Mortgage Connects
Building confidence and knowledge to prep future homebuyers for success – Episode 26
Trena Bond, Housing Resources, Inc.'s Executive Director
Building confidence and knowledge to prep future homebuyers for success
In honor of International Women’s Day, we interviewed Trena Bond, executive director at Housing Resources, Inc. (HRI), a Wisconsin-based nonprofit housing counseling organization with a mission to prepare prospective homebuyers for sustainable homeownership and to foster financial empowerment. HRI helps community members understand the homebuying process and prepares them for successful homeownership while helping them overcome any barriers they come across. Trena discusses how HRI teaches and guides people on all aspects of homeownership, from buying to making sure they continue to maintain successful homeownership for years to come.
HRI opens the door to homeownership for those who may not have thought it was possible. The organization prides itself on providing comprehensive homebuyer education and assistance, including:
- One-on-one educational workshops, meetings and counseling sessions
- Help understanding and improving credit scores
- Access to home maintenance tools
- Connecting homebuyers to down payment assistance (DPA) resources and financial grants
Episode breakdown:
- Tell us about HRI (1:51)
- How do people get referred to HRI? (4:10)
- Explain your role at HRI (4:57)
- How can prospective homebuyers overcome obstacles to homeownership with help from HRI? (6:35)
- Explain the importance of the programs, services and resources HRI provides (10:09)
- What’s in store for HRI in the future? (12:22)
The opinions and insights expressed in this Q&A are solely those of its interviewee and do not necessarily represent the views of either Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation or any of its parent, affiliates, or subsidiaries (collectively, “MGIC”). Neither MGIC nor any of its officers, directors, employees or agents makes any representations or warranties of any kind regarding the soundness, reliability, accuracy or completeness of any opinion, insight, recommendation, data, or other information contained in this blog, or its suitability for any intended purpose.
Trena Bond, Housing Resources, Inc.'s Executive Director
She received her start in the housing industry working for one of the country’s leading mortgage servicers in 1995 where she assisted homeowners in understanding the difference between renting and homeownership responsibilities. She was inspired to work with first-time homebuyers and found her calling at Housing Resources, Inc. Since she began her tenure at HRI in 1999, Trena has held a variety of positions with increasing responsibility, culminating in her current appointment as its executive director in 2003.
In 2019, Trena was honored by the Milwaukee Business Journal Women of Influence for Nonprofit Leadership and was celebrated by board, staff, funders and partners for her 20 years of service to Housing Resources, Inc.
She serves as a Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance Property and Casualty Advisory Council member; Associated Bank’s Wisconsin Community Advisory Council member; Wisconsin Insurance Plan’s Governing Committee member; and Take Root Milwaukee Resource and Oversight Committee member.
Ms. Bond is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She graduated from Marquette University in 1997, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. Ms. Bond is married and has 2 children.