This Is Why We Exist
HUD-Approved Program Counselors
The Urban League of Essex County's HUD-approved program counselors can work with you to address current housing concerns, prepare you for home ownership, and protect your home from foreclosure.
The League also works to help residents improve their family financial stability through its Financial Opportunity Center. An individual focus, workshops, and confidential coaching can help you maximize your income, manage credit and spending wisely, and increase savings for to cover the unexpected.
The League offers the following services:
- Credit and Financial Coaching
- Homeownership Education and Counseling
- Homeowner Services
- Foreclosure Prevention and Rescue Counseling
- Landlord Tenant Education
Renter Counseling and Emergency Services
Facing housing insecurity or homelessness is a traumatic and overwhelming experience for individuals and families. The League offers counseling and emergency housing assistance for residents of Newark and Essex County, individuals and families.
We may be able to assist with the following urgent needs:
- Preventing Eviction
- Utilities Assistance
- Securing a Rental Residence to Avoid Homeless
Home Buying Counseling
We offer comprehensive pre-purchase guidance. Our professional counselors can advise you on all aspects of buying your first home. With the road to homeownership program, we assist you in every stage of purchasing a home and we engage all stakeholders from your homebuying team - realtors, appraisers, mortgage officers, home inspectors, and insurance agents. You can count on us to be there with you throughout the process, from first application to closing.
With convenient class and workshop schedules offered (see below), we will cover all of the essential topics to make sure that when you're ready you're well informed.
Topics include:
- Are You Ready for Homeownership?
- Understanding Credit
- Money Management
- How to Obtain a Mortgage
- Mortgage Terminology
- Understanding Products and Programs
- The Purpose of All Stakeholders in the Process
- Good Products for First-Time Homebuyers
"Through my participation with the Urban League's Road to Homeownership Program, I was better able to understand the terms when I purchased my home. The counselors were so helpful and made sure I understood the importance of making informed decisions when buying a home."
-Nicole Quails
Foreclosure Counseling
The Urban League of Essex County provides counseling opportunities to families facing delinquency actions and foreclosure in Essex County. Our professional counselors provide respectful and confidential assistance to address predatory lending, foreclosure prevention and credit counseling. Of the more than 800 families that The League has served since 2012, more than 75% have successfully obtained home retention options, including modifications that have allowed them to improve their payments structure and keep their homes.
If you would like more information on foreclosure counseling or need assistance, contact us today by filling out the form below.
Helpful Information and Resources
Each June, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's National Healthy Homes Month (NHHM) brings together their partners, including grantees, community-based and faith-based organizations, industry, state, tribal, local governments, health care providers, and many others, around two common goals. Coordinated by OLHCHH, they aim:
- to increase awareness of housing-related health hazards, lead poisoning prevention, and the overall principles of a healthy home, especially for low-income populations
- to encourage residents to take steps for safe and healthy homes.
What if I can’t pay my rent? Can I still get evicted? Is there any rental relief? (State of New Jersey COVID-19 Information HUB - Eviction Protection, Rental Assistance, and Legal Protections and Action)
Rent Relief Resources: A Message from FHA on Safeguarding Renters (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Fighting Unfair Evictions, Providing Legal Assistance, Keeping People Housed, Connecting People with Rent and Utility Relief, Providing Tools to Help Public Housing Authorities, HUD-assisted Landlords/Tenants, and People Experiencing Homelessness)
Your Rights and Protections Under the CARES Act (National Urban League)
For more information:
Cassandra Cooper
Housing Counselor
973-624-9535