The 12-county area not-for-profit North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC) has earned a national grant to provide additional homeownership counseling services in Missouri, Illinois and Iowa.The announcement was made by NECAC President and Chief Executive Officer Don Patrick from the agency’s central administration executive office building in Bowling Green.The $16,857.14 grant is from NeighborWorks America, a congressionally chartered nonprofit organization that supports community and housing development.The announcement was made as part of the June observance of National Homeownership Month. NECAC has been a chartered member of NeighborWorks since 2006.“Studies have shown that the biggest purchase we’ll ever make in life is the one we receive the least education about,” said NECAC Deputy Director for Housing Development Programs Carla Potts. “Educated homebuyers are successful homeowners. Our program is designed to make people successful homeowners.”Everyone who signs up for NECAC homeownership programs must participate in counseling services. Topics include budgeting, taxes, using credit wisely, shopping for a loan and home maintenance. Classes run about eight hours and are generally held monthly, but can be tailored to clients’ schedules. Participants may spend up to a year in the program.During the last 18 months, NECAC has put 67 families on the path to owning a home. The agency is nationally certified in homeownership education.NECAC and NeighborWorks frequently team up on housing programs. The agencies hosted the Tri-State Housing Summit June 8 in Burlington, Iowa. An earlier $25,000 grant from NeighborWorks allowed NECAC in April to open the first Homeownership Center in Northeast Missouri.More information about NECAC homeownership programs is available by calling 573-324-6622 or the Homeownership Center at 573-221-7166.NECAC