Housing & Mortgage Counseling
SCA provides homeowners and homebuyers with programs to assist them with housing counseling, foreclosure prevention assistance, home buying, and workshops.
All of these programs comply with Equal Housing Opportunity guidelines, as well as federal and state standards.
HEMAP Mortgage Assistance
HEMAP, which stands for the Homeowner’s Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program, is administered and funded by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA). This program assists homeowners who are unable to make their mortgage payments, through no fault of their own, and are facing foreclosure proceedings.
SCA is a PHFA-certified housing counseling agency and application packager for the HEMAP Program. SCA assists homeowners who have received a “Notice of Intent to Foreclose” letter (Act 91 Notice) from their holder/lender with applying for emergency mortgage assistance.
HEMAP Eligibility
Eligible applicants must be Pennsylvania residents. They must own and reside principally in the property in foreclosure, be suffering financial hardship through no fault of their own, and demonstrate a reasonable prospect of resuming normal mortgage payments after the HEMAP assistance concludes.
Applicants must meet with a designated counseling agency, such as SCA, within thirty days of receiving an Act 91 Notice in order to initiate the application process. If you have received an Act 91 Notice from your mortgage holder, contact SCA immediately by calling (570) 622-1995 to determine if you are eligible to submit a HEMAP mortgage assistance application. Mortgage assistance from PHFA may be provided in the form of either arrearage assistance or monthly assistance.
Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program
SCA, in partnership with the Court of Common Pleas – 21st Judicial District and the Schuylkill County Bar Association, has developed the Schuylkill County Mortgage Foreclosure Diversion Program to assist homeowners in the county who are faced with mortgage foreclosure action.
The program is designed to provide early court intervention in residential, owner-occupied mortgage foreclosure cases which will assure determination of eligibility under various federal, state, and local programs established to facilitate loan workout/modification and other solutions to permit residential homeowners, where possible, to retain their properties or permit lenders to move forward to the Sheriff Sale upon conclusion of the process.
SCA provides skilled representation to homeowners when negotiating terms of repayment for defaulted and/or delinquent mortgages.
Pre-Closing Counseling for First-Time Homebuyers
Are you a first-time homebuyer? SCA offers Pre-Closing Counseling to help you navigate the final steps of purchasing your home. Our program, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), provides you with the essential information and support needed for a smooth closing process.
Program Highlights
- Guidance: Receive advice from counselors to help you understand the closing process.
- Support: Learn about the final financial commitments and necessary documentation.
- Preparation: Be better prepared for what to expect on the closing day.
Eligibility
- This program is designed for first-time homebuyers.
- A referral from a qualified lender is required to participate in the counseling sessions.
Take the next step towards homeownership with confidence. Contact us today at (570) 622-1995 to learn more about how our Pre-Closing Counseling can assist you in achieving your dream of owning a home.
SCA is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
We are firmly committed to the provision of assistance regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, military status, sexual orientation, or marital/family status.