Are you interested in purchasing your first home?

Buying your first home can be a very overwhelming and complicated process. However, there are several organizations around Atlanta that are able to help you purchase a home. Some of these organizations even provide downpayment assistance for qualified first-time homebuyers.

If you are interested in purchasing your first home, the following organizations may be able to assist you.

The Atlanta Development Authority links residents in the city of Atlanta to affordable housing units in the city (for rental and homeownership). www.atlantada.com. Click on "Affordable Housing" on the left side column. This site offers local housing with available apartment developments and includes prices and contact information. (404) 880-4100.

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs sponsors a program called Georgia Dream. The Georgia Dream program provides downpayment assistance, as well as housing counseling educational programs at partners throughout the metro area. http://www.dca.state.ga.us/housing/Homeownership/programs/GeorgiaDream.asp. The phone number for the Office of Homeownership is (404) 679-4847.

United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta sponsors the Individual Development Account (IDA) Program for first-time homebuyers. The IDA Program provides up to a 5 to 1 match on the money you save for a downpayment. United Way partners with several organizations in the metro area to provide this program. For more information on the IDA Program, check out the United Way's website www.unitedwayatlanta.org/e0-ida_home.asp. (404) 527-3549.

ACORN provides housing counseling, first-time homebuyer education classes, and access to mortgages through local mortgage partners. They also provide counseling about protecting yourself from predatory lenders. Click on "Offices", then select "Georgia" from the list of states. (404) 525-1013.

Center for Working Families provides housing counseling, first-time homebuyer education classes, and access to affordable mortgages through local mortgage partners. They also provide counseling about protecting yourself from predatory lenders. They partner with the United Way to offer the Individual Development Account (IDA) program. This program provides up to a 5 to 1 match on the money you save for a downpayment. These programs are only available to residents of NPU-V (which includes Adair Park, Capitol Homes, Mechanicsville, Pittsburgh, Peoplestown, and Summerhill). Click on "Services", then on "Moving to Wealth" on the left column. (404) 223-3303.

Reynoldstown Revitalization Corporation provides housing counseling, first-time homebuyer education classes, and access to affordable mortgages through local mortgage partners. They also provide counseling about protecting yourself from predatory lenders. . Click on "Reynoldstown Revitalization Corporation." Click on "Take the Path to Homeownership" on the right column." (404) 525-4130.

Habitat for Humanity partners with working families, sponsors and communities throughout Atlanta to build affordable quality homes and to provide support services that promote successful home purchase and ownership. New homebuyers must complete 250 hours of "sweat equity" in addition to paying for their homes, working side-by-side with sponsors and volunteers to help build their own and other Atlanta Habitat homes. (404) 223-5180.

Atlanta Urban League provides a wide range of housing counseling and first-time homebuyer education classes. (404) 659-1150.

The Impact Group provides housing counseling, first-time homebuyer education classes, and access to mortgages through local mortgage partners. They also manage its own mortgage company. They partner with Gwinnett County to offer the HOMEStretch program, which provides downpayment assistance for qualified homebuyers, who purchase in Gwinnett County. Click on "Homeownership." (678) 808-4477.

EarnBenefits provides general information for homebuyers as well as contacts to guide you through the homebuying process.