The mission of Northwest Counseling Service (NWCS)is to strengthen Philadelphia area communities by empowering residents through the provision of real estate and housing-related services; and financial education, counseling, and assistance. To that end, NWCS provides a wide array of services aimed at new homebuyers and existing homeowners. Our services and philosophy focus on protecting and enhancing the borrowing and purchasing capacity of residents in an effort that they may make socially responsible loan choices, and build and maintain their financial wealth and real estate assets. These services include financial literacy; credit, budget, and money management counseling; anti-predatory lending; foreclosure prevention; reverse mortgage counseling for seniors; and pre and post loan advice when residents are seeking home improvement, home equity loans, or are refinancing.
NWCS also operates the Philadelphia Predatory Lending Task Force (PPLTF); prepares HEMAP applications; acts as a closing agent for state-related mortgage loans; provides technical advisory services on real estate matters to government agencies; provides counseling on reverse mortgages and other options to senior citizens.

Description:
NWCS has built its reputation around providing mortgage delinquency and default counseling. This is the area that we have maintained the greatest success. Prior to Philadelphia’s housing boom that led to a major shift in priorities aimed at spurring homeownership, NWCS targeted over 80% of its services to assisting consumers in avoiding foreclosure. As a result, every service type we offer is developed around the emphasis on avoiding delinquency. NWCS has been able to save many families from foreclosure by interceding on their behalf through such means as a stay of foreclosure, mortgage relief, forbearance agreements, repayment arrangements, mortgage reinstatement and the overturning of foreclosure actions. Out of the number of residents seeking assistance, NWCS maintains a 95% retention rate in keeping families in their homes, out of foreclosure and current in their mortgage obligations. The problems that have led to these crises such as unemployment, underemployment, the breakdown of majors systems in the home, serious household management problems, sudden income loss, rising utility costs, unaffordable mortgages and/or loans containing onerous or predatory features, and rising credit debt, are increasingly plaguing many residents. Largely, when faced with the thought of losing their home, many homeowners become 'immobilized by anxiety' and are in need of qualified advice and assistance trying to save their homes. NWCS has been the forerunner, for the past 26 years, in providing that advice.

History:
NWCS is a non profit organization that was founded in 1982. For the past 26 years, NWCS has committed its energy to encouraging growth in Philadelphia neighborhoods and stimulating the reversal of neighborhood decline, by creating and promoting financial stabilization of Philadelphia residents. Through efforts that encourage the availability of safe and decent housing, support the financial stability of residents to secure and maintain decent housing, and by educating individuals and families in ways to make informed choices, NWCS has played an integral part in the financial stabilization of neighborhoods in the city of Philadelphia.

Contact person: Michelle Lewis, President, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (215) 324-0524

Address:

5001 N. Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19141 (See a map)

Web Site: http://nwcsonline.com

Directions:

North on Broad Street to 5001   Nearest Bus Stop: Broad Street Subway/Local /Logan stop/C Bus For maps or information, please see http://www.septa.com/

Miscellaneous Information

Are court referrals welcomed?
	No