Extension's financial training brings housing and families together

Some first-time homeowners and Dubuque Housing Services are excited about the city's housing. Several large housing grants have come the city's way since 1992. Those involved credit an Iowa State University Extension educational component in their grant applications for putting them at the top of the list of grant recipients.

"Our grants have provided money for qualifying first-time homebuyers for payment and closing costs and for house rehabilitation," said Joleen Patterson, of Dubuque Housing Services. "Our goal is that families will stay in the homes they purchase, and we know that families need financial education to help them keep their homes. Extension has provided our families with wonderful educational workshops and counseling."

The Pathways Affordable to Homeowners (PATH) program distributed the 1998 grant's $350,000 as seed money to 39 families to purchase and rehab homes, creating $3.5 million in housing expenditures. As part of the deal, buyer-families completed a six-hour homebuyer workshop sponsored by ISU Extension and received four hours of individual financial counseling from Extension financial counselors.

PATH homebuyers are staying in their homes, thanks in part to financial workshops and counseling sponsored by ISU Extension. The Dubuque program was highlighted during the September visit made by ISU faculty and administration celebrating the work of ISU Extension and Iowa families.

"I got lots out of the workshop and I'm still using the information," said one PATH homebuyer. "I really appreciate the counseling. I'm glad it was available."

Patterson said they are starting the second round of PATH funding, with recently received grant money for 23 homes. They already have committed to five homebuyers and have 11 more in process.

"We are leaving our door open to these families. If they have problems two or three years down the road, they are welcome and encouraged to come back for help," said Ellen Spurlock, ISU Extension family resource management specialist. "We also are offering the workshops in three two-hour sessions to any family that would like to attend."

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• Last update: Dec. 28, 2000