For many families, becoming a homeowner starts with access: access to information, guidance and the resources needed to move forward.
That was the focus of the National Faith Homebuyers Fair, held June 20 at Huntington Place in Detroit, where community organizations, housing advocates, lenders and service providers came together to help make the path to homeownership more visible and attainable. The event was created for first-time and prospective homebuyers looking for homes in Detroit and throughout Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.
This year’s special guest speaker was entrepreneur and actress Vivica A. Fox, who kicked off the event with an inspirational discussion on resilience, entrepreneurship, empowerment and homeownership.
“The Homebuyers Fair is one of the most important days of the year for us,” said Dina Harris, founder and CEO of National Faith HomeBuyers. “We see people come in who believe homeownership will never be possible for them — and they leave with a plan, a team of experts in their corner and real hope. That transformation is what we live for.”
Throughout the day, attendees connected directly with trusted partners offering guidance on everything from credit and mortgage readiness to down payment assistance and neighborhood resources.
Huntington Mortgage Loan Officer Kim Groves was one of the session panelists and spent the day meeting with prospective buyers, answering questions and helping attendees navigate the early stages of the homebuying process.
“Events like this are about making sure people have access to the right information and support from the start,” said Groves. “When families can talk directly with lenders and housing partners, it helps remove uncertainty and makes the process feel more achievable.”
The National Faith Homebuyers Fair creates space for real conversations that help families better understand what is possible and what comes next.
“Many first-time buyers don’t know where to begin, and that can hold them back,” Groves said. “Conversations about credit, savings and available programs can give someone a clearer starting point and the confidence to move forward.”
For many attendees, those conversations helped break down what can often feel like a complex and overwhelming process into practical, manageable steps.
“There are a lot of misconceptions about what it takes to buy a home,” Groves added. “People often think they need perfect credit or a large down payment, but that’s not always the case. The more we can help people understand their options, the more empowered they feel to take that next step.”
When meeting with first-time buyers, Groves and the Huntington team focus on a few key tips and considerations that can help make the homebuying journey feel easier to navigate. Start with your financial picture: Understanding your credit, savings and monthly budget can help clarify what is realistic and where to begin. Think beyond the purchase price: Homeownership includes more than a mortgage, with costs like insurance, taxes and maintenance playing an important role in long-term affordability. Explore available support and programs: Many first-time buyers may qualify for assistance and programs that help with down payments, closing costs or offer more flexible loan options to reduce upfront costs and make homeownership more accessible. Connect early and ask questions: Speaking with a lender early in the process — and understanding steps like pre-approval — can help buyers move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
For people working toward homeownership, the right tools and programs can be what ultimately puts a family in a home. Through Huntington’s Home for Good program, individuals and families can receive support that helps close critical gaps and turn the goal of owning a home into reality.
The impact of these resources is reflected in stories like Shantell Mitchell’s. She purchased her first home in May with support from Huntington’s Home for Good program and the City of Detroit’s Down Payment Assistance (DPA) program. She received $30,000 in assistance, and Huntington also covered her closing costs, helping make homeownership possible for her family.
“The Home for Good product and the City of Detroit’s DPA program helped me in the biggest way,” said Mitchell. “It allowed me the opportunity to afford to purchase my first home, with little to no closing cost. I am a single mother with six children. This is now part of our legacy, and this is helping my children down the line to generational wealth.”
