Pre-Rental Counseling
Pre-Purchase Housing Counseling
Post-Purchase Housing Counseling
HECM/Reverse Mortage Counseling
Forclosure Prevention/ Mortgage Delinquency Counseling
Rental Delinquency Counseling
Homebuyer Education Workshops
Landlord/Tenant Dispute Counseling
For all inquiries about housing programs, or to enroll in a a housing program, call the Urban League of Kansas office at (316) 262-2463 and ask for housing, or e-mail Urban League housing specialists.
Clients who are in need of housing are evaluated for referrals to local apartment communities or homes for rent through the Urban League of Kansas Housing Department. The ULK Housing Department maintains relationships with apartment communities and reputable property management companies who understand that clients are already pre-qualified upon referral from the ULK Counselor.
Those in need of assistance are encouraged to call and schedule an appointment with a Certified Housing Counselor. It is the responsibility of ULK Counselors to determine the financial readiness of the client during a one-on-one counseling session. Counselors refer clients to housing vacancies suitable for the client’s income.
Pre-Purchase Housing Counseling
The Urban League of Kansas Housing Department provides Pre-Purchase counseling services to the general public. Clients are encouraged to call and schedule a one-on-one counseling session with a Certified Housing Counselor. Counseling sessions focus on the financial and mortgage readiness of the client.
During the counseling session, the Housing Counselor works with the client to formulate a detailed budget which will assist the client in determining their financial strength and opportunities for improvement, which include evaluation of his or her credit situation and identifying potential lending barriers. Clients are also invited to attend a free monthly First-Time Homebuyer Workshop, conducted by the certified professionals of the ULK Housing Department.
Post-Purchase Housing Counseling
The ULK Housing Department provides post-purchase counseling services to the general public. These services are targeted toward individuals who seek counsel regarding selling or refinancing their current home.
Housing counselors are available to help determine financial readiness, prudent feasible outcomes, and suggest the best possible solutions to meet the needs of the client. The counseling session will cover many topics including current interest rate vs. potential new rate, the number of months it will take to recover closing costs, how to apply more towards principal balance and amortization schedules.
Home Equity Conversion Mortage/Reverse Mortgage Counseling
Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (H.E.C.M) and/or Reverse Mortgage Counseling is available for Urban League of Kansas clients who meet the following criteria:
- Are 62 years of age or older
- Have at least 80% equity in their current home
Reverse Mortgages or HECM’s are designed to provide the client with options to access the equity in their home and obtain tax-free cash distributions for the duration of their lifetime.
For individuals who are eligible and interested in learning more about this option, we require that interested clients receive mandatory counseling for this very important decision. The ULK Housing Counselor will explain in detail the different options available to the client and provide referrals to reputable lenders.
Foreclosure Prevention/Mortgage Delinquency Counseling
Home Foreclosure and Mortgage Delinquency can occur as a result of a reduction in pay, job layoff, illness, death of an income provider, care of family members or other reasons. Foreclosure Prevention/Mortgage Delinquency Counseling from the ULK provides clients who are delinquent on their mortgage or facing foreclosure, through education and advocacy, the opportunity to bring their mortgage payments current and/or save their home.
A ULK housing counselor will work on behalf of the client with their mortgage company (or the mortgage company’s attorney) to find a workable solution for both parties. The counsel and advocacy of a third-party HUD-approved counselor is often a welcome addition to the negotiation process for the mortgage company, and provides a sense of relief to the client. The ULK housing counselor creates a detailed budget for the client to use, based upon financial weaknesses identified in a confidential counseling session. After a detailed budget has been drafted, the housing counselor will be able to determine the best course of action, and work with the client and mortgage company toward a realistic and beneficial solution for all involved parties.
Counselors will typically work with you to achieve the following:
- Immediate Actions
- Loss Mitigation
- Forbearance
- Loan Modification
- Partial Claim
- Deed in Lieu
- Pre-Foreclosure Sale
- Re-Finance
- Home Equity Conversion Mortgage
- Improved Money Management
- Use of a budget to plan spending for each pay period
- Use of financial journals
- Saving for periodic expenses
- Balanced Budget
- Outline necessary actions to reduce expenses
- Review tax withholding status
- Determine ways to increase income
- Sale of Assets
- Savings & Investments
- Review child support payments
- Extend auto payments/sell auto
- Improving Credit Status
- Stop use of credit cards
- Keep utilization rate below 50%
- Write creditors and explain financial situation
- Additional Recommendations
- Seek legal advice from an attorney
- Referrals
Individuals, who are experiencing financial difficulty in paying their monthly rent and/or are close to possible eviction from their homes, should contact an ULK housing counselor regarding potential options to prevent eviction.
ULK housing counselors may be able to advise and/or advocate on behalf of the individual (depending upon individual circumstances). Housing counselors speak directly with property managers on behalf of the client. They may also refer clients to alternate agencies that may be able to provide financial assistance to families in crisis.
Third-party advocacy in some situations can be the key to a successful turn of events. Contact a ULK housing counselor for an individual assessment of your situation in order to prevent further complications from the initial delinquency.
The Home Buyer Education Workshop offers 8 modules that address the home buying process. The program is designed to ensure that clients fully understand the home-purchasing process and understand how to utilize the resources that are introduced to during the workshop. Topics covered in the seminars include:
- How much home you can afford
- Understanding Credit
- The cash you’ll need
- Qualifying for a loan
- Your mortgage options
- Making your dream real
Landlord/Tenant Dispute Counseling
We provide landlord and tenant counseling to help clients understand the responsibilities of landlords and tenants, laws on eviction notices and statutes, referrals to entities that help pay rent, and housing search assistance.
If you feel like you have been wronged by either a tenant or a landlord, call to talk to our rental specialist, who will advise you on your legal rights and responsibilities, and possible legal recourse.
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