PACE Homeownership Coalition FAQs
Q - What is the PACE Homeownership Coalition?
A - The PACE Homeownership Coalition for People with Disabilities (Homeownership Coalition) is based on Independent Living philosophy, and promotes greater accessibility to homeownership for households with members who have disabilities. The group also includes many community organizations as partners and participants.
Q - What is the Homeownership Coalition's Mission?
A - The Homeownership Coalition's mission is to identify eligible candidates and assist households who have members with disabilities in purchasing their own homes, promoting inclusion in community with the highest level of independence desired by people with disabilities.
Q - What services does the Homeownership Coalition offer?
&bull Information and Referral
&bull Individual Accessibility Needs Assessment
&bull Advocacy and other assistance through the home buying process
&bull Linkage to financial assistance for home purchase/modification (depending on availability of resources and consumer eligibility)
&bull Education throughout and after home buying process
&bull Technical Assistance related to home accessibility
&bull Peer Counseling
&bull Presentations related to the ADA, disability awareness, barriers to accessible housing and homeownership faced by people with disabilities, the components of successful home buying, etc. Presentations and trainings can be tailored to group or community needs, and are available from a diverse group, including people with disabilities, realtors, housing specialists, and others.
Q - Who is eligible to receive homeownership assistance?
A - Anyone may receive Information and Referral, or Technical Assistance related to increasing housing accessibility for people with disabilities.
People with disabilities and their families may be use the homeownership assistance component of the program, and may access the full range of services. However, financial assistance toward down payment, closing costs, home modification or repair costs, etc., depends on the availability of funds and eligibility of consumers for specific financial assistance programs. Some programs are available only to first-time homebuyers (those purchasing homes for the first time, or becoming homeowners for the first time in three years). Many are geared toward low-income families. When funds are available, they will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, dependent on the completion of all necessary paperwork and requirements.
The Homeownership Coalition primarily promotes first-time homeownership, but as it is part of the PACE Housing Education and Advocacy commitment, technical assistance, Information and Referral and educational opportunities for individuals and agencies can also be provided.
Q - What are the requirements for consumers of the program?
&bull Be or become a PACE consumer
&bull Participate in an Accessibility Needs Assessment with PACE staff
&bull Financial Education
&bull Home Buyer Education
&bull Home Maintenance and Home Management Education
&bull Self-evaluation 6 and 12 months after home purchase through PACE survey, to determine household needs related to housing
&bull Participate in Home Buyers' Club quarterly meetings for one year after home purchase
Q - Who are the Homeownership Coalition Partners?
A - PACE is joined in this cause by a number of community agencies that have signed Memorandums of Understanding, including: BankIllinois (Main Street Bank and Trust), The Center for Women in Transition, The City of Champaign, The City of Urbana, Champaign Consortium, Champaign County Association of Realtors, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Central Illinois, Cunningham Township Supervisor's Office, DHS- Division of Rehabilitation Services, Habitat for Humanity of Champaign and Piatt Counties, The Housing Authority of Champaign County, Metanoia Centers, Inc., Partnership Accounts for Individual Development (PAID), and The Urbana League of Champaign County.
Q - What are the benefits to agencies/organizations that become Partners?
A - Agencies and organizations with stakes in housing can increase their effectiveness in meeting the needs of people with disabilities through the networking, collaboration, education, and other opportunities provided through partnership. Additionally, partners are put on the PACE mailing list, and receive the PACE newsletter, as well as meeting notes, via email or regular mail.
Q - Can organizations/groups participate without being Partners?
A - Yes! Individuals and community representatives may attend the monthly meetings of the Homeownership Coalition. There is usually time to exchange business cards and flyers, and to make announcements.
Q - Where and when are Homeownership Coalition meetings held?
A - Most Homeownership Coalition meetings are held the third Thursday of each month, from 1:00 P.M. to 2:00 P.M. at PACE, 1317 E. Florida Avenue, Urbana, Illinois, 61801.
Usually, the group meets at PACE; however, some meetings are held elsewhere. Please call to confirm the meeting location if you are not on the group's mailing list.
Q - How can the group be contacted?
(217) 344-5433 Voice
(217) 344-5024 TTY
(217) 344-2414 Fax
Please direct calls or faxes to the Housing Specialist or the Director of Programs
A member of INCIL
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