(Black PR Wire) Washington, D.C. -- If you put off buying a house today, you could be missing out on a once-in- a-lifetime opportunity. The housing crisis that caused more than nine million people to suffer foreclosure and even homelessness due to the economic slump across the U. S. 10 years ago, has now fully recovered for everyone - except people of color – especially African-Americans.  

A report, released last year, by the Urban Institute, co-authored by  Laurie Goodman states, “Gains in black homeownership have been hard won, which amplifies big concern because in the last 15 years, black homeownership rates have declined to levels not seen since the 1960s, when private race-based housing discrimination was legal.”

For this reason, HomeFree-USA, a non-profit organization that specializes in mortgage and home ownership advice believes new and innovative ways must be put in place to bring about equality in homeownership. “Now is the time for homebuyers who live in cities experiencing aggressive Urban Gentrification and Sprawl to buy a home,” says Milan Griffin, Vice President of Marketing & Outreach. “HomeFree-USA wants to educate and show people that there is down payment money available, they just have to know how to get it” says Griffin. To help homebuyers take advantage of these favorable home buying conditions, HomeFree-USA is hosting ‘Money Saving Ways to Buy A Home’ workshops across the mid-Atlantic, and in September they’ll be hosting their 14th Annual Reaching Millions Conference. A conference specially designed to discuss and implement dynamic delivery opportunities relating to homeownership in communities of color.

In celebration of National Homeownership Month, HomeFree-USA is currently conducting free exclusive workshops to provide:

-Easy-to-follow steps to move from renting to homeownership

-Proven credit solutions

-Stress-free ways to secure mortgage approval

 -Secrets to qualify for $1,000s in down payment money

 Also, as a way of escalating the advocacy of homeownership reform, HomeFree-USA has strategically partnered with several campuses of historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to expose and educate young Black professionals, namely new college graduates, about the home buying job market. Last September, HomeFree-USA opened on the campus of Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, the Center for Financial Advancement (CFA.) The Center for Financial Advancement was started so students could learn more about the industry and choose to become a part of it. CFA is geared to provide awareness and education -- the goal is through exposure the Center will not only increase the number of young African-Americans in the mortgage business, but educate them on the value in purchasing homes at younger ages instead of waiting until they get older.

HomeFree-USA has also launched their Office of Homeownership Development, designed to make homeownership a more attainable dream for residents in Washington, D.C, Maryland and Baltimore. Since then, HomeFree has held numerous classes for homebuyers who want to improve their credit and learn financial habits that will equip them to be homeowners for life. The Office of Homeownership Development is part of HomeFree-USA’s Move Up to Homeownership campaign, a program intended to reinvigorate neighborhoods that have been ravaged by vacant properties. Move Up in Homeownership’s mission is to enhance families financially, provide employment opportunities, and expand homeownership opportunities through the reuse of vacant, abandoned, and foreclosed properties.

About HomeFree-USA:

HomeFree-USA is a leading HUD-approved homeownership development, foreclosure intervention and financial coaching organization. They improve the financial position and enrich the lives of everyday people through homeownership and improved financial capability. Since 1995, HomeFree-USA has helped 23,867 families experience the accomplishment and joy of purchasing their first home. We have also helped thousands of homeowners to prevent foreclosure. www.homefreeusa.org                                                                            

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To learn more about HomeFree-USA and to schedule an interview with Milan Milan Griffin, Vice President of Marketing & Outreach for HomeFree-USA, contact Nicole Kirby, CarVer Communications PR at 410-982-9054  or at therealcarver@gmail.com