Housing Counseling

CIDMCE is approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as a Housing Counseling agency providing pre-purchase, default/foreclosure and Home Equity Conversion mortgage counseling. We are pro-active in our communities by providing housing literacy and counseling locations where individuals can learn about available resources and programs.

It is our belief that housing programs must be integrated closely with other programs that address the needs of all residents and their communities, including economic development, human services and education programs. All residents should have access to decent, affordable housing in a safe living environment.

Our agency services all segments of the population regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status and disability. CIDMCE’s housing counseling services enable a client to make informed and reasonable decisions to achieve their housing goal, by meeting their needs.

HOUSING COUNSELING SERVICES

Mortgage Resolution Program

CIDMCE is pleased to be able to provide an additional program as part of our housing counseling services. If a consumer is having trouble making their mortgage payment and they are falling past due, our team of HUD certified housing counselors can assist the borrower with a plan to help resolve the situation. The Mortgage Resolution Plan includes an in-depth analysis of the situation, an action plan and our intervention. Meaning, we will serve as a mediator and will contact your lender with you on your behalf. Homeownership is something many consumers cherish and we are here to help preserve that dream!

What does our HUD approval mean?

Section 106 (a) (2) of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 provides the legislative authority for HUD to provide housing counseling services directly, or through private or public organizations with special competence and knowledge in counseling low and moderate income families. Our housing counselors are familiar with various HUD housing and community programs and know what course of action makes the most sense for you. Having this knowledge enables our counselors to inform the client in detail regarding what housing is available for which the client is eligible and the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved in particular housing transactions-laws, mortgages, notes, contracts, etc.

Certification/Training of our Counselors

CIDMCE’s commitment to providing an effective housing counseling program is evident through the knowledge and experiences of its staff. On average, each housing counselor has been counseling for at least two years. They are required to complete certification in the housing counseling area administered by the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (Institutes for Personal Finance), designating Counselors as Certified Housing Counselors upon completion. The Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education is recognized nationally for their certification programs. One of the requirements to maintain membership in the Association for Independent Consumer Credit counseling Agencies, our national affiliate, is to achieve and maintain the Accredited Financial Counselor status.

Counselors participate regularly in continuing education programs to increase their knowledge in specialized subjects. They are required to attend necessary training education programs in order to uphold a current, high level of knowledge in the housing counseling area. Continuing education programs include topics such as; loans, mortgages, terms, mortgage default, the foreclosure process, etc. All housing counselors are required to be fully knowledgeable in areas of Federal, State, and local fair housing laws and regulations. Because of this training and certification process, our housing counselors are familiar with various HUD housing and community programs and know what course of action makes the most sense for you.

Pre-Purchase Counseling

If you are interested in buying a home now or in the future, CIDMCE can help you through the process. You may be curious about whether you are ready to stop renting and start paying yourself. You may have seen a home you are interested in buying, or may have even consulted a lender about pre-qualifying for a loan. The process of buying a home is reviewed through utilization of the HUD document, “Preparing to Buy Your Home”. Your initial counseling session will cover topics such as budgeting for mortgage payments, money management and referral to community services. If applicable, a review is performed of HUD loan qualifications, assuring that Fair Housing laws are understood.

CIDMCE offers a homebuyer education course titled “Make Your Move”. This program is set up similarly to the financial education course, “Credit When Credit Is Due”. It may be completed via self-study where you can learn about who the players are in a home purchase and what roles they have; what lenders will require from you; what loans you may qualify for; how much you may be approved for; what terms to expect in relation to your credit history; and most important, how to avoid predatory lending practices.

Default/Foreclosure Counseling

Default counseling is provided to any individual with a current or expected delinquent mortgage situation on a FHA, VA, or conventional mortgage. A certified housing counselor will help you prepare an assessment of your financial situation to determine the root cause of the problem and the best course of action to resolve your issues based on your capability to handle the mortgage payment. Our housing counselors work with lenders in loan modifications, short sales and deed in lieu of foreclosure, to name a few. When required by the mortgagor, applicable HUD forms, including Homeownership Counseling Certificate (Form HUD-90038) and Application to Participate in a Pre-Foreclosure sale (Form HUD-90036), may be issued through our agency as a result of our HUD approval.

CIDMCE offers a Mortgage Resolution Plan where our agency serves as a mediator between you and your mortgage lender on your current default. With regard to loan modification/forbearance programs, assistance is given in the completion of applicable lender documents. Contact with your mortgage lender in reaching a resolution provides needed support and facilitates a realistic achievable result. The Mortgage Resolution Program consists of a full housing session including a detailed budget analysis, a complete Client Action Plan and any applicable education material, in addition to lender contact.

Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM)

CIDMCE certified housing counselors provide you with the information necessary to make an educated decision as to whether a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage is a beneficial tool to help you stay in your primary residence. Your counselor will provide basic information on reverse mortgages in general, key HECM program features, review of implications of this financing tool, and any explanation or resources for remaining questions you may have.

CIDMCE is poised to meet your housing counseling needs. Contact us today at: 1-888-671–2227.