Housing Counseling
Bienestar’s homeownership program offers a path toward asset-building, financial stability, and economic mobility to low-income individuals and families in Washington County. We are a HUD certified housing counseling agency, and an affiliate of Unidos US, the largest Latino nonprofit advocacy organization in the United States.
In an effort to create stable households throughout the state of Oregon – particularly in communities of color – we provide pre-purchase homebuyer education and counseling, financial literacy education and counseling, and post-purchase, including default counseling to assist in securing the future for Oregonians.
- One-on-one counseling
- Pre-Purchase Counseling
- Work with a HUD certified housing counselor to learn a deeper understanding about your household needs, budget, credit, debt, and how to resolve potential barriers to homeownership
- Resolving or Preventing Mortgage Delinquency or Default
- Work with a HUD certified housing counselor to learn more about your financial situation and explore different ways of resolving your mortgage situation. Our objective, like yours, is to find a way to help keep you in your home.
- Pre-Purchase Counseling
- Group Education Workshops – In-person and online classes will be available
- Pre-purchase Education
- Learn about the steps involved in purchasing a home, the importance of credit, shopping for loans, the cost of homeownership, special programs for first-time homebuyers, and much more
- Financial Education
- Learn about budgeting, dealing with debt, establishing or improving credit, and how to build your savings in preparation to purchase your first home
- Pre-purchase Education
Ready to set up an appointment with a Bienestar counselor? Follow these steps:
- Download and complete our intake packet using the buttons below.
Submit the following documents along with your completed packet to home@bienestar-or.org:
- Tax Returns and/or W-2s: Provide your most recent two years of tax returns or W-2s (three years if self-employed).
- Paystubs: Include two months of current paystubs for all income earners.
- Bank Statements: Submit two months of bank statements (all pages for all accounts).
Once we receive your materials, we’ll contact you to schedule your appointment.
2025 Class Schedule
Homebuyer Education
This class covers what to expect in the home-buying process, including shopping for a loan, special programs for first-time homebuyers, the house search process, inspections, home insurance, and maintaining and protecting your investment
CLASS SCHEDULE
*Sunday, June 1st, 2025 – 9:00am-4:30pm – Spanish (In Person – Nueva Esperanza Community Room)
*Sunday, July 13th, 2025 – 9:00am-4:30pm – Spanish (In Person – Location TBD)
*Tuesday, August 5th and Thursday, August 7th – 6:00-8:30pm – English (Zoom)
*Sunday, September 21st, 2025 – 9:00am-4:30pm – Spanish (In Person – Location TBD)
*Sunday, October 12th, 2025 – 9:00am-4:30pm – English (In Person – Location TBD)
*Sunday, November 9th, 2025 – 9:00am-4:30pm – Spanish (In Person – Location TBD)
*Sunday, December 7th, 2025 – 9:00am-4:30pm – English (In Person – Location TBD)
Financial Education
Individuals will learn how to play an active role in their financial well-being. Developing this knowledge increases available life opportunities such as home ownership, higher education, and secure retirement.
CLASS SCHEDULE
*Tuesday, April 22nd and Thursday, April 24th – 6:00-8:30pm – English (Zoom)
*Tuesday, June 10th and Thursday, June 12th – 6:00-8:30pm – Spanish (Zoom)
*Tuesday, July 22nd and Thursday, July 24th – 6:00-8:30pm – English (Zoom)
*Tuesday, August 19th and Thursday, August 21st – 6:00-8:30pm – Spanish (Zoom)
*Tuesday, September 16th and Thursday, September 18th – 6:00-8:30pm – English (Zoom)
*Tuesday, October 7th and Thursday, October 9th – 6:00-8:30pm – Spanish (Zoom)
FAQs!
What is a HUD Certified Counselor?
A HUD-approved housing counselor is trained and certified by the government to help you assess your financial situation and evaluate options to pay your mortgage loan. Housing counseling agencies offer guidance on homebuying, renting, reverse mortgages and default and foreclosure prevention. Counselors can help you explore your options and help you draft a personalized plan to pay your mortgage.
I am unable to attend any of your live classes/I would rather take the class on my own time. Is there an option for this?
Although we do our best to accommodate different schedules, we understand that you may be unable to attend any of the in-person or Zoom classes we offer. We do have an option for taking a self-paced online education course: https://www.ehomeamerica.org/bienestar Please note that there is a $99 fee to take the course.
What is Pre-Purchase Counseling?
Pre-Purchase counseling helps prepare a client in the homebuying process. Advisors will help assess where a client stands in the process and will help draft a plan moving forward. Counselors will cover topics such as credit status, qualifying for loan approval, financing options, budgeting and more. Counselors can also help answer any questions a client may have.
What is Mortgage Delinquency or Default?
Mortgage delinquency or default refers to when a borrower misses payments on their mortgage. This can have a negative affect on the borrower’s credit score.
Do you want more information about Financial Services?
Access more information and resources via the Division of Financial Regulation’s website.
Contact Information
Are you an aspiring homeowner? Ready to build financial stability? Take the next step by contacting us!
Email: home@bienestar-or.org
Jessica Vitturi, Homeownership Program Manager
