programs and workshops
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Workshop Classes

Knowledge is power. Through Financial Fitness and the ABC’s of Homebuying, Polk CDC empowers Polk County residents to take control of their finances and to find a safe, sustainable pathway to homeownership.

Financial Fitness

250-class-getting-to-know.jpgPolk CDC wants to help you take control of your financial life. Financial Fitness is a 10-hour, 4-session financial education class designed to provide the baseline for better financial decision-making for people with a wide range of financial backgrounds and situations. Topics covered include:

  • Class 1: Assets versus income; dreams, values, and money; tracking spending
  • Class 2: Goal-setting; cost-cutting; needs and wants; family/couples communication; consumer protection laws; Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
  • Class 3: Record-keeping; spending plans and budgets; cash flow; bank/credit union services
  • Class 4: Credit reports; credit scores; debt collection; net worth; insurance; investing

The goal of the class is to allow participants to reflect on and learn about their finances with reference to defined values and goals. A certificate, awarded for completion of all four sessions, can be used to meet requirements for the Individual Development Account (IDA) program and other local programs. Financial Fitness is offered in English and Spanish and is brought to you in partnership with volunteer instructors from MaPS Credit Union. 

Cost: $5 for Polk CDC clients; $10 for West Valley Housing Authority, Farmworker Housing Development Corporation (FHDC), and MERIT Clients; $20 for all others

View upcoming Financial Fitness Classes (English)
View upcoming Financial Fitness Classes (Spanish)

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ABC’s of Homebuying

250-class-home-buying.jpgLearn the basics of the homebuying process in just one day! Our ABC’s of Homebuying class is taught by local real estate and mortgage professionals who know the local market and latest information. Topics covered include:

  • The housing decision: renting versus buying
  • Financial preparation: credit building, affordability, spending plans
  • Mortgages: the mortgage market, conventional versus government loans, types of mortgages (fixed rate, adjustable rate, graduated payment, etc.), shopping and applying
  • Shopping for a home: comparison shopping, real estate professionals, negotiations
  • Closing: insurance, forms, procedures
  • Protecting your investment: moving in, community involvement, maintenance, managing your mortgage

The goal of the class is to give participants the information they need to purchase a home in a safe, sustainable way—either right away or in the coming 1 to 3 years. The ABC’s of Homebuying is a state-approved homebuyer education program and can be used to meet requirements for many down payment and closing cost assistance programs, including the Individual Development Account (IDA) program. Instructors are volunteers from a variety of local institutions including Prudential, Bank of America, and OSU Federal Credit Union.

Cost: $30 per individual; $35 per couple – Lunch is included in the cost

Join us for fun, engaging, and informative classes that can help you achieve your goals. For more information or to sign up for a class please contact Celina Davila, Housing Program Manager, at 503-831-3173 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

View upcoming ABC's of Homebuying Classes (English)