HomeOwnership Center

Nearly 280 individuals successfully navigated the unprecedented housing market and became first-time homebuyers with the assistance of Home HeadQuarters’ Homeownership Center staff. US Department of HUD-certified Housing Counselors worked hard to meet people where they were to help them realize each family’s goals of becoming homeowners. More than 1100 counseling sessions were held with primarily low-income, minority buyers via computer, phone and every online application available.

Syracuse Financial Empowerment Center

Since July 2019, the Syracuse FEC has counseled 922 individuals for a total of 2,937 sessions. Clients, with an average income of just over $36,000, have reduced debt by more than $2.2 million and increased their credit scores by 60 points. Nearly half of all participants have achieved at least one major outcome—either reducing debt, improving their credit score, establishing a bank account or increasing their savings. More than 300 clients have been seen having a COVID hardship and were counseled in accessing various public resources to help with a financial issue like student loan deferments, credit card/mortgage forbearance, small business supports or accessing government assistance.