HomeOwnership Center

Smartbuyer Homeownership Training Program

The Argenta NeighborWorks® HomeOwnership center offers theSmartbuyer Homeownership Training Program. The program has two approaches to put you on the road to homeownership. First, we encourage interested participants to meet one-on-one with our counselors. We prepare you with all the tools you need to purchase your home in a smart way. This includes budgeting, credit report analysis, saving for a home, managing debt, maintaining a home and more.

Coupled with our individual counseling services is our monthly scheduled eight-hour course that will give you an in-depth review of the entire homebuying process from start to finish. Topics discussed include renting vs. owning, credit scores, an affordability assessment, the purchasing process, and closing information. In addition, you will be briefed on our array of services, from pre-purchase counseling and advising, foreclosure intervention, property rehabilitation, home improvement lending and more. During the class our various mortgage, real estate, title and insurance partners will give you an overview of each of their industries and the role they play in purchasing a home. After completion of the course, graduation certificates will be distributed that you can present to a lender or agency that requires you attend a homebuyer education class prior to releasing the loan or down payment assistance. The certificate is valid for one year. The classes are free.  For more information, contact Katie Hughes at 501-374-0622 or khughes@argentacdc.org.

Keeping and Maintaining Your American Dream-Post Purchase Class

This free class serves the needs of new and long-time homeowners to help them be a more successful homeowner. Post-purchase courses to address common homeownership needs including home maintenance, disaster planning, budgeting, community involvement and foreclosure prevention. Individual counseling sessions are also available. For more information, contact Katie Hughes at 501-374-0622 or khughes@argentacdc.org. 

Community Outreach and Involvement 

In conjunction with partner companies, we present two and four- workshops about purchasing and maintaining a home, finding the best mortgage, understanding credit scores, finding a realtor, appraiser, foreclosure prevention and more throughout the community. We are also able to present at community events, neighborhood associations, conferences and more. Special presentations have been designed for churches and community centers, if you are interested in Argenta CDC presenting homebuyer workshops at your location, please contact Valerie Pruitt at 501-374-0622 ext. 27 or vpruitt@argentacdc.org.

Lunch Money-A Personal Finance Outreach Initiative for Employers and Employees

Our  NeighborWorks® America Homeownership center offers Lunch Money, a free brown bag series for employers and their employees. The hour long sessions, held weekly at the the employers' worksite for 4 weeks highlight the budgeting and savings, credit and debt management, homeownership and more. Employers if you would like to host a series - an excellent employee perk - contact Shanta Nunn-Baro at 501-374-0622 ext. 22 or sbaro@argentacdc.org.

Foreclosure Intervention and Prevention

If you are facing foreclosure, we encourage you to give us a call at 501-374-0622 to set up a free counseling session. Our HUD and NeighborWorks America trained counseling staff is here to help you find solutions. You can also contact 1- 888-995-HOPE, a national counseling service provided by the Homeownership Preservation Foundation. The sooner you call, the sooner you can regain your peace of mind. For more information, contact Katie Hughes at 501-374-0622 or khughes@argentacdc.org.

Creating and Sustaining Financial Health-A Financial Literacy Outreach for Adults

Come and change your financial future with this free two-hour, 5-week financial literacy course designed for adults.  If you have been considering changing your spending habits, increasing your wealth and securing your financial security, this class is designed for you. Interactive, fun and information packed, we encourage you to sign up today. Call Shanta Nunn-Baro at 501-374-0622 for additional information or sbaro@argentacdc.org.

Assets for Arkansans Individual Development Account Program

Assets for Arkansans Individual Development Account Program (AAIDAP) is a matched savings program sponsored by Argenta Community Development Corporation that was designed to provide low-to-moderate income individuals and families in Pulaski County with the opportunity, incentive, and support necessary for them to save money for the purchase of a life changing asset. For every $1 that that is placed in a savings account, Argenta CDC will match it $3 that can go towards purchasing a home making home repair, starting a small business and paying tuition or other related expenses for a post-secondary educational program or getting job training. For additional information about the program, contact  Shanta Nunn-Baro at 501-374-0622 or sbaro@argentacdc.org.

The Benefit Bank of Arkansas

The HOC serves as a host site for The Benefit Bank of Arkansas. This is a free internet-based, counselor-assisted service that helps low- to-moderate- income individuals and families access public benefits they may be eligible for including the Earned Income Tax Credit, children’s insurance, food stamps, Temporary Employment Assistance (TEA) and Medicaid. Simple tax preparation and voter registration services are also available. Call Shanta Nunn-Baro at 501-374-0622 for additional information or benefitbank@argentacdc.org.