Story 12: Guiding the Journey to Homeownership for 50 Years

Posted Apr 17, 2026

INHS has always been an organization that seeks to meet potential homebuyers where they are. This commitment is exemplified by INHS’s Homebuyer Education (HBE) Program, which has roots leading all the way back to the nonprofit’s founding year.

From Home Maintenance to Homeownership: The Early Years

In 1977, INHS launched its Home Maintenance Training Program, which provided both individual training sessions and broader home repair classes. As its name suggests, the program’s goal was to guide homeowners in a self-help approach, encouraging neighborhood residents’ direct involvement and commitment to the repair and long-term maintenance of their home. Between 1977 and 1986, over 1,000 individuals attended INHS classes in the Home Maintenance Training Program.

The Evolution Into Homebuyer Education

By the 90s, the Home Maintenance Training Program evolved into what is now known as the Homebuyer Education Program with the introduction of the Homebuyers Club. The Homebuyers Club provided low and moderate-income residents with counseling, financial assistance, and guidance in how to purchase a house. The classes were a combination of classroom learning, monitoring of individual savings and goals, and mutual support and problem solving. “Planning to buy a house is so much easier with what you learn at the Homebuyers Club,” said 1994 attendee Becky. “They teach you about available programs and which ones offer the most help for your situation.”

Meeting Today’s Homebuyers Where They Are

Today, INHS continues this legacy through a robust suite of homebuyer and homeowner education offerings. Our HBE Program includes:

First‑time homebuyer courses in multiple formats in both Ithaca and Cortland
Post‑purchase classes to help new homeowners navigate maintenance and financial planning
Home inspection courses that demystify the process and empower buyers to make informed decisions

These classes remain a cornerstone of our mission to expand access to safe, stable, affordable homeownership. As recent participant Shira shared, “The homebuyer class was invaluable… it was really grounding.” After completing the program, she successfully purchased a home of her own.

A 50‑Year Commitment to Empowering Homebuyers

From hands‑on repair workshops in the 1970s to today’s comprehensive homebuyer education offerings, INHS has always believed that informed, confident homeowners build stronger communities. Fifty years later, that belief continues to guide our work — and to open doors for families across the region.