On February 27, 2008, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced a new $8 million grant that will dramatically expand free counseling services to homeowners having trouble paying their mortgages and needing help to avoid foreclosure.
“These counseling services are one tool to help prevent the American dream from turning into a nightmare for thousands of Californians at risk of losing their homes,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “More than a half million Californians have subprime loans that will jump to higher rates over the next two years and many are in danger of foreclosure. But there are options - your lender may be willing to work with you and counseling is available. The key is: don’t be afraid to ask for help.”
The $8 million grant, awarded to the California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) and HUD-approved counseling groups in partnership with the Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC), is part of a new federal program to help homeowners avoid foreclosures.
“Mortgage counselors are critical to keeping Californians in their homes,” said Stan Keasling, chief executive officer of Rural Community Assistance Corporation. ”This grant will allow organizations to increase staffing so that they can meet the increasing demand for help. Another critical piece to winning this grant was the matching funds raised by the California Reinvestment Coalition, and their advocacy increasing awareness of the magnitude of this problem.”
The counseling will be available to homeowners who have defaulted on their mortgages or are in danger of defaulting on their mortgages. Below is a list of counseling agencies:
San Francisco Bay Area
ACORN Housing Corporation, Oakland, 510-436-6532
ACORN Housing Corporation, San Jose, 408-297-3053
Asian, Inc., San Francisco, 415-292-8555
California Human Development Corporation, Santa Rosa, 707-372-4588
East Palo Alto Community Alliance & Neighborhood Development Organization (EPA CAN DO), East Palo Alto, 650-473-9838
Mission Economic Development Agency, San Francisco, 888-780-5850 or 415-282-3334
Pacific Community Services, Pittsburg, 800-914-6874
Project Sentinel, Inc., Sunnyvale, 888-331-3332 (Santa Clara County, San Mateo County, Southern Alameda County)
Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services, Incorporated, Richmond, 510-237-6459
San Francisco Housing Development Corporation, San Francisco, 415-822-1022
Central Coast
Monterey County Housing Alliance, Salinas, 831-757-4657 ext. 118
Peoples’ Self-Help Housing Corporation, San Luis Obispo, 805-781-3088
Central Valley
ACORN Housing Corporation, Fresno, 559-221-0217
ByDesign Financial Solutions, Fresno, Merced, Modesto, Stockton, 800-750-2227
Community Housing and Shelter Services, Modesto, 209-527-0444
Community Housing Council, Fresno, 559-234-1492
Community Services & Employment Training, Inc. (CSET), Visalia, 559-732-4194
Visionary Home Builders of California, Inc., Stockton, 209-466-6811
Project Sentinel, Inc., Sunnyvale, 888-331-3332 (Stanislaus County)
Los Angeles
ACORN Housing Corporation, Los Angeles, 213-748-1345
ByDesign Financial Solutions, Los Angeles, Granada Hills, Palmdale, 800-750-2227
Los Angeles Neighborhood Housing Services, Los Angeles, 213-381-2862
Multi-cultural Real Estate Alliance for Urban Change, Los Angeles, 866-494-0507
Operation HOPE, Inc, Los Angeles, 888-388-4673
Northern California/Sacramento Valley
ACORN Housing Corporation, Sacramento, 916-451-9659
ByDesign Financial Solutions, North Highlands, Redding, 800-750-2227
Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP), Chico, 530-891-6931 or 888-423-6333
Sacramento Home Loan Counseling Center, Sacramento, 916-646-2005
San Diego
ACORN Housing Corporation, San Diego, 619-521-2940
San Diego Home Loan Counseling & Education Center, San Diego, 619-624-2330
Southern California
ACORN Housing Corporation, San Bernardino, 909-804-4000
ByDesign Financial Solutions, San Bernardino, 800-750-2227
Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Riverside, 800-655-1812 or 951-682-6581
Inland Fair Housing and Mediation Board, Upland, 909-984-2254 ext. 118 or 119
Operation HOPE, Inc, Los Angeles, 888-388-4673
