What Milwaukee homeowners (and those who want to be) should know | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
PrincessSafiya Byers
June 3, 2021
June is National Homeowners Month, and several webinars are planned to help residents understand the process of buying a home. (NNS file photo)
During June, many agencies and community groups celebrate National Homeownership Month as an opportunity to educate the public.
With that in mind, here are some resources for homeowners-and for those interested in buying one.
BMO Harris Bank is hosting a free virtual homebuying webinar from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. Monday, June 14. Click here to register. This and other sessions are also helpful for those who might be worried whether they have the financial means to be homeowners.
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The webinars go over the homebuying process, people’s eligibility for down payment assistance and key tips on preparing for homeownership.
“Not only do we want to help people buy homes,” said Sang Kim, the regional president of BMO Harris Bank. “We want to help keep people in their homes.”
Take Root Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Public Library also are offering free educational workshops this month to residents.
This year’s workshops take place over Zoom:
Homebuying process and resources: Register here.
Home rehab process and resources: Register here.
The workshops are free, but advanced registration is required. Attendees will be connected to local lenders, Realtors, homeownership specialists, neighborhood organizations, and City of Milwaukee representatives for a presentation and a question-and-answer session.
Housing Resources Inc., a nonprofit, offers homebuying courses and counseling. You can call 414-461-6330.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Developmentoffers homebuyers resources throughout the state.
Homeowners with mortgages through the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authorityhave access to multiple programs.
Acts Housing offers homebuying classes as well as financial assistance to those who need it.
Just like renters who fall behind on their rent, some homeowners also are finding it hard to keep up with their finances during the pandemic.
Here are some resources:
Mediate Milwaukee offers mediation for tenants, landlords, homeowners and lenders to help work through conflicts and come to agreements. You can call 414-939-8800 or email apply@mediatemilwaukee.com.
Legal Aid Society of Milwaukeecan provide legal assistance to income-eligible tenants in dispute with landlords, as well as to homeowners. You can call 414-727-5300.
Legal Action of Wisconsin can provide legal assistance to those facing foreclosures and provide information on tenant-landlord relations. You can call 855-947-2529.
Social Development Commission can assist in issues with lead, weatherization and other housing-related issues. You can call 414-906-2700.
Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Councilcan help homeowners protect themselves from mortgage and foreclosure prevention scams as well as from predatory home loans. You can call 414-278-1240.
Housing Resources Inc. can provide counseling to homeowners and has programs to help people prevent foreclosure. You can call 414-461-6330.
Federal loan programs:  Those with federally or Government Sponsored Enterprise- backed mortgages are covered by the CARES Act. Mortgage forbearance is available to those who request it. The CARES Act also suspended foreclosures on many government/GSE-backed loans from March 18, 2020, until at least June 30, 2021.
If you think you are at risk of becoming homeless, you can always  or text your ZIP code to TXT-211.