Resident Services

Move In, Move Up, Move Out! 
Hand and hand with DHA's objective to provide affordable housing, is its commitment to helping residents on the path towards self-sufficiency. The Authority's Resident Services Department is a hub for information; opportunities and services that help residents overcome obstacles and reach their goals.

The Resident Services Department works to find creative solutions to make assistance available in areas such as: education, credit and finances, computers, homeownership, employment opportunities and job training.

To contact us:

Resident Services Department
533 E. Main St.
Durham, NC 27703

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Phone: 919.683.8695
Fax: 919.680.4280

Programs: Family Self-Sufficiency
The FSS Program encourages communities to develop local strategies to help voucher families obtain employment that will lead to economic independence and self-sufficiency. Public housing agencies (PHAs) work with welfare agencies, schools, businesses, and other local partners to develop a comprehensive program that gives participating FSS family members the skills and experience to enable them to obtain and maintain employment that pays a living wage.

FSS program services may include, but are not limited to:

• Child Care
• Transportation
• Education
• Job Training & Employment Counseling
• Substance/Alcohol Abuse Treatment

In order to participate, DHA and the head of each participating family will execute an FSS Contract of Participation that specifies the rights and responsibilities of both parties. The 5-year FSS contract specifies goals and services for each family. Family members must fulfill all requirements in order to obtain full benefits.

Homeownership 
At DHA, our goal is to help first-time buyers develop and implement a homeownership plan tailored to their individual needs and circumstances. Our counseling staff are certified and use curriculum developed and tested by the FDIC. We are proud to give our clients consistent, high-quality, and ethical service. Due to the time-consuming nature of an intensive housing counseling session, we request that you please schedule an appointment.

Program Qualifications:

• Must be employed for at least a year
• Must have an earned annual income of at least $18,600 (without a HCV Voucher)
• Must not have been a homeowner within the past three years
• Must have completed initial lease term and be in good standing with your current landlord
• Must enroll and complete all required homeownership counseling
• Must provide the greater of $500 or 1% towards the purchase transaction

We offer a range of services to help buyers get mortgage ready, find a home, choose a lender, and access special financing opportunities. Best of all, our services are completely free.

• Private Counseling Sessions: We will review your credit, income and assets to help identify any obstacles you may face before becoming a homeowner. If you need to take corrective action, establish a budget, or build up a better credit score, our counselors will help you develop and stick to a sensible plan.
• Homebuyer Workshop: We require all of our clients to attend our eight-hour Homeownership Institute workshop at some point during our work with you. This workshop is a prerequisite to qualify for many first-time homebuyer loan products in our area.
• Loan Pre-qualification and Application: When you and your counselor determine that you are ready for homeownership, we will help you identify special financing programs and refer you to preferred lenders that are particularly knowledgeable about the first-time homebuyers' market.
• Finding a Home: We maintain a referral list of preferred Realtors who understand the needs of first-time homebuyers. We will also let you know about DHA homes that are available for sale. But whatever service you prefer, the home buying choice is ultimately up to you.
• Post-Purchase Counseling: We hope our relationship doesn't end when you purchase your home. We want to make sure you keep it. Some clients need extra support to stick to their household budgets, while others face unexpected circumstances that affect their ability to pay their mortgage. Whether you are facing expensive maintenance issues, are considering refinancing, or are worried about foreclosure, we are here to help.