Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginia is a HUD-Certified housing counseling agency offering a variety of free and confidential financial services including: Budget & Credit counseling, First-Time Homebuyer counseling, Foreclosure Prevention services, Financial Education classes and, in some cases, Financial Assistance.

Know your rights as a tenant – CCEVA can assist with Fair Housing information. Call us at 757-484-0703 to learn more information.
Click the Online Portal button below to start the intake process. You can also click on the PDF button below to fill out the intake paperwork electronically, which can be uploaded to the portal along with other needed documents prior to your appointment. You may also print out the packet and bring it with you to your appointment. If you have any problems accessing or navigating the portal, please feel free to contact us for assistance at 757-484-0703.

Budget & Credit Counseling

Handling money wisely is one of life’s greatest challenges. Budget Counseling takes an in-depth look at income and expenses for those who want to take control of their finances. Counselors will help individuals and families set a budget based on income, living expenses, priorities and goals. Future financial problems can be avoided through planning, wise use of credit, education and family money management.

Understanding your credit score and report is incredibly important. Let our certified counselors help you discover how to build good credit, address any delinquencies, and help increase your credit score. Our counselors will address the importance of periodically reviewing your credit score, help you recognize discrepancies and submit disputes.

Home Buyer Counseling

Buying a home can be confusing and complicated. Home Buyer Counseling and classes help consumers make smart decisions. Since buying a home involves the largest purchase most of us will make in life, it’s important to know the details about the type of mortgage and payments that will best meet your budget. This program takes you step-by-step through the process, with essential information about mortgages, legalities and protections for the home buyer.

Let our counselors educate you on all the products and services available to make home ownership a reality, including down payment assistance, closing cost help, special VIDA accounts and more! CCEVA also has SPARC funds through a generous grant from Virginia Housing which allow qualified participants to receive a one percent (1%) interest rate reduction on their 30-year loan. Please click here for eligibility information.

Please contact Vanessa Dunlap at (757) 875-0060 for more information on accessing SPARC funds for you or your client.

Mortgage Default Counseling

Anyone can suddenly and unexpectedly end up in financial difficulty, but a homeowner may have more to fear from a lengthy period of unemployment and runaway debt. Mortgage Default Counseling helps those who have fallen behind in mortgage payments, working directly with lenders to resolve delinquencies to save your home. If you are currently involved in a foreclosure proceeding or are anticipating one, don’t delay—make an appointment with a housing counselor today.

Financial Education Classes

Despite what you might think, the key to financial health is generally not more money, it’s better knowledge about handling money. The good news is that most financial problems can be avoided. Our Educational classes on financial matters address personal money management and the wise use of credit, with topics such as “Plan Your Spending— Reach Your Goals” and “Beware of Predatory Lending.” Catholic Charities financial education classes can be held anywhere, for anyone, for free. Catholic Charities is proud to partner with the City of Virginia Beach and its Bank On Program, a matched savings initiative. Click here to find out about the Bank On program, how to enroll, and classes currently being offered through the Bank On initiative.

Financial Assistance

Catholic Charities provides financial assistance only for rent/mortgage and utility help for families facing unforeseen difficulties. Catholic Charities takes referrals for financial assistance from the Regional Housing Crisis Hotline available by calling (757) 587-4202.

Calls directly to Catholic Charities and/or walk-in requests for financial assistance are not accepted. Additional documentation (such as proof of income, proof of identity, and a copy of the bill) are required to submit your application for financial assistance.

Unfortunately, funding is very limited and we are only able to help several families each week who meet our eligibility criteria:
  • Renter or Homeowner must physically occupy the property as his/her principle residence.
  • Bill must be in Occupant’s name at time of request.
  • The Bill should not be delinquent more than 30 days at the time of application.
  • Program can not serve clients who were served within an 18 month period.
  • Individual or Family must be in a crisis beyond their control.
  • Applicants must show the ability to maintain self-sufficiency after assistance is awarded.

Please call the Regional Housing Crisis Hotline at (757) 587-4202 to receive resources and to be screened for a referral to Catholic Charities. All those referred through the hotline will meet one-on-one with a housing counselor to create a budget and determine if financial assistance criteria have been met and is available. A referral is NOT a guarantee of financial assistance.