Title
Housing Counseling and Education Services
Action
Action:
A. Approve contracts with the following companies for Housing Counseling and Education Services for an initial term of two years:
* DreamKey Partners, Inc.,
* Community Link Programs of Travelers Aid Society, and
B. Authorize the City Manager to renew the contracts for up to two, one-year terms with possible price adjustments and to amend the contracts consistent with the purpose for which the contracts were approved.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Rebecca Hefner, Housing and Neighborhood Services
Warren Wooten, Housing and Neighborhood Services
Explanation
* Homeownership is a valuable component to creating family self-sufficiency, economic mobility, generational wealth, and neighborhood stabilization opportunities.
* The city has been partnering with local organizations certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to offer housing counseling services since 2002.
* Participating in housing counseling helps individuals and families position themselves for successful homeownership by learning about the financial obligations of homeownership, home maintenance, community involvement, and how to avoid delinquency and foreclosure. Participation in housing counseling is required for participants in the House Charlotte down payment assistance program.
* On June 13, 2024, the city issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking HUD certified agencies to provide housing counseling and education services; five proposals were received.
* The firms selected best meet the city's needs in terms of qualifications, experience, cost, and responsiveness to the RFP requirements.
* These firms will provide various types of counseling and education services to first-time home buyers and current homeowners, including pre-purchase education, post-homeownership counseling, individual financial counseling, and foreclosure prevention counseling. Services will include the ability to offer both virtual a...
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