October 7, 2025 – Grace United Methodist Church hosted 50 adults and 5 children for an informative evening focused on the journey to homeownership. Sponsored by Prosperity Home Mortgage and organized in partnership with Interfaith Community Housing of Delaware (ICHDE), the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), and West Center Village, this event built on DSHA’s popular “Kiss Your Landlord Goodbye” program with our own twist: “Get Ready to…Kiss Your Landlord Goodbye.”

Expert knowledge

The event brought together an impressive lineup of housing professionals and experts who shared invaluable insights about the path to homeownership:

• Tracy Spriggs from ICHDE shared comprehensive guidance on housing counseling and the support services available to prospective homebuyers
• J.R. Burns from Prosperity Home Mortgage provided attendees with crucial information about mortgage options and the lending process
• Keichau James from DSHA explained the various state programs and assistance available to first-time homebuyers
• Fred Drewery shared with his personal story, describing the process of working with our HomeOwnership Director, Tracy Spriggs, and steps he took to achieve his homeownership dream
• Melba Drewery from Berkshire Hathaway Home Services offered real estate advice and shared her passion not only for her job but for the people she works with
• John Kerrigan from Reliable Home Inspections educated attendees about the importance of home inspections and what to look for when purchasing a property

Looking forward

The enthusiastic reception and workshop attendance in beautiful Grace United Methodist Church demonstrated our community’s strong desire for homeownership education and support. This event represents just one of the many ways ICHDE and our partners are working to empower Delaware families to achieve their dreams of homeownership and build generational wealth.
Through comprehensive education, one-on-one counseling, and continued support, we’re helping families transition from renting to owning, creating more stable neighborhoods and stronger communities throughout Delaware.
The success of this event reinforces our commitment to providing accessible, culturally relevant homeownership education to all Delaware residents. We’re grateful to our sponsors, partners, and especially to the 50 participants who joined us for this informative evening.
Stay tuned for more homeownership events and opportunities. If you’re ready to start your journey toward “kissing your landlord goodbye,” contact ICHDE’s HomeOwnership Center for personalized counseling and support.
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For more information about homeownership programs and upcoming events, visit ichde.org or contact our HomeOwnership Center at (302) 652-3991 ext. 100.