If you have received rental assistance from Heading Home in the past, and are seeking further Heading Home assistance, you are required to take this online questionnaire. This short test will ask you some questions about fair housing, and your rights and responsibilities as a tenant.
Please follow the link below if you would like to take the Heading Home test online.
A message form the City of Rochester:
One of the objectives of the City of Rochester’s Department of Neighborhood and Business Development is to provide a superior level of customer service. Your feedback telling us what is going well and what needs improvement is essential to our success in serving you better. Please take a moment to complete the following survey. Thank you for your participation.
Click here to complete the survey.
Heading Home Online Class. Take this short online class to learn about your rights as a tenant and understand how fair housing is your right.
Please follow the link below if you would like to take the Heading Home Online Class.
The Housing Council course, Operating Rental Property, is a must for all landlords or persons considering the purchase of income property. The next scheduled course is March 12, 13, and 14 from 6:30p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Housing Council. Your course fee of $25.00 includes all course materials. Call 546-3700 to register.
Our First Time Homebuyer Education and Counseling program will provide you with the foundation needed to enable you to attain, maintain and sustain homeownership. With more than 30 years experience, our staff takes the holistic approach when working with future homeowners. The First Time Homebuyer Workshop prepares you for homeownership. Classes are scheduled monthly. The next two night workshop will be held are on March 6th and 7th. The workshops are 4 hours each night. Email firsthome@thehousingcouncil.org for more information, and review additional information on this website.
Last year over 25,000 tenants made use of this registry. The Rental Registry, which is published twice weekly, is a proven medium in which to advertise your vacant units. The Department of Social Services and numerous other local agencies in the City of Rochester and Monroe County also use it to assist individuals who need housing. The Rental Registry is made available online to help tenants and agencies find available units.
The following options reflect the current fees for listing available units in The Housing Council’s Rental Registry:
All listings will run fior 45 days or until unit is rented.
Checks can be made out to The Housing Council and mailed to us or dropped off at our office.
As you can see, we’ve made some changes to our website. We hope that it’s as easy to use as it is informative!
Our new site will give you the opportunity to
It is still a bit of a work-in-progress, so your patience is appreciated. If you find that you’re unable to find something or you’ve just got comments or feedback about our new design, please give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to making this site be as useful to you as possible.
-The Housing Council
Enrollment in First Home Club gives participants:
PERSONAL COUNSELING
Households will be provided opportunities for confidential counseling to discuss personal finances, household budgeting and credit history.
Understanding and completing the requirements of the FIRST HOME CLUBsm
We will review FIRST HOME CLUBsm program requirements with you, including the systematic savings process, homeownership counseling and use of the FHC dedicated savings account.
Mortgage Payment versus Rent
We will realistically assess the issues that should be considered in choosing between renting and owning a home.
Financial Planning for a Home
We will estimate the mortgage a household can or should consider affordable. Provide a guide to credit enhancement and maintenance. Assist each household in establishing a schedule of systematic savings.
Choosing an Affordable Home
We will discuss the procedures in searching, negotiating, and making the offer to purchase.
Create a Monthly Budget
We will help you develop budgeting skills in order to manage money in all aspects of the household’s life. Describe the payments (PITI — principal and interest, taxes, and insurance) and costs of maintaining a home.
Contract of Sale
We will explain the signing of the contract and the professional home inspection.
Mortgage Loan Application
We will assist and explain the application and approval process. Explain verification of income, grants, gift letters, and underwriting procedures.
Downpayment and Closing Costs
We will explain downpayment requirement and the fees paid at closing.
The Closing Documents
We will explain the information provided in the various documents executed at closing and the obligations incurred as a borrower.
The Closing
We will help you understand closing day from scheduling and final to who does what at the closing table.
Life as a Homeowner
We will help you in understanding homeownership issues such as the following: payment due dates; late payment penalties; tax benefits of home improvements; how to maintain and improve the home; refinancing choices; importance of keeping good documentation on capital improvements.
Predatory Lending
We will help you in recognizing and avoiding predatory lending practices before and after purchasing a home. Recognizing traps, scams and costly fees such as private transfer fees (sometimes known as “flip fees”).
1. CONTACT YOUR LENDER
It’s a good idea to keep the lines of communication open. Your lender can be very helpful in explaining your options for keeping the home OR to stall the foreclosure process. If you continuously ignore phone calls from your lender, they may assume you have abandoned the home.
2. REDUCE EXPENSES
The further behind you become on your mortgage, the more expensive the fees and costs become. Your #1 expense is the mortgage payment. If it is a choice between paying credit cards or the mortgage, you should pay the mortgage as long as your lender/servicer will accept a payment. If you fall too far behind, the lender/servicer may not accept a payment, as they will want to start the foreclosure process. It DOES NOT mean they won’t work with you. The foreclosure process will continue while you are attempting to work out a solution with your lender. The easiest expenses to reduce are “optional” expenses: cable TV, cell phones, gym memberships, eating out, et
3. SAVE MONEY
If your lender/servicer won’t accept a mortgage payment (typically after 60 days past due) and you have one, save it. Your lender/servicer may require some money as a contribution once you are offered a permanent resolution.
4. OPEN ALL MAIL FROM YOUR LENDER/SERVICER
The first notices you receive will offer good information about foreclosure prevention options. Later mail may include important notice of pending legal action. In NYS you will also receive a letter about your settlement conference.
5. AVOID FORECLOSURE PREVENTION SCAMS
Many for–profit companies and attorneys will contact you promising that they will save your home. They may also promise to greatly reduce your monthly payment or interest rate. While most of these businesses are legitimate, they will charge you thousands of dollars for something you can do yourself, or a HUD approved agency will provide for free. Some of these companies may even attempt to try to get you to sign your title over to them. Never sign any document without reading and understanding WHAT you are signing, or getting legal advice from an attorney.
6. CONTACT A HUD-APPROVED HOUSING COUNSELING AGENCY
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funds free or low cost housing counseling nationwide. Housing counselors can help you understand the legal process of foreclosure, develop a realistic budget, and communicate with your lender/servicer on your behalf.
(585) 546-3700