Affordable Housing Alliance to Provide Housing Counseling at Upcoming Events

Was your home destroyed by Hurricane Sandy? Have you had difficulty navigating through the complex reconstruction process? The Affordable Housing Alliance (AHA)’s Housing Recovery Resource Center (HRRC) was recently opened as a housing counseling resource center for Monmouth and Ocean County residents impacted by Hurricane Sandy.

Housing counselors are available to work with renters and homeowners to find viable and permanent housing solutions. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) certified counselors have experience in navigating residents through the complicated decision process of whether to repair, rebuild or relocate. Counselors will review each client’s unique personal and financial situation, assess their ability to rebuild or relocate, and provide comprehensive resources to support their chosen housing permanency plan. HRRC housing counselors’ expertise include benefits layering and mortgage modification, foreclosure intervention, financial and budget impact analysis planning, replacement housing options and home construction protocols.

The HRRC is also hosting a series of financial literacy workshops to be held at the Union Beach Memorial Library at 810 Union Avenue in Union Beach. These workshops cover budget basics, credit counseling, and the use of credit, debit, and prepaid cards. The workshops are presented by the AHA and the Bayshore Family Success Center. Dates for the workshops are: October 7th, October 21st, and November 4th. Hours are 7-9PM for each session. To receive more information or to RSVP to this event, contact 732.497.3811 or tmclawhorn@cymca.org.

Educational seminars and workshops are continually provided to assist with the ongoing need for education on the different aspects of the construction process, financial literacy, the home purchase process, home insurance policies, foreclosure intervention and consumer awareness topics such as contractor fraud and legal assistance.

The HRRC and mobile office was made possible through a $600,000 grant from the Hurricane Sandy NJ Relief Fund. The center is located at 171 First Avenue in Atlantic Highlands. The basic hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm, with longer hours on Tuesday and Thursday. Weekend hours are provided once a month, or as needed based on client schedules. The HRRC’s mobile office Winnebago frequently appears at local fairs, festivals, and outreach events in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. You can also receive information on the many other services offered by the Alliance at Eatontown Day.

A list of available workshops and information on services offered by the HRRC and its mobile office is available at: www.housingall.org. Residents can fill out and submit an intake online or call the HRRC directly at: 732-982-5072.

About the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund

Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund Inc. is a private independent charitable organization, not formed or controlled by, or affiliated with the State of New Jersey or any of its agencies or offices. The fund is registered with the Charities Registration and Investigation Section of the Division of Consumer Affairs under the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey. For more information, visit www.sandynjrelieffund.org or follow us on Twitter @SandyNJRelief.

About the Affordable Housing Alliance (AHA) HRRC

The Affordable Housing Alliance (AHA) is a non-profit community development organization that has been operating in Monmouth County, and throughout New Jersey, since 1991. Its newest location is the Housing Recovery Resource Center (HRRC) in Atlantic Highlands and its mobile office is dedicated to helping Monmouth and Ocean County residents whose homes were destroyed or damaged by Hurricane Sandy, to navigate the complex road to recovery. For more information, visit www.housingall.org or call 732-982-5072