Participating Lenders: Join Us on April 18 for Joint Lender Training from AHFA and Fannie Mae

When helping your borrowers choose the right mortgage option, it helps to know all the facts. If you're a loan officer or mortgage lender interested in participating in AHFA's homeownership program, we've got important resources and information available to help. Let us help you reach growing market segments and close more loans. 

Join AHFA and Fannie Mae on Wednesday, April 18 at 12:30 p.m. CDT for a joint lender training designed to help loan origination staff understand the benefits of conventional lending. Learn more about Fannie Mae's HFA Preferred product and hear how you can help homebuyers obtain cost savings over the long term. Hear how homebuyers can get access to down payment funds available through AHFA. Learn best practices and tips so you can get funded quicker. 

To register, visit http://bit.ly/2pFnKwT .
Step Up Success Story: Caleb & Taylor Baumgartner, Northport

AHFA first met Taylor Baumgartner in 2016 as a recipient of a scholarship from the Alabama Affordable Housing Association. Taylor lived in an affordable housing development, financed in part by AHFA funding, in Albertville with her father and older sister. 

Taylor's scholarship helped pay for her education at Shelton State Community College and the University of Alabama, where she was a cheerleader alongside now husband, Caleb. The two recently got married and purchased their first home with the help of AHFA's Step Up program.

Taylor and Caleb, a loan officer himself, share how the Step Up program benefited them and made their homebuying dream a reality.


Training Session Prepares Applicants for Upcoming National Housing Trust Fund Cycle

On March 13, AHFA hosted a meeting for those planning to submit an application in the 2018 National Housing Trust Fund cycle. The National Housing Trust Fund ("HTF") was established by Congress under Title I of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. HTF is a formula grant program to be administered by the states. 

AHFA's HTF Plan is designed to provide funds to develop new construction of dece nt, safe and sanitary rental housing, with an initial preference for extremely low-income homeless or transitioning veterans located primarily in underserved rural areas. 

AHFA accepted applications for the 2018 HTF cycle on Monday, April 2. Applicants who submitted the AHFA HTF Application Forms Package by the April 2 deadline may continue in the process. AHFA DMS Online Applications for HTF Program funds will be accepted by AHFA on Tuesday, April 10 until 5 p.m.

Please watch www.AHFA.com and our social media channels for updates on the 2018 HTF cycle.
Lender Spotlight: Stephen-Michael Washington, FirstBank, Birmingham

Stephen-Michael Washington is the Community Development Lending Manager at FirstBank. The nearly 15-year veteran of the mortgage business joined FirstBank a little more than a year ago. Washington is currently pursuing the Accredited Mortgage Professional and Certified Mortgage Banker designations.
 
Q: What was your experience working with AHFA's homeownership programs?
A: I first learned about Step Up and Mortgage Credit Certificates about six years ago. These days, I'd say approximately 20 percent of my business utilizes the programs.
 
Q: What do you think is the greatest benefit of AHFA's programs?
A: It aides in stabilizing low- to moderate-income communities by providing affordable housing solutions. The programs give opportunities to those who, in other circumstances, would not be able to purchase or own a home. These programs also allow us to reach and establish a whole new market of buyers.
 
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: Making dreams come true. I think it's so rewarding to be able to touch lives and transform where people are in their lives with one transaction. Changing the outlook of a community is an honor.
FHLBank Atlanta to Host Webinars for AHP Competitive Applicants

FHLBank Atlanta's 2018 Affordable Housing Program (AHP) Competitive Round will open on June 1. Up to $500,000 per project will be awarded through a competitive application process. These funds will to help FHLBank Atlanta member financial institutions and their community partners develop affordable owner-occupied and rental housing for very low- to moderate-income families and individuals.

The FHLBank Atlanta is offering training for housing developers and sponsors that will cover project eligibility, scoring, and the online application process. 

Multiple webinars are offered in April and May.  For more information, visit  http://bit.ly/2DeafZa .
AHFA Outreach & Education Opportunities in April

AHFA will be hosting or speaking at the following events in April:
2018 Manager of the Year Nominations Due April 27

Give your top managers the recognition they deserve by nominating them for AHFA's annual Manager of the Year award.  Site and property managers for any development financed with AHFA-administered HOME funds or Housing Credits are eligible.

Nominations are due  April 27. The 2018 winner will be announced at  the Alabama Affordable Housing Association's annual conference. 
 
Click here for a nomination package:  http://bit.ly/2ixrGOY
Happy Customers!

AHFA invites its lending partners and real estate professionals to share photos they have taken with clients who've used an AHFA program. We appreciate our participating lenders and Realtors for all they do to help make homebuying more affordable. 


Homeowner: Yolanda Jones
Lender: Supreme Lending, Birmingham
Homeowners: Michael & Kim Salter
Lender: Stephanie Gant, Silverton Mortgage in Hoover
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Alabama Housing Finance Authority | Montgomery, Alabama | 334.244.9200 | Email | Website
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