Charlene Shirk

VyStar Launches Free Housing Webinar Series to Help Renters and Homebuyers Navigate Rising Costs

Published June 30, 2026

Series connects community with guidance, resources, and a chance to win $1,500 toward housing costs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With housing costs on the rise across Florida and Georgia, VyStar Credit Union is launching a free webinar series to help renters, buyers and homeowners navigate today’s market with practical financial strategies. The series, Navigating High Rent & Homeownership Costs, offers practical guidance and resources for individuals and families facing increasingly complex housing decisions.

“Rising rent and higher home purchasing costs are causing many people to rethink what home means and what comes next,” said Dana Karzan, VyStar’s Chief Marketing Officer. “This series is designed to provide clear, practical guidance that helps our members and communities make informed decisions, build confidence and take meaningful steps toward long-term housing cost and investment management.”

Housing affordability remains a growing concern, with higher costs, limited inventory and changing economic conditions challenging many traditional pathways to homeownership.

“We are seeing the impact of rising housing costs across our community,” said Joshua Hicks, Affordable Housing Administrator/Housing Liaison, City of Jacksonville Neighborhoods Department. “Education and access to resources are critical to helping residents understand their options and make informed decisions. Efforts like this can help provide valuable information to those navigating today’s housing market.”

VyStar’s education-first approach recognizes that financial progress isn’t one-size-fits-all. The series meets people where they are, offering practical, real-world guidance; from preparing for homeownership in a high-rate environment and understanding mortgage options to budgeting for rising housing costs and strengthening overall financial readiness. Participants will also gain tools to build savings, improve credit, and manage debt more effectively.

Registration is open now. Individuals who register by July 3 will be entered for a chance to be one of six winners to receive $1,500 to help cover rent or mortgage costs.* Register for Navigating High Rent & Homeownership Costs.

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VyStar Credit Union is the second-largest credit union headquartered in Florida, with 78 full-service branches across Florida and Georgia, 1 million members and assets of over $14 billion. VyStar is the top mortgage lender in Northeast Florida and a major employer in the region with over 2,300 employees across the communities it serves. VyStar membership is open to everyone who lives or works in the 49 contiguous counties of Central to North Florida, 29 Georgia counties, and past and present military members and their families all over the world. VyStar members have access to 55,000 surcharge free ATMs worldwide. For more information, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn.