Affordable Housing Program: Achieve Homeownership with Local Partners

You deserve a safe place to live and a clear path to own a home. The fastest way to get there is with people and programs that actually listen to your story. In SE Minnesota, Three Rivers Community Action and First Alliance Credit Union team up to make that happen. Their partnership strengthens real, local solutions for renters who are stretched and buyers who are ready to take the next step.

In June 2025, First Alliance Credit Union worked with FHLB Des Moines to award a $30,000 grant to Three Rivers Community Action to support its Achieve Homeownership work. That means more coaching, more classes, and more help for neighbors who want to buy a home. This is not just talk. It is money focused on families right here at home.

What Three Rivers brings to the table

Three Rivers Community Action runs Achieve Homeownership, a program that helps people get mortgage ready. The team offers homebuyer education, one on one advising, and connections to down payment assistance. Their goal is simple. Move families from renting to owning in a way that lasts.

Before you shop for a house, it helps to understand what lenders look for and how much you can afford each month. Classes from Three Rivers explain the full process in plain language. You will learn what is a mortgage, why credit matters, and what to expect at closing. When you meet one on one with an advisor, you get a plan that fits your income, your bills, and your timeline. Those steps keep you from guessing and help you avoid extra costs or delays.

Three Rivers also connects eligible buyers to down payment and closing cost assistance through its gap programs. In many cases these funds come as zero interest, deferred loans or other support that lowers the amount you need to bring to closing. Smaller upfront costs can mean a safer monthly payment and more room in your budget for life. These local efforts sit alongside wider affordable housing assistance programs like Single Family Housing Programs and the Housing Choice Voucher Program, plus community investments such as Community Investment Program advances that help nonprofits serve more families.

How the partnership helps you today

Partnerships work best when they give you clear tools you can use. This one does. Three Rivers focuses on education and access to assistance. First Alliance Credit Union helps you run the numbers and get pre approved when you are ready.

If you are just starting, use the First Alliance Budget Calculator. It shows your income and expenses in one place so you can spot small savings that add up. When you want to see a monthly mortgage estimate, try the Mortgage Payment Calculator. Seeing the payment ahead of time reduces stress and keeps you in a comfortable price range. If you are saving for a down payment, check out the Compound Interest Savings Calculator to see how steady deposits grow over time. These tools support smart steps like building an emergency fund and planning for mortgage closing costs.

See your money clearly. Use the First Alliance Budget Calculator to plan, save, and relax.

What you can expect from Achieve Homeownership

Buying a home is exciting, but it can feel confusing at first. The good news is you do not have to do it alone. With Achieve Homeownership, you get a step by step path and a local team that stays with you from the first question to closing day. That support builds confidence and helps you make better choices.

After you connect, you will start with education so you understand the process. Then you will meet with an advisor who looks at your budget and credit. Finally, you will discuss the programs that fit your situation. When you follow a clear plan like this, owning a home becomes much easier.

• Homebuyer classes. Learn how mortgages work, what documents needed for a mortgage application are, and how to spot a home that fits your budget. You will also hear simple answers to topics like what is escrow on a mortgage, what is PMI on a mortgage, and how to get pre ]approved for a mortgage.

• One on one advising. Build a plan to raise your credit, set savings goals, and choose a loan type that matches your life. Advisors can explain debt to income ratio for a mortgage and help you gather paperwork early.

• Down payment help. Ask about gap financing and other down payment assistance programs that can lower what you need at closing. Your advisor can also discuss FHA loans, VA home loan options, and when private mortgage insurance may apply.

Watch & Learn Three Rivers Community Action's mission and programs

Courtney shares their role in building equity and generational wealth through housing

A simple path you can start this week

The first step is to reach out. Three Rivers Community Action will listen, assess your needs, and connect you to the right options. If you are renting and money is tight, they can talk through government backed rental assistance programs and local eviction prevention resources. If you are ready to buy, you will leave with a step by step plan that makes sense for your budget.

Build your timeline with small, clear moves. Start with a basic budget and an emergency fund. Add a steady monthly deposit toward your down payment. When your savings grow, consider moving them to a dividend earning account at First Alliance Credit Union so your money can work while you save. Keep learning in class, ask questions early, and get pre approved when your advisor says you are ready. Along the way, you will understand renting vs buying a home, how much is a down payment on a house, and how long does it take to buy a house based on your goals.

Why this is an affordable housing program that works

People sometimes hear affordable housing programs in Minnesota and think it only applies to big city projects. In reality, this local program is built around individual families in SE Minnesota. The new grant strengthens classes and counseling. Gap funds reduce upfront costs. Calculators help you plan with real numbers. Community partners deliver better service when grants land at the right time. All of this stacks together so you can qualify, close, and stay on budget after you move in. If housing costs are stretching your paycheck, you are not alone. You have neighbors, coaches, and lenders ready to help.

Learn the process, build your plan, use the tools, and if you have question, ask for assistance when you need it.