HOUSING COUNSELING

NRCA Housing Counselors offer one-on-one confidential counseling sessions. NRCA provides information on the following topics: Resolving or Preventing Mortgage Delinquency or Default, Post Purchase (including home maintenance and repair), Rental Topics, and Homeless Assistance. NRCA Housing Counselors are professionals who provide guidance and coaching to families to assist them in improving their housing situation and meeting the responsibilities of tenancy and homeownership. Housing Counselors are HUD Certified, receiving ongoing training and certifications as needed for Housing Counseling services.

Housing Counselors evaluate clients based on need and urgency to determine appropriate services or referrals.  Clients’ ineligible for Homelessness Prevention or Rapid Rehousing are referred to their local Emergency Assistance office for Housing Counseling.

Post-purchase
NRCA provides counseling services to those who have already purchased a home and are non-delinquent in payments but need counseling to maintain their home through financial management or seeking energy efficiency options for their home. Counselors make referrals to local energy efficiency initiatives, review loan documents, and create a written spending plan. Households receive a resource folder with information on NRCA’s programs and services in addition to resources on credit, debt, and finances.

Foreclosure Prevention
Clients may receive services at various stages of the foreclosure process. Individual foreclosure prevention counseling includes reviewing loan documents and correspondences, setting up a written spending plan, and contacting the client’s mortgage company to determine options for the homeowner. Once the owner chooses an option, ongoing follow-up is conducted on an as-needed basis until there is a resolution. If the decision means the client will be transitioning to a rental property and leaving their home, staff provide housing search assistance and support the client during the transition.

Homeless Assistance

Interventions performed by the Housing Counselor include assistance to available shelter bed openings, accessing, securing, and coordinating mainstream services; developing an individualized housing and service plan; and monitoring and evaluating program participant progress.

Rental Topics
NRCA can assist in determining an affordable rent, searching for an affordable unit, understand fair housing laws, tenant rights, and accessing available resources.

Renter Education
NRCA offers Renter Education Workshops in each locality. Protected fair housing and how to file a complaint are among the training topics. Renter Education Workshops are taught using the VHDA manual. If a potential fair housing violation occurs, staff refers clients to the Legal Aid Society for assistance. Counselors receive a Fair Housing certificate from the Virginia Office of Fair Housing.

Certified Housing Counselors will listen to your situation—whether you’re buying or renting. We can talk to your landlord or mortgage company and help you find local resources to meet your need.

Housing Programs Providing Financial Assistance

Rapid Rehousing – Homeless
NRCA offers Rapid Rehousing financial assistance that supports clients who meet the HUD definition of literally homeless to obtain stable, permanent housing. Counselors offer Homeless Counseling to clients that include housing search assistance, budgeting assistance, and mediation with landlords and neighbors if needed. Counseling sessions include staff completing an intake application, setting up a written spending plan, determining household goals, making referrals, and updates on goal progression.

Homeless Prevention

Designed to prevent individuals and households from moving into emergency shelter or entering the homeless system.  Households meeting income requirements and in jeopardy of eviction may be eligible for short to medium-term financial assistance.  The Prevention Case manager works with households to establish a stabilization plan and refers participants to other long-term resources for which they may be eligible.