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The First Home Program

The Tuscaloosa Housing Authority’s FIRST HOME program creates affordable homeownership and housing opportunities through initiatives that rebuild communities. We are committed to helping first-time home buyers learn what it takes to buy a home. In an effort to promote upward mobility through homeownership, THA assists those who want to become homeowners begin the process. The FIRST HOME is not just for public housing and Section 8 residents, but for THA employees and individuals in the community too. It is designed to encompass all of our housing programs as seen below:

FIRST HOME is for all residents. Public Housing managers and Section 8 Housing Specialists often refer tenants to the FIRST HOME program since it is an in-house program. Rental history can be verified using our SACS system, viewing the residents’ housing file or by contacting the landlord by phone or in writing.
The FIRST HOME program works hand in hand with the FSS program and Section 8 Homeownership program. Both homeownership programs use most of the same paperwork to determine eligibility and work together to assist tenants with the homeownership process. FSS clients with escrow are also able to use their escrow money for the down payment or closing costs for either program.

Applications are accepted each day and may be returned in person or by mail. So far, we have accepted more than 250 applications and our numbers are still increasing due to such a high interest in homeownership among our residents. Right now, there are 14 active applications that are being processed to determine if they are eligible.

Once the FIRST HOME application is received, it is reviewed for accuracy and a credit report is requested from Equifax. The credit report is evaluated to determine if the applicant might be eligible for the program. Those who may qualify are contacted and asked to submit supporting documents that are forwarded to Compass Bank. The bank makes the decision whether or not the applicant will be granted a pre-approved home loan and we follow-up with those who have credit issues by giving them the telephone numbers to all three credit reporting agencies to obtain their credit report. Applicants are seen in person or contacted by phone or in writing regarding their applications. We help applicants with credit problems by advising them on how to improve their credit history and making sure they know what lenders are looking for so they can take steps that will lead to being approved.

Although finding qualifying applicants has been very difficult due to poor credit histories and other issues, the FIRST HOME Program has been very beneficial because it has opened up the eyes of so many residents who want to buy a home. Residents seeking homeownership are now aware of the following: how to resolve credit issues, why saving money towards making a purchase is crucial, how to seek out financial assistance from community agencies, how to obtain a home loan through the bank, and other housing related matters that remove barriers to increase the chance of getting approved. Educating residents about the homeownership process has been a plus because it prepares them for the next time they apply and increases their chances of qualifying to buy their first home.

We sold all three of our newly renovated homes. Two of them were purchased by residents. Since the program began, a total of 6 people (4 single parents and 2 single males) have qualified and bought homes and a number of applicants have received individual credit counseling to prepare them to become homeowners one day. Referrals are also made to Housing Counseling and Community Service Programs, and individual in-house counseling is done to help people reach homeownership. The following goals have been set to improve this process:
Homeownership Goals

To begin providing training programs for applicants using the MONEY SMART financial planning curriculum.
To create pre-purchasing workshops through Compass Bank in order to advise and educate prospective homebuyers about what is involved in becoming a homeowner.
To provide credit counseling in a group setting that includes credit issues such as collections, delinquency, default and foreclosures.

For more information concerning this program please contact the following:

Coleecia Perryman (Director of Resident and Community Services) (205) 758-6619 ext 108
Cristina Rice (Asst. Director of Resident and Community Services) (205) 758-6619 ext 118






			Home > Services >The First Home Program The First Home Program The Tuscaloosa Housing Authority’s FIRST HOME program creates affordable homeownership and housing opportunities through initiatives that rebuild communities. We are committed to helping first-time home buyers learn what it takes to buy a home. In an effort to promote upward mobility through homeownership, THA assists those who want to become homeowners begin the process. The FIRST HOME is not just for public housing and Section 8 residents, but for THA employees and individuals in the community too. It is designed to encompass all of our housing programs as seen below: FIRST HOME is for all residents. Public Housing managers and Section 8 Housing Specialists often refer tenants to the FIRST HOME program since it is an in-house program. Rental history can be verified using our SACS system, viewing the residents’ housing file or by contacting the landlord by phone or in writing. The FIRST HOME program works hand in hand with the FSS program and Section 8 Homeownership program. Both homeownership programs use most of the same paperwork to determine eligibility and work together to assist tenants with the homeownership process. FSS clients with escrow are also able to use their escrow money for the down payment or closing costs for either program. Applications are accepted each day and may be returned in person or by mail. So far, we have accepted more than 250 applications and our numbers are still increasing due to such a high interest in homeownership among our residents. Right now, there are 14 active applications that are being processed to determine if they are eligible. Once the FIRST HOME application is received, it is reviewed for accuracy and a credit report is requested from Equifax. The credit report is evaluated to determine if the applicant might be eligible for the program. Those who may qualify are contacted and asked to submit supporting documents that are forwarded to Compass Bank. The bank makes the decision whether or not the applicant will be granted a pre-approved home loan and we follow-up with those who have credit issues by giving them the telephone numbers to all three credit reporting agencies to obtain their credit report. Applicants are seen in person or contacted by phone or in writing regarding their applications. We help applicants with credit problems by advising them on how to improve their credit history and making sure they know what lenders are looking for so they can take steps that will lead to being approved. Although finding qualifying applicants has been very difficult due to poor credit histories and other issues, the FIRST HOME Program has been very beneficial because it has opened up the eyes of so many residents who want to buy a home. Residents seeking homeownership are now aware of the following: how to resolve credit issues, why saving money towards making a purchase is crucial, how to seek out financial assistance from community agencies, how to obtain a home loan through the bank, and other housing related matters that remove barriers to increase the chance of getting approved. Educating residents about the homeownership process has been a plus because it prepares them for the next time they apply and increases their chances of qualifying to buy their first home. We sold all three of our newly renovated homes. Two of them were purchased by residents. Since the program began, a total of 6 people (4 single parents and 2 single males) have qualified and bought homes and a number of applicants have received individual credit counseling to prepare them to become homeowners one day. Referrals are also made to Housing Counseling and Community Service Programs, and individual in-house counseling is done to help people reach homeownership. The following goals have been set to improve this process: Homeownership Goals To begin providing training programs for applicants using the MONEY SMART financial planning curriculum. To create pre-purchasing workshops through Compass Bank in order to advise and educate prospective homebuyers about what is involved in becoming a homeowner. To provide credit counseling in a group setting that includes credit issues such as collections, delinquency, default and foreclosures. For more information concerning this program please contact the following: Coleecia Perryman (Director of Resident and Community Services) (205) 758-6619 ext 108 Cristina Rice (Asst. Director of Resident and Community Services) (205) 758-6619 ext 118