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EDC volunteer offers FDIC 'Money Smart' homebuying classes; commission signals interest
Summary
Robin Barrett Bluebaugh, an Economic Development Committee volunteer, told the Kentwood City Commission she can provide FDIC Money Smart homebuyer classes free to residents and asked the city to provide space; commissioners said they will discuss the proposal at a retreat and add it to a future agenda.
Robin Barrett Bluebaugh told the Kentwood City Commission on Dec. 16 that she and colleagues from her bank can deliver FDIC Money Smart homebuying and financial-education courses to Kentwood residents at no cost to the city, asking only that the city provide space.
"I serve the city of Kentwood by donating my time and talents to the EDC," Barrett Bluebaugh said, describing a curriculum, trained facilitators and the bank’s willingness to provide snacks and materials for 90- to 120-minute sessions.
Mayor Capri and other commissioners expressed support and described the proposal as aligned with ongoing housing and homeownership goals. A commissioner suggested the topic be discussed at the upcoming commission retreat and added to a future agenda for formal consideration. The commission did not take a vote on the item during the public-comment period.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the classes could help residents who think they do not qualify for mortgages and fit with a pending housing study the city is undertaking. The proposal would use existing curricula certified through the FDIC and rely on volunteer facilitators and bank staff rather than new city staffing.
What was said: Barrett Bluebaugh asked for the commission’s blessing to "provide financial education to residents, for home buying using the curriculum created by the FDIC, facilitated by myself as both an employee of Macatella Bank and certified in Money Smart through the FDIC." Commissioners praised the idea and directed staff to place the item on the retreat agenda for fuller discussion.
Next steps: The commission signaled interest and intends to review the idea at the retreat and then schedule it for a future agenda item, where fees, facility use and program scheduling would be formally considered.
