National Resources

Affordable Housing

Below Market Rate (BMR) Ownership

These are units priced below market rate, sold by lottery. Typically homebuyer education and counseling are required and income restrictions are based on Area Median Income. This is a good option for homebuyers who are hoping to gain stability versus paying a lot of money on rent each month.

Affordable-Housing.org

This website provides resources for programs, preparation, education, etc. for low-income households.

Good Neighbor Next Door

This is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development program for law enforcement officers, teachers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians. The Good Neighbor Next Door Program may be able to help these essential professionals purchase a home at a 50% discount off of its list price. In return, you must commit to live in the property for 36 months as your sole residence.

USDA Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program

This program helps lenders provide low- and moderate-income households with the opportunity to own a home in eligible rural areas. The program provides a 90% loan note guarantee to approved lenders in order to reduce the risk of extending 100% loans to eligible rural homebuyers.

Credit Score Resources

Student Loan Debt and Counseling

The National Foundation for Credit Counseling is a nonprofit organization that helps users understand debt (student loan and otherwise) and advises them on repayment options. With a deep knowledge of the various student loan programs and, more importantly, the repayment options available under each one, they will work with users to review their entire financial situation. They not only look at student loan debt, but also at any other outstanding debt users may have, such as a mortgage or credit card debt.

Debt Management Plan

This is a program that helps people with severe debt manage and pay off all their creditors. A DMP sets up a payment schedule to repay debts. By voluntary agreement, users deposit funds with the credit counseling agency each month. The credit counseling agency sends those funds directly to creditors. If collectors call, users can ask them to contact the agency they are working with. Users may also receive a reduction or waiver in finance and/or other charges. When users have completed their payments, the agency will assist them in reestablishing credit.

Mission Asset Fund: Lending Circles

Mission Asset Fund (MAF) is a national nonprofit creating a fair financial marketplace for hardworking families. One of their programs, Lending Circles, is a safe space to save and build credit, while also gaining a financial education. Across the world, friends and family come together to lend money to each other. Lending Circles has transformed this practice into a safe way to build credit. Typical monthly payments are between $50-$200.

Down Payment Assistance Programs

FHA Loans

This loan is insured by the Federal Housing Administration and allows consumers to put as little as 3.5% down to buy a home. FHA loans have been helping people become homeowners since 1934. The FHA, which is a part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, insures the loan so lenders can offer a better deal.

Down Payment Resource

This website provides a database of down payment programs specific to each person's financial situation as well as their location. By following the directions on the website, users will be provided with a host of options for down payment support programs.

Native American Direct Loan

“Since 1992, the Native American Veteran Direct Loan (NADL) program has provided eligible Native American Veterans and their spouses the opportunity to use their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan guaranty benefit on Federal trust land.”

Financial Planners

Matt Becker, matt@momanddadmoney.com (virtual)

This is a financial planner whom some Landed customers have worked with in the past.

GreenPath Financial Wellness (virtual)

GreenPath helps people look at their holistic financial situation and assist in achieving their financial goals. They don't have Bay Area offices, but they can work with consumers over the phone for free, or for a small fee if users would prefer a customized management program.

Learning Opportunities

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

This is a U.S. government agency that offers tools to ensure banks and other financial institutions treat consumers fairly. They aim to make consumer financial markets work for consumers, responsible providers, and the economy as a whole. They protect consumers from unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices and take action against companies that break the law. They also arm people with the information, steps, and tools that they need to make smart financial decisions. Their "Consumer Tools" section offers resources on credit scores, mortgages, and owning a home.

My FirstHome® Online Course

This is a free online program through Wells Fargo to help users understand homeownership steps and facts in a fun, interactive way. This free, interactive learning experience provides an overview of what consumers need to know to become a successful homeowner. Completing the program takes about an hour; users can stop and resume at the same spot at any time.

Programs for people without an SSN

Mission Asset Fund: Lending Circles

Mission Asset Fund (MAF) is a national nonprofit creating a fair financial marketplace for hardworking families. One of their programs, Lending Circles, is a safe space to save and build credit, while also gaining a financial education. Across the world, friends and family come together to lend money to each other. Lending Circles has transformed this practice into a safe way to build credit. Typical monthly payments are between $50-$200.

Savings

Acorns

This is an app that takes spare change from users' purchases and makes "micro-investments" for them. The money is invested into a portfolio of their choice depending on their savings preferences (i.e. conservative, more risky, etc.). Every dollar invested is automatically diversified across 7,000 stocks and bonds to help improve return while reducing risk.

EarnUp

This is an online platform that helps users pay off all different kinds of debt in one place. It calculates ways to help users pay off debts sooner while saving more money in the process. EarnUp can be used with home mortgage, auto loan, student loan, or credit card loan. Membership costs $9.95/month.

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