HOUSING

Rental Assistance is funded through HAP (Homeless Assistance Program) and is subject to this fund’s guidelines.

Households must be at or below 200% of Poverty Level.
Households must have a sufficient income to maintain ongoing expenses.
Individuals or families must be homeless or facing eviction to qualify.
Program provides financial assistance based on program cap and family composition.
HAP Assistance is not set up to pay monthly rent. This is emergency assistance only.
Eligible applicants must be Crawford County residents. (Titusville area residents please call the Titusville YWCA at 814-827-9777 for assistance)
Funds are limited and we reserve the right to prioritize assistance on a case by case basis. This is not a “first come first serve” program.

Our housing counselor will assist you in negotiations with your lender for a Loan Modification or a Forbearance Plan.
You will be assisted with budget counseling as well with credit counseling.
Our counselor will make referrals to other services that may help you get through this tough time. Our housing counselor will help you explore additional refinancing options.

Please contact us for more information about Pre-Foreclosure Counseling.

If you have received an Act 91 Notice, you should contact us immediately. You have a limited window to apply for assistance.
Our housing counselor will assist you in negotiations with your lender for a Loan Modification or a Forbearance Plan.
You will be assisted with budget counseling as well with credit counseling.
Our counselor will make referrals to other services that may help you get through this tough time.
Our housing counselor will help you explore additional refinancing options.
We will complete a Homeowners Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program application (HEMAP) if applicable.

Our Budget Counseling Program is designed to help you learn to stay within your financial limits.
Avoid late fees and extra expenses such as overdraft fees and rental fees.
Make your dreams of homeownership, financing education goals and owning a car a reality.
Find ways to save money.
The program is one on one and personalized just for you.
We recommend two, 2 hour sessions. Don’t worry, we will work with your busy schedule.

A good credit score is at 640 or above. Do you know yours? Improving your credit score helps you save money by allowing you to take advantage of better interest rates on loans, lower car insurance rates and improved housing options, to name a few.
We will provide you with a credit report. When we pull your credit report it does not negatively affect your current score. This is because we are a credit counseling agency.
Our Housing Counselor will teach you how to read and understand your credit report.
We will check for any mistakes or duplications on your report and assist you in writing letters to correct any findings.
You will walk away with an improved knowledge of how credit works and tips to build good credit and improve your current credit score.
We do not set up payment arrangements or consolidate debt. Many of these types of companies do not help to improve your credit.

A First Time Homebuyer is anyone who has not owned a home in the past three years.

Our counselors will help match you with the type of loan that best fits your needs and qualifications. We are not a lender. We want you to be educated about the home buying process. This program gives you sound and educated advice to help you make your dreams of home ownership a reality, not end in a nightmare.
We will review your income, expenses and credit.
Our housing counselor will help you figure out what you can really afford.
We will explain the “home buying” process, including dealing with a realtor.
We will educate you on what to expect from the lender.
We will explain why you need an appraiser and what they do.
We will educate you on what a home inspector is and why they are important.
You will learn how much homeowners insurance you need and what it covers.
We will explain what escrow is and why you need it.
We provide education on predatory lending practices to help you avoid getting scammed by an unscrupulous lender.
Through our First Time Homebuyer’s Education we offer One on One counseling in our office. The counseling session lasts 2 hours.
We also offer First Time Homebuyer Workshops. The workshops are held on a Saturday as a six hour class. Local experts present on relevant topics. Please call for more information about these classes.
Participants in both the One on One counseling and Workshops receive a certificate.