Westmoreland Community Action’s Housing Counseling & Money Management Center offers training and resources designed to support families and individuals who are interested in purchasing their very own home.
The Housing Counseling & Money Management Center provides free housing counseling services to all Westmoreland County residents who have housing needs or problems that are potentially resolvable through homebuyer education and/or pre-purchase counseling. Those residents who choose to participate in our program are eligible (although not obligated) to purchase one of the homes constructed through the Neighborhood Revitalization Program. Low to moderate income families will also learn about mortgage products and services designed to help them be successful in purchasing and maintaining a home.
Sometimes unexpected disasters hit. Check out this handy booklet, Disaster Recovery: A Resource for Homeowners, for information on what to do both before AND after a disaster strikes. Booklet courtesy of Mortgage Bankers Association, 2018.
The Housing Counseling & Money Management Center offers a variety of educational classes and counseling services, including:
Pre-Closing Class
Focuses on foreclosure prevention, predatory lending and home maintenance. Participants are referred by mortgage lenders.
Pre-Purchase Counseling
Provides the knowledge, skills, guidance and support necessary to achieve and sustain homeownership.
Homebuyer Education
Provides one-on-one comprehensive home-buying information and guidance based on your individual situation.
Credit Enhancement
Entails the development of a credit restoration plan based on credit report analysis, wise use of credit, budgeting and underwriting guidelines.
Predatory Lending
Equips residents with the knowledge to discern a credible lending institution from a lender who is seeking to set unfair terms with borrowers, thereby assisting the consumer in making
an informed decision.
Foreclosure Prevention
Familiarizes current and future homeowners with state and federal foreclosure prevention programs. Provides instruction in the areas of budgeting, wise use of credit, and mortgage assistance scams.
Fundamentals of Budgeting
Provides participants with the skills necessary to analyze their lifestyle and spending choices in relation to how well they reflect the participant’s income, debt obligations, savings goals, and long-term financial goals. Provides participants with a framework and guidelines for creating their own budget.
A Renter’s Guide – Landlord and Tenant Rights and Responsibilities Workshop
Provides an overview of the landlord and tenant relationship as it pertains to leases, landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities, security deposits, repairs, remedies for breaches of the
lease, and evictions.
Additional Services
WCA has been approved by USDA Rural Development to package “502” and “504” loans. The role of a “loan packager” is to assist the applicant in preparing an application package.
USDA “502” Loan
- 100% financing for very low and low income persons who meet eligibility guidelines and wish to buy or build a home
- WCA will submit your application and supporting documents to the Rural Development Office
USDA “504” loan/grant
- Provides assistance to very low income homeowners for home improvements to remove health and safety hazards
- Provides assistance to very low income homeowners to make a home accessible for household members with disabilities
- Maximum loan is $20,000 at 1% interest rate (maximum term is 20 years)
- The “504” grant is available to very low income homeowners 62 and older
- The maximum grant amount is $7,500
- A combination of loans and grants may be used
- WCA will submit your application and supporting documents to the Rural Development Office
Program Brochure
To view our brochure please click here.
The Housing Counseling & Money Management Center provides homeownership counseling and instruction to homebuyers participating in the following WCA collaborations:
- Westmoreland County Housing Authority (WCHA) Homeownership Program
- Monessen Redevelopment Authority Homeownership Project and the USDA Rural Development 502 loan program
- City of Jeannette South Sixth Street Project
Take Charge of Your Money
As part of Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s (PHFA) housing counseling network, Westmoreland Community Action is committed to helping you Take Charge of Your Money. Just like PHFA, we believe that a true understanding of your finances is essential in order to make the best decisions that ultimately affect your future and the future of your loved ones.
For more information, see the Take Charge of Your Money flyer, or go directly to PHFA’s Take Charge of Your Money website.
Program Funding
The Housing Programs are funded through the Department of Housing & Urban Development, the PA Department of Community & Economic Development, the Westmoreland County Department of Planning, and various corporate and private donations.
For More Information
For more information on the Housing Counseling & Money Management Center, please contact Dan Giovannelli at 724-834-1260, ext. 1151.
