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CRRA Housing Opportunity Foundation | Home Giveaway Program
Workforce Housing Certificate Program | Workforce Housing Links
Why Should Realtors^® Get Involved?

Education Requirements

Enrollment Form

The Workforce Housing Certificate Program educates Realtors^® to work with first-time homebuyers and clients purchasing homes in the affordable price range (roughly 80 percent of the median income).

Participants must attend all five workshops within two years to earn the local designation of Workforce Housing Specialist. These workshops are held twice a year, in Mecklenburg County and the northern region. Courses average three hours and are not approved for continuing education credit. All courses are free to CRRA/CMLS members exep the Home From Work^TM course.

Course Descriptions:

Creative Lending Programs for Workforce Housing
This workshop gives participants an overview of lending options available to first-time homebuyers and clients purchasing homes in the affordable price point. Representatives from federal, state and local agencies provide information and resources to help Realtors^® assist clients facing financial obstacles in purchasing a home.
Foreclosure Prevention
This workshop educates participants about foreclosure issues in the area and the role of Realtors^® in foreclosure prevention. The speaker will provide information on how to prevent foreclosures among clients and resources for foreclosure prevention services in the region.
Home from Work^TM (replacing the How to Save Time workshop)
This workshop educates participants on the importance of workforce housing and how promoting employer-assisted housing can help improve housing affordability, revitalize communities, and increase the quality of life for our workforce, all while helping Realtors^® expand their market with major employers.
Workforce Housing Fair
This event educates participants and the public about workforce housing, homeownership education, lending options and products focused on affordable housing. Participants interact one-on-one with housing agencies, builders, mortgage lenders and Workforce Housing Certified Realtors^® who target their services and products to the workforce-housing market.
Working with Housing Nonprofits
This workshop is an introduction to the housing nonprofits in Mecklenburg County and the northern region. Participants receive an overview of the services they offer and the programs available to get clients mortgage-ready. Presenters provide information about homeownership counseling programs, affordable mortgage products and down-payment assistance loans.

Program Benefits

Certificate of completion
Local designation of Workforce Housing Specialist
Name and contact information given to clients of partnering housing non-profits
Name and contact information listed on www.CarolinaHome.com
Opportunity to share a booth at the Workforce Housing Fair

Enrollment
To enroll in the program, fax the enrollment form to the Housing Opportunity Foundation at 704-338-9401. Or for more information, contact Jessica Misenheimer at 704-940-3138 or email Jessica.

To become recertified, Realtors^® must complete two workforce-housing transactions or two workforce-housing electives, or complete one transaction and one elective course every two years. Past graduates of the program and graduates in 2007 must complete the re-certification process by December 31, 2009.

Transaction Requirements
Realtors^® must complete sales transactions as a buyers' agent for an workforce housing client as defined by HUD (80 percent area median income).

Transactions must be completed using one or more of the following agencies:

Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
HouseCharlotte
Housing Counseling Agencies
Hope VI
NC Housing Finance Agency
USDA-Rural Development
Veterans Affairs (VA)

These requirements will be considered satisfied upon submission of the following documentation:

Copy of HUD 1 settlement statement + (one of the following):

Buyer Agent Agreement
Offer to Purchase and Contract

Elective Courses for Recertification
At least two elective courses will be held throughout the year in Mecklenburg County and the northern region. Courses will be announced in Realtor^® Reflections, e-Headlines and e-mails to graduates.

2008 Calendar of Workshops

January 30
Working with Housing Non-Profits
Time: 10 a.m.-noon
Location: CRRA

February 15
Home from Work
Time: 9 a.m.-noon
Location: CRRA

April 23
Foreclosure Prevention
Time: 9 a.m.-noon
Location: CRRA

April 24
Foreclosure Prevention
Time: 9 a.m.-noon
Location: Statesville Civic Center

May 28
Home from Work
Time: 9 a.m.-noon
Location: Charles Mack Citizen Center (Mooresville)

June 14
Workforce Housing Fair
Time: TBA
Location: Eastland Mall

August 28
Working with Housing Non-Profits
Time: 10 a.m.-noon
Location: Charles Mack Citizen Center (Mooresville)

November 20
Creative Lending
9 a.m.-11 a.m.: Statesville Civic Center
2 p.m.-4 p.m.: CRRA

Equal Housing Opportunity

REALTOR� -- A Registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS� and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.