City of New Bedford & Housing Partnership To Host Free Credit Workshop

The Workshop will provide valuable tips for setting goals and financial planning. It will offer guidance on a variety of topics, including: the meaning of a credit report to one’s financial future; how to obtain and re-establish credit; and the amount of debt one can comfortably afford.

The free Workshop will be held on Wednesday, May 13 at the Fort Taber Community Center at 1000 Rodney French Boulevard. Registration begins at 5:00 p.m. and a presentation will be held at 6:00 p.m. Credit counselors will be on hand beginning at 5:00 p.m. to meet one-on-one with individuals until 7:00 pm. Informational packages will also be available.

“This is an important opportunity for residents to learn more about the importance of establishing and maintaining credit, and how it affects their day-to-day lives,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. “I encourage residents to take advantage of this free workshop so that they can better prepare for their financial future.”

Prior to the event, anyone attending is asked to obtain a free annual credit report from annualcreditreport.com or by calling 877-322-8228.

Participating agencies for the Fall River/New Bedford Housing Partnership include BankFive; BayCoast Bank; Bristol County Savings Bank; Catholic Social Services; Fall River Community Development Agency; Fall River Municipal Credit Union; First Citizens’ Federal Credit Union; MassHousing; Mechanics Cooperative Bank; Money Management International; NeighborWorks Southern Mass; City of New Bedford Office of Housing & Community Development; South Shore Housing; Southern Mass Credit Union; St. Anne’s Credit Union and Webster Bank.

The Fall River/New Bedford Housing Partnership, founded in 2007, co-chaired by the City of New Bedford, was formed to address the housing and foreclosure crisis. The partnership aims to provide assistance to individuals and families facing a risk of foreclosure by providing foreclosure prevention counseling, as well as educate consumers about financial literacy, credit worthiness and innovative loan products, including “Buy New Bedford” and purchase and rehabilitation programs.

To register for the Credit Workshop, please call (800) 643-2272 or for additional information, please contact the City of New Bedford Office of Housing and Community Development at (508) 979-1500.