The Blog

Scott Jarvis, Director of Department of Financial Institutions

08/21/08

Washington is helping its citizens survive a national slow housing market, thanks to Gov. Chris Gregoire and legislators who passed SB 6272. The measure sets aside $1.5 million to assist Washington residents hoping to purchase a home and homeowners struggling to stay in their homes.

The funds made the Washington Homeownership Information Program a reality. Now, the Department of Financial Institutions, the Washington State Housing Finance Commission and approved counselors are working to educate consumers, keep Washington’s housing economy strong — and, most importantly — keep families in their homes.

The Washington Homeownership Information Program offers FREE counseling to assist Washington residents meet their homeownership goals. Since its kick-off March 1, the program has assisted more than 1,000 residents in their search to own and keep their home.

For more information, visit www.homeownership.wa.gov or call 1.877.894.HOME.

Also a result of state legislation, the Smart Homeownership Choices Program provides funding to assist low- and moderate-income households facing foreclosure through financial assistance and mortgage counseling. To date, no one has applied to take advantage of these funds. For more information, contact the Washington State Housing Finance Commission at 800-767-HOME or [email protected].