DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Comprehensive Housing Counseling Grant
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the submission of a FY 2014 and FY 2015 Housing Counseling Grant application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Housing Counseling Program, for the period of October 1, 2013 to March 31, 2016. This ordinance also accepts, upon award, funding up to $70,000.00, approves the FY 2014 budget, and authorizes the Director of the Department of Human Services (DHS), or her designee, to execute documents in connection with this grant.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Through its Fair Housing Program, DHS has offered housing counseling services to homeowners as a HUD Certified Housing Counseling agency since 1979, including foreclosure prevention counseling. The Housing Counseling Program supports the delivery of a wide variety of housing counseling services to homebuyers, homeowners, low to moderate income renters, and the homeless. There is no income requirement for clients to receive housing counseling services.
The primary objectives of the Fair Housing Program are to improve financial literacy, expand homeownership opportunities, improve access to affordable housing, and preserve homeownership. Counselors provide guidance and advice to help families and individuals improve their housing conditions and meet the responsibilities of tenancy and homeownership. Additionally, counselors may provide counseling services to homeowners to prevent or resolve mortgage delinquency, default, and foreclosure. During FY 2013, 1,932 San Antonio families received the program services and 180 foreclosures were prevented. DHS certified housing counseling staff also conducted community education presentations including public awareness of predatory lending practices and mortgage scam alert activities.
ISSUE:
Funding for the FY 2014 and FY 2...
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