CHRIC will be holding a class in English for first-time homebuyers on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fredonia SUNY Technology Incubator, 214 Central Ave. in Dunkirk.

Topics included are: Are You Ready to Become a Homeowner, Reviewing/Fixing Credit Report, Budgeting for Down Payment & Closing Costs, Fair Housing, How Much You Can Afford, How to Shop for a Home, Homebuying Team, Making an Offer, Financing/Closing Costs and Life as a Homeowner.

It is strongly encouraged that participants enrolled in the First Home Club through M & T Bank or Lake Shore Savings Bank attend one of the classes scheduled or to complete the online certification.

City of Dunkirk residents may be eligible for $3,000 down payment and closing cost assistance through”Homeownership in the City of Dunkirk” a Community Development Block Grant program through HUD.

There is a $50 registration fee per individual required to cover the cost of expenses for obtaining credit reports, educational material provided and other expenses related to credit counseling.

A class in Spanish will be held on Feb. 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the CHRIC office in the old Mayville High School, 2 Academy St. in Mayville. Classes are taught by CHRIC Homeownership Program Manager Mayra Alvarado.

On March 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. a class in English will be held at the 2 Academy St. in Mayville CHRIC office.

For more information or to register contact Mayra Alvarado at 753-4180 or 753-4650 or by email at Mayra_alvarado@chric.org. Toll free numbers: Dunkirk area 716-363-4180; Jamestown area 716-661-7180.

All individuals interested in becoming first-time homeowners are welcome to participate regardless of income or residency.

The CHRIC Homeowner-ship Education Program is designed to remove many of the barriers unique to potential first-time homebuyers. At the classes CHRIC will outline the requirements to participate in the program and the benefits of being an “Educated Homeowner.”

The homeownership education program assists low- to moderate-income first-time homebuyers in Chautauqua County. A first-time homebuyer is anyone who has not owned a home within the last three years. You are also a first-time homebuyer if you are a single person that owned a home with a former partner but are now planning to buy a home yourself, or if your prior home was a mobile home that was not permanently attached to a foundation.

Applicants are required to attend a combination of homeownership classes and a one-on-one counseling session. Classes are open to the public in general regardless of income or residency. All participants must complete one series of classes to receive a certificate.

The classes are offered in both English and Spanish. Each participant will learn the role of realtors, attorneys, and lenders to better understand the home buying process. All participants will receive credit reports accessed by CHRIC. Individuals with overwhelming negative credit are offered counseling. One-on-one counseling is provided to each individual to determine mortgage readiness and mortgage options.

Prospective home-buyers will be linked to affordable mortgage products and successful income eligible homeowners will be tied to CHRIC’s Home Rehabilitation Waiting List to improve the quality and equity of the newly purchased home.

The Education Course and Certification can also be completed online for a cost of $100 per person by visiting us at www.eHomeAmerica.org/chric.