Mortgage Matters

Roland Daniels and Heidi Griffith discuss the Ruby Thomas toy drive, which has collected over 700 gifts for children at Ruby Thomas, a school where all students receive free meals and many are unhoused. They also highlight the Silver State Fair Housing Council, which ensures equal housing opportunities. Kate Zook, the council's executive director, explains the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. The council offers training and testing to identify housing discrimination and provides resources and support for those affected. They also mention the Workers Advantage Program, offering up to $20,000 in down payment assistance for eligible Nevada residents.

Rolandand Heidi discussed the Ruby Thomas Holiday Toy Drive, aiming to provide toys for all 683 students at Ruby Thomas Elementary, a school with many unhoused students. They highlighted the upcoming final Path to Home Ownership workshop on December 6, which covers comprehensive home-buying topics and offers a homebuyer certificate. They also addressed the 50-year mortgage concept, noting it doesn't exist yet and may not be beneficial due to extended interest payments. New programs from Nevada Housing and Nevada Rural Housing offer $20,000 in down payment assistance, with options to buy down interest rates, benefiting healthcare workers, educators, public safety, and construction industry workers.

Roland and Heidi discuss upcoming events and opportunities for Nevada home buyers. They highlight the Path to Home Ownership workshop on December 6, which covers budgeting, credit maintenance, and various down payment assistance programs. This workshops provides attendees with their Homebuyer Certificate, making them eligible for the down payment programs offered. The Nevada Housing Division's new Worker Advantage Program, opening for reservations on December 1, 2025, provides $20,000 per family, benefiting 900 families with $18 million. Nevada Rural Housing will also be offering a similar program, Rural Rocks $20,000. Both programs offer the ability to permanently buy down the interest rate. 

Heidi sat down with Starla Jordan, a realtor with Coldwell Banker Premier Realty, to discuss the upcoming Nevada Housing Division Home is Possible class on Monday, November 17, which will cover all the Nevada Housing Division down payment assistance programs. They highlighted the brand new Worker Advantage Program, starting December 1, offering up to $20,000 in assistance for down payments or interest rate buy-downs. Heidi emphasized the importance of the Ruby Thomas Elementary School Toy Drive, aiming to provide gifts for almost 700 underprivileged students. They also shared a success story of a recent buyer's home purchase for under $1,000 out-of-pocket, emphasizing the value of seller credits and negotiation skills. The Silver State Fair Housing Council's tester program was also mentioned, with upcoming online training on November 25.

Roland and Heidi talk about how the Home Is Possible down payment assistance programs and other homebuyer programs are helping families achieve affordable homeownership. They share how two recent buyers used these programs to purchase their homes with seller credits and minimal out-of-pocket costs, one spending less than $1,000 and another under $3,000.

They highlight their upcoming online homebuyer class on Monday, November 17, 2025, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., hosted with the Nevada Housing Division, where participants can learn more about first-time buyer assistance and ask questions during a live Q&A.

In the spirit of giving back, they share details about the Ruby Thomas Holiday Toy Drive, a community effort to bring joy to local students, and talk about the importance of fair housing rights and housing equality through the work of the Silver State Fair Housing Council and its tester program, a vital resource for ensuring fair housing in Nevada.

It’s an episode about homeownership, community, and creating lasting opportunities.

Roland and Heidi launched a toy drive for Ruby Thomas Elementary, a school in Las Vegas serving nearly 700 students,  many of whom are experiencing homelessness or living in severe hardship, 100% of whom receive free breakfast and lunch. The school represents more than 20 languages and cultures, reflecting the true diversity of Clark County. Joining Roland and Heidi is Melissa Marzan, Student Success Facilitator at Ruby Thomas Elementary, who shares what these children face every day and how even the smallest act of giving can make a lasting difference.

Together, they discuss the new $30 million campus, which has brought hope to the community, and how this toy drive aims to bring joy, comfort, and dignity to every student this holiday season.

Learn how you can help make a difference by donating toys, volunteering, or spreading the word, because every child deserves to feel seen, supported, and celebrated.

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Roland and Heidi speak with Kevin Hickey, Homeownership Program Manager at Nevada Rural Housing, about programs that help Nevadans buy homes. Kevin explains the Home At Last and Launch Pad programs, which provide down payment support and affordable interest rates, as well as the Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC) that offers buyers a 20% annual tax credit on mortgage interest. He also shares details on an upcoming  $20,000 program funded by AB 540, expanding opportunities across Nevada. 

Mortgage Matters airs every Sunday at 7:30 am on KUNV 91.5. We bring real conversations about housing, wealth, and legacy to Las Vegas and beyond.

Roland and Heidi discuss the Nevada Housing Division's homebuyer programs with Josie Hatem. They highlight success stories, including a 79-year-old grandmother, a young teacher, and a ride-share driver who improved his credit score. The programs, like the Home Is Possible and Teacher Homeownership Assistance, offer down payment assistance and credit counseling. Upcoming online classes on October 13 from 3:30 to 5:00 PM will provide detailed information and certificates required for these programs. The hosts emphasize the importance of these resources in making homeownership accessible to various demographics.

Roland Daniels and Heidi Griffith discussed upcoming education workshops, including a path to home ownership workshop on the first Saturday of each month and a Nevada Housing Division class on October 13. They highlighted the impact of the recent Fed rate cut on short-term rates, noting that mortgage rates actually increased post-announcement. They also addressed the government shutdown's potential impact on lending and the economy. Additionally, they explained the complexities of mortgage rates, emphasizing the importance of pre-approval and understanding loan level price adjustments (LLPAs). They concluded by highlighting the Silver State Fair Housing Council's efforts to combat housing discrimination.