Catholic Charities Atlanta

As a HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency, Catholic Charities Atlanta provides free comprehensive counseling for homeowners who are having trouble making their mortgage payments. By doing this, we assess the individual financial situations of each client. We identify possible options and provide services which include: developing a budget, creating an action plan, and education about the process of foreclosure and your rights as a homeowner. When appropriate, and at the homeowner’s request, we facilitate interventions with lenders to explore alternatives offered by them to solve current loan defaults. In some situations, clients have been able to “get current” on their loan and adjust their monthly payment to affordable terms. Our staff is qualified and highly trained to assist you in keeping your home and addressing other credit or budget situations that impact your ability to pay your monthly mortgage payments. Please take time to review the checklist below to make sure you bring required documentation to your appointment. Please write your loan number on the top of each page.

• Mortgage statement and any other correspondence from lender or attorney
• Information about other mortgages on the home, if applicable
• Two (2) most recent pay stubs for all household members contributing toward mortgage payment
• Two (2)most recent tax returns with W-2 forms, signed and dated
• If self-employed, the most recent quarterly or year-to-date profit and loss statement and two years of tax returns
• Documentation of income received from other sources (alimony, child support, social security, rental properties, etc.)
• Two(2)  most recent bank statements showing homeowner name and property address
• All utility bills showing homeowner name and property address
• All credit card statements, car loan information, or any other monthly obligations, if applicable
• Unemployment insurance letter, if applicable

 

Note: There will be a charge for the credit report of $12.50 (if applicable) and $2.00 for up to 20 copies (more than 20 copies is $5.00). We advise clients to bring their own copies). CCA does not accept credit cards for credit reports, so please bring exact change.

Being late on mortgage payments and facing foreclosure is stressful for families, especially if they do not fully understand the process.This workshop gives participants insight into the basic steps necessary to savinga home from foreclosure. This class is facilitated by a certified Housing Counselor with experience in working with lenders and foreclosure intervention/prevention.If attending a foreclosure intervention workshop, please bring the following documents:

• Mortgage statement and any other correspondence from lender or attorney
• Two (2) most recent pay stubs for everyone in the household along with proof of any other form of income
• Two (2) most current recent statements
• Most recent Tax Return with W-2 form
• Recent utility bill

 

To register for our next workshop or get more information email us at housingcounseling@catholiccharitiesatlanta.org.

Catholic Charities provides financial education and practical skills related to the home-buying process in the US and a savings match to be used towards a down payment on a new home. Who is eligible to participate in the RRISA Savings Match Program?
Participants must:

• Possess refugee, asylee, Cuban/Haitian entrant, victim of human trafficking or certain Ameriasian status
• Be in the United States for at least 6 months, but less than 3 years, at the time of program application.
• Have earned income due to employment.
• Have no more than $10,000 in personal assets (see Personal Asset limit list)
• Meet household income requirements (See Maximum Household Income chart)
• Live in the metro Atlanta area which includes the following counties: DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, Clayton, Cherokee, Henry, Douglas, Clarke, Paulding, Coweta, Fayette, Rockdale, and Butts.
• Be 18 years of age or older, or be enrolling in the Savings Match program as a family member along with an adult who is 18 years or older.

 

The Savings Match Process

• Attend an IDA Orientation Session
• Schedule and attend an IDA Intake Appointment
• Sign a Savings Plan Agreement
• Receive SunTrust IDA Participant Award Letter
• Visit local SunTrust branch to open Individual Development Account (IDA) Savings Account
• Participate, as agreed, in saving on a monthly, weekly, or bi-weekly basis
• Attend Savings Match Workshops as required for your savings goal
• Complete Savings and Workshop goals
• Purchase approved asset with personal and match savings funds

 

To register for our next workshop or get more information email us at aribon@catholiccharitiesatlanta.org.

Monthly workshops are conducted at our DeKalb/Fulton County office. Please visit our agency Calendar for dates and times of ongoing seminars.

IDA services are by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please call 770-790-3107.

Foreclosure Intervention services are by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, please call 770-790-3112 or complete an initial Online Intake Form. This confidential form will ask detailed questions about your financial situation, including your income and expenses.

Additional Resources

Was your mortgage in the foreclosure process during 2009-2010?  Do you think servicer errors cost you money?  Call 1-800-959-9105 or visit www.IndependentForeclosureReview.com. Federal regulators will be directing and monitoring the review process.  Your Request for Review Form must be submitted by December 31, 2012 to determine if you are eligible to request a free Independent Foreclosure Review.  For more information, please download the attached flyer.

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