Business & Tech
Axels Drive Families to Financial Stability
Pastors James and Claudia Axel of Tabernacle of Faith Church offer financial and home-buying advice for local families
’s Family Life Center Housing Agency, headed by Pastors James and Claudia Axel, has been serving the citizens of Havre de Grace and beyond for three years. With its focus on foreclosure prevention and credit counseling, the agency provides an important service in a time of acute need.
The church-sponsored agency is committed to helping members of the community stay in their homes, develop spending plans, and understand the intricacies of home buying. Pastors James and Claudia offer five-week Credit Smart classes, coaching classes, and individual foreclosure counseling at the classrooms of the church.
“We are here for the community,” Pastor James stressed. “We try to help everyone that walks through the door.”
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Three years ago, after six years as a real estate agent and two years volunteering with a HUD agency, Pastor James felt burdened to begin educating people on the home-buying process.
“Because of the foreclosure crisis, we discovered that people aren’t savvy with mortgage issues,” he said. “So, we educate them.”
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Upon request, he will travel to offer classes to community groups. With additional sponsorship from local banks and community businesses, Pastor James hopes to expand the Agency’s reach.
“We’ve been very successful,” he said, recalling several stories of homes saved and mortgages negotiated. “But I think we can do more.”
He hopes to develop the ability to run instant credit reports, and he would like to hire more staff members, so the agency can more effectively serve Harford, Cecil, and Baltimore counties.
The services are free for those facing foreclosure; for those who need credit counseling or help developing a budget to meet monthly obligations, there is a minimum fee of $50. But, Pastor James said, “There’s no pressure to pay if you really can’t. We wish we didn’t have to charge anything. That’s why we need sponsors.”
If you need assistance, call the Tabernacle of Faith Housing Agency at 410 939 5017. Alternately, email the Pastors Axel at familylifecenter@comcast.net.
