VALDOSTA — June has been named National Homeownership Month in Lowndes County after a proclamation was presented by Lowndes County Commission Chairman Bill Slaughter at Keys to Homeownership Thursday. 

Keys to Homeownership, a home buyers fair, was held at the Lowndes County Civic Center. 

“A home is an important investment and an important part of stability for many people … homeownership has a large impact on community economic development,” Slaughter read from the proclamation. 

Slaughter said the event provided the opportunity and information for individuals to “attain that American dream of homeownership.” 

“(A home) creates that sense of unity in a family,” Slaughter said. 

Jerome Tucker of the USDA organized the event in collaboration with Lowndes County. 

“What we’ve attempted to do here is to bring the resources to the table that provide the answers to all your questions about housing and housing matters,” Tucker said.   

Emily Hagan of Southside Builder’s Supply also helped organize the event and said the goal is to connect current or potential home buyers with the right people, so they can purchase, build or rehabilitate their home. 

“So many families believe they won’t ever get a home … (These) agencies open the door for them,” Hagan said. 

Vendors included Commercial Banking Company, Valdosta Sold Realty, South Georgia Homeless Coalition, Habitat for Humanity, Kirby Sapp Construction, Southern Builders Supply, USDA Rural Development and more. 

For information on USDA programs and services, such as housing loans or grants, visit www.rd.usda.gov. 

Kimberly Cannon is an Intern Reporter with The Valdosta Daily Times. Her extension is 1376.