Housing Counseling

Support for successful, long-term homeownership

Buying a home is a major step – and we believe no one should have to figure it out alone.

Housing Counseling is a free, required part of HDA’s Homeownership Program. It helps individuals and families prepare not just to buy a home, but to stay in that home for the long term. Through one-on-one guidance, we work with you to understand the process, reduce uncertainty, and build the financial foundation needed for successful homeownership.

Many people are interested in owning a home but feel unsure about credit, mortgages, or ongoing responsibilities. Housing Counseling is designed to address those concerns early – before they become barriers.

What is Housing Counseling?

Housing Counseling is personalized guidance provided by a trained professional who helps you understand your options and prepare for the responsibilities of owning a home.

Every HDA homebuyer completes counseling before moving into their home. This ensures that you are financially prepared, understand your mortgage, and feel confident taking the next step.

Counseling is:

Free
Confidential
Tailored to your situation
Required for HDA homebuyers

What Our Housing Counselor Helps With

HDA’s Housing Counselor is a NeighborWorks–certified professional who works closely with each client to support informed decision-making.

Your counselor can help you:

Understand the homebuying process and required documentation
Review mortgage options and lender requirements
Create and maintain a realistic household budget
Prepare for monthly housing costs, including insurance and utilities
Identify local resources that may support your goals

When appropriate, the counselor may also communicate with lenders or other partners to help move the process forward.

Renting or Buying: Is Homeownership the Right Fit?

Housing Counseling isn’t just about qualifying - it’s about making the right decision. Early sessions often focus on questions like:
1.) Are you ready for homeownership, or would you prefer the mobility that renting allows?
2.) Are you willing and prepared to be responsible for the care and maintenance of your property?

There’s no pressure. The goal is clarity, not speed.

Credit: Important, but Not a Dealbreaker

Your credit matters – but it doesn’t have to be perfect.

During counseling, we:

Review your credit report together
Identify steps to strengthen your credit profile
Discuss how credit affects mortgage options
Plan for responsible credit use after you become a homeowner

For many clients, counseling helps turn credit from a source of stress into a manageable tool.

Budgeting for Today - and Tomorrow

Successful homeownership depends on realistic planning.

Your counselor will help you develop:

A current household budget
A transition budget before moving into your home
A long-term budget for life as a homeowner

This ensures you understand not only your mortgage payment, but the full cost of owning and maintaining a home.

Understanding the Mortgage Process

Mortgages can feel complex and overwhelming. Housing Counseling breaks the process into clear, manageable steps.

We cover:

How the mortgage process works from application to closing
Typical fees and costs associated with buying a home
Homeowner’s insurance and how it protects you
What to expect after closing

Our goal is to make sure there are no surprises.

Maintaining a Home for the Long Term

We don’t just want families to buy homes – we want them to thrive in them.

Housing Counseling also includes guidance on:

Basic home maintenance
Understanding warranties on your new home
Using home equity responsibly
Avoiding predatory lending
Maintaining good financial habits over time

This is how we help ensure homes – and homeowners – last.

Ready to Learn More?

To begin the intake process, contact:

Zoey Holland, Intake Specialist
Office: 606-436-0497

If you’ve already completed an intake and have questions about your home, contact:

Michael Cassell, New Home Counselor
Office: 606-436-0497

1. Is there a cost for home repairs?
Yes – but repairs are made affordable. Most homeowners receive a combination of grants and low-interest loans based on income, household size, and the type of repair needed. We will explain all costs before any work begins.

2. Do I have to own my home to qualify?
Yes. The home must be owner-occupied, meaning you own the home and live in it. We are not able to repair homes you plan to move into or homes owned by someone else.

3. What kinds of repairs can you help with?
We focus on critical health and safety repairs, accessibility improvements, and major home rehabilitations. This can include roofs, floors, plumbing, electrical issues, ramps, HVAC (through a subcontractor), and more. Cosmetic repairs are generally not eligible.

4. How long will it take to hear back after I get started?
Due to high demand – especially following recent flood disasters – response and wait times are longer than usual. After you submit the Get Started form, our staff will contact you when your request reaches the next step. We appreciate your patience.

5. Why are there two forms?
We use two forms to make the process easier and more efficient for homeowners. The Get Started form is a short first step that lets us understand your situation and determine which repair programs may be a good fit. After reviewing that information, an HDA staff member will contact you to talk through next steps. The Home Repair Intake form is the full application and collects detailed information needed to determine eligibility and funding options. Most people begin with Get Started – our team will help you from there.

6. Does flooding affect my eligibility?
We assist homeowners who were affected or impacted by flooding, whether repairs are flood-related or not. Flood-related needs may qualify for specific funding sources, but all requests are reviewed individually.