Housing Counseling Services

Persons who plan to buy a house or who need assistance during a financial crisis are encouraged to attend free workshops or seek counseling offered by a qualified housing counseling agency in their area.

For a listing of Georgia DCA approved housing counseling agencies that provide housing counseling and education, go to www.gadream.com. For HUD certified agencies, click here.

Redemption Housing Counselors, Inc is a non-profit Housing Counseling Agency located in Thomasville that serves several South Georgia counties. They are certified by HUD and the GA Department of Community Affairs. Contact them at 229-228-6888 for class schedules and more information about the services they provide.

R. H. C. offers free educational classes and individual counseling as described below:

Pre-Purchase Homebuyer Education

Classes are designed to guide persons through the home buying process. Participants are encouraged to develop an individual plan of action to prepare to buy a house.

A 6-hour Homebuyer Workshop, offered by RMI one Saturday a month, is required for participation in GA Dream and other mortgage loan programs. (See the Homeownership section for more information on these programs.)

Financial Management and Credit

Class participants are taught ways to improve their financial fitness through the development of a spending plan, establishing financial goals, and learning budgeting techniques. You will learn how to read your credit report, dispute mistakes, improve your credit score, reduce your debt, and become more credit worthy.

Post-Purchase Homeownership Skills

The focus is on helping homeowners manage their asset. Class topics include home maintenance and repair, homeowner’s insurance, zoning and other local regulations, energy savings, healthy homes, community involvement, and programs such as neighborhood watch.

Homeless Prevention and Financial Counseling

Individual counseling is available to help persons who are in a financial crisis identify solutions to stabilize their situation. Clients are helped to develop a budget and correct credit and debt issues. The counselor will help the client understand the foreclosure or eviction process and how to negotiate with a lender or landlord to establish a repayment plan or loan modification.

Appropriate options for persons facing foreclosure will be presented to the client.