Housing Counseling

DUE TO THE CURRENT COVID-19 PANDEMIC, ALL IN-PERSON GROUP WORKSHOPS AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING SESSIONS HAVE BEEN MODIFIED. PLEASE SEND AN EMAIL FOR INQUIRIES REGARDING PROGRAM ENROLLMENT.

ISCEC is the non-profit instrumentality for Statesville Housing Authority (SHA), a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. In partnership, the 2 entities provide programs designed to help consumers gain or maintain affordable housing through rental and housing counseling. Other housing counseling services include Budget, Credit, Homebuyers’ Education, One-on One Pre-Purchase and Post-Purchase, Mortgage Delinquency, Default Foreclosure Prevention, and Predatory Lending Awareness.

Housing Counseling services are available to all families. The following counties are included in our service area for down payment assistance towards a home purchase: Alexander, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Camden, Catawba, Davidson, Davie, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Pasquotank, Rowan, Stokes, Surry, and Yadkin Counties.

QUALIFICATIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

• 80% of the area median income (income limits vary per county)

• 640 middle credit score

2022 SALES PRICE LIMITS:

• Cabarrus County

  Existing Properties-$257,000

  Newly Constructed-$275,000

• Catawba County

  Existing Properties-$209,000

  Newly Constructed-$251,000

• Iredell County

  Existing Properties-$247,000

  Newly Constructed-$289,000

• Rowan County

  Existing Properties-$193,000

  Newly Constructed-$251,000

To request a Housing Counseling Intake Application and register for workshops and counseling sessions, please contact our Resident Services Admin Asst - Jeanette Sharpe at (704)761-4500 Ext. 230 or by email at jsharpe@sha-online.org. The Homeownership office is located at 244 Dobson Avenue, Statesville NC 28677.

HOMEBUYERS EDUCATION WORKSHOP

ISCEC provides the facility for SHA’s 6-hour Homebuyer Education workshop which provides information about the resources and steps involved in a home purchase. The successful completion of this class is required to qualify for various mortgage loans, down payment assistance, and other services provided thru ISCEC. A complimentary breakfast and light lunch are provided at this workshop.

Topics Covered include:

Improving Quality of Life - Household Budget - Credit Analysis - Planning for Homeownership/Selecting a Home & Neighborhood - Mortgage Disclosures/Buyer’s Rights - The Closing Table - Insurance - Predatory Lending

Schedule: Call the Housing Counseling Dept. for information

TRANSITION YOUR HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER (HCV)

Did you know that you can transition the HCV from rental to homeownership? Learn how in a one (1) hour workshop.

Schedule: Call the Housing Counseling Dept. for information

Rental Counseling

This class explains the importance of working and staying on a budget, “Living Within Your Means”, and being in control of your money using information from the Money Smart curriculum. The class is designed for renters who are consistently late with rental payments, and renters with little to no banking & financial education experience. The focus is on money skills and creating a positive banking relationship as well as personal financing and reserves, to eliminate unnecessary expenses in order to maintain current rent and monthly obligations.

Schedule: Call the Housing Counseling Dept. for information

BUDGET 101 WORKSHOP

A (1) hour workshop that explains the importance of working and staying on a budget “living within your means”, and being in control of your money using information and tools from the Money Smart curriculum approved by the FDIC. The focus is on improving financial management skills, including creating a positive banking relationship, and savings/reserves.

Topics Covered Include:

Budgeting Questionnaire - When Your Finances Are Out Of Control - What is a Budget - Planning Ahead - Debt vs. Expenses - Savings/Money Tips - Tax Refund - Unnecessary Fees - Establishing Your Budget

Schedule: Call the Housing Counseling Dept. for information

Credit Smart Workshop

This 1 .5 hours introductory workshop helps in understanding the Consumer Protection Laws, and provides the basics of credit reports, credit scoring and how both are used by lenders to determine access to credit. Through interactive exercises and learning checks, participants will gain an understanding of what a credit score is, as well as the factors of the FICO scoring model and its impact, learn how they are determined and be able to explain the meaning of information found in credit reports, including how to correct inaccurate information. Once the “nuts & bolts” of credit reports and credit scoring are mastered, participants will be able to apply this knowledge to navigate and manage credit wisely.

Topics Covered Include:

Understanding Credit Scoring - Establishing or Building Your Credit - Restoring Your Credit - Maintaining Your Credit - Thinking Like a Lender & Avoiding Credit Traps

Schedule: Call the Housing Counseling Dept. for information

Please note ISCEC reserves the right to cancel or reschedule workshops according to the registered number of participants. In the event of low workshop registration or inclement weather, ISCEC will notify all registered participants before the scheduled workshop to verify cancellation.

No Registration Fee is required at this time for any workshop.

Housing Counseling - “One-on-One” ISCE’s contribution to the partnership allows the HUD-certified Housing Counselor to conduct individual counseling sessions with consumers to address specific household needs and concerns, to include homeless services. ISCEC strongly encourages program participants to follow-up with One-on-One counseling sessions after the completion of the workshops. Counseling sessions are by appointment ONLY; however, Walk-Ins are permitted at the discretion of the Housing Counselor.

1. Budget Counseling - Improve Your Finances

2. Credit Counseling - Improve Your Credit Status

3. Pre-Purchase Counseling - Understand Your Buying Power & Rights

4. Post-Purchase Counseling - Maintain Your Home Financially & Physically

5. Mortgage Delinquency Counseling - Re-establish Your Mortgage

6. Default/Foreclosure Prevention Counseling - AVOID Foreclosure

7. Predatory Lending Counseling - Know The Risks Factors & Protect Yourself

   
   

Down Payment Assistance Program

ISCEC is a member of the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency’s (NCHFA) Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP), and depending on the availability of funds, residents participating in ISCEC’s Home-ownership Program may apply for financial assistance up to $50,000 to be applied toward the down payment, and/or closing cost associated with the purchase of a home. To qualify for down payment assistance, participants must meet required eligibility criteria, included but not limited to:

1. Income (varies based on family size)

2. Approved mortgage loan (thru a participating lender)

3. Location of property - (within 15 county service area - or - USDA-Rural Development eligible areas)

4. Age of Home - (10 yrs old or newer preferred; not required)

online 9902 Intake Sheet

For questions, please contact our Resident Services Admin Asst at 704-761-4500 Ext. 230 or by email jsharpe@sha-online.org

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