Financial Counseling and Affordable Housing

About Financial Counseling

Urban Upbound’s certified financial counselors provide low-to-moderate income individuals and families with a suite of financial services geared toward achieving financial literacy, stability, and success. As part of Urban Upbound’s overall strategy for tackling poverty, we provide free one-on-one and group financial counseling services to educate residents on important financial topics.

Financial Counseling Services

Our counselors are expertly trained to develop client-driven plans towards financial success. After completing a “financial fitness” evaluation and discussing long and short term goals with a client, our counselors create a customized action plan. Plans may focus on:

  • budgeting
  • savings
  • reducing debt
  • building credit
  • accessing public benefits
  • housing
  • acquiring financial assets

Financial literacy is integrated into all Urban Upbound programs: Employment Services, Business Innovation, College Access & Youth Development, and financial inclusion through the Urban Upbound Federal Credit Union (FCU).

In one-on-one sessions and through workshops, financial counselors address strategies to reduce debt, repair credit, and build assets. All while safely banking online or at local financial institutions such as the FCU.

Moreover, clients are offered access to work supports such as food stamps (SNAP), the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and Earned Income Disregard (EID).

Service Locations

LIC Financial Empowerment Center
13-11 40th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101
Tel: 718-571-9161

Youth Pathways
38-81 13th Street, Long Island City, NY 11101
Tel: 718-571-9512

Far Rockaway Economic Advancement Center
1907 Mott Ave, Far Rockaway, NY 11691
Tel: 718-571-9682

Jobs-Plus Astoria
4-25 Astoria Boulevard, Astoria, NY 11102
Tel: 718-571-9484

Jobs-Plus East Harlem
335 East 111th Street, New York, NY 10029
Tel: 718-571-9365

To learn more about our Finanical Counseling program, email us at financialfitness@urbanupbound.org.

Housing Services

Urban Upbound offers affordable housing services, including workshops, individual consultations, and educational courses. We are committed to providing quality educational services to guide clients in the right direction. At our events, you hear directly from professionals:

  • HUD Certified Housing Counselors
  • Bank Lenders / Home Insurance Agent
  • Real Estate Agents / Real Estate Attorney
  • Home Inspectors & more

Clients are welcome to join us at any stage in their home buying or affordable housing process. All services are offered free of charge and open to anyone interested.

First-Time Home Buyers

First-time home buyers are invited to take our First-Time Home Buyers Education Course. Participants will receive a HUD approved certificate upon completion of the 8-hour training, including at least one personal housing counseling session. During the course, mortgage experts will discuss:

  • Advantages of buying a home
  • Mortgage qualification process
  • First-time home buyers mortgage programs
  • Down payment and closing cost assistance
  • How credit and taxes affect home buyers
Affordable Rental

Urban Upbound Rent Ready Affordable Housing workshops allow participants to learn from experts on important topics for securing affordable housing, such as:

  • Effective preparation for affordable housing lottery
  • Housing search tools
  • Fair housing and equal opportunity rights
  • Importance of knowing your credit history
  • How to use NYC Housing Connect
Housing Service Contact

To learn more about Urban Upbound’s Affordable Housing Services or to register for a workshop or counseling session, contact our HUD Certified Housing Counselor at housingcounseling@urbanupbound.org.