The city of Covington can offer $15,000 toward a new home in the Walker's Bend neighborhood for people who complete a free course about personal finance and home buying.

The 16-week course, 22-hour course started Tuesday and will meet every Tuesday through June at the Covington Housing Authority's community room, 5160 Alcovy Rd., Covington.

Morning and evening classes are available; the morning class runs from 10 a.m. to noon and the evening class runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Attendees do not have to plan to buy a house.

Classes will help attendees find a copy of their credit report and score and include financial materials, guest speakers and individual coaching sessions; classes sponsored by the Covington Redevelopment Authority and the Covington Housing Authority.

The classes are lead by Shamica Redding, the owner of Energema, a non-profit organization founded to empower individuals, families and small businesses with the financial knowledge and tools to become debt free and self-sustaining in any economic climate and realize their dreams of financial independence.

Graduates from the program will be prepared to meet the requirements of local lending partners and be eligible for various down payment assistance programs.
For more information about the classes, go to www.energema.org or contact Redding at (404) 783-0040 or shamica@energema.org.

For information about the Walker's Bend community, call Kathie Ruch at Hometown Realty (770) 786-7979 or (770) 722-6685, or go to CovingtonCottages.com.