At Clayton, we believe homeownership can improve lives for individuals and families across the U.S. Our philanthropy efforts help families achieve housing stability through partnerships that focus on attainable, quality home solutions, advocacy and education, and financial literacy. Since 2022, Clayton has partnered with Operation HOPE, a national organization that equips people with the financial tools and education and empowers them on their path to financial literacy. Operation HOPE believes “Silver Rights” and financial literacy for all go hand in hand with homeownership to help families build generational wealth and strengthen communities more broadly.

Many individuals and families across the country feel that homeownership, a fundamental piece of the American dream, is out of reach. Operation HOPE’s HOPE Inside® Homeownership Program empowers individuals and families to become homeowners. The program provides workshops, one-on-one coaching and other educational resources, which help clients overcome common barriers to homeownership such as low credit scores, lack of down payment, existing debt, and money management challenges.

Operation HOPE’s online resources and counseling services have increased accessibility and engaged more individuals. Clayton’s partnership with Operation HOPE will continue to increase the impact of the HOPE Inside Homeownership Program by broadening HOPE's coaching network and enabling the digital platform to reach more people.

With Clayton's support, since 2022, the HOPE Inside Homeownership Program empowered more than 14,000 clients with homeownership services and resources, placing them in a better position to purchase a home.

For example, before working with William Brown, a Financial Wellbeing Coach at Operation HOPE, a client believed he was making the right decisions by paying off and closing accounts. However, after reviewing his credit report with William, he was surprised to learn these actions dropped his credit score by 100 points. With William's guidance, the client set small goals and began to see his credit score improve. He continued to pay down his debt, which decreased his credit utilization, and increased his available credit to offset the remaining balance.

Through William's advice, active participation in coaching sessions, and diligent effort, the client raised his credit score by 33 points to 679. This new credit score qualified him for a mortgage loan, and he finally achieved his dream of homeownership.

“Our partnership with Clayton enables Operation HOPE to equip even more American families with the financial tools and education to secure a better future through homeownership, a critical component to building wealth for generations to come,” said Brian Betts, President and Chief Financial Officer at Operation HOPE.

Learn more about Clayton's social responsibility efforts at claytonhomes.com/social-responsibility