Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Baldwin County is preparing to introduce a new housing initiative for residents. County officials have announced a virtual training session for lenders and realtors. The session will help these partners guide residents through the new program. The Homeownership Assistance Program is supported by federal disaster recovery funding.

The training is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. It will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. Professionals interested in attending can obtain the meeting link by contacting the county at bccgrants@baldwincountyal.gov. 

The program is called the Homeownership Assistance Program, or HAP. It is funded through the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program. That federal program helps communities recover and rebuild after disasters are formally declared.

A wide range of professionals serving Baldwin County residents are encouraged to attend the training. This includes financial institutions, mortgage lenders, loan officers, real estate agents, and title companies. The training will cover HAP program guidelines and eligibility requirements.

Baldwin County Grants Director Brian Underwood stated that lenders and realtors will be essential for the program's success. "Lenders and realtors will play an important role in helping residents understand and navigate the application process," Underwood said.

He added that the training aims to ensure partners are prepared to serve the community. "This training will ensure our partners have the information they need to help connect residents with available resources," he said.