, concentrate on strengthening those areas.

Source: FDIC-Money Smart-Financial Education Curriculum “Your Own Home”

Home Buyers/Owners Resources

These services will give you the help that you need to make that big step
towards homeownership or assist you in dealing with the challenges of
current home ownership.

Conexión Américas (THDA Certified)
Services: Puertas Abiertas/Open Doors Homeownership Program
Description: Provides homebuyers with classes as well as individualized counseling and technical assistance. Connects homebuyers with lending institutions.
Clients Served: General public. All services offered in Spanish
Fees: Free
Format: Classroom setting and one-on-one counseling.
Call for appointment
Hours: M & W 9-7; T & Th 9-5:30; F 9-2
Phone: 615-320-5152
Service Area: Middle Tennessee
Web: www.conexionamericas.org

Metro Development and Housing Agency (MDHA)
Services: Fair Housing
Description: Provides assistance for people who believe that they have been denied an opportunity to purchase, lease or rent the home or apartment of their choice due to their age, gender, family composition, race or ethnic origin, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation or marital status.
Clients Served: Anyone needing assistance with housing discrimination or
renters’ rights
Fees: Free
Hours: M-F 7:30-4
Service Area: Davidson County
Phone: 615-252-6700
Web: www.nashville.org/mdha

Metro Development and Housing Agency (MDHA)
Services: Emergency Rehabilitation Division
Description: Responsible for home repairs that would be classified as emergencies and are necessary to protect the health and safety of the homeowner, such as structural problems, roof repairs, etc.
Clients Served: Homeowners age 55 and up whose income does not exceed 80% of
HUD income guidelines
Fees: Free
Hours: M-F 7:30-4
Service Area: Davidson County
Phone: 615-252-8500
Web: www.nashville.org/mdha

Metro Development and Housing Agency (MDHA)
Services: Section 8 Housing
Description: Responsible for rent supplements for qualified low-income families in privately owned rental units
Clients Served: Low-income families (according to HUD guidelines), the elderly, and disabled
Hours: M-F 7:30-4
Service Area: Davidson County
Phone: 615-252-6500
Web: www.nashville.org/mdha

Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity (THDA Certified)
Services: Low-Cost Homeownership
Description: Families are approved to purchase homes by showing a housing need, ability to pay, and a willingness to partner with Habitat. Families must meet financial guidelines, have acceptable credit, and purchase their home at cost with a 20-30 year loan at no interest. Families must be willing to invest 390-470 “sweat equity” hours that are acquired by attending homeownership classes, including financial education, and working with volunteers to build their own and other houses. They must also save up to $2,500 for closing costs.
Clients Served: Low income families as defined by HUD guidelines.
Fees: $10 application fee
Hours: M-F 8-5
Service Area: Davidson and Dickson County
Phone: 615-254-4663
Web: www.habitatnashville.org

Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity (THDA Certified)
Services: ReBuild Home Repair
Description: ReBuild is program for low-income homeowners who are in need of home repairs necessary to maintain a healthy, safe and accessible home. To be eligible, homeowners must have a need for home repairs, the ability to make payments on a zero-interest loan for the work, and a willingness to partner with the organization. Homeowners will invest “sweat equity” by helping with their repair project, taking classes, and/or volunteering with Habitat. ReBuild is committed to working with underserved low-income homeowners who, because of age, disability, place of residence, geographic location, race, sex, or socioeconomic status, have not historically sought, been eligible for, or received assistance.
Clients Served: Low income homeowners as defined by HUD guidelines including the
elderly, disabled, veterans, and current Habitat homeowners
Fees: $10 application fee
Hours: M-F 8-5
Service Area: Davidson and Dickson County
Phone: 615-254-4663
Web: www.habitatnashville.org

Nashville CARES – HIV/AIDS
Services: Housing
Description: Provides case management and/or direct financial assistance to help persons living with HIV/AIDS secure or maintain independent housing. Case management includes assistance with identification of or securing homeless or emergency shelter, subsidized or affordable housing, services or resources. Direct financial assistance includes rent/deposits, mortgage and/or utility (gas, electric, water) deposits.
Clients Served: HIV/AIDS, CARES clients
Fees: Free
Hours: M-F 8-5
Service Area: Middle TN
Phone: 1-800-845-4266
Web: www.nashvillecares.org

New Level Community Development Corp (THDA Certified)
Services: Homebuyer education/counseling
Descriptions: Structured classroom training and individual counseling throughout the
home buying process.
Clients Served: General population
Fees: $35 registration fee for 6 week course, no fee for counseling sessions
Hours: Office hours are M-F 8:30-5
Service Area: Greater Nashville area
Phone: 615-627-0347
Web: www.newlevelcdc.org