This week at Homeport I shadowed the Housing Advisory Services department. On Monday I began my day by attending the weekly Homeport huddle and met with the Housing Advisory Services department. I was given the task of creating a database that included all attendee data (such as names, phone numbers, emails, etc.) from Homeports Homebuyer Resource Fair. Once created, I then had to call attendees and ask how they heard about Homeports Homebuyer Resource Fair and then add this data to the database on Tuesday. My next task was to take evaluation data from Homeports Homebuyer Education classes (HBE) and create visually pleasing diagrams that the Housing Advisory Services department will use for their mid-year review. On Wednesday, I met with the CFO and discussed the role of finances in relation to housing advisory services. In particular, we discussed Homeports lease-option properties. Here I learned about liens, releases, and downpayment assistance. I also learned about the significant role of Homeports HBE classes in the client homeownership process. On my last day, I was tasked with looking up clients who had completed Homeports HBE classes online to see if any of them had purchased a house and then reporting this information back to the Housing Advisory Services department.

In addition to my weekly tasks, I sat in on a meeting about Homeports yearly fundraising event, Voice and Vision. I also completed the Fair Housing Act (FHA) online training where I learned the rules and guidelines for fair and affordable housing. Lastly, I got to welcome a fellow from United Way and give her an office tour.

Overall, I learned many new technological skills (including making pie charts on excel using verbal data) and how the role of finances in housing advisory services overlaps with other departments at Homeport.