Southeast Asians buy up most of Habitat homes
The Fresno Bee
By BoNhia Lee
Habitat for Humanity sends out notices and hangs up posters throughout the community to attract families to apply for new affordable houses -- but lately, Southeast Asian families seem to be about the only ones answering the call.
In the latest round of applications for a new Habitat development in southeast Fresno, 45 were submitted by Southeast Asian families -- mostly Hmong. Only three came from Hispanic families.
...The Hmong have stepped up to the plate because they want to be homeowners, Cook said. They also seem to have higher credit scores than other minority groups, she said.
Southeast Asian culture may give an advantage, said Gary Painter, director of research at the Lusk Center for Real Estate at the University of Southern California.
For example, multigeneration households provide stability that helps people save money, Painter said.
One of the things Southeast Asian families do best is spread the word about topics of interest through the community.
"Networks are important among immigrant groups, so it looks like it's playing a role there," Painter said.