Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia is a HUD-Certified housing counseling agency offering a variety of free and confidential financial services including Budget & Credit counseling, First-Time Homebuyer counseling, Foreclosure Prevention services, Financial Education classes and, in some cases, Financial Assistance.
Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia is a HUD-Certified Housing Counseling Agency offering a variety of free and confidential financial services, including:
- Budget & Credit Counseling
- First-Time Homebuyer Counseling
- Foreclosure Prevention Services
- Financial Education Classes
- In some cases, Financial Assistance
Budget & Credit Counseling
Handling money wisely is one of life’s greatest challenges. Budget Counseling takes an in-depth look at income and expenses for those who want to take control of their finances. Counselors will help individuals and families set a budget based on income, living expenses, priorities and goals. Future financial problems can be avoided through planning, wise use of credit, education and family money management.
Understanding your credit score and report is incredibly important. Let our certified counselors help you discover how to build good credit, address any delinquencies, and help increase your credit score. Our counselors will address the importance of periodically reviewing your credit score, help you recognize discrepancies and submit disputes.
Financial Assistance
Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia can provide financial assistance for rent, mortgage and utilities to families facing unforeseen difficulties. To be considered for financial assistance, you must be referred to our program through the Regional Housing Crisis Hotline (757) 587-4202.
Calls or walk-ins without a referral are not accepted. Additional documentation such as proof of income, identification, and a copy of utility bills are required to submit your application for financial assistance.
Funding is very limited. Families must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- The renter or homeowner must physically occupy the property as his/her principle residence.
- The bill must be in the occupant’s name at time of request.
- The bill should not be delinquent more than 30 days at the time of application.
- The program cannot serve clients who have been served within the last 18 months.
- The individual or family must be in a crisis beyond their control.
- Applicants must show the ability to maintain self-sufficiency after assistance is awarded.
Please call the Regional Housing Crisis Hotline at (757) 587-4202 to receive resources and to be screened for a referral to Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia. Once you are referred to us through the hotline, you will meet one-on-one with a housing counselor to create a budget and determine qualifications for and availability of financial assistance. A referral is NOT a guarantee of financial assistance.
Home Buyer Counseling
Buying a home can be confusing and complicated. Home Buyer Counseling and classes help consumers make smart decisions. Since buying a home involves the largest purchase most of us will make in life, it’s important to know the details about the type of mortgage and payments that will best meet your budget. This program takes you step-by-step through the process, with essential information about mortgages, legalities and protections for the home buyer.
Let our counselors educate you on all the products and services available to make home ownership a reality! CCEVA has SPARC funds through a generous grant from Virginia Housing which allow qualified participants to receive a one percent (1%) interest rate reduction on their 30-year loan. Please click here for eligibility information.
Please contact Vanessa Dunlap at (757) 875-0060 for more information on accessing SPARC funds for you or your client.
Mortgage Default Counseling
Anyone can suddenly and unexpectedly end up in financial difficulty, but a homeowner may have more to fear from a lengthy period of unemployment and runaway debt. Mortgage Default Counseling helps those who have fallen behind in mortgage payments, working directly with lenders to resolve delinquencies to save your home. If you are currently involved in a foreclosure proceeding or are anticipating one, don’t delay—make an appointment with a housing counselor today.
Free Financial Education Classes
Despite what you might think, the key to financial health is generally not more money, it’s better knowledge about handling money. The good news is that most financial problems can be avoided. Our Educational classes on financial matters address personal money management and the wise use of credit with topics such as “Budget Creation to Prepare for Home Buying” and “Repairing and Building Credit”. Our financial education classes can be held anywhere, for anyone, at no cost to you. CCEVA is proud to partner with the City of Virginia Beach and its Bank On Program, a matched savings initiative.
Disaster Preparedness Class
Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia offers vital resources and support to rebuild in times of disaster. Through our Financial and Housing Counseling Program, we offer free financial education classes and personalized budget counseling. Our disaster preparedness courses empower individuals with essential knowledge and resources for financial resilience, insurance understanding, and evacuation preparation. Please see the monthly classes flyer above for upcoming disaster preparedness classes. Sign up and complete the intake form below.
To register for a class:
- Click, download and save the Education Intake Packet
- Complete the forms
- In the “Reason for Visit” line add the date and class name you would like to attend
- Email the completed form to the class counselor listed under Financial Education Class Schedule.
- Zoom links to participate are under Financial Education Class Schedule.
- If you are having difficulty completing these forms on your mobile device, download the Adobe PDF app first to ensure the forms print correctly.
Disaster Case Management
In the event of a disaster, prioritize your safety above all else. Following any emergency, CCEVA and our dedicated volunteer partners, VOAD, mobilize in the South Hampton Roads (SHR) community and the Peninsula, swiftly deploying to distribution sites. Here, we offer immediate assistance and essential resources, laying the groundwork for comprehensive, long-term recovery and stabilization plans.