NAHREP and NFCC Partner on Financial Literacy Initiative

The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) and the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) have announced a partnership to expand access to financial education and credit and housing counseling services specific to the Hispanic community. With tools and counseling available in Spanish, NAHREP’s 50 affiliate chapters and the NFCC’s 92 Member Agencies will collaborate to bring a new level of financial literacy to Latinos during these difficult economic times. “By teaming up, NAHREP and the NFCC have the opportunity to create positive change in the Hispanic community. Knowledge is power and access to accredited counseling services and financial assistance and education can make a difference for Latino homeowners and homebuyers,” said Carmen Mercado, president of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP). According to the organizations, NFCC Member Agencies will offer housing counseling including pre-purchase, foreclosure prevention, and reverse mortgage in addition to financial counseling to NAHREP clients. Examples of the NFCC’s arsenal of tools available in Spanish which will be used to educate consumers around the homebuying process are the copyrighted Keys to Homeownership pre-purchase homebuying publication, multiple educational housing podcasts, the Avoiding Foreclosure DVD, and the Mortgage Reality Checks homeownership online quiz which allows consumers to assess their level of knowledge around buying a home. “Both organizations share a commitment to ensuring that individuals and families have the financial education necessary to make responsible homeownership decisions,” said Susan C. Keating, president and chief executive officer of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). “The NFCC Members are well-positioned to deliver the individualized counseling services consumers need when approaching the complex home-buying process.” Through the collaboration, the two organizations will strategically promote information, resources and tools through NAHREP agents who work with the Hispanic community. Additionally, the organizations will also engage in leadership discussion forums around the delivery of financial education and counseling needs evidenced in the Hispanic community.