Homeownership Resources
This page is brought to you by
Bridge AOR’s Housing Committee.
Mission Statement
The Housing Committee works to remove barriers to homeownership through advocacy, education and grant-making.
Resources
There’s more to homeownership than just getting the keys. As REALTORS®, it’s our goal to support homeowners through the entire homeownership journey. Follow the links below for more information on the four pillars of homeownership.
Obtain
Starting your homeownership journey can be daunting. A Housing Counseling Agency can guide you through whatever preliminary steps you may need to get ready. From credit repair resources to first time buyer education, these agencies are here to help you take those first steps. (button link to RNHS, NID…) There’s more financial help out there than you think! Check out this free resource to help connect you with financial assistance programs you may be eligible for. (button link to CAR down payment resource page) Working with a lender who understands the ins and outs of all the available resources can make all the difference in getting you the keys. Click on the link to find local lenders who are ready to help. (button link to lender page, add Housing Fair sponsors, they are affiliates now, right?)
Maintain
Now that you own your home there’s no landlord to call for repairs. Find out what resources are available to help you maintain your property. (button link to Alameda Healthy Homes) (button link to City of Oakland programs) (button link to RNHS, NID…)
Sustain
Homeownership involves more than just paying your mortgage. Learn more about the tax obligations and benefits of homeownership. (button link to Alameda county assessor)
Retain
What happens to your home when you’re no longer here? Making legal preparations now ensures that your hard-earned investment will be passed on according to your wishes. (link to Verleana Green?)
Current Initiatives
Housing Fair Recap.
The Bridge Association of REALTORS® Housing Committee was thrilled to host our inaugural Housing Fair in September for the greater East Bay community. The theme for the event was The Lifecycle of Housing: For Anyone Who Has or Wants a Home. Our goal was to promote homeownership throughout its ownership cycle by presenting a holistic overview of the process which is obtaining, maintaining, sustaining, and retaining a home.
We had over 120 attendees and 13 speakers covering topics such as loan pre-approval and down payment assistance, home maintenance programs, financial counseling, ADU’s, trusts and wills and property taxes.
Power Hour.
The Housing Committee hosts an annual Power Hour to keep REALTORS® up-to-date on assistance programs for their clients. Check back here for the next scheduled event or reach out to kiran@bridgeaor.org to add your name to the Housing Committee REALTORS® mailing list.
Ongoing Initiatives
In 2020 the Bridge Housing Committee came together around the shared desire to create a homebuying assistance program that would be impactful and easy to implement in our service area. The committee recognized that, as REALTORS®, we are in a unique position to understand the needs and challenges of our clients from the ground level. The Housing Committee identified the high cost of closing costs in our area as a specific barrier to homeownership. Using a grant from HAF, the Housing Committee created a closing cost grant program that helped Alameda County residents become homeowners.
Today the grant program is called the Pathway to Home Closing Cost Assistance Grant Program. C.A.R.’s Housing Affordability Fund (HAF), in partnership with Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services (NPHS), along with HUD.GOV approved housing counselors and non-profit partners throughout the state to join efforts to close homeownership gaps that impact the state’s underserved communities.
As part of the Bridge Housing Committee’s ongoing commitment to this program we continue to fundraise on its behalf.
Individuals and organizations can contribute via the "Donate to RAF" link. To ensure that your donation is earmarked for the Closing Cost Grant please write "Bridge AOR" in the Notes section of the donation form.
No donation is too small (or too big!)
All donors throughout the year will be acknowledged as part of the Housing Committee’s annual fundraising drive.
