Financial expert shares how local residents can prepare for economic challenges in the new year.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2025
Contact:
Britani Lindsay
Landover, MD – Rising healthcare costs, federal government layoffs, and inflation are among the biggest concerns of local residents going into 2026, but homeowners may be able to gain financial relief through their homes.
“With healthcare costs rising this year for many area residents, refinancing might make sense for some homeowners if they are struggling with higher insurance premiums,” says Milan Griffin, Chief Operations Officer for HomeFree-USA. “Their equity could help them get through a challenging time financially as they work to get back on their feet.”
In addition to talking about how refinancing may be a sound strategy for some to combat rising healthcare costs, Griffin can share with your audience how all consumers can prepare financially for 2026. With money goals being among the most popular New Year’s resolutions, Griffin can speak about:
- How local residents can achieve their top financial goals
- How renters can become homeowners in 2026
- How residents can get out of debt and improve their overall finances
- How renters can find downpayment funds for homeownership
- Why the winter is the perfect time to start a homebuying journey
- How laid-off federal workers can rebuild financially
Money is always top of mind for people at the start of the year, Griffin says. “The NewYear is a good time to take stock of where you are financially and make a plan to do better.” HomeFree-USA has multiple online classes to prepare for financial success in 2026, visit HomeFreeUSA.org/events to register.
About Milan Griffin
As Chief Operations Officer at HomeFree-USA, Milan Griffin is committed to amplifying the company’s mission — to create new homebuyers and sustainable homeowners, develop affordable homes, and revitalize communities. She does this by driving production across the company, strengthening partnerships, and increasing community engagement.
In response to the low Black homeownership rate, the widening wealth gap, and the swift wave of gentrification in cities nationwide, Griffin has led multiple campaigns to show marginalized communities how to achieve homeownership; teach homeowners how to prevent foreclosure; and help emerging real estate developers grow their businesses.
About HomeFree-USA
Marcia and Jim Griffin launched HomeFree-USA in 1994 with a vision to close the wealth gap by giving people the guidance they need to achieve and sustain homeownership. As the owners of the first and largest African American mortgage servicing company in the country, National Loan Service Center, Jim and Marcia were devastated by the high rates of default among borrowers of color. Thirty One years later, HomeFree-USA is still on the frontlines serving the diverse interests of 63 million consumers through its national intermediary network. We connect government, the real estate finance industry, and consumers to create new homebuyers, sustainable homeowners, affordable homes and revitalized communities.