hoMEworks Provider Standards
  1. Anyone willing to meet the hoMEworks Provider Standards and Class Standards will be authorized by hoMEworks to offer classes under the hoMEworks brand name.

  2. At all times, the interaction between the hoMEworks provider, consumers and industry professionals will be professional, open, competent, respectful, truthful, and without actual or potential conflict of interest.

  3. The provider must be informed and knowledgeable of programs, financing and housing information that may benefit consumers in their service area. The provider will seek advice, assistance and instruction from colleagues, supervisors and professionals, whenever such consultation will serve the interest of the consumer.

  4. Providers must promote the hoMEworks network.

    1. The provider will use the hoMEworks logo on training materials

    2. Award completion certificates with the hoMEworks logo.

    3. Schedule classes as far in advance as possible and forward schedule to hoMEworks.

  5. The provider will abide by hoMEworks standards for disclosure and self promotion.

    1. The need to disclose vested interest is absolute. Disclosure is necessary even for nonprofits that sell property, even when they do not sell to make a profit. It is important to avoid even the appearance of conflicts of interest.

    2. Providers will balance the aims of the provider organization with the needs of the consumer in such a manner as to support homeownership where feasible and to prevent defaults. At all times, the homebuyer education provider will enable consumers to make informed decisions and voluntary choices that serve the consumer’s best interest. Providers will not limit the choices of any consumer, through action or omission, by directing the consumer to the products or services of any person or entity, or to a particular geographic area, to the exclusion of other products, services or areas for which the consumer is qualified.

    3. Private and public sector presenters must not make follow-up sales calls to consumers who have taken the class.

  6. The provider must have a contingency plan to allow class to go on when volunteers cancel their presentation.

  7. Any hoMEworks class may be monitored by hoMEworks at any time.

  8. hoMEworks will ensure that the quality of presenters (including accuracy of information presented and the delivery of the materials) is average/good or better as monitored through student satisfaction surveys and classroom monitoring.

  9. Provider will obtain certification as deemed necessary by hoMEworks.

  10. The provider will collect data on students who complete their classes and will follow up with graduates to inquire about homeownership status. Consumer data will be provided to the hoMEworks state office and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) upon request.

  11. The provider will use the hoMEworks standard customer satisfaction survey and forward results to hoMEworks.

  12. Providers will attend regular hoMEworks provider meetings.

  13. ITV should not be the only means of attending classes in a region, although it may be useful as to add opportunities in areas where there is insufficient demand for frequent "live" classes.

  14. The provider shall observe all state and federal laws pertaining to the housing industry and homebuyer education.

hoMEworks Homeownership Education Class Standards

  1. Class must meet the hoMEworks minimum contact time requirement of ten hours in the classroom (i.e., 4 classes @ 2 1/2 hrs each, or 2 classes @ 5 hours each).
  2. Classes are modular:

      1. Preparing for Homeownership

      2. Shopping for a home

      3. Obtaining a mortgage

      4. Closing

      5. Life as a homeowner

  3. Classes contain a minimum of 10 hours of scheduled class time plus the following take home assignments.

      1. Pre and post purchase budget worksheets.

      2. Self "pre-qualification" calculating debt ratios.

      3. List of features the house must have, could have and must not have.

      4. Drive around to review and evaluate neighborhoods.

      5. Interview Realtor and lender to see if they meet consumer’s needs.

      6. Obtain and examine their credit report.

  4. Classes must contain the following information:

      1. What an individual needs to become a homeowner

        1. Budgeting

        2. The home buying process

        3. Key Players and their roles

        4. Home Quality

            1. Home inspections

            2. The purpose of an appraisal

      2. What an individual needs to know to be a successful homeowner

        1. Debt management

        2. Home Maintenance

      3. What homeowners need to know if they have trouble making payments.

        1. Early intervention

        2. Community resources

  5. Thirty students is the maximum allowed per class, unless the class is offered in a large room with presentation aids such as a sound system and projection screen.

  6. Any classes funded with HUD Housing Counseling Grant funds from MSHA must be free to the students, but a modest fee may be charged for materials.

  7. Classes must constantly evolve to conform to changes in national or statewide standards as adopted by hoMEworks.

hoMEworks assures equal opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, political beliefs, marital or family status, physical or mental disability, national origin, or sexual orientation in admission to and participation in homebuyer education and landlord classed conducted by hoMEworks' Certified Educators. 

The hoMEworks web site is funded by a Housing Counseling grant from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

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