'Good News For Michigan Homeowners Webinar' presented by MMLA March 16

The Michigan Mortgage Lenders Association will present the “Good News For Michigan Homeowners Webinar” on Wednesday, March 16, from 1 to 2 p.m. via Zoom.

The Michigan State Legislature and Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) has recently issued new regulations and programs to assist first-time home buyers and homeowners struggling to stay in their homes. 

First-time homebuyer legislation was signed into law on February 11, 2022. A new program, sponsored by Sen. Ken Horn, helps ease the financial burden of a down payment for first-time buyers. Senate Bill 145 creates a savings program to help people save for the down payment and closing costs on their first home. “The aim of this program is to promote smart homeownership and to retain talent in Michigan. It’s a tool we can use to encourage people to ultimately put down roots here in our state,” said Horn.

MSHDA has established the The Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF). This fund was established under section 3206 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the ARP) to mitigate hardships associated with the coronavirus pandemic by providing funds to prevent homeowner mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosure, loss of utilities or home energy services and displacements of homeowners experiencing financial hardship on or after January 21, 2020 or for those homeowners who experience a coronavirus pandemic financial hardship that began before January 21, 2020 but continued after that date.

The webinar’s speakers will help attendees learn about these programs. Speaking at the webinar will be Rep. Ken Horn and Nancy Baker of MSHDA

First elected in 1992, Horn was a Saginaw County commissioner for 16 years before serving in the Michigan House of Representatives for 6 years. He served as chairman of the House Energy & Technology Committee. Now in his second term in the Michigan Senate, Horn chairs the Senate Economic and Small Business Development Committee, along with two Senate Appropriations Subcommittees: Capital Outlay and Talent and Economic Development/MEDC.

Horn also serves as the vice-chairman of the following committees: Energy and Technology, Education and Career Readiness, and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Universities and Community Colleges. He is also appointed to the Insurance and Banking Committee and Legislative Council.

Baker is a 33-year employee of the State of Michigan and has been a business development specialist for MSHDA covering West and Northern Lower Michigan for 16 years. Throughout her MSHDA career she has trained more than 1,000 realtors and lenders and has been a guest speaker for many associations including Michigan Realtors, Michigan Bankers Association, Michigan Credit Union League, Community Bankers of Michigan and many others. Baker earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and is dedicated to helping Michigan families attain the dream of homeownership.

There is no cost for MMLA members to attend the webinar (a small contribution to MORBANPAC is requested) and non-MMLA members can attend for $20. To register, visit https://mmla.net.