Rental Counseling and Foreclosure Prevention

Rental Counseling and Foreclosure Prevention

The program provides one-on-one counseling to renters and homeowners who are going through a hardship and are behind or at risk of falling behind on their rent and mortgage payments.

We understand that life events, the pandemic and other circumstances may have had a significant impact on your housing situation, and we want to work with you to help you understand your options. In order to do this, we will listen to you, go over your credit report, create and develop a budget as well as an action plan that would address your unique housing needs. By looking at all those elements we will be able to educate and provide the resources that would best fit your situation.

Eligibility Requirement

  • Must have a housing instability (loss of income, eviction, foreclosure etc.).
  • Must provide proof of income, unemployment or other benefits
  • Must provide SSN/ ITIN

Program Managers

Denisa Aitonean

Denisa is a HUD- Certified Housing Counselor and has a background in psychology and social services. Denisa believes that people can overcome great challenges with the right support and is passionate about helping and empowering clients to become self-sufficient through education, guidance, encouragement and adequate resources. Denisa takes part in ongoing training opportunities to continue to expand her knowledge in order to best assist her clients.

Janet Torres Garcia headshot

Janet Torres Garcia

Janet is a HUD-Certified Counselor who has received certificates on Foundations of Foreclosure Prevention, Foundation of Pre-Purchase, and The Psychology of Money. Janet’s mission has always been to help individuals overcome their challenges through financial literacy, housing counseling, and education. Janet is also the Financial Empowerment Coordinator that can help you get connected with homebuyer education classes offered once every quarter and “tandas” or Leading Circles program to help improve your credit and savings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is housing counseling?

Housing counseling addresses the client’s housing barriers and helps them achieve their housing goal by providing advice and resources tailored to their unique situation.

Does your program offer financial assistance?

No, the program provides individual counseling to asses your situation and help you identify other community resources which may provide monetary assistance.

Will you find a place for me to live?

No, we will be helping you find resources and assist you in the process of finding stable housing.

Partners

Lending Circles/Tandas

Lending Circles/Tandas

The program provides a safe way to create and build credit and savings.

Through non-profit partnership with Mission Asset Fund we offer Lending Circles; a social practice that has been formalized for those that don’t have access to mainstream financial loan products in credit-unions or banks

Eligibility Requirement

  • 18+ years old
  • Personal email account
  • Valid photo I.D.
  • SSN or ITIN
  • Checking account
  • Income (e.g., wages, benefits, etc.)

Program Managers

Janet Torres Garcia headshot

Janet Torres Garcia, Housing Counselor

Janet is a HUD-Certified Counselor who is certified in the Foundations of Foreclosure Prevention, Foundation of Pre-Purchase, and The Psychology of Money. Janet’s mission has always been to help individuals overcome their challenges through financial literacy, housing counseling, and education. Janet is also the Financial Empowerment Coordinator and can help you get connected with homebuyer education classes offered once every quarter and “Tandas” or Lending Circles program to help improve your credit and savings.

For more information or to get involved, contact Janet!

Frequently Asked Questions

How does it work?

  • Apply Online- Submit an application at LendingCircles.org and complete survey and 1 financial education series or 5 financial education modules.
  • Join a Lending Circle- Attend a formation to meet people in your community and finalize circle details
  • Pay & Build Credit- Make all your payments on the 17th of each month to establish or build credit
  • Get Lour Loan- Receive your loan on the 25th of your designated distribution month

How does Will this help me?

  • Give you access to a 0% interest social loan
  • Establish and build your credit
  • Increase your financial knowledge
  • Know your money is safe
  • Meet new people and save together

When will it appear on My credit report?

May take 3-6 months to appear on credit reports and will appear as “MISNASSETFUND”

Partners

First-Time Homebuyer Education

First-time Homebuyer and Eviction Prevention Class

First-Time Homebuyer Education

The program provides an overview of the home buying process and how to avoid foreclosure.

Through local partnerships, we offer a homebuyer education class sponsored by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) four times a year. This class is free and open to all community members. It is to teach potential homebuyers how to purchase a home and how to navigate the whole homebuying processes. This class includes information about the WSHFC’s first mortgage programs, down payment assistance, and other loan programs.

Eligibility Requirement

  • Personal email address
  • Camera
  • Live/or plan on buying a home in Washington State

Program Managers

Janet Torres Garcia-Housing Counselor

Janet is a HUD-Certified Counselor who has received certificates on Foundations of Foreclosure Prevention, Foundation of Pre-Purchase, and The Psychology of Money. Janet’s mission has always been to help individuals overcome their challenges through financial literacy, housing counseling, and education. Janet is also the Financial Empowerment Coordinator that can help you get connected with homebuyer education classes offered once every quarter and “tandas” or Leading Circles program to help improve your credit and savings.

Need help or want more information?

Frequently Asked Questions

When are these classes offered?

Once every 3 months on the first Saturday of the month.

What is the 2-year certificate for?

This certificate provides proof to the lender that you have taken a WSHFC sponsored homebuyer class that could potentially qualify you for Commission down payment assistance programs/loans.

How long is the class?

The course contains about five hours of material, so it is about five and a half hours total.

Partners

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