Housing Stability Counseling Program

Dave: Many Americans struggle with the challenge of meeting their housing costs and that can be one of the most stressful situations you can find yourself in. Facing foreclosure or eviction can affect the lives of you and your family and have a significant impact on your credit. The federal government has launched several relief programs meant to help homeowners and renters who are struggling but traversing through them can be tricky. Luckily, we have Sandra Tobon on hand today, Director of Housing Counseling at Consolidated Credit, to be our GPS and navigate us to the right program available. Sandra, it’s great to see you, how are you?
Sandra: Hi Dave how are you?
Dave: I’m doing great thank you. Are emergency rental assistance programs still available to help renters that are behind on their payments?
Sandra: Yes, they are still available for them. The best idea for them is to call us, we do a financial assessment, and the housing counselors usually have the best resources for them, so we are able to guide them through whatever is the best option for them.
Dave: Now that money is available through the homeowner’s assistance fund, how can homeowners apply?
Sandra: They just need to call us. They will have a certified housing counselor who will help them with the whole process. We will tell them what to do, how to apply for the funds, and whatever else they need to do.
Dave: Yeah, you mentioned whatever else, are there any pitfalls that renters or homeowners need to be looking out for?
Sandra: That’s a very good question Dave because these programs are specific for people who had COVID-19 struggles or financial hardships. So, they really need to prove that something wrong happened to them, and they cannot afford the payment.
Dave: That’s good, that’s great information. Let’s talk about seniors, has the current economy or housing market created challenges for seniors who might have reverse mortgages on their homes?
Sandra: Think about this. They are usually on a fixed income. So, everything is going up. Homeownership insurance is rising to the roof and taxes are raising as well, so when the senior gets the bill, they don’t have the money to pay for that. So, the best thing for them is to call us, we can help them and provide all the resources that the government has available for them.
Dave: How does Consolidated Credit’s housing stability counseling help people who are facing housing challenges?
Sandra: The best way to describe that to you is free housing counseling. So, when they call us, we can provide them with all the resources that we have. We can help them through the process of budgeting, creating an action plan, and give them the resources that they might have available if they qualify for them.
Dave: And if the renter’s programs or the homeowner’s programs run out of funds in a specific area, is there any else that renters or homeowners can do?
Sandra: Well, the best thing is to call us, because the housing counselor usually has all the available tools. They know when the money is not available for one specific program, but that doesn’t mean that that person doesn’t qualify for the other program. So, give us a call. We can guide you through the process.
Dave: Before we say goodbye, any last pearls of advice for homeowners or renters. It can be a really stressful process, a really stressful time now for a lot of people, what would you tell them?
Sandra: It is a very stressful time but always remember Consolidated Credit is here for you. Give us a call so we can guide you through.
Dave: And if you’re a homeowner or renter facing challenges with your housing situation, know that there is help available. Call 1-800-435-2261 to speak confidentially with a HUD-certified housing counselor. The call and the advice are free.