Overview: The Foundations period will begin with the foundations modules. This will give the coach, staff, and participant a clear picture of the participant’s goals and current financial situation. The foundations modules dive deeper into the participant’s financial circumstances while incorporating financial education into the topics covered.

Topics: Action Plan, Create a Budget, Set a Savings Goal, Understand my Credit Report and Score, and Bank Account Know-how

Length: 2–4 meetings, 2–4 hours                                                               

Overview: During the Financial Skill-Building period, meetings are participant-driven and goal-oriented. Meetings typically build upon the Foundations Period sessions and work on money management, building credit, reducing debt, and increasing savings.

Topics: Plan for Emergencies, Build Your Credit, Deal with Debt, Lower my Spending on Monthly Expenses, Manage Your Cash Flow

Length: 2–4 meetings, 2–4 hours

Overview: Meetings during the Path to Homeownership period will begin to focus on the homebuying process. A financial coach will continue to meet with the participant throughout this stage, connecting them to resources, keeping them accountable, and assisting them on the path to homeownership.

Topics: Mortgage Basics, Is Renting or Owning Right for Me?, Am I Ready to Buy?, Costs of Homeownership

Length: 1+ meetings, 1–12 months

Overview: To ensure the participant will be on a sustainable path toward homeownership, HomeFirst will recommend the participant meet the following qualifications: a stable/verifiable income, a credit score appropriate for lenders, a debt-to-income ratio to support a mortgage, and a sufficient amount of savings in order to make the pre-purchase counseling referral to local resources.

Topics: Referral to Certified Housing Counselor, First-time Homebuyer Resources, and Down-payment Assistance Programs

Length: 1 meeting

Overview: At the end of the Homebuyer Readiness Pathway, all participants will be given a post-program assessment, regardless of length of time in the program. Participants will also be given the opportunity to continue coaching as needed. Participants will be contacted for a follow-up survey at three (3) months and six (6) months after program exit.

Topics: Post-Program Assessment, Post-Program Action Plan, Participant Survey, Optional ongoing coaching focusing on participant-directed financial topics