Housing Counseling

Through our Comprehensive Housing Counseling Program, expert, non-proprietary professional counseling is provided to help individuals and families learn about financial capabilities and gain access to county, state, and federal financial and housing programs, community resources and funding. Counseling is available regardless of eligibility for income-based programs, though services are specifically targeted to low-to-moderate income households (individuals and families) in Bucks County. Counseling and workshops are available for topics such as budgeting and credit, renting, first time homebuying and homeowning, and foreclosure prevention.

UPCOMING EVENT:
​FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER WEBINARS: Part 1 – Thursday, October 13th, 6 pm to 8 pm. Part 2 – Thursday, October 27th, 6 pm to 8 pm.
Bucks County Housing Group digs deep into all we need to know about buying a home. As this course is a HUD-certified training, registration is required prior to attendance: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/habitat-for-humanitybchg-1st-time-buyer-part-1-registration-422893173867. Zoom links will be provided to all who register. *Must attend Part 1 to get link for Part 2.

Learn More About our Housing Counseling Services:

  1. Complete BCHG Intake Application here
  2. Look for an email from our intake department with a form to complete via DocuSign and other instructions
  3. Receive, sign, and return all necessary forms
  4. Receive an invitation to, and attend, the first group webinar
FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS - BEGINNING OF PROCESS
BCHG offers a series of free webinars for first time homebuyers. Webinars introduce credit requirements, the homebuying & lending processes, and a review of various assistance programs to potential buyers. After participating, our clients will have a better understanding of the steps in the purchase process, the costs involved, and affordability vs. sustainability. After attending one or more group sessions, potential buyers can continue with our program by scheduling an intake appointment, and later an individual counseling session, to apply what they have learned to their unique situation. They will work with their counselor to develop an action plan, and a timeline for purchasing.
First TimE Homebuyers - Under Contract
If you are under contract and interested in utilizing the county program, please click the link to the guidelines listed above. If you believe you are eligible, send an email to kschoepfer@bchg.org with the property address, purchase price, and settlement date to ensure we have sufficient time to schedule counseling and process a request. If so, you will need to complete the online application making sure to indicate you are under contract. Then you will be asked to self-schedule a preliminary 15-minute call with our intake coordinator. There is no guarantee that you will receive the assistance as we cannot fully determine eligibility before financial documents are received and counseling is complete. Additionally, please note the County requires us to submit all the purchase and loan documents with the request for assistance a minimum of twenty (20) days prior to the scheduled settlement.  These details and timeline will be discussed during the 15-minute preliminary call.  
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​FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS - Online Counseling
For a nominal fee you may also complete your counseling totally online and print your own counseling certificate. The eHomeAmerica and Framework online options are homebuyer education courses, but they are not one-on-one housing counseling. You MUST check with your lender to confirm that this type of counseling is acceptable, and which provider. If your lender or program, such as the FHA Back to Work Program, requires you to complete in person housing counseling you will need to schedule a one-on-one session. (Please note: the online option MAY NOT be used when applying for the Bucks County First Time Homebuyer program.) Both online providers offer counseling in English and Spanish. If following the online counseling you still have questions regarding any portion of the program, credit, budgeting, or the home buying process, we will be happy to schedule an in-person consultation at no additional charge.
Click here to navigate to Framework’s website.
Foreclosure and Loss Mitigation counseling
If you have received an Act 91 notice do not delay in getting the help you need. In order to put the foreclosure process on hold, you must have a face-to-face meeting with a counseling agency within 33 days from the date of your Act 91 Notice. We recommend contacting several agencies to see who can see you first. Local agencies providing counseling include Bucks County Housing Group (BCHG) and the three agencies listed below.
 
BCHG offers counseling services for foreclosure intervention programs  including the Pennsylvania Homeowners Assistance Fund (PAHAF) ,the Homeowner’s Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP), and the Bucks County Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program. Information is provided through both anonymous group webinars and individual counseling. Appointments for individual counseling may be in person or via Zoom. The counselor will work with you and your lender to determine eligibility for modifications, assistance programs, or other foreclosure prevention options. BCHG also provides assistance with the Bucks County Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program, including preparation for, and attendance at, the conference. 
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To begin counseling with BCHG, complete our online intake application here. You will be contacted to set up an intake and arrange for counseling. If you need assistance completing the intake application, contact intake@bchg.org 

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Still not sure whether counseling is right for you? Check out what others had to say about our program!
"I just wanted to tell you how much we learned today. It was a long day but everything you talked about was important. We really want to buy a house, but after today we know we have to go home and really talk about this budget stuff."
​"I’ve been in my new home for 2 1/2 months and I couldn’t be happier. I wanted to personally thank you again for your help, advice, guidance, and funds from Bucks County! It is a dream come true for me!"
​A note from a Foreclosure Counseling case: A widowed woman who was current on her mortgage, but in imminent danger of default, came in for counseling. During her appointment the counselor determined that the homeowner was eligible for a loan modification on both her first and second mortgages. Monthly payments were reduced by $500/month and also now include escrows for taxes and home owners insurance. Bob and Carol (not their real names) came in with an Act 91. They also had an offer from their lender for a loan modification that they did not understand. We provided counseling and a referral to Legal Aid. After counseling, the borrowers ultimately accepted the modification offered by their lender.