The Central Florida Urban League’s Comprehensive Housing Counseling Program provides clients with one-on-one sessions that assist them in working through housing-related issues – and meet their housing goals. The services provided include information, advice and assistance in areas such as pre and post-purchase counseling, mortgage default counseling, financial management and other forms of housing assistance.
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Through the Comprehensive Housing Counseling Program, the Urban League addresses the housing needs of all residents of the seven counties we serve. The Central Florida Urban League is HUD-certified as a Comprehensive Housing Counseling Agency. The agency assists clients in locating safe and affordable housing, while also working to prevent homelessness. Budget and Credit CounselingThe ability to maximize available financial resources is a skill broadly needed today. The Urban League works to increase the self-sufficiency of all its clients. Budgeting and credit counseling have become an integral part of all Urban League housing programs. Developing a budget, looking at spending habits, reducing existing debt, and developing savings strategies are some of the areas covered in this program. Counseling generally ranges from three to six months. |
Rental Readiness Program
The Rental Readiness Program focuses on preparing prospective renters on how to be good tenants. In addition to receiving budgeting and credit counseling assistance, the program helps prepare its clients on how to handle the difficulties that may arise from renting an apartment or a house. Individual and group counseling sessions are available through the program with a focus on the following topics:
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Understanding your lease - Rights and responsibilities of the tenant and the landlord
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Choosing a neighborhood - Elements of an apartment inspection
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Good housekeeping tips - Benefits of renter's insurance
Homebuyer EducationThrough local partnerships, we help homebuyers learn how to purchase and maintain a home. Seminars are free and open to the public. Seminar participants learn about down payment assistance programs and a variety of other affordable housing loan programs. Owning a home is the dream of many Americans. However, buying a house is a daunting prospect for many first-time buyers. Buying a home often means dealing with real estate agents, brokers, appraisers, builders, inspectors, lawyers, and bankers. The purpose of the Home Buyers' Education program is to teach potential home buyers the process of buying a house and to make them more knowledgeable about what to look for and the things to consider when buying a home. |
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Homebuyer Education-Curriculum
The path to homeownership begins with free financial literacy workshops at the Urban League using Freddie Mac's CreditSmart curriculum. The CreditSmart curriculum, currently being rolled out nationally, is designed to educate consumers about credit and money management, provide insight into how lenders access credit histories, and explain the role of credit in achieving financial goals, such as home ownership.
The most frequent request for assistance by potential homebuyers is regarding credit issues. Once that barrier is demystified, participants can then move toward their goal of homeownership with greater clarity and confidence. The Central Florida Urban League provides a full year schedule of all Homebuyer Education Seminars with times, date, language and location. These classes will not exceed 50 participants per session and are held in Spanish, English, Creole and Hearing Impaired.
Mortgage Default / Delinquency Assistance
The Urban League has studied the extent of lending problems in the Orlando area and has found the frequency in delinquency in the Central Florida area is extremely high. In response to the foreclosure crises of the community, the Urban League has developed and conducts a series of workshops to help those that are in foreclosure distress. Resolving or preventing mortgage delinquency or default includes one-on-one and group counseling in the following areas: restructuring debt, establishing reinstatement plans, seeking loan modifications and managing household finances. This area of focus assists clients that are affected by predatory lending, foreclosure prevention and education, and pursuing loss mitigation strategies.