CDFIs have always been community builders-bridging the gap between opportunity and access. But sometimes, that bridge doesn’t reach everyone.
For many first-time homebuyers, getting to an in-person class can be tough. They’re working extra hours, caring for family, or living miles from the nearest counseling office. And yet, education (the knowledge that helps them buy, keep, and grow through homeownership) is essential.
That’s where online development services or technical assistance make a difference.
By offering homebuyer and post-purchase education online, CDFIs can reach borrowers who might otherwise be left out (without losing the personal connection that makes their support so meaningful).
Meeting First-time Homebuyers Where They Are
First-time homebuyers today want to learn on their own time, in their own space, and often in their own language. According to HUD research, three out of four first-time homebuyers prefer remote (online or phone-based) education over in-person classes.
When offered a choice, 63% begin online, compared with only 26% who participate when only in-person options are available.
That flexibility can be the difference between someone starting their homeownership journey or walking away from it altogether.
Online education doesn’t replace relationship-based support, rather, it extends it. First-time homebuyers who come to counseling or lending conversations after taking a course often arrive with stronger foundational knowledge, better questions, and clearer goals. That makes every interaction more meaningful.
Empowering Both First-time Homebuyers and Staff
Moving development services online gives borrowers and staff more tools to succeed.
For first-time homebuyers, it means:
- Accessible, easy-to-understand education on topics that can feel overwhelming
- The ability to learn privately and at their own pace
- Information available in multiple languages and formats
For staff, it means:
- Borrowers who are more prepared and informed before counseling sessions
- Resources that reinforce what’s taught in person
- Time to focus on deeper, higher-touch guidance instead of repeating the basics
When education happens before the one-on-one, those conversations become more personal, strategic, and impactful. Moving to online services means you can do more of what matters most.
>> See how Change Lending Launched a CDFI-Compliant Course for Future Homebuyers with Framework
A More Accessible Model of CDFI Development Services
Online development services open doors for those historically hardest to reach:
- Rural and tribal borrowers who live far from branch offices
- Shift workers who can’t attend fixed-time workshops
- Multilingual families who need education in their preferred language
- Borrowers with mobility or childcare barriers
Each new learner represents a step toward a more equitable financial system. With the right tools, CDFIs can turn development services into a cornerstone of accessibility that helps every borrower approach homeownership with confidence.
Proving and Strengthening Impact with Automation and Reporting
Online education tools make it easier to track participation and outcomes, which is crucial for reporting for grants, funding, and the Annual Certification and Data Collection Report (ACR) for the CDFI Fund and other stakeholders.
Automatically document borrower progress, issue completion certificates, and collect data to show how education supports success after closing.
Beyond compliance, this data tells a more powerful story: that education drives stability and that stability strengthens communities.
How to Get Started with an Online Development Service
- Assess who’s being left out. Identify the borrowers who can’t easily access in-person programs.
- Choose an online education partner that reflects your mission and community.
- Integrate learning early to make education a natural part of the lending journey.
- Equip staff to use these resources as conversation starters and follow-up tools.
- Celebrate impact. Use completion data and borrower stories to show how education expands access and builds stronger communities.
A More Connected Future
Online development services don’t take the place of people, rather, they empower them.
When borrowers have the tools to understand their path, and staff have the resources to guide with clarity, education becomes a shared language of empowerment.
By expanding access through online education, CDFIs can deepen relationships, build confidence, and open doors for the next generation of homeowners.
