Services

Durham Regional Community Development Group

Rental Counseling- Counseling sessions consist of a one on one discussion with a certified housing counselor about landlord/tenant relations, how to avoid eviction and alternatives to renting. Renters are encouraged to consider homeownership.

Homebuyer Education – HUD approved group seminars and workshops are held for potential homebuyers on a monthly basis. Topics include: “The Home Buying Process,” “Fair Housing,” “Qualifying For Your Mortgage,” “Alternatives To Predatory Lending,” “Home Maintenance,” and “Home Retention.” Existing homeowners are encouraged to participate when seeking to refinance their mortgage.

Pre-Purchase Homeownership Counseling- Counseling sessions with a certified housing counselor consist of a discussion with potential homebuyers about their personal budget, credit history, affordability and down payment assistance. Together the counselor and potential homebuyer develop a homeownership achievement plan.

Down Payment Assistance- Grants, Individual Development Account matching funds and secondary mortgage funds are available to first time homebuyers from local, state, and federal entities for down payment and closing costs. No repayment of grant and matching funds is required. Secondary mortgage fund rates range from zero to two percent.

Post Purchase Homeownership Counseling- Counseling sessions between the certified housing counselor and existing homeowner consist of a discussion about household finances, home maintenance and wise spending. Homeowners seeking to refinance their mortgage are informed about alternatives to predatory lending.

Pre-Foreclosure Counseling- Counseling sessions with a certified housing counselor consist of a discussion about mortgage workout options. Together the counselor and homeowner negotiate with the mortgage lender. Options may include creating a repayment plan, forbearance (delayed payments), refinancing, loan modification or partial claim.

Loss Mitigation- Homeowners are educated on the foreclosure process that includes reclaiming of the property by the lender, the hearing process and sale of the property. Together the certified housing counselor and homeowners determine if a deed-in-lieu, short sale or bankruptcy is appropriate for home retention. A list of investors is available to homeowners who request a short sale.

Reverse Mortgage Counseling- A certified reverse mortgage counselor discusses the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage with homeowners who are 62 years old and older. The homeowners can withdraw the home equity and use it for any purpose. No repayment is required until death of the homeowner.

Research and Development- Consultants are available to assist with grant writing and review, direct services program design, non-profit and for-profit business start-up and affordable housing project management.