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Man speaking to seated participants in a YMCA gymnasium for a housing counseling meeting.
HOUSING COUNSELING

Housing Counseling is committed to provide low-moderate income families with a continuum of coordinated services in one location in order to better meet their housing and consumer credit needs and to build individual and community wealth.

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2025 FREE First-Time Homebuyer Two-Part Seminar dates:

Attendance at both session dates is required. Registration is required. Locations TBD.

ENGLISH

Saturday, May 3rd & 10th (In-person)

Saturday, September 6th & 13th (In-person)

Saturday, November 8th & 15th (Online)

ESPAÑOL

Sábado, Junio 7 & 14 (En-persona)

Sábado, Octubre 4 & 11 (En-persona)

Home Ownership Counseling

The Home Ownership Counseling Program will prepare you to become a homeowner. The HOCP seminar is organized into six topics, which are conducted on two consecutive Saturdays. HOCP's mission is to expand home ownership opportunities, particularly for minorities and persons with lower to moderate incomes. The goals of the program are:
 

  • To educate prospective first time home buyers to enable them to make an informed decision regarding home ownership.

  • To assist those who proceed through the process of purchasing a home and provide the resources to promote successful home ownership.

  • To inform the related industries about the needs of the community.

pre-purchase counseling
and education services

first-time homebuyer seminars

Seminars are offered in both English and Spanish at least seven times per year and provide a comprehensive overview of the homebuying process including down payment information and closing cost assistance programs. Presenters include lenders, realtors, home inspectors, homeowners’ insurance agents, and closing agents. The seminar provides eight hours of HUD-approved, pre-purchase education and participants earn a certificate of completion to present to their lender.

pre-settlement counseling

Pre-Settlement Counseling is available to homebuyers who have a mortgage commitment and closing date. Two-hour and four-hour counseling sessions are available, depending on the type of down payment and closing cost assistance that will be utilized. A two-hour counseling session is also available to homebuyers using a PHFA loan product. The homebuyer earns a certificate of completion to present to their lender.

Pre-Purchase Counseling

A Housing Counselor meets with a prospective homebuyer to develop a budget, action plan, and to pull and review the credit report. This counseling helps the homebuyer gain a better understanding of their housing situation and work towards the goal of purchasing a home.

Rental/Budget Counseling

A Housing Counselor meets with a renter to develop a budget, action plan, and to pull and review the credit report. This counseling helps the renter to establish better savings patterns and to budget for monthly expenses such as rent and utility payments.

financial education

A financial education course is offered at least once per year and covers topics such as budgeting and savings. Course participants earn a certificate of completion.

foreclosure prevention counseling services

Loss Mitigation Services

A homeowner who is behind on mortgage payments can meet with a Housing Counselor to develop a budget and action plan. The Housing Counselor will pull and review the credit report with the homeowner and submit a workout packet to the lender to request a loan modification or repayment plan.

Homeowners’ Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP)

A homeowner who receives an Act 91 Notice in the mail from their lender can meet with a Housing Counselor who will provide counseling and complete/ submit a HEMAP application to the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) on behalf of the homeowner. HEMAP assistance is the form of a loan that helps a homeowner catch up with delinquent mortgage payments.

Mortgage Foreclosure
Diversion Programs

Community Action’s Housing Counseling Program offers a Court Diversion Program in partnership with both Lehigh and Northampton County. A homeowner receives notification that they have been sued by their lender, which includes contact information for HCP. Our Housing Counselor provides counseling, submits a workout packet requesting a loan modification or repayment plan, and attends conciliation hearings with the homeowner. The Housing Counselor works closely with the lender’s attorney and County Court personnel to advocate for the homeowner.

Three women from Housing Counseling seated at a table smiling at the camera.

homebuyer education

The Home Ownership Counseling Program will prepare you to become a homeowner. The HOCP seminar is organized into six sessions which are conducted on two consecutive Saturdays.

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During these six sessions you will learn about:

  • Preparing for Home Ownership

  • The Importance of Good Credit

  • Shopping for a Home

  • Obtaining a Mortgage

  • The Closing Process

  • What to Expect as a Home Owner

Upon completion of all six sessions, you will receive a certificate of achievement. The certificate should be presented to the loan officer at the time of completing the mortgage application. This will demonstrate that you are serious and informed about home ownership.

individual counseling

Individual Counseling is also available to you during and after the home buying process.

 

Staff can assist you with:

  • Reviewing Your Credit Report

  • Loan Document Preparation

  • Budgeting

  • Determining Your Affordability

  • Selecting the Best Mortgage for You

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