National Faith Homebuyers

What National Faith Homebuyers does

National Faith Homebuyers is a HUD-certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1996 by Dina Harris in Washtenaw County, Michigan, and headquartered in Detroit. The organization provides down payment assistance (DPA), homebuyer education, housing counseling, and foreclosure prevention services to first-time homebuyers and financially distressed homeowners across Michigan, Georgia, and Florida through offices in Detroit, Westland, Marietta (Atlanta metro), and Tampa. Since its founding, it has counseled more than 15,000 families and facilitated over 3,000 first-time home purchases, while developing and selling more than 500 affordable single-family homes through its 2011-vintage development program.

Its core offerings center on forgivable 0% interest down payment assistance loans ranging from $13,999 to $25,000 depending on jurisdiction, including Detroit (up to $25,000), Wayne County ($13,999), Lincoln Park ($14,999), Westland ($14,500), and the Georgia Dream Program (up to $10,000 in Standard, PEN, and CHOICE variants). These are complemented by an 8-step Homebuyer Process covering credit repair, budgeting, mortgage qualification, home shopping, and closing, plus foreclosure assistance services including lender negotiation, loan modification, forbearance, and deed-in-lieu counseling. Technology delivery relies on Eventbrite for virtual workshop registration, Schedulicity for self-serve appointment booking, and eHome America as the course delivery partner; no proprietary AI, ML, or digital-first platform was disclosed.

The revenue model is nonprofit grant and donation funded: services are provided free of charge to clients, with operating support drawn from local, state, and federal grants (CDBG, HOME, NSP), foundation capital (notably Kresge Foundation's $9 million Detroit/Fresno affordable housing pipeline and Bank of America's $4 million Day of Giving in December 2024), and contracts to administer municipal DPA programs. Strategic partnerships with Fannie Mae (HomeFree Partner), Freddie Mac, Wayne County Government, City of Detroit, the Georgia Dream Program, and a network of community-based referral partners drive both demand and program administration throughput.

Name

National Faith Homebuyers

Legal name

National Faith Homebuyers

Website

https://nationalfaith.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

National Faith Homebuyers is a HUD-certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides down payment assistance (up to $25,000), homebuyer education, and foreclosure prevention counseling to first-time and credit-constrained homebuyers through four offices in Michigan, Georgia, and Florida.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Housing Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Down Payment Assistance (DPA) & Homebuyer Subsidy Programs (FSALAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Counseling, Foreclosure Prevention & Loss Mitigation Programs (FSALAKAM), Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

Keywords

• Homebuyer education services
• Down payment assistance
• Foreclosure prevention counseling
• Housing counseling services
• Affordable housing programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Nonprofit Grant Funding: Operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Services are provided free of charge to clients, funded entirely through local, state, and federal grants, plus private donations. Has received funding from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and CDBG-DR funds ($9 million from Kresge foundation for Detroit and Fresno programs). Also receives grants from Bank of America Day of Giving ($4 million to nonprofits in Detroit area).
2. Government Contract Administration: Manages down payment assistance programs on behalf of local governments (Wayne County, City of Detroit, City of Westland, City of Livonia, City of Lincoln Park, City of Taylor, Pontiac). Administered federal HOME and NSP down payment programs for Wayne County government from 2002 to 2017, spending all allocated funds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

National Faith Homebuyers is a HUD-certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free homebuyer education, housing counseling, foreclosure prevention, and administration of multiple down payment assistance (DPA) programs offering forgivable loans of $5,000 to $25,000 for eligible first-time homebuyers in Michigan and Georgia. The organization delivers an 8-step Home Buyer Process combining classroom workshops, one-on-one counseling, and direct connections to lenders, real estate agents, and inspectors. All services are provided at no cost to clients, funded through government grants, foundation funding, and private donations.

Product overview

National Faith Homebuyers is a HUD-certified nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive suite of homebuyer assistance services. The core offerings include Down Payment Assistance Programs providing forgivable loans ranging from $13,999 to $25,000 in Michigan cities (Detroit, Wayne County, Lincoln Park, Livonia, Westland, Pontiac) and the Georgia Dream Program with Standard, PEN, and CHOICE options up to $10,000 in the Atlanta area. These financial assistance programs are complemented by Foreclosure Assistance and Foreclosure Prevention Workshops offering free counseling and options including repayment plans, forbearance, and loan modifications. The Home Buyer Process provides an 8-step educational journey from information sessions through closing, supported by Homebuyer Assistance Classes, Financial Literacy, Credit Education, and Housing Counseling services. The organization also provides a free Membership Program and hosts annual events including the Detroit Homebuyers Fair. All services are provided at no charge to clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Down Payment Assistance Program Forgivable loan program providing down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time homebuyers across multiple Michigan municipalities. Clients receive financial assistance that is forgiven after 5 years of occupancy at 0% interest, with amounts varying by location.
• Georgia Dream Program Down payment assistance program for Atlanta-area homebuyers offering Standard ($5,000-$7,500), PEN ($7,500-$10,000 for public protectors, educators, healthcare providers, military), and CHOICE ($7,500-$10,000 for individuals with disabilities) loan options with 0% interest forgivable loans.
• Foreclosure Assistance Free counseling service providing lender and loan servicer negotiations, budget establishment, and exploration of alternatives such as repayment plans, forbearance, loan modifications, short sales, and deeds in lieu of foreclosure for homeowners facing financial hardship.
• Home Buyer Process An 8-step structured education and guidance program taking first-time homebuyers from initial information session through closing: Information Session, Application Process, Action Plan Panel, Credit Repair, Workshops, Bank Financing, Shopping for a Home, and Welcome Home.
• Foreclosure Prevention Workshops Free in-person educational workshops covering the Step Forward Michigan Program, loan modification applications, short sale processes, and current foreclosure-related legislation for at-risk homeowners.
• Membership Program Free membership program providing access to homeownership counseling, pre and post-default counseling, down payment assistance programs, and foreclosure prevention help for individuals and families.
• Homebuyer Education Classes and Seminars Comprehensive educational classes and seminars covering the home buying process, credit preparation, financial literacy, budgeting, understanding credit scores, mortgage loans, shopping for homes, and closing procedures, meeting U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development certification requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15,000+ families counseled since 1996, with 3,000+ first-time home purchases facilitated
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fannie MaecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFannie Mae HomeFree Partner relationship. National Faith serves as a partner in Fannie Mae's homeownership assistance ecosystem, providing HUD-approved counseling and down payment assistance programs that align with Fannie Mae's affordable housing initiatives.
• Freddie MaccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFreddie Mac Partner status. National Faith collaborates with Freddie Mac on homeownership programs, providing homebuyer education and down payment assistance that supports Freddie Mac's mission of affordable housing.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHUD-certified nonprofit organization. Manages federal HOME and NSP down payment programs on behalf of Wayne County government from 2002 to 2017. Provides HUD-approved homebuyer education and counseling services.
• Detroit PistonsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership with Detroit Pistons for community events and outreach. Pistons Game Giveaway events hosted to engage community members in homeownership programs.
• Little Caesars PizzaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for community events including the 2014 Pizza Bowl Veteran Home Giveaway where Little Caesars, National Faith, and Wayne County Veterans Services teamed up to surprise veterans with mortgage-free homes.
• National Community Stabilization TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner for homeownership and community stabilization programs. Works with National Faith to provide resources and support for affordable housing initiatives.
• Georgia Dream ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorgia Dream Participating Lender. National Faith is certified to provide downpayment assistance through the Georgia Dream program in Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, Clayton, Coweta, Douglas, Fayette, and Henry counties. Provides up to $10,000 in DPA for eligible homebuyers.
• United WayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUnited Way sponsorship event participant. Collaborates on community outreach and housing assistance initiatives.
• Atlanta Federal Reserve BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipant in Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank Annual Non-profit Luncheon. Engages with Federal Reserve on community development and housing policy discussions.
• Redford Union School District / South Redford School DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership between Redford Union School District, South Redford School District, Redford Church Alliance, and Real Estate 411 to offer foreclosure prevention workshops and homeowner assistance programs.
• Wayne County GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdministered federal HOME and NSP down payment programs on behalf of Wayne County government from 2002 to 2017. Currently administers Wayne County DPA program providing $13,999 forgivable loans to eligible first-time homebuyers in 31 cities.
• City of DetroitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Detroit Down Payment Assistance Program partner. Program provides up to $25,000 for eligible first-time buyers, funded with $9 million from CDBG and CDBG-DR funds. Mayor Mary Sheffield and National Faith CEO Dina Harris jointly announced program continuation.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Habitat for Humanity International: Habitat for Humanity is a large, established nonprofit that builds and finances affordable homes and provides homebuyer education for low-income families; its scale and affiliate network make it the dominant broad incumbent in affordable housing services.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): LISC is a national community development nonprofit that finances affordable housing and supports local counseling partners through grants and program administration, overlapping with National Faith's government-contract and HUD-counseling model.
• Enterprise Community Partners: Enterprise is a major national nonprofit that deploys capital, policy advocacy, and program partnerships to expand affordable housing; comparable to National Faith in HUD-aligned mission and government program administration.

Direct peers

• Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA): NACA is a HUD-certified nonprofit that provides homebuyer counseling, down payment assistance, and mortgage origination services to low- and moderate-income buyers nationwide, directly competing with National Faith in the affordable homeownership counseling space.
• Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of Detroit:

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nfhomebuyersatl
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@NationalFaithHomebuyers
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/National-Faith-Homebuyers/151957081503359

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Faith Homebuyers