Housing Opportunities
Housing Opportunities Committee (HOC)
The Housing Opportunities Committee is committed to providing education to the public on housing opportunities for everyone. The Housing Opportunities Committee works to creatively address the housing opportunities needs in Santa Clara County. The committee supports the implementation of the Affordable Housing Symposium and the Homeownership Fair.
Highlights of the Committee:
1. Homeownership Fair
Every Spring, HOC presents a giant Homeownership Fair that offers opportunities for homebuyers to meet lenders, real estate professionals, home inspectors, title companies, and non-profit agency representatives who can offer advice on achieving homeownership. Attendance is usually over 3,000 people. For Sponsorship or Exhibiting opportunities, please contact Irene Whiteside at 408.445.5092 or at irene@sccaor.com
2. H.E.L.P. (Housing Education & Loan Programs) Symposium
Learn about State, County, and City financial assistance programs as well as programs from non-profit organizations available to first time homebuyers. The next seminar will take place on August 12th, 2008, you can download the flier by clicking here.
CalHFA California Housing Finance Agency
City of Santa Clara Homeownership Programs
City of San Jose Homebuyer Programs
3. Homewords Essay Contest
Santa Clara County Association of REALTORS®, in conjunction with the San Jose Mercury News and the California Association of REALTORS®, holds its annual “Homewords” essay contest that asks Middle and High School students to write on the topic of “What is your American Dream?” Prizes range from $1000 to $250, including awards to the teachers of the students. The Housing Opportunities Committee is responsible for organizing and implementing the contest, as well as reading all of the essays and choosing the awardees.
4. Home From Work
A program to provide educational classes which will help REALTORS® and employers to increase homeownership opportunities for workforce families. The campaign focuses on assisting employers in developing an employer-assisted housing (EAH) benefit to help their employees purchase a home. The campaign strategy promotes homeownership opportunities for workforce families by providing access to housing information, comprehensive counseling, and financial incentives.
5. Outreach Programs
HOC reaches out to non-profit organizations such as InnVision, and family shelters to provide education seminars on homeownership.
Strong Neighborhood Initiative
6. Don’t Borrow Trouble Silicon Valley (DBTSV)
Asking questions and understanding the loan process can save you and your family from excessive fees and possibly foreclosure. The City of San José's Housing Department is the lead agency of this campaign, which was launched on November 4, 2005. Outreach includes print and radio public service announcements (PSAs), as well as advertising in newspapers, newsletters and cable television. The campaign also conducts educational symposia for consumers and financial literacy workshops for high school students.
How to Get Help: (408) 283-1284
DBTSV