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As part of its employee recruitment and retention efforts, Sellars Absorbent Materials, a Milwaukee-based manufacturer and marketer of wipes, absorbents, and towel and tissue products, has implemented a program to provide its employees with forgivable grants to help them purchase a home.
“As most manufacturers know, finding and retaining talent is an ongoing challenge,” says Nilda Cintron-Cortez, Ph.D., Chief People Officer with Sellars. “In addition to attractive wages, performance bonuses, quality health insurance, and a 100 percent 401(k) match on the first 5 percent of employee contributions, we now offer our employees homebuying education and down payment assistance."
Working with Havenwoods Neighborhood Partnership, a Milwaukee nonprofit, interested Sellars’ employees participate in a six-hour homebuyer education workshop, followed by personalized credit counseling. Upon completing the course, employees are introduced to Havenwoods' network of trusted local lending partners who provide additional resources and guidance throughout the mortgage pre-approval process. Once pre-approved, employees are ready to begin their home search.
Sellars’ employees who purchase a home within the Havenwoods neighborhood may receive up to $7,500 in homeownership assistance, including a $5,000 forgivable loan from Havenwoods and a $2,500 employer contribution from Sellars. Employees who purchase a home elsewhere within Milwaukee may receive up to $5,000 in homeownership assistance, including a $2,500 forgivable loan from Havenwoods and a $2,500 employer contribution from Sellars.
The Havenwoods forgivable loan and the Sellars employer contribution are forgiven after employees occupy the home as their primary residence and remain employed with Sellars for three years.
A Family Homebuying Story
The most recent Sellars’ employee to purchase a home is 21-year-old Edwin Roman Jr., who is now the proud owner of a duplex in Milwaukee. Roman Jr. has been with Sellars for two years as a machine operator and is on track to enter a maintenance apprenticeship.
Sellars has become a family institution since Edwin’s father, Edwin Roman Sr., also works at the company. Roman Sr. is a maintenance technician and recruited his son to Sellars because the company offered so many opportunities.
Roman Sr. had tried to get a mortgage several times in the past but wasn’t successful. Last year, at age 54, Edwin Sr. and his wife bought their very first home—thanks to the employee assistance program.
“In just 12 months, we already have three employees who are now part of the American Dream. They are no longer paying rent and instead are investing in their future as homeowners,” shares Cintron-Cortez. “Inside Sellars, the word is spreading that it’s possible to buy a home, so we have several more employees who are going through the process.”