The Affordable Housing Program delivers a full range of Homebuyer Counseling and Education services aimed at increasing homeownership opportunities for Low to Moderate Income families. The Affordable Housing Program provides the following services: 

Pre-Purchase Counseling

A private individual meeting between prospective buyers and a NeighborWorks Certified Housing Counselor tailored to meet their housing needs. During the hour and a half session the clients financials are analyzed; credit is pulled and reviewed, budget is created and analyzed, home affordability is determined based on current credit debt, and loan products are compared, one of those three options being an FHA product, once mortgage readiness is attained, families are educated on various sources of homebuyer assistance programs. The program also offers incubation counseling geared to families needing more time to achieve homeownership and who need to improve their financial management practices. The counselor will help the client create a plan to help them become mortgage ready.

Appointments are available Monday through Friday at 9:00 am, 10:30 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Clients are required to fill out the Pre-Purchasing Counseling Intake Application 2017 and submit copies of their most recent financial documents listed below in order to schedule an appointment:

• Driver’s License or Identification Card
• 1 month of check stubs
• 2 months of bank statements (all pages)
• Last 2 years of Income Tax Returns (all pages) including W-2 forms or 1099 forms

Counseling Location:

Affordable Housing Office
6200 Gulf Freeway, Suite 200. 
Houston, TX 77023

If clients cannot attend in person phone counseling is available please contact the staff for more information.

Homebuyer Education Classes

The Affordable Housing Program offers two options to educate interested individuals in the process and requirements associated with buying a home.

Homebuyers Education Class

The first option is to attend in person to a group class setting that is facilitated by NeighborWorks certified counselors or expert practitioners. This fast track option is an eight hour homebuyer education course that covers the “Realizing the American Dream” NeighborWorks curriculum. The classes are conducted once a month in both English and Spanish. Clients are given the option to select their language preference. The homebuyer’s education classes have a cost of $20 per person and $30 per couple. Clients are required to pay the day of the class in cash and a receipt is provided to the client. Clients need to arrive on time with an identification card, paper and pen for notes. Clients will receive a Homebuyers Education Completion Certificate that is valid for twelve months. Click here to see our Home Buyer Education Class Schedule

Class Location:

Raul Yzaguirre School
2950 Broadway Street
Houston, TX 77017

Class Time:

8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Online Homebuyers Education Course

The second option is taking the Online Homebuyer Education offered by the Affordable Housing Program in partnership with e-Home America. The online course is also based off of the “Realizing the American Dream” NeighborWorks curriculum. The online course is also offered in English and Spanish. The fee for this class is $99 per family. When clients register online they pay electronically. Clients go online to register and complete the eight hour course at their own pace, with animated videos covering all the materials with easy-to-read content and quizzes throughout the course to ensure understanding. Many people have a difficult time getting to a typical class setting for in-person education, for reasons such as work schedules, babysitting or time constraints. This online version helps individuals get the education and certification that they need at their convenience. Once the online course is completed participants are directed to contact our office to receive the Pre-Purchase Counseling session the second step to obtain the Homebuyers Education Completion Certificate. Clients have to complete both the online homebuyer’s education course and Pre-Purchase counseling to obtain the certificate

Follow this link to register for the English or Spanish Online Course:

eHome America Online Homebuyer Education

Please note that City of Houston, Harris County and other down payment assistance programs and certain lenders do not accept the online homebuyer’s education completion certificate.

Post Purchase Counseling

Post Purchase Counseling provides direct assistance and support to households facing problem situations, as well as, guidance in handling their recently developed relationships as new homeowners.  Clients meet with a NeighborWorks Certified Housing Counselor to obtain guidance and direction in dealings with banks and/or mortgage companies, to obtain advice and counsel with respect to transactions and decisions involving or affecting escrow funds, to obtain assistance and support with county appraisal district issues, etc. Each client will come for a different issue but for this service the client cannot be delinquent on their mortgage payments. If so, clients are recommended to receive Foreclosure Intervention Counseling.

Appointments are available Monday through Friday at 9:00am, 10:30am, 1:00pm and 3:00pm. Clients are required to fill out the Post Purchasing Counseling Intake 2017  and submit copies of their most recent financial and homeownership documents listed below in order to schedule an appointment:

• Driver’s License or Identification Card
• 1 month of check stubs
• 2 months of bank statements (all pages)
• Last 2 years of Income Tax Returns (all pages) including W-2 forms or 1099 forms
• Most recent Mortgage Statement
• Homeownership Closing Documents
• HUD1 Settlement Statement
• Mortgage Note
• Truth in Lending disclosures

Based on Post Purchase services that will be discussed additional financial documentation may be required.

Counseling Location:

Affordable Housing Office
6200 Gulf Freeway, Suite 200.
Houston, TX 77023

Foreclosure Intervention Counseling

Foreclosure Intervention Counseling is designed specifically for homeowners who are delinquent, or anticipate becoming delinquent, in their mortgage payments on their primary residence, regardless of income or value of home. The counseling service is provided free of charge. The Affordable Housing Program uses the service model and reimbursement structure designed for congress by the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program, a HUD-approved counseling curriculum and the national industry standard. Foreclosure Intervention Counseling attempts to prevent a foreclosure sale or to mitigate the impact of foreclosure on a household’s finances and life situation. Counseling staff provide guidance and support as clients contact and negotiate with their bank or Mortgage Company’s loss mitigation department to work on either a retention or disposition option.

To obtain Foreclosure Intervention Counseling clients need to submit all their documentation before an appointment can be set up. Clients will need to submit copies of the documents listed below: 

• Foreclosure Counseling Intake 2017
• Driver’s License or Identification Card
• 1 month of check stubs (proof of income of all household members)
• 2 months of bank statements (all pages and all accounts)
• Last 2 years of Income Tax Returns (all pages) including W-2 forms or 1099 forms
• Most recent Mortgage Statement or letters from lender/attorneys
• Homeownership Closing Documents (please inform staff if you have refinanced)
• HUD1 Settlement Statement
• Mortgage Not
• Truth in Lending disclosures
• Homeowner’s Insurance Policy
• Homeowner’s Association Bill (if applicable)
• Proof of Occupancy (recent utility bills)

If your interested in any of the services please contact our office if you have any further questions or to set up an appointment.

Affordable Housing Program
6200 Gulf Freeway, Suite 200
Houston, TX. 77023

Office: 713-670-3743
Email: housing@tejanocenter.org