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  • Comment Detail

  • Date: 07/07/17
    First Name: Cindy
    Last Name: Koonce
    Email: ckoonce@woodlandsbank.net
    Organization Type: N/A
    Organization: Woodlands National Bank

  • Comment

    I work at Woodlands National Bank and have been a lender for the HUD Section 184 loan program for over 13 years. I have personally been to every tribal reservation in Minnesota to meet with tribal members about their housing needs. The largest road block to assist most members is the lack of financial education and budget training for owning a home. There is a model at Leech Lake that is working well but it costs money and time to provide homeownership training. I would love to see our government help with this effort by allowing for grants to provide housing/budget and hands on education with regards to homeownership and maintaining the home after purchase. We have the mortgages to help out but need financial education to make these homeowners successful. I encourage everyone to work with the local tribes and housing educators to help with this process. We stand ready to assist! Thank you!