CCCS of San Francisco Supports National Homeownership
Month with Housing Counseling Services

June 3, 2004 – Consumer Credit Counseling Service of San Francisco (CCCS-SF) supports National Homeownership Month by offering homebuyer education workshops, pre- and post-purchase housing counseling, reverse mortgage counseling, a credit report review service, and early delinquency and foreclosure intervention programs to the local and national community.

National Homeownership Month is a drive by The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and its partners to increase homeownership opportunities to more Americans, particularly to those for whom ownership has been economically out of reach. Through a combination of educational programs, down payment assistance and tax incentives, thousands of people are able to buy homes and achieve a better quality of life.

"Homeownership strengthens communities by increasing stability, promotes enterprise by attracting and retaining local businesses, and establishes proud legacies of personal accomplishment and profitable property," said Rick Harper, Vice President of Program Services for CCCS-SF. "When more people buy homes, local communities see an increase in their property tax-base and enhanced community life. Local businesses engage with consumer-savvy neighbors who care about the products and services being sold in their neighborhoods."

Educational services that include budgeting are key to successful homeownership. Supportive programs such as those provided by CCCS-SF are particularly crucial in the Bay Area, where the median price for a single family home grazes half a million dollars. Most people must prepare far in advance, planning for costs that will stretch their income's capacity.

CCCS-SF is a HUD certified housing counseling agency and an accredited nonprofit financial counseling and personal finance resource center. In addition to housing education services, CCCS-SF offers money management assistance and a debt repayment program.