PCHC - Housing Counseling

The PCHC administers its Housing Counseling Program with funding from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The PCHC is a HUD certified Housing Counseling Agency.

The program offers housing counseling for both homeowners and renters alike, addressing reverse mortgages, foreclosures, eviction, home improvements, rehabilitation, pre-purchase, FHA, Rural Development, SONYMA and pre-rental.

The program offers counseling for a person, family or group of persons with the same documented need. Regardless of the area of assistance, all clients will receive a financial analysis prior to counseling. The counselor will review budgets, assess a client's spending habits, create a budget and explain the use and cost of credit.

Programs available through PCHC include the following:

Pre-rental

Counseling includes explanation of tenant's rights and lease and rental agreements. Customers are also informed of the HUD Housing Choice Voucher Program (administered by the PCHC in Putnam County), landlord tenant mediation, landlord grievances and Fair Housing Laws.

Reverse Mortgages

The PCHC offers counseling for the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) insured by the US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The eligibility requirements are:

Borrowers:

Appointment is necessary for counseling. Please contact Mrs. Dianne Chipman at ext. 212.

Home Improvements

Currently PCHC is not administering any home improvement programs. Rural Development offers grants and loans to income eligible home owners. Call 845-343-1872 Ext. 4

Homeownership Program

The PCHC offers an enhanced homeownership program to assist residents in purchasing a home. This includes a First Home Buyers Club in partnership with Mahopac National Bank and HSBC through the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York. For more information, please see the Homeownership Section.

Foreclosure Assistance

The PCHC, as a certified HUD Housing Counseling Agency, can assist those homebuyers at risk of foreclosure. The PCHC receives funding from HUD to provide the counseling and from the National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program. The PCHC also receives funding from the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal for the Subprime Mortgage Foreclosure Counseling Program.

The borrower must fill out an intake application for Housing Counseling assistance. Once the counselor receives the application and reviews it she will call the borrower to arrange an appointment. The counselor will meet with the borrower to determine their objectives, the reasons for the default, and the time constraints of the case. The counselor will document income and expenses and will establish with the borrower a current budget and set up a realistic budget going forward with the maximum commitment from the borrower for mortgage payments. The counselor will then advise the borrower of the options available to them: Forebearance and Reinstatement, Loan Modification, Preforeclosure Sales, Assumptions and Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure or Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM). The counselor may also refer the borrower to Legal Services of the Hudson Valley or the Department of Social Services. The PCHC also works with lenders, banks and mortgage companies to arrange work-out agreements, short sales and other remedies for customers.

Paths of Foreclosure in New York State