Build a Buyer logo

Annually, over 1,000 individuals and families of all sizes, income levels and needs visit the SWAP office looking for housing.  Through our customized Intake System, we gather information on each visitor to establish a personal baseline of financial information.

Build a Buyer is a consolidation of all of SWAP's  financial literacy and resident advocacy programs. By developing a relationship with our customers through classes and individual counseling, SWAP is able to help individuals build their financial knowledge and capablility.  Through this personalized approach, SWAP is able help individuals who started out just hoping to find an affordable apartment, become successful home buyers.

SWAP Homebuyer Education

Buying a home is one of life's biggest decisions and financial investments. Your dream of owning a home can become a reality if you set realistic goals, get sound advice, plan carefully and clearly understand the costs of homeownership.

The SWAP 4-week homebuyer education course provides a comprehensive overview of the entire home buying process. This is a HUD-approved 8 hour course.

SWAP Individual Workout Program

Sometime people need a little more help to prepare for the purchase of their first house. SWAP is a HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency. 

SWAP’s Individual Workout (IWO) Program begins with one-on-one financial coaching and credit counseling. This program helps interested buyers overcome barriers to acheiving their dream of homeownership.

SWAP Landlord/Tenant Education Class

This 3-hour course is designed to prepare potential homeowners for the challenges of becoming a landlord by clearly explaining landlord responsibilities & tenant rights.

Good Tenant Workshop

This workshop is for prospective residents of SWAP rental apartments. Topics covered are credit counseling, budgeting, tenant and landlord responsibilities, good neighbor strategies and fire safety.

Community Resident Services

This program is a resident/neighborhood advocacy program to assist renters or homeowners to stabilize and maintain their housing situation.  Includes landlord/tenant mediation, eviction prevention, individual workout and budgeting assistance and linkages with available services.

For schedule and registration information, please call (401) 272-0526 ext. 113.

ARE YOU A LOCAL CONTRACTOR?

SIGN-UP FOR THE NEXT SWAP NEIGHBORHOOD CONTRACTOR MENTORING PROGRAM

The Neighborhood Contractor Mentoring Program was established by SWAP in 1998 to help neighborhood contractors improve their businesses skills by providing them with instructional classes, on the job mentoring and access to financial and legal services.

The goal of this program is not just to improve the business skills; it is intended to help improve the neighborhood economy by putting more local neighborhood contractors to work on local projects.