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Housing Counseling and Financial Education:

We believe that Housing & Financial Education is one of the key ingredients to a strong community. At CPCA, we offer the following programs: First-time Homebuyer Workshop, one-on-one Pre-Purchase Counseling, Credit Repair & Budget Counseling, Homeowner’s Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP), and USDA 502 and 504 Loan and Grant programs.

First-time Homebuyer workshops are now being offered to help you get a grasp on the steps involved in purchasing a home, repairing your credit, or budget for success. This one day, 6 hour course educates individuals and families on the home buying process from the initial desire to buy a home through the closing. Also discussed in the seminar is the importance of good credit. Now more than ever a healthy credit score is important to financial success. We can help you understand your credit report and ways to repair your FICO score and work your way out of debt. Guest speakers from local banks and insurance agencies provided information on their services and roles they play in the mortgage process. If you are unable to attend a First-time Homebuyer workshop, counselors can assist with one-on-one Pre-purchase counseling.

As a member of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s (PHFA) Comprehensive Housing Counseling Initiative, CPCA has two certified housing counselors: Tia Lansberry and Kelly McMurtrie. Both have attended trainings through NeighborWorks America, a non-profit organization aimed at creating opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives and strengthen their communities. Tia and Kelly have each attended classes on credit counseling, homeownership counseling and foreclosure intervention.

Also through PHFA, these counselors assist delinquent homeowners in completing Homeowner Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) applications. This loan program may be able to assist homeowners who are currently three or more months delinquent on their mortgage through no fault of their own, and have received an “Act 91 Notice” for home foreclosure.

For more information please contact Kelly McMurtrie in Bellefonte at 814-355-7501 or mcmurtrie_k@comcast.net or Tia Lansberry in Clearfield at 814-765-1551 or tlansberry@cpcaa.net or toll free at (800) 822-2610.

Home Heating Savings Account Program

Area residents are finding it harder and harder to keep up with the rising expenses of home utilities. While we are experiencing warm weather now, many are worried about the upcoming winter heating season. There are programs available to help residents such as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) but many of those struggling find that they are over the 150% of Federal Poverty Income limits for the LIHEAP program.

To assist area residents with their home heating expenses this coming year, Central PA Community Action will be enrolling income eligible persons into the Home Heating Savings Account Program (HHSA). HHSA is open to households under the 200% Federal Poverty Income limits, i.e. a family of four can earn up to $44,100. HHSA is a dollar for dollar match of the saver’s account that will be used to pay heating expenses. The program is designed not only to assist with heating payments, but also to strengthen the family’s savings habits along with educating them on utility reduction.

In order to receive the matching funds savers must open an account at Clearfield Bank and Trust Company or approved financial institution, and maintain a regular savings budget of at least $50.00 per month for 4 months. During the program time an additional $50 may be deposited to give the saver a match of up to $250.00. Also required is attendance to 2 financial workshops on “Budgeting” and “Utility Reduction.” Each class will be offered twice during the duration of the program. Upon completion of the program funds will be sent directly to your home heating supplier. Both fuel oil and natural gas suppliers will be accepted.

CPCA is proud to bring this program to the area through a generous financial gift from Clearfield Bank and Trust Company.

Space is limited in the program and participants will be accepted on a first come first serve basis to those who financially qualify. Please contact Tia Lansberry at Central PA Community Action, 800-822-2610 or tlansberry@cpcaa.net, for more information or to apply.

EITC VITA TAX Program
Money In Your Pocket is an Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Program promoted by the Internal Revenue Service and involves volunteers helping community members who cannot afford professional tax assistance. EITC is a federal income tax credit for low and moderate income working families and individuals. This credit can increase the amount of the refund or reduce the amount of taxes owed.Many residents who are eligible for Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) paid a tax preparer to file their annual return. Some families can pay as much as $300 for tax preparation including special offers and quick return of refunds. Money In Your Pocket helps these families and individuals from paying some of the high costs associated with paying a preparer and participating in the rapid anticipation loans. Trained Volunteer Tax Assistors explain the many special credits and deductions available and how people may claim them on their tax returns. Volunteers will help individuals complete and electronically file their returns all for free. Refunds can be received in as little as 7 days with a bank direct deposit.

Please call CPCA (814-755-1551)to find the nearest VITA site to you

This site was financed in part by a grant from the federal Department of Health and Human Services under
the Administration of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development.