Housing and
Social Services
Creating Pathways to Generational Wealth through Financial Stability.
Looking to Build A Better Future?
Our Comprehensive Approach
NAVIGATING THE ROAD TO FINANCIAL STABILITY CAN BE CHALLENGING.
At our core, we believe that building generational wealth starts with education, and we're here to help kickstart that journey with you.
The Houston Area Urban League is a HUD-approved Housing agency with HUD-approved Housing Counselors and Coaches
Our Programming
Counseling
FINANCIAL COUNSELING
Financial Coaching takes a holistic approach to financial wellness with initial efforts on getting an understanding of the current situation, and future financial plans and presents a comprehensive report to clients. APPLY TODAY
MORTGAGE DELINQUENCY
Resolving or Preventing Mortgage Delinquency or Default service is a one-on-one consultation provided to families experiencing financial difficulty to prevent mortgage default and assist families facing foreclosure with alternative options. APPLY TODAY
PREPURCHASE COUNSELING
The Financial Education and Credit Enhancement Pre-Purchase Program will allow homeowners or former homeowners to re-enter the mortgage market by being more knowledgeable and mortgage-ready. Clients will receive:
- (2) hours of orientation
- (4) hours of Financial Education
- and (8) hours of homebuyer education.
Clients will receive (1) hour of one-on-one counseling and (1) hour of quarterly assessment counseling.
RENTAL COUNSELING
The Houston Area Urban League provides rental counseling in the following areas: budgeting and money management, review of credit reports, and debt reduction. Additional information is provided on typical expenses as a renter, how to properly communicate with your landlord, recovery of your security deposit, necessary maintenance and repairs, and the importance of understanding your rights and responsibilities as a renter. APPLY TODAY
HOMELESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Houston Area Urban League provides case management to persons who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless by preventing households from losing their home or returning to stable housing as quickly as possible. This loss may be due to nonpayment of rent or a mortgage due to the current economic or life crisis. The Homeless Assistance Program includes, but is not limited to information regarding emergency shelter; other emergency services; transitional housing, supportive services and limited financial assistance for related needs (rental, mortgage, and deposits). APPLY TODAY
Workshops
FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS
The First Time Homebuyers Workshop is designed to assist low to moderate-income families with the home-buying process. Classes are in English and Spanish covering: recommendations regarding readiness and preparation for homeownership; FHA insured financing; housing selection and mobility; search assistance; budgeting and credit; loan product and feature comparison; purchase and closing and money management.
Pre-purchase Homebuyer Education Workshop and Pre-purchase/Home Buying Counseling:
HAUL Housing and Social Services assists clients in the First Time Homebuyer and Housing Program for over a one-year period one year. Pre-purchase homebuyers are scheduled for an intensive six-hour group education and scheduled for a minimum of two hours of optional one-on-one counseling. Clients are tracked through closing or to a resolution of the housing process. The curriculum utilized is Keys to Homeownership – 2nd Edition, National Foundation for Credit Counseling.
FAIR HOUSING
The Fair Housing Workshops/Fair Housing Initiative Program assists consumers in the following counties: Harris, Brazoria, Colorado, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Liberty, Waller, Walker, Austin, Matagorda, Wharton, and Montgomery.
HAUL will advocate and provide direct assistance to victims of fair housing and fair lending laws that are a result of fraudulent or predatory mortgage rescue schemes. Houston Area Urban League will conduct group and individual housing counseling.
PREPURCHASE PROGRAM
The Financial Education program workshop is scheduled for one hour monthly at no charge to the client to address budgeting, saving, debt reduction, and credit issues. APPLY TODAY
FINANCIAL EDUCATION WORKSHOPS
The Financial Education workshop provides families with basic money management skills, which include goal setting, understanding your money, developing and maintaining a budget, savings, credit/debit, and credit management. The curriculum utilized is Building Wealth, A Beginner’s Guide to Securing Your Financial Future and materials from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. APPLY TODAY
NON-DELINQUENCY POST-PURCHASE WORKSHOPS
Homebuyers are inundated with opportunities for new purchases and the suggestions of sales representatives to make immediate improvements, security, appliances, and new cars. When first-time homebuyers are approved, we review budgets and make necessary adjustments to ensure the monthly bills are not exceeded, however, within a twelve (12) month period, families can become vulnerable to default and foreclosure due to their lack of understanding of responsibilities associated with homeownership.
The process is implemented within 30 days of closing on their home. Housing counselors will continue to work with the client quarterly via telephone and/or email to discuss issues homeowners face during a calendar year.
Additionally, collaborative partnerships have been established with local and national businesses to provide onsite, quarterly training sessions to promote topics such as energy savings, DIY home repair, asset protection, and taxes.
Upcoming Events
Join us in any upcoming event. Throughout the year, we have various events that promote HAUL and its programs, initiatives to improve the lives of community members. To attend the next event, check out our program calendar today and sign up for the event of your choice.
Our Process
We Educate You
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We Counsel You
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We Coach You
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We Provide You With Access
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Who We Serve
Special Programs
The Texas Veterans Commission
Houston Area Urban League
Veteran Support Service Program
(Mortgage/Rental Assistance)
Available To Assist With:
• Housing Counseling
• Credit Counseling
• Case Management
• Financial Management
• Gap Financial Assistance
• Housing Legal Referrals
Accordion 2
Need help paying your utility bills?
Texas Utility Help is here for you.
Texas Utility Help can give financial assistance to qualified Texas homeowners and renters with low income. Eligible expenses include electricity, gas, propane, water, and wastewater. Click here for Utilities Assistance.
Center for Civic and Public Policy Improvement
HAUL HOMEBUYER EDUCATION PROGRAM
The Houston Area Urban League is providing financial education for prospective homebuyers participating in the Southeast Houston Affordable Housing Initiative co-sponsored by the Midtown Redevelopment Authority and the Center for Civic and Public Policy Improvement.
Partners
Without our partners - individuals, organizations, corporations - we would not be able to assist underserved communities throughout the Houston area. Partner with us today and help us fulfill our mission of providing the tools towards economic self-reliance, power, and parity for underserved and historically marginalized communities. Thank you.
This program is supported by a grant from the Texas Veterans Commission Fund for Veterans’ Assistance. The Fund for Veterans’ Assistance provides grants to organizations serving veterans and their families. For more information, visit www.TVC.Texas.gov.
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