The Bellport Hagerman East Patchogue Alliance held a workshop on June 10, alongside members of Chase and JPMorganChase, to aid locals in their financial journey to buying a home for the first time.

Mackenzie Mills, media manager at Chase, elaborated about how the goal is to build a “financial health umbrella” to allow for generational wealth. Through skills such as budgeting and saving, increasing credit is possible and acts as a gateway to allow for easier homeownership, she said.

Kate Travers, vice president Chase community manager, also offered her expertise for those in attendance. With over 20 years of nonprofit experience under her belt before joining Chase, Travers is experienced in aiding individuals in events such as these.

For instance, one good practice mentioned is to make sure to pay all outstanding bills and loans prior to applying for a grant for homeownership. Many other different pieces of advice were shared, cracking the surface on the complexities of housing and simplifying it in small ways to make their knowledge more accessible.

Attendees also earned a certificate from the Economic Opportunities Council of Suffolk, allowing them to apply for local government grants that create more accessible, affordable homeownership. This is especially vital for younger homeowners, as housing on Long Island is among the most expensive in the nation.

There will be more workshops held by Chase relating to homeownership in the future.