Our Program

The Community Development Partnership (CDP) offers a Homebuyer Education course for first time buyers. This course provides information on budgeting, looking for, selecting, and purchasing a home, and local resources that may be available to buyers. The program is being offered in a virtual format and in-person workshops beginning in October 2023 to May 2024. There are three in-person First Time Home Buyer Workshops (October 2023, December 2023, May 2024).

Each workshop is three classes, each running from 6pm – 9pm for nine hours. The two virtual First Time Buyer Workshops will be held on January 2024 and March 2024. Each virtual workshop is four classes with each class running from 6:15 pm – 8:30 pm for a total of 8 hours. We will also be offering three in-person Group Meetings for participants of the self-paced Framework online course in November 2023, February 2024 and April 2024. Each session runs from 6 pm – 7 pm.

The Homebuyer Education Course has received the Massachusetts Homeownership Collaborative's "Seal of Approval” from the Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA). CHAPA certification is essential for potential first-time homebuyers to access affordable mortgage products such as those offered by MassHousing, Massachusetts Housing Partnership ("ONE" program), other municipal and government programs and some commercial lenders, and down payment and closing cost assistance programs.

The course covers: credit health and budgeting; mortgage process and options; finding the right home and making an offer; appraisals; home inspection; legal procedures and protections; insurance protection; home energy audits and savings; ongoing homeownership. Participants must complete all course requirements listed below to receive an electronic Certificate of Completion. Certificates are active for two years. The course is open to any interested individual or household (2 people). Graduates are eligible for certain discounted mortgage products.

Course requirements:

• Pay the program fee of $50 for individuals and $75 for households.
• Have access to a computer with internet, camera and microphone.
• Pre-register for a Group Meeting before starting the online modules.
• Complete all modules and achieve a final score of 80% or higher.
• Attend and participate in Group Meeting.

When all requirements have been fulfilled, each graduate will be emailed a Certificate of Completion that is valid for two years.