HomeOwnership
Pathway to HomeOwnership
Pathway to Homeownership is a comprehensive workshop series designed to empower and guide you through the essential steps of buying your dream home. This EBWS signature program is specifically tailored to address the basics of what it takes to become a successful homeowner and offers participants an opportunity to win $10,000 towards a down payment on the purchase of their first home.
Black Homeownership in Erie has skyrocketed by 191% in just four years, thanks to efforts like our Pathway to Homeownership program. We’re proud to be part of this transformation and helping to raise the rate of Black homeownership from 1.9% to an incredible 5.54%!
Since 2021, we have assisted 16 individuals with down payment and closing cost assistance and have educated over 200 people on homeownership.
Requirements for participation
ALL are welcome to participate in our Pathway to Homeownership Workshop Series, however to be considered for the $10,000 down payment drawing, you MUST do the following to be eligible:
Be a first-homeowner
Attend all four workshops in their entirety. You must be on-time & stay for it’s entirety.
Maintain a minimum credit score of 600.
Be in the process of buying a home in 2026.
Have been employed for at least 12 months
Write a personal statement of what homeownership would mean to you.
Drawing Information: Our Pathway to Homeownership program is committed to empowering individuals and families to achieve their dream of homeownership. At the completion of the last workshop in the series, EBWS will select five lucky participants to receive $10,000 towards their home purchase.
Our selection committee reviews applications anonymously, basing their evaluations on each applicant’s credit score, income, and personal statement. Applicants are evaluated on their readiness to purchase a home, efforts toward homeownership, financial stability, and desire to build roots in their community. Special consideration is given to those who have taken extra steps, such as saving for a down payment or identifying a potential home.
Through this process, we aim to select individuals and families who are prepared and ready to take meaningful steps toward becoming homeowners.
2026 Workshop Details
Ready to join us in taking the first steps toward your homeownership goals and contributing to changing the homeownership landscape in Erie County? Together, we’ll unlock the doors to your new home and a future filled with financial security and prosperity. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to make your homeownership dreams a reality with EBWS!
Dates: Every Saturday in January 2026
Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Jefferson Educational Society, 3207 State Street, Erie, PA
Workshop sessions include: Are You Financially Ready to Buy, Budgeting and the Mortgage Process, The Homebuying Process, and Relators and their Roles
Registration for 2026 is CLOSED, please click the button below to be added to our contact list to receive information first for our 2027 workshop series.