EMPLOYER-ASSISTED HOUSING
The Employer-Assisted Housing (EAH) class is a unique opportunity to
expand your business by working with local employers so that they can help
their employees become homeowners or afford a home close to work.
The four-hour EAH class presents an overview of employer-assisted housing
including the three EAH benefit options employers can implement with
your assistance:
• Homebuyer and homeownership education: REALTORS® conduct homebuyer
and homeownership workshops at the workplace in partnership
with a non-profit organization and/or lender. When employees learn
about the home-buying process and that they may be able to purchase a
new home, new markets of opportunity open for you.
• One-on-one counseling: REALTORS® create relationships with local
housing non-profit organizations who can offer counseling to employees
either at the workplace or off-site.
• Financial assistance: REALTORS® review with employers the variety of financial
assistance options that they can offer to their employees to help
them purchase a home, such as grants, loans, and matching savings.
The EAH Class also teaches participants how to form an action plan to
implement an EAH program locally. The action plan includes conducting
research on a community; creating a team with lenders and non-profit
housing organizations; identifying and contacting employers; and meeting
with the employer. Tools and resources are presented for each step and
include letter templates to the employer, lender and non-profit, a
homebuyer workshop template and a customizable brochure for
employers.
By starting out with the EAH Class, you may be able to
expand your client base; gain referrals; increase your name
recognition; and strengthen and revitalize your community.
Learn more at nar.realtor/EAHclass.
Even individual REALTOR® efforts
can make a difference when it comes
to taking on the Goliath problem of
affordable housing
The lack of affordable housing in Central
Florida is an overwhelming issue. It seems
to many to be an insurmountable social and
economic obstacle that can be addressed
only by entities with enormous funding and influence.
However, individual REALTORS® are ideally situated to
contribute toward improved housing opportunities.
REALTORS® are the first stop for the prospective
homebuyer or renter. Accordingly, REALTORS® can
reach out to those who need greater access to quality,
affordable homeownership and rental opportunities.
NAR's Housing Opportunity Program offers resources
and advice to REALTORS® who want to take their
own steps toward expanding housing availability and
ensure an adequate supply of rental housing and
homeownership opportunities in their communities.
For example, REALTORS® can take or sponsor (or
even become an instructor of) an Employer
Assisted Housing or Expanding
Housing Opportunities class, or simply
join NAR’s Workforce Housing Online
Community and be a part of the
discussion.
Continued on page 26
Taking Action on
Affordable Housing
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
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