Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity Launches First-of-its-Kind Digital Tools to Aid Local Homebuyers This week, Dallas Area Habitat launched two online "game-changers"—a mobile app and digital education library—to ease the process of purchasing a home.

The Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity is setting out to make buying a home easier than ever before with the launch of two digital tools: a mobile app and public education library.



Funded by donations from the Moody Foundation and The NBCUniversal Foundation, Dallas Habitat announced the release of its new technology this week. Dave Crawford, CEO for Dallas Habitat, said the contributions will help him and his team reach more potential homeowners across North Texas.

“Though most people know us from our home building activities, Dallas Habitat educates and counsels hundreds of families a year on the home buying process,” Crawford said in a statement. “These new online resources will be a real game-changer, as they allow potential homeowners to take classes when and where it fits into their schedule and prepare more individuals to purchase a home—whether it’s through us or on the open market.”

The mobile app, HomeSuite, is intended to better connect interested homebuyers and local Dallas Habitat homeownership counselors. Available in both English and Spanish, the app has various features to ease the process, like access to education courses, tracking of debt reduction progress and sweat equity, a savings calculator, and an action plan.

The first-of-its-kind digital education library is intended to boost users’ financial literacy to enhance decision-making. The only Habitat for Humanity affiliate to offer the tool, Dallas Habitat has equipped the platform with free educational courses on homeownership topics such as credit scores, debt-to-income ratios, and savings accounts.

But this isn’t the first time the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity has been a leader in housing innovation. In 2017, the organization announced an initiative—the first-ever in the national Habitat network—that would make homes available for middle-income residents.

Last year, Dallas Habitat was one of six North Texas nonprofits to be chosen for NBCUniversal’s Project Innovation. NBC 5, Telemundo 39, and the NBCUniversal Foundation issued a total of $225,000 in grants, with $50,000 going to Dallas Habitat.

“We applaud Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity for launching the area’s first-ever mobile app that gives individuals the information and tools they need to realize their dream of homeownership,” said Tom Ehlmann, President and General Manager for NBC 5 and Telemundo 39, in a statement. “This program exemplifies the ideals of Project Innovation, which is to help local organizations resolve everyday problems through innovative ways.”

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