Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission, U.S. Bank launch program to help families become homeowners

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A new partnership is looking to ease the path to homeownership for low-to-moderate-income families in Arkansas.

The Arkansas Martin Luther King Jr. Commission said in a Thursday statement that it was working with U.S. Bank in introducing the Access Home Community Impact Initiative 2024. A kickoff event for the program is taking place at 1 p.m. on July 29 at United Real Estate, 1319 Broadway in Little Rock.

A commission representative said the program would include a financial literacy toolkit, vendor partnerships, promotional efforts, virtual and in-person community work groups, needs assessments, interactive online lessons, progress tracking and a completion ceremony.

Commission executive director DuShun Scarbrough said the undertaking is in keeping with the commission’s purpose.

“In one of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speeches, he stated, ‘You can use your powerful economic resources to wipe poverty from the face of the earth,'” Scarbrough said. “The path to home ownership is a step in that direction. Homeownership should be accessible to all families, regardless of their economic background, and this initiative brings us closer to making that a reality.”

The commission is conducting an online survey to determine challenges for potential homeowners and tailor solutions to community needs. Respondents will receive an invitation to the kickoff event.

The commission is also working to establish community work groups to assist with the program. For more information or to participate, contact DuShun Scarbrough at 888-290-KING.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLRT - FOX16.com.