FHP is committed to assuring the privacy of individuals and/or families who have contacted us for assistance. We realize that the concerns you bring to us are highly personal in nature. We assure you that all information shared both orally and in writing will be managed within legal and ethical considerations. Your “nonpublic personal information,” such as your total debt information, income, living expenses and personal information concerning your financial circumstances, will be provided to creditors, program monitors, and others only with your authorization and signature on the Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Agreement. We may also use anonymous aggregated case file information for the purpose of evaluating our services, gathering valuable research information and designing future programs.
Types of information that we gather about you:
∗ Information we receive from you orally, on applications or other forms, such as your name, address, social security number, assets, and income;
∗ Information about your transactions with us, your creditors, or others, such as your account balance, payment history, partiesto transactions and credit card usage; and
∗ Information we receive from a credit reporting agency, such as your credit history.
Photo/Media
∗ I give Florida Home Partnership, Inc., permission to use a photograph and/or video of me for publication and/or promotional purposes. Agreeing below gives Florida Home Partnership, Inc authorization to use and publications required by grant funders. I release, hold harmless and waive all claims related to the publication and marketing materials.
*Release of your information to third parties:
FHP may disclose some or all of the information that we collect, as described above, to your creditors or third parties where wehave determined that it would be helpful to you, would aid us in counseling you, or is a requirement of grant awards which makeour services possible. We may also disclose any nonpublic personal information about you or former customers to anyone aspermitted by law (e.g., if we are compelled by legal process).
Within the organization, we restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you to those employees who need to know that information to provide services to you. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal regulations to guard your nonpublic personal information.
AFFILIATED BUSINESS ARRANGEMENT and CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE
Florida Home Partnership, Inc (FHP) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, has several business relationships with companies such as: United States Department of Agriculture rural Development (USDA-RD), Hillsborough County Affortable Housing Services, Florida Housing Finance Corporation, other financing institutions and/or mortgage brokers. FHP provides various counseling and educational services for free or for a cost. Clients using one service are not obligated to use any other service(s) offered by FHP or its business affiliates.
As an approved Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) FHP purchases and develops comunities for sale. You are under no obligation to purchase from this inventory of homes. The Affiliated Business Arrangement Disclosure portion of this form is prepared and provided in compliance to the provisions of SS.494.0023, Florida statues.
Disclosure Statement: FHP provides the services listed below under “Description of Services”. FHP wants you the client to understand, there is no obligation to use any of these services and you may select services provided by other organizations and/or companies of your choice. Participants attending our homebuyer workshops are not obligated to participate/use/purchase any product or housing service advertised or sold by FHP Inc. or its affiliates. You/client are not obligated to pursue a loan or any service with any of our guest speakers and/or lenders, including Guardian Financial Network, LLC.
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
The Final Rule defines Homeownership Counseling as Housing Counseling related to homeownership and residential mortgage loans when provided in connection with HUD's Housing Counseling Program or required by or provided in connection with HUD Programs. Homeownership Counseling is housing counseling that covers the decision to purchase a home, the selection and purchase of a home, issues arising during or affecting the period of ownership of a home (including financing, refinancing, default, and foreclosure, and other financial decisions), and The sale or other disposition of a home. This Definition applies to Pre-purchase counseling, Mortgage delinquency, non-delinquency post-purchase.
Pre-Purchase Counseling is an individual one on one counseling session to review the client's current financial profile (including analysis of the income, expenses, debt, and credit obligations). This review will cover the client's current affordability for home ownership, anda personalized strategy for increasing savings for a down payment.
Pre-Purchase Homebuyer Education Workshops are offered throughout the year and cover, start-to-finish, the entire home buying process. Workshops are typically 6 hours delivered in a single day session.
Fair Housing Pre-Purchase Education Workshops—FHP's mission is to educate the community about housingdiscrimination and their rights and responsibilities. We offer fair housing information at all our workshops. This service educates households on fair housing laws, advises them on how to recognize discriminatory acts, and assists those who feel that they have been victims of discrimination. The counselor would support and facilitate all phases of the complaint.
Predatory Lending Education Workshops are done in conjunction with our homebuying workshops to educate how to avoid predatory lending. The client can also expect to gain a familiarity with terms and forms used in the mortgage industry.
Mortgage Delinquency and Default Resolution Counseling—FHP offers one-on-one counseling designed to help homeownersresolve mortgage delinquency and/or prevent foreclosure.
Resolving/Preventing Mortgage Delinquency Workshops are offered to give an overview of the loan modification process and what would be needed to obtain a possible resolution. The workshop highlights the various options in retaining one’s home or transitioning out of the home. The class will discuss any grants that are available to bring the mortgage current.
Financial Management/Budget Counseling/Credit review—FHP's counselors work with individuals or shares with a group, dataand tools to increase the self-sufficiency of the clients.
Financial Management/ Budget, and Credit Workshops —Through these counseling sessions, clients learn the basics of banking, credit, financial planning, money management and savings and investing.
Non-Delinquency Post-Purchase Workshops for Homeowners – these workshops offer information for existing homeowners who are not delinquent but want information on topics which will allow them to remain successful homeowners.
Rental Housing Counseling — Counselors will help client develop a personalized spending plan and provide guidance for saving money, increasing income, and reducing debt. The rental counseling program is a comprehensive, preventative and proactive case management and service coordination approach to prevent homelessness.
eHome America Online Education – FHP utilizes eHome America as an alternative delivery method for our 6-8-hourHomebuyer Education Workshop. This option is available to interested clients who have already been approved for a mortgage or those who need to complete the course prior to closing on their home purchase and need certification for taking the class.
About Us and Program Purpose: Florida Home Partnership, Inc is a nonprofit, HUD-approved comprehensive housing counseling agency. We provide education workshops and a full spectrum of housing counseling including pre-purchase, foreclosure prevention, non-delinquency post-purchase, rental and homeless counseling. We serve all clients regardless of income, race, color, religion/creed, sex, national origin, age, family status, disability, or sexual orientation/gender identity.
Agency Relationships: FHP has or may have a financial affiliation and/or a professional affiliation withHUD, USDA Rural Development, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, Florida Housing Finance Corporation , andother financial institutions and mortgage brokers including but not limited to GTE Financial, Wells Fargo, Regions Bank.As a housing counseling program participant, I am not obligated to use the products and services of Florida Home Partnership (FHP) or their industry partners.
Alternative Services, Programs, and Products & Client Freedom of Choice: Florida Home Partnership, Inc., has a first-time homebuyer program developed in partnership with other financing institutions or housing agencies. However, I am not obligated to participate in thisor other FHP programs and services while I am receiving housing counseling from our agency. I may consider seeking alternative products and services from entities including the USDA Rural Development for first time homebuyer loan programs, and Housing Finance Corporation, Hillsborugh County, and for other first-time homebuyer programs or down payment assistance.I am entitled to choose whatever real estate professionals, lenders, and lending products that best meet my needs.
FHP employs persons who are qualified to provide the services rendered. To that end, all FHP housingcounselors are required to be certified. New counselors employed by FHP have one year to acquiresuch certification, which can be obtained through the Association of Housing Counselors, the National Federation of Housing Counselors or Neighbor Works.
CLIENT/COUNSELOR AGREEMENT
Florida Home Partnership Inc and its counselors agree to provide the following services:
Development of a spending plan
Analysis of the mortgage default, including the amount and cause of default
Presentation and explanation of reasonable options available to the homeowner
Assistance communicating with the mortgage servicer and other creditors
Timely completion of promised action Explanation of collection and foreclosure process Identification of assistance resources
Referrals to needed resources
Confidentiality, honesty, respect and professionalism in all services
I/We, __________________________________________________ agree to the following terms of service:
I/We will always provide honest and complete information to my/our counselor, whether verbally or in writing.
I/We will provide all necessary documentation and follow-up information within the timeframe requested.
I/We will be on time for appointments and understand that if we are late for an appointment, the appointment will still end at the scheduled time.
I/We will notify the agency within 6 hours of a scheduled appointment if
I/we will be unable to attend an appointment.
I/We will contact the counselor about any changes in our situation immediately.
I/We understand that breaking this agreement may cause the counseling organization to sever its service assistance to me/us. THIS INCLUDES NOT PROVIDING THE REQUESTED INFORMATION IN A TIMELY MANNER.
I/We will understand that I must schedule an appointment in advance if I need further assistance and that I understand Florida Home Partnership Inc does not allow walk-in appointments.
HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT
I give Florida Home Partnership Inc permission to use my name in publications or reporting. Furthermore, because Florida Home Partnership Inc is a non-profit organization, I hereby release, hold harmless and waive all claims associated with these publications and marketing materials which I may have against the agency and its employees.
COUNSELING, FEES AND NO STEERING AGREEMENT
1. I understand the Florida Home Partnership Inc provides financial capability and mortgage readiness
counseling/coaching, which I will receive an action plan, consisting of recommendations for handling my finances, including referrals to other agencies, as appropriate.
2. I understand that counseling services are FREE, however, a fee (Single-$43; Joint $73) is charged for a tri-merge (3-bureau) credit report inclusive of all 3 credit bureau scores. The credit report is necessary to effectively assess my financial situation and determine the best course of action. THIS FEE MUST BE PAID AT OR PRIOR TO TIME OF COUNSELING APPOINTMENT VIA THE WEBSITE at
WWW.FLHOME.ORG.
3. I understand the Florida Home Partnership Inc will close my case file after several attempts to communicate with me via email, telephone, and/or U.S. postal mail.
4. I understand I am not obligated to utilize any of the services offered me and may be referred to other housing services offered by the agency or to an outside agency to assist with concerns that may have been identified.
5. Counselors may answer questions and provide information but will not give legal advice. If I want legal advice, the recommendation will be that I seek legal assistance from the appropriate entities.
6. I understand that Florida Home Partnership Inc will not make referrals to specific agencies but will provide me with a list of at least three (3) agencies and I will make my own decision. I further understand that the housing counseling I receive does not oblige me to choose any of these loan products or housing programs.
7. I understand that Florida Home Partnership Inc receives grant funds (including, but not limited to, USDA-RD, HUD, Hillsborough County, Florida Housing Finance Corp), and may be required to submit client data related to grant activity and give consent to be contacted for purposes of grant oversight or program compliance.
8. I give permission for all grant/program administrators and/or their agents to follow-up with me within the next three (3) years for the purposes of program evaluation.
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