The not-for-profit North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC) is offering a free homeownership class in Warrenton on June 19.The event is from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the NECAC Warren County Service Center, 120 E. Main in Warrenton.“We have several opportunities for buyers right now,” said NECAC Homeownership Programs Director Debbie Smith, who has 15 years of experience as a real estate agent. “In particular, we have possibilities for lower and middle income families and individuals.”One program that will be discussed is Aspire Partnership, in which federal and state prisoners overseen by guards and union apprentices will build affordable houses within penitentiary walls that will be sold to qualifying buyers.Partnering in the program with NECAC are the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Carpenters Union District Council of Greater St. Louis.Applicants must be able to qualify for a regular loan and have annual household incomes not exceeding $44,000 for a two-person family and $51,000 for a family of three or more people. They also must be able to pay for their foundations, utility hookups, flooring and carpet.The ranch-style homes feature two bedrooms and one bathroom. They will be about 1,008 square feet.The homes will be transported to site locations by an experienced moving company and set on basements. General contractors will do plumbing and electrical installation.Participants in the June 19 meeting will also learn about housing opportunities and financing, obstacles to homeownership, saving for a down payment, down payment assistance, record-keeping, understanding credit, cash flow, meeting with financial institutions, getting a loan, taxes and other topics.“The classes prepare buyers to think along the line of ‘What is the true cost of buying this house, how long will we stay here and are we willing to spend our weekends cutting the grass?’ ” Smith said.Down payment assistance programs are available to people with concerns, and many of them ask that potential homeowners attend a homeownership class.“People think you have to have a large down payment or make a big salary to own a home, but that isn’t always the case,” Smith said.The benefits of owning a home often outweigh the cost, Smith said. “Some of the biggest smiles I have ever seen are on the faces of new homeowners.”Each year, NECAC homeownership programs put 45 to 70 families on the road to a home purchase. The agency works in partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Federal Home Loan Bank, NeighborWorks America, the St. Louis HOME Consortium and other agencies to provide homeownership opportunities.More information is available by calling the NECAC Warren County Service Center at (636) 456-8191 or Smith at (573) 324-6622.NECAC