Overview: The Inland Empire Resource Center is hosting a Regional Housing Fair on May 31st to provide resources and support for Inland Empire residents struggling with rent, credit issues, or first-time home buying hurdles. The fair will feature a lineup of national and local voices, including Mayor Helen Tran and Bishop Cortez Vaughn, and cover a range of practical topics such as understanding manufactured housing and rebuilding credit. The goal of the fair is to empower individuals and families to achieve homeownership and close the housing gap.
Aryana Noroozi
As housing costs continue to rise across California, Inland Empire residents struggling with rent, credit issues or first-time home buying hurdles are invited to the Regional Housing Resource Fair on Saturday, May 31, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the DoubleTree Hotel in San Bernardino.
Hosted by the Inland Empire Resource Center (IERC) — a HUD-approved nonprofit housing counseling agency — the event is free to attend and includes lunch, raffle prizes and access to housing professionals, city leaders, and financial experts ready to support attendees on their path to stability and homeownership.
This year’s lineup, hosted by IERC Executive Director Linda Jackson, features a powerful mix of national voices and local changemakers including Anthony O’Neal, a best selling financial author and host of The Table, who will deliver a keynote on building wealth and financial freedom, as well as Mayor Helen Tran who will highlight local housing innovations and community-driven solutions to expand access in San Bernardino.
“Our goal is to provide hope, education, and real resources,” stated Jackson, executive director of the IERC. “Whether you’re facing eviction, repairing credit, or ready to buy your first home, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.”
Additional speakers and experts include Bishop Cortez Vaughn, Byron Sims, Paul Chambers, Clemente Mojica, Christina Roman, and others covering a range of practical, timely topics — from understanding manufactured housing and navigating 203(k) renovation loans to rebuilding credit and preparing for mortgage approval.
“When city officials, faith leaders, and financial experts come together, it creates a space where real change can happen,” stated Jackson. “City leaders help shape policy and make decisions that affect housing. Faith leaders have deep connections with the people and can reach those who may not show up at traditional meetings. Financial experts know the systems and how to guide people through the process. When they all sit down in the same room, ideas are shared, problems are seen more clearly, and solutions become more practical and rooted in the real lives of the people we serve.”
Featured sessions include: “Innovative Housing Solutions: Pathway to Homeownership” with Mayor Helen Tran,“Take Your Seat at the Table” with Anthony O’Neal, “Where Financial Freedom Begins at Home” with Bishop Cortez Vaughn, and Panel: “Ready, Set, Own” for first-time homebuyers among other events, each offering actionable insights for individuals and families.
“The Inland Empire Resource Center meets people where they are. We offer one-on-one guidance, help them understand their finances, and walk with them through each step toward homeownership,” Jackson stated. “Our goal is to open doors that have been closed for too long.”
The fair is part of IERC’s mission to close the housing gap by providing counseling, education, and advocacy—particularly for African American families and others historically excluded from wealth-building opportunities.
To register or learn more, visit iercsb.org or call 909-887-8700.