Due to a significantly high volume of Homeownership Counseling applications, our first class is booked in advance for up to at least 6-8 weeks. The program itself is 4 classes, for a total of 8 hours, and on average, it takes about 2-4 months to complete from the start date, ensuring participants receive comprehensive guidance and support throughout their journey to homeownership.
The Homeownership Counseling Program provides new homebuyers with everything they need to know about buying a home, making homeownership an attainable -and sustainable- goal. Our counselors first start with an introduction session were clients are presented an overview of the program. Clients then will meet one-on-one to develop a detailed budget and repair any credit issues. This is followed by group workshops that cover topics including identifying a house, negotiating the sale contract, obtaining financing, preparing for settlement, and taking ownership. Our program fulfills the State of Maryland counseling requirements for their first time homebuyer products.
“ACDS has done an excellent job in documenting and serving the community’s housing counseling needs. Our HUD reviewers have recommended an unconditional three (3) year re-approval of ACDS as a HUD certified Housing Counseling Agency” –HUD Representative, May 2017
“The counseling program taught me everything I needed and wanted to know about owning my first home” –Homeownership Counseling Graduate, February 2019
How the Homeownership Counseling Program Works
How to Apply
Class Availability
ACDS schedules classes on a “first come, first serve” basis. Please contact us to find out upcoming availabilities for the Homeownership Counseling Program.
Eligible Applicant(s)
Any person interested in purchasing a home in Anne Arundel County. Applicants do not have to be a 1st time home buyer to apply. The program does not accept clients who are already under contract to purchase a home.
Income Limits
There are no income requirements for this program. However, if you are applying for the Mortgage Assistance Program, income limits do apply.
Cost
The program is free of charge.
Location & Accommodations
Most classes are held at our accessible office in Annapolis, at 2666 Riva Road, Suite 210, and include ample, free parking.
If you require special accommodation due to a disability or language barrier, please contact us and we will be happy to work with you to address your specific needs.
Graduate Certificate
Graduation certificates are valid for one year.
A graduation certificate is required to apply for the ACDS Mortgage Assistance Program.
Our ACDS Homeownership Counseling Program graduation certificates are approval by the MD Department of Housing and Community Development for their homeownership programs.
Our Qualifications
Our ACDS Homeownership Program is approved by both the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development as a certified housing counseling program.
Our experienced counselors have completed a number of training and certification courses through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and NeighborWorks America.