GBAR RealTour Member Meeting Webinar

Buyer Financial Assistance Programs

It’s no secret we live in a high-cost housing market, and with inventory low and mortgage rates higher over the last two years it’s become more and more challenging to find and purchase a home in Greater Boston. So, in observance of April as National Fair Housing Month, our next RealTour session is intended to educate you on some of valuable resources agents and brokers need to know about to help first-time, low-income or minority buyers purchase a home.

Our featured panel will detail down payment programs, mortgage loan products, and other financial assistance resources available in the local market to make home ownership more affordable. Specifically, you will learn about the Equity Builder Program, as well as the Lift Up Homeownership and Housing Our Workforce initiatives from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, the One Mortgage and One+Boston programs available from the Massachusetts Housing Partnership and Boston Home Center, MassHousing Down Payment Assistance programs, the STASH First-Gen Home Program from the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance, and more.

In addition, for those who work with tenants to find rental housing, there also will be a presentation on the state’s rental housing voucher and Rental Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) programs and the new Rapid Housing Initiative from MetroHousing Boston.

Pricing:

FREE to Attend, GBAR Members only. Pre-Registration is required.

Speakers:

Elliot Schmiedl Director of Homeownership ONE Mortgage Program Massachusetts Housing Partnership Elliot re-joined MHP in March 2016 as the program manager for the Homeownership team and was promoted to director of homeownership in August 2016. He is responsible for advancing homeownership priorities and goals, including our efforts to close the racial homeownership and wealth gaps. Day-to-day he is focused on strengthening strategic partnerships, marketing the ONE Mortgage and ONE+Boston programs, and managing the homeownership team. In his earlier position at MHP, he was a senior program associate, working with lenders and non-profit community partners to administer the SoftSecond and ONE Mortgage Programs. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Northeastern and a master’s in public administration from Suffolk University.	Anthonina Fenelon Director of MAHA-STASH First Gen Home Program Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance Anthonina joined the MAHA team in 2019. She previously worked for the Northeast Clean Energy Council (NECEC) an organization that helps clean energy companies start, scale and succeed with unique business, innovation and policy leadership. As an advocate for energy efficient housing, she is excited about educating low to moderate income homeowners about clean energy technologies that will allow new homeowners save money on their energy bills while helping the Commonwealth meet its ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets. Anthonina is a graduate of Wheaton College. As a community activist for maternal and infant health, she aims to help families reach another goal – homeownership. Anthonina is secretary of the Board of Directors of The Midas Collaborative. She is a proud Boston native and fluent in Haitian Creole. Anthonina's Presentation	Kaitlyn Mulhern Homeownership Set-Aside Programs Manager, Housing & Community Investment Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston Kaitlyn oversees the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston’s Equity Builder Program, Housing Our Workforce, and Lift Up Homeownership programs. In addition to her role as program manager at FHLBank Boston, Kaitlyn is passionate about affordable housing and down payment assistance through networking opportunities among mortgage industry professionals throughout New England. She is committed to FHLBank’s three homeownership programs, working to educate and enhance each homeownership assistance program. Prior to joining FHLBank Boston in 2018, Kaitlyn was a residential loan operations manager and underwriter for more than eight years at a community bank in Massachusetts. These roles helped her deepen her understanding of the mortgage loan process and develop an appreciation for the borrowing experience, particularly for first-time homebuyers. Kaitlyn is a graduate of Endicott College.
Angelo Nuby Senior Relationship Manager MassHousing Angelo Nuby has been with the agency since 2007. His primary objectives are to reach out to underserved markets, enhance financial education, and increase minority lending. Specifically, Angelo works with non-profits, faith-based organizations, municipalities and Realtors® to access programs that educate prospective homeowners. He has over 40 years of mortgage and retail banking experience with national and regional institutions, and currently serves as a member on the GBAR Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.	Karen Rebaza Deputy Director Boston Home Center Karen is director of the Boston Home Center and an esteemed community banking leader in Greater Boston. Currently, her primary responsibilities are to oversee the Boston Home Center's management and operations and the Welcome Home, Boston initiative. She brings a background in managing residential mortgages and a passion for community building to her role in helping residents of Boston buy and maintain their homes. Karen's expertise lies in expanding first-time homebuyer programs, providing educational workshops, and promoting homeownership among marginalized communities. She actively advocates for the Boston community through her advisory board roles and resides in East Boston	Joshua White Chief Programs Officer Metro Housing Boston Josh began his role in 2023, and is responsible for the day-to-day operations and oversight of all Metro Housing participant services and programs.? Prior to joining Metro Housing, Joshua served as Director of Housing at Community Healthlink in Worcester, where he led the day-to-day operations of the Homeless Outreach & Advocacy Project. Joshua has also served in management positions at Lowell Transitional Living Center Inc., Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Inc., and Women in Community Service. Joshua earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Roger Williams University and a Masters of Education from Brown University.