Homeownership Education Counseling (Pre- and Post-Home Purchase) and Foreclosure Prevention Counseling Services

The City of St. Petersburg Housing and Community Development Department is seeking proposals from qualified nonprofit organizations to provide comprehensive homebuyer education, housing counseling, financial literacy, and foreclosure prevention services for City residents. The selected contractor must be HUD-certified and will deliver HUD-approved homeownership education and community outreach designed to increase sustainable homeownership opportunities, particularly for low- and moderate-income households.

Services will include neighborhood-level outreach, financial education, an eight-hour HUD-compliant Homeownership Education Course, one-on-one pre-purchase counseling, post-purchase follow-up, and foreclosure prevention/intervention counseling. The contractor will also educate participants about the City's down payment and closing cost assistance programs and assist prospective homebuyers in developing individualized action plans to achieve homeownership.

Access to quality homebuyer education and housing counseling is essential to promoting sustainable homeownership, strengthening neighborhoods, and improving long-term housing stability. Many prospective homebuyers face barriers such as limited financial knowledge, credit challenges, and unfamiliarity with the homebuying process. Comprehensive education and one-on-one counseling help households make informed financial decisions, prepare for the responsibilities of homeownership, access available assistance programs, and reduce the risk of mortgage delinquency and foreclosure. Through this solicitation, the City seeks a qualified organization to provide these services in support of expanding homeownership opportunities and preserving housing stability for St. Petersburg residents.