NEW ALBANY — Two workshops and a tour of six Midtown houses refurbished through the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program are slated for this week in New Albany, as the push continues to find home owners for the project with the deadline less than a year away.

A group that includes New Directions Housing Corp. — hired by the city to oversee the Midtown NSP project — is hosting the Money Talks Home Ownership workshops on Tuesday and Saturday.

Tuesday’s edition is a two-hour program beginning at 6 p.m. focused on home ownership basics. Saturday’s workshop will be a full day event beginning at 9 a.m.

The program will feature seven financial panelists that will discuss Realtor relations, home inspections, savings strategies and mortgage closing procedures.

The workshops are being held at the Ritter Neighborhood Resource Center inside the Cardinal Ritter House at 1218 E. Oak St. in New Albany. The structure was rehabilitated with a portion of the $6.7 million in federal NSP funds garnered by the city for the Midtown project.

Carl Malysz, director of community housing initiatives for New Albany, said 22 of the 30 houses marked for redevelopment have been refurbished. Twelve of those homes have been sold, according to Malysz, who added there are three pending sales.

To meet federal guidelines, the city is to have the homes occupied by March. There are income restrictions for purchasing the homes, as they are intended for low-to-moderate earning households.

Malysz said “the progress is good” on finishing the project and the deadline should be met.

“I’m very pleased with the project and very pleased with the impact” it’s had in the Midtown neighborhood, Malysz said.

Project officials have said over the past year, with the economy sagging and home sales below traditional averages, they may open up to rent-to-buy contracts in order to fill the houses.

Malysz said work is progressing on six of the remaining eight sites that haven’t been sold or put on the market.

The workshop series is sponsored by The Southern Indiana Financial Empowerment Partners, which includes Fifth Third Bank, New Hope Services, the New Albany Housing Authority, the Community Action Partnership, PNC Bank and New Directions.

The series concludes with open house tours of six NSP homes near the Ritter House. The events are free and open to the public.

“Our team is working to ensure that as many families as possible consider — even act — on the opportunity to own a home of their own,” said Lisa Thompson, chief operating officer and president at New Directions. “Whether you just bought a home, are planning to, or this is a long term dream, everyone is invited to participate and consider how this investment works for their family.”  

Mayor Jeff Gahan said he’s pleased New Directions and its program partners are hosting the workshops and tours.  

“The NSP homes are selling well in Midtown, but Money Talks is sure to spur yet additional sales in that neighborhood,” Gahan said.

Those who tour all six NSP homes Saturday will be eligible for two drawings for Taste of New Albany prizes. Those who attend the workshops will also be eligible for the drawings.

For more information, contact Thompson at 812-719-7106.