Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA)

Homebuyer Education Initiative Program (HBEI)

Program Guide Review

Program Overview

• Application requirements

• National Industry Standards

• Initial agency visits & Compliance reviews

• Customer Reporting

• Training material

• Marketing

• Continuing Education Requirements

• Compensation and Required Services

Application Requirements

• Local government agencies, public housing authorities, HR agencies, Development Districts, UT Extensions, and 501 C (3) non-profit agencies.

• For profit and non-profit industry connected businesses not accepted.

• At least one staff member must be certified in NeighborWorksAmerica HO 229 Pre-Purchase course.

• Application must be completed and submitted with requested supporting documentation.

• Contact HBEI Team when ready to begin the process.

National Industry Standards

• Required to adopt the National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education and Counseling (NIS).

– Provides “best practices”

– Recommendations & benchmarks for professional, quality service

– Sign National Code of Ethics and Conduct

http://www.homeownershipstandards.com/Home/FAQ.aspx

Agency Visits & Compliance Reviews

• Initial agency visits after application is submitted and approved

• Annual compliance reviews and visits

• Mystery shopper visits & follow up visits if applicable

• Customer satisfaction surveys

Customer Reporting

• Fannie Mae: Home Counselor Online

• NeighborWorks America: Counselor Max

• HBEI Agencies must share customer data with THDA on a monthly basis

• Tracking system for HBEI Team to order agency training materials and to report to HUD, General Assembly and THDA Board

Training Material

• All NeighborWorks America training books are provided by THDA, free of charge

– 58 manual maximum, per month, unless agency demand is higher

• Realizing the American Dream (Training Manual & Student Manual): English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin Chinese

• Keeping the American Dream

• Home Maintenance Guides

Marketing & Building Awareness

• Have you Connected with a THDA CONNECT Team Liaison?

• Partner with businesses and company owners in your community: Lenders, Realtors, Government officials, other Homebuyer Education providers, etc.

• Print material: flyers, brochures, newspaper ads, etc.

• Public advertisements: radio, television, agency website, social media

• THDA Homebuyer Education Calendar

Continuing Education Requirements

• In order to maintain your certification you must:

– Obtain 30 hours of continuing education hours over a 3 year time span.

– 15 of the 30 hours must be NeighborWorks America “certified” courses (i.e. HO 229)

– Other courses must be pre-approved by NW (Visit NeighborWorks’ website or contact THDA HBEI staff for form and instructions)

*THDA offers annual Peer Session and other training opportunities for you to obtain C.E. hours.

Compensation

• $250 for 8 hour group education

• $250 for 7 hour group education plus 1 hour individual counseling service

• $250 for minimum of 4 hour one-on-one homeownership education/counseling service

• $150 for homeownership counseling as a component of approved online homebuyer education service

Tips to Stay In Compliance

• Read and understand the HBEI Program Guide & be aware of all future revisions

• Provide consistent report

• Regularly scheduled classes at a safe, accessible location conducive to learning

• No/few validated customer complaints or evidence of conflict of interest

• Maintain certification

Resources

• Vicki George: vgeorge@thda.org or 615-815-2085

• Jayna Johnson: jjohnson@thda.org or 615-815-2019

• www.thda.org

• www.nw.org

• www.homeownershipstandards.com

• www.keystomyhome.org

Questions?