Housing Counseling is designed to encourage and promote a joint effort to assist clients resolve their housing issues and or to secure long term housing opportunities. HCS offers individualized counseling in the following area: rental housing, pre-purchase, non-delinquency post purchase, and budget/credit.
The Single-Family Residential Rehabilitation Program (SFRRP) provides grants to assist eligible DC homeowners in repairing their roofs and modifying and/or eliminating barriers to accessibility for persons with mobility or other physical impairments. The counselor will assist the homeowners in completing their applications to be forwarded to the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), administrator, for their consideration and determination of eligibility.
To learn more about eligibility and program details visit https://dhcd.dc.gov/SFRRP
Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) is for homeowners who are 62 years or older. These mortgages allow homeowners to convert equity in their homes into income that can be used to pay for home improvements, medical costs, living expenses, or other expenses. Homeowners should schedule a HECM counseling session if they are seeking assistance in understanding how to convert the equity in their home into a monthly stream of income, line of credit or lump sum payment. Elderly homeowners are encouraged to have children, heirs, relative, or trustees attend the counseling session with them so that everyone fully understand the implication of this loan.
HECM counseling is FREE at HCS. To arrange a one-on-one counseling session call (202) 667-7706.
Click here to view the guidelines of the HECM program. Please be sure to bring all required documents to your counseling session (Document Checklist).
Clients should schedule a money/credit counseling session if they need help with clearing up credit issues, developing a savings plan, budgeting or addressing other financial concerns. Clients should be prepared to provide all required documents for their appointment. Before scheduling an appointment for money/credit counseling, clients are encouraged to attend HCS’s Money Matters workshop.
You should schedule a Landlord/Tenant counseling session if you need help in resolving a landlord/tenant problem, (e.g. you are being evicted, landlord won’t make repairs, signing and understanding your lease, retaliatory action, etc.)
Clients should be prepared to provide all required documents for their appointment.
Clients should schedule a Pre-Purchase counseling session if they are interested in buying a home and would like to find out their potential price range, as well as what assistance programs may be available to help make their home purchase more affordable. A counselor will review their credit and savings situations and discuss their home buying options. Clients should be prepared to provide all required documents for their appointment. Clients are encouraged to attend HCS’s Pre-Purchase Orientation (PPO) before scheduling an appointment for Pre-Purchase counseling.
General Post Purchase counseling sessions are scheduled for non-delinquent homeowners that need help to resolve their housing related issues by reviewing their personal housing situation and making them aware of their options.
In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code Section 2-1401.01 et seq., (Act) the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, disability, source of income, or place of residence or business. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.
*HCS follows DC Government closing procedures for inclement weather, holidays, and emergencies.
