Workshop on the Impact of Credit Education & Loan Worthiness with a Goal of Homeownership

Abstract

My project began with the purpose of conducting a workshop on the impact of credit on loan worthiness. The workshops focused on credit and how to improve it to help one’s ability to obtain loan approvals for life’s wants and needs (homes, vehicles, etc.). The participants were individuals working with the local Habitat for Humanity organization in hopes of one day owning a home. In order to receive a home through Habitat, a requirement is to have completed a homeownership education class. I have taught each of these three series of classes in Louisa County, VA. The participants started the classes after deciding for themselves that they wanted to work with Habitat for Humanity. The credit workshops consisted of five out of twelve sessions of the course. Participants were previously interviewed by the Habitat director to make sure they fit into the Habitat program’s guidelines. Participants were provided the education to be able to understand credit and budgeting. The participants’ self-efficacy beliefs and changes in planned behavior brought them to this point. These working mothers had to arrange their work schedules, children’s pick up times from child care in the evenings, transportation to classes among other challenges to be able to attend the classes. No one missed a class without calling ahead of time to say why they were not able to attend. Arrangements were made with those needing another time to meet. Due to the evening time meetings, usually light dinners were provided. Also, the room was large enough for children to be able to come if necessary. Through the knowledge gained in class, participants were able to see a light they had not known existed. The light represented credit management strategies that were used to avoid negative financial impacts. They now have the ability to establish good credit, improve on past problem credit, and to budget for savings. These participants had decided before classes started that they were going to be successful at whatever it took to own a home for their family.