A local organization in Roseburg recently gained national certification, and it held a grand opening today, to celebrate.
NeighborWorks Umpqua has been in Roseburg since 2002, but it wasn't until today that they gained national certification. They are now an official HomeOwnership Center and they hope this only strengthens their ability to help people.
The goal of the organization is to make the complicated process of buying your first home as simple as possible.
They also focus on helping people who already own their own home. They offer counseling sessions and classes on topics such as... home repairs and post-purchase home ownership. Director Olympia Church says, their new certification will support these services.
“The home ownership designation is given by NeighborWorks America, which is a non-profit that supports other non-profits through funding, and training support,” explains Church.
“So, they recognize several organizations that have been doing, and have been a leader in their area for home ownership and homeownership preservation.”
That funding helps the organization provide some services for free, like one-on-one foreclosure prevention. It also make is possible for the organization to offer a sliding scale for classes, to fit individual needs.
Today at the ribbon cutting ceremony there were many speakers. A couple of local clients even shared personal accounts of how NeighborWorks Umpqua has helped them with their home-ownership troubles.
