The Positive Voices

Home Repair Services saw troubling trends in 2001. The early signs were that many Kent County families were struggling to stay current with their mortgages. The organization launched its Financial Counseling program that year with one counselor who handled approximately 125 cases. “At first we were helping families review mortgage documents to identify predatory lending terms,” notes Home Repair Services Executive Director Dave Jacobs. “We built a solid foundation of experience with lenders and their processes and the kinds of adjustments that families had to make to put their finances in good order. By the time the economy took a turn for the worse we were ready to step up our efforts to fight foreclosures in Kent County.” That early start has paid dividends for the community: In 2009, six full-time financial counselors at Home Repair Services handled 1,134 cases and helped 462 families avoid foreclosure. In keeping with the organization’s focus on empowering homeowners, financial counselors work closely with families to review their financial situation, determine if they can afford their homes and, if so, map out strategies to avoid foreclosure and create long-term stability. They serve as an intermediary between the homeowner and their lender, helping each to understand the other’s interests and expectations and crafting win-win solutions. And even in the instances that the family cannot maintain homeownership, the counselors seek options that minimize the long-term negative impact on the family’s financial situation. The work is making a difference for families throughout Kent County and has garnered statewide attention. Home Repair Services is the first point of contact for families served by Foreclosure Response, a county-wide effort to fight foreclosure. Additionally, Home Repair Services Financial Counseling Manager Tracie Coffman was named the 2009 Housing Counselor of the Year by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). “We’re committed to maintaining our foreclosure fighting capacity through these challenging economic times,” says Jacobs. “We’re grateful for the financial support from individuals and organizations that helps us live up to that commitment.” The mission of Home Repair Services is to build value and dignity by equipping lower-income homeowners and their families for successful, sustained homeownership, thereby strengthening neighborhoods and our community.