NAIHC Strengthens Homebuyer Education for Native Communities
(August 9; Washington, DC) – The National American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC) has updated and re-launched its widely-used “Pathways Home” course to help Native American home buyers overcome the unique complexities of homeownership on sovereign tribal lands.
Completed in collaboration with Fannie Mae, with contributions from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and federal grants, NAIHC’s effort aims to address a homeownership gap and broader economic challenges in American Indian communities.
The Pathways Home curriculum consists of a train-the-trainer course for tribal housing and financial professionals, and materials for prospective homebuyers. It addresses a range of issues facing American Indians, including credit, finding a home, applying for a loan, predatory lending, and foreclosure. It also highlights opportunities including manufactured housing, the Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program, and homeownership opportunities on trust lands.
“A lot has changed in the last 15 years, both in the American Indian community and in the mortgage marketplace,” said Tony Walters, executive director, NAIHC. “The new Pathways Home curriculum condenses that knowledge into a single homeownership course for American Indians.”
Trainers who complete the course receive a certification and the necessary manuals to use with individuals in their home communities. In return, the trainers will provide feedback to NAIHC on the course’s impact on homebuyers in a variety of measurements including loan requests and changes in budgeting behavior.
“We appreciate Fannie Mae’s commitment to homeownership education. This curriculum will not only help educate homebuyers but will also address challenges that face our community and speaks specifically to American Indians,” Walters added.
NAIHC will conduct Pathways Home train-the-trainer sessions nationwide throughout 2018. Tribal leaders can bring the benefits of Pathways Home to their community by registering for a session at naihc.net.
About the National American Indian Housing Council: The NAIHC is the only national organization representing the housing interests of Native people who reside in Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. The NAIHC is composed of over 267 members representing 498 tribes and housing organizations. NAIHC promotes and supports Native housing entities in their efforts to provide culturally relevant, quality, affordable housing on behalf of Native people.
For more information about NAIHC, visit www.naihc.net.
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