Individuals and families across Rhode Island looking to become first-time homebuyers are invited to attend a no-cost, virtual workshop that will help introduce them to the planning and process of buying a home. Titled “Preparing for Homeownership,” the session will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, March 29 beginning at 5:30 p.m. It is being made available by Bank Rhode Island (BankRI) and Pawtucket Central Falls Development.

The workshop is geared toward anyone interested in buying their first home, whether just beginning their initial steps or already involved in the process. The virtual session is open to all Rhode Islanders. Those interested are asked to register in advance online at: https://bit.ly/3BLeDil.

In the class, attendees will learn insights from Dianny Pena, Director of Homeownership for PCF Development, and also Stephanie Silva, a BankRI mortgage specialist with expertise in residential lending. Broadly, it will cover planning to buy, preparing your finances, credit, and applying for a mortgage. The topics will include affordability, income, understanding debt to income ratio, and how to strengthen a credit report. There will be a Q&A session.

The no-cost March 29 workshop serves also as an introduction to PCF Development’s 8-hour, HUD-approved first-time homebuyer education course. The extensive course is taught using a statewide approved curriculum and offers a certificate of completion. It is also the course required for eligibility for the recently-announced FirstGenHomeRI down payment assistance pilot program of RI Housing. PCF Development is one of only four agencies to offer the HUD-approved course. PCF Development courses are offered in English and Spanish.

A nonprofit community development organization dedicated to the creation of high-quality affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization, PCF Development has constructed more than 300 rental units and over 150 homeownership units – all classified affordable – in Providence County since 1990.

Questions about the March 29 session, or PCF Development’s HUD-approved first-time homebuyer course, may be directed to Dianny Pena at dpena@pcfdevelopment.org, or (401) 726-1173 ext. 12.