NOCAC hosting spring housing workshop

Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission (NOCAC) will be providing a Housing workshop on home repair and home purchase Tuesday, February 28, at 6 p.m. located at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 810 Scott St Napoleon. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn about the free program details and have their questions answered by the experts. Please register for this event by contacting NOCAC’s Financial Coach, Amy McMaster at 419-990-5136 x 3122 or amcmaster@nocac.org.

A panel of 5 speakers will share information on the following programs: NOCAC Weatherization, Maumee Valley Planning-CHIP Program, USDA home loan and home repair loan, Midwest Community Federal Credit Union Mortgage Loan Officer and NOCAC’s Matched Savings Program. All of these programs cover the five county areas of Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Paulding, and Williams Counties. We encourage anyone from those counties to attend this event.

Amy McMaster, NOCAC Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) Financial Coach explains “most people aren’t aware there are free programs to help them purchase their home or repair it. This workshop brings all of these agencies into one location so the public can learn more and have their questions answered by the experts.” There are so many families on a fixed income, including our elderly, who are not in safe housing. NOCAC wants to make sure families are aware of programs that could make their homes more energy efficient. NOCAC looks forward to bringing awareness to the community.

Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission (NOCAC) is a private, non-profit corporation that was created in 1965 to combat poverty in our service area. NOCAC’s mission is to plan, develop and coordinate programs and services designed to combat conditions related to poverty in Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Paulding, Van Wert and Williams Counties. NOCAC provides opportunities to attain the skills, knowledge and motivation to consumers that are necessary to become self-sufficient members of the communities in which they live.

Here is a breakdown of each service that will be represented. NOCAC’s Weatherization Program provides energy-related home repairs and other modifications to make homes safe, comfortable and energy efficient while reducing the heating and cooling costs paid by low-income consumers. Weatherization crews and technicians use diagnostic technologies to determine the most cost-effective measures to use for each home. Health and Safety issues such as furnace and water heater replacement are also assessed; however funding for this is limited, and if the unit is a rental the landlord is recommended to contribute to the repair cost. To be eligible for this program, a person may not make over 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. To schedule an appointment with your local NOCAC Outreach office please call 1-419-219-4641 or visit the NOCAC website at www.nocac.org, if you need more information contact Brandy at 419-784-5393 ext. 3110.

Dottie: Maumee Valley Planning oversees the Community Housing Impact and Preservation (CHIP) Program which provides home repairs/rehabilitations and often partners with the NOCAC Weatherization Program. The CHIP Program provides funding to address housing-related activities including the full rehabilitation of the property. The goal is to bring the entire home into conformance with local and state codes while addressing health and safety concerns. The improvements will include the correction of structural issues, heating, electrical, plumbing, lead paint hazards, accessibility, roof/gutters, and water/sewer issues. To learn more, contact Dottie Vollmar at 419-784-3882 or visit https://www.mvpo.org/housing.

The USDA Rural Development’s Section 502 Direct Loan Program provides a path to homeownership for low- and very-low-income families. No down payment is typically required and there is no private mortgage insurance involved with low-interest home loans. This provides an opportunity for families who do not have the funds for a down payment. For more information contact Melodye Massey at melodye.massey@oh.usda.gov or 419-581-4507.

Midwest Community Federal Credit Union is a member-owned and controlled financial cooperative whose members share in the profits and benefits of the organization. They are the power of over 14,000 members in Northwest Ohio working together to achieve their financial goals and dreams no matter where they are. Their credit union exists for the purpose of building lifelong trusted relationships by providing personalized financial services. Their primary focus is you, the member, and helping you attain your financial goals. They have mortgage loan officers who can help you become approved for the home of your dreams. For more information contact 419-783-6500.

NOCAC also administers a Matched Savings Program that provides one-time down payment assistance toward home ownership. Income-eligible participants receive up to $1000 in matched savings towards a home loan down payment and closing costs. Participants save $50 a month for 6 months in a personal savings account and receive the NOCAC match once they have completed all program requirements and purchase their home. A free financial coach is provided to help participants become mortgage ready.

McMaster went on to say “there are so many people who have the dream of owning their own home and do not know where to start. This housing workshop explains the process and links them to agencies that can assist them. Most families need a credit score of 640 to purchase a home in Northwest Ohio. There are programs to help families reach this credit score and reduce the debt that could disqualify them from a mortgage loan. In addition, they can learn more about down payment assistance programs such as the $10,000 Welcome Home Grant which provides one-time down payment assistance if you purchase a home in February and July. Attendees will walk away with information and resources to make their homeownership dream come true. NOCAC will also be offering a free Credit Building class as well, Tuesday, April 25th at 6 p.m., at the Defiance FOC office located at 414 W 2nd Street.

As a result of NOCAC’s mission, the Financial Opportunity Center was created to help under-resourced individuals and families achieve their goals. Please reach out to the FOC if you would like to learn more by contacting 419-990-5136, foc@nocac.org or visiting our website at www.nocac.org.