BOGALUSA - Owning a home is a part of the traditional American dream. But it would never occur to a large segment of the population to dream it. Many people have been raised in rental houses or apartments, watching their parents struggle to make the monthly payments. Most of them never imagine they could afford to have a place of their own.
Even if they do entertain the idea, many are soon overwhelmed into abandoning action because they have no clue how to navigate what can seem a complex and daunting process.
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The center will provide a range of services to assist first-time home buyers through the process from pre-qualification through post-purchase. A variety of homeowner services will also be available.
Services will include pre-qualification counseling, home ownership training, financial fitness classes, Individual Development Accounts, construction management, design services, post-purchase counseling and even financial assistance for qualified buyers.
The counseling is free of charge, and the training is offered for a "nominal fee" based on income.
Services will be available to everybody, regardless of income level.
The local Housing Resource Center is the result of city action on a realized need.
"We approached Neighborhood Housing Services in New Orleans (NHSNOLA) probably two years ago, shortly after Hurricane Katrina," said Sandy Bloom, city spokesperson. "We were aware how many people here are living in substandard housing, and how difficult it is for some people to gain independence rather than continuing to live in rental or public housing."
The connection was made, and NHSNOLA decided to reach a little further when it makes its planned expansion into St. Tammany Parish. In July, offices will opened in both Mandeville and Bogalusa.
NHSNOLA's Lauren Anderson said the stretch is no problem, and that her organization is eager to offer assistance.
"We found out that Bogalusa had nothing like this either," she said. "We're very excited."
So are the people who helped lure them to town.
"A whole lot of people need these services," said Bloom. "There are loan products, such as the USDA offers to people with low and moderate incomes, that require they have buyer training. Now they'll be able to get it here. This is a great service.
"And for people with credit problems there is a program and a process. They come up with a plan to repair the credit problems so they can qualify for loans that are available to them."
Bloom said Mayor Mack McGehee and Washington Parish President Ned Thomas are eager to get the NHS settled into a local office. For now there are a couple of site options available, she said. The location will be announced as soon as the opening date is decided.
But help is on its way.
Bloom said "working people need some assistance in getting affordable housing," and home ownership "helps build additional wealth assets." It's good for them and the greater community.
Now there's a plan, and for many it could be an answer to a dream they dared not dream.
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