Housing Counseling – Catholic Charities of North Louisiana

HOUSING SERVICES

Catholic Charities of North Louisiana assists individuals and families in maintaining their rented or owned home through education and housing counseling.

Our housing counseling staff work one-on-one to provide clients with all the information they need to successfully buy a home or to stay in their current home.

Our First-Time Home Buyers Class equips people with the education around purchasing a home qualifies them for an array of benefits such as down-payment assistance, lower interest rates and more.

Housing Counseling

Catholic Charities of North Louisiana has three HUD-Certified housing counselors available to help renters, homeowners and future homeowners.

Rental Counseling: for individuals or families in need of assistance with navigating lease agreements, resolving landlord-tenant disputes, and avoiding eviction.

Pre- & Post-Purchase Counseling: for first-time homebuyers. Counselors will assist individuals and families with actions leading up to the purchase of a home as well as how to fiscally navigate home ownership.

Loss Mitigation: for individuals and families who are behind on their mortgage and at-risk of losing their home. Counselors will provide guidance on ways to ensure that one is able to remain in their home.

Credit Counseling: for those who are looking to enhance their credit before purchasing or renting a home.

All counseling services require an intake appointment to provide required documentation. A counseling appointment will be made once documents are received in order to give counselors time to review each case before meeting with a client.

First-Time Homebuyers Class

Our HUD-Certified first-time homebuyers classes are held free of charge. This 8-hour course gives potential homebuyers the information needed to purchase a home as well as access to benefits such as lower interest rates, down payment assistance and more.

Classes are held in-person at Catholic Charities of North Louisiana (902 Olive St, Shreveport, LA 71104) from 5:30-7:30 on scheduled dates. To successfully complete the class, you must attend ALL 4 classes.

You may sign up to attend the class by calling CCNLA’s office at 318-865-0200. When registering for the class, please provide your name, address, daytime contact phone number and email address. If you require an interpreter or ADA accommodations please let us know.
Due to the length of the classes, no children are allowed.

Class Syllabus (2 hours/class)

Financial Preparedness: including money management, budgeting, income and debt Ratios, first-time homebuyer programs
Credit: scoring and components, repairing and rebuilding credit, consumer protection
Mortgages and Financing: available finance options, pre-qualifying, ratios, credit scores, breakdown of closing costs, preparation for closing
Home Buying Process: representation, home search, purchase agreements, negotiating terms, inspections, contingencies, title, preparation for closing