Two Employer-Assisted Housing (EAH) classes, sponsored by the Illinois Association of REALTORS® and the Partnership for HomeOwnership Foundation, were held to train REALTORS® and other real estate industry professionals on how to work with local employers to discuss and implement EAH benefits for their employees. Classes were held July 21 in Chicago and August 12 in Springfield.
Attendees learned how to reach out to employers to conduct homebuyer and homeownership workshops at the employer’s place of business either alone or with a lender or housing nonprofit organization; to create relationships with local housing nonprofit organizations who can offer counseling to employees; and to review with the employer the variety of financial assistance options that they can offer to their employees to purchase a home including grants, loans and matching savings. The class was approved for three hours of continuing education credit.
EAH benefits can include one-on-one housing counseling, financial assistance, or workshops for homebuyers or owners, including foreclosure prevention workshops. Businesses can choose to offer their employees one or all of these benefits or develop their own customized EAH plans. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), through its Housing Opportunity Program, is offering grants to state and local associations who would like to host a class.