Credit Counseling

Join the Club and Get a Home For 500 Down

HomeFree USA features financial assistance programs as well as education, referral and counseling services for prospective buyers in the metropolitan Washington area. Membership is required for participation in programs. Members have access to a variety of financial aid packages related to homeownership, including money for downpayments, closing costs and access to special money-saving mortgage programs. HomeFree offers a mortgage plan requiring $500 down and closing cost grants that do not need to be repaid. Also offered to members are assistance with credit, debt, and tax issues, counseling on savings, debt and budgeting, access to a number of mortgage professionals, assistance in applying for a mortgage, classes in smart homeownership, and step-by-step counseling to make sure the member’s financial interests are protected in the home buying process. Contact: HomeFreeUSA, 318 Riggs Road, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20011. Phone: (202) 526-2000 or (800) 289-4632; fax: (202) 526-4072

Visit: www.homefreeusa.org

Help With Mortgage Rent and Credit Counseling

Contact one or many of your local U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Counseling Agencies. These groups can help with problems concerning your rent or mortgage and some even have grant money to get you through tough times. They can also help with your credit problems or direct you to an organization that can help you without ripping you off. Remember, if the office near you is not helpful enough contact one a little further away. It could be worth the drive.

Visit: www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hccprof14.cfm