Washington State Consumer Resources
The information contained in the following resource guide is not guaranteed to be
complete or accurate. For a more comprehensive and accurate guide to consumer and
social service resources across Washington state, please visit www.crisisclinic.org and
click on “Community Resources Online” or dial 211 to speak with a resource specialist.
Organization
Category
Contact Information
Description
National Resources
National Council
on Aging- Benefits
Checkup
General Consumer
300 D Street SW, Suite 801
Washington, DC 20024
www.benefitscheckup.org
Offers a web-based screening service that helps adults, older adults
and adults with disabilities learn about public and private benefits.
Internal Revenue
Service
General Consumer
www.irs.gov
Provides information on the Earned Income Tax Credit. Under
"Online Tools" use the EITC Assistant to see if you qualify for the
Earned Income Tax Credit.
Boston Headquarters
77 Summer St. 10th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
617.542.8010
617.542.8028 fax
NCLC conducts targeted consumer rights initiatives. They devote
special attention to the problems of immigrants, vulnerable seniors,
homeowners, former welfare recipients, victims of domestic
violence, military personnel, and others.
National
Consumer Law
Center
General Consumer
National Fraud
Information
Center
Consumer
Protection
1.800.876.7060
www.fraud.org
Provides tips on how to avoid being a fraud victim; news on the
latest schemes to defraud consumers on the phone and the internet;
lists of publications the public can order on fraud-related topics.
U.S. Department
of Housing and
Urban
Development(HUD)Single
Family Loan
Servicing and
Disposition
Housing/AntiPredatory Lending
1600 N Broadway
Santa Ana Homeownership Center,
Suite 1
Santa Ana, CA 92706
1.800.225.5342
www.hud.gov
Offers assistance and support for homeowners with existing FHAinsured mortgages.
Federal Citizen
Information
Center
Consumer
Protection
www.consumeraction.gov
An online version of the Consumer Action Handbook, a guide
offering general buying tips and ways to resolve marketplace
problems as well as information on specific topics such as credit,
cars, insurance and travel.
Consumer
Protection
1620 I Street, NW
Suite 200
Washington D.C. 20006
202.3876121
www.consumerfed.org/
CFA's professional staff gathers facts, analyzes issues, and
disseminates information to the public, policymakers, and rest of the
consumer movement.
www.consumersunion.org/
Consumers Union (CU) is an independent nonprofit organization,
whose mission is to work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all
consumers. CU publishes Consumer Reports and
ConsumerReports.org in addition to two newsletters, Consumer
Reports on Health and Consumer Reports Money Adviser.
Consumer
Federation of
America
Consumers Union
Consumer
Protection
Washington DC Office
1001 Connecticut Ave NW #510
Washington, DC 20036
202.452.6252
202.463.9462
www.nclc.org
The NCLC’s Guide to Surviving Debt, 2006 Edition - Washington Supplement
1
Consumer
Protection
Federal Trade
Commission
Consumer Complaints:
877.382.4357
Identity Theft Complaints:
877.438.4338
Seattle Office: 206.220.6350
Mail: FTC
CRC-240
Washington, DC 20580
www.ftc.gov
The FTC enforces the Federal Trade Commission Act ("FTC Act"),
the Truth in Lending Act ("TILA"), and the Equal Credit
Opportunity Act ("ECOA"). The FTC has jurisdiction over most
non-bank lenders. The FTC also plays a central role in protecting
consumer rights in other areas, including consumer privacy and
identity theft. With respect to ID theft, the FTC collects data from
consumers about the types and incidence of this crime, which it then
analyzes and shares with law enforcement partners across the
country. The FTC also educates consumers and businesses about
how to prevent ID theft from occurring and what steps victims
should take to repair their credit.
Statewide Resources
1.800.737.0617
1.800.422.3263 (Voice for
Aging and Disability Services)
1.800.737-7931 (TDD/TTY)
www.dshs.wa.gov
Department of
Social and Health
ServicesWashington
General
Consumer
Crisis Clinic/211/
Community
Resources Online
General
Consumer
www.crisisclinic.org
206.461.3219 (TTD/TTY)
A statewide directory of social services online or over the phone. This
directory has information on all social service needs. Individuals can dial 21-1 or go to the website to access resources.
Low Income
Energy Assistance
Fact Sheet
General
Consumer
www.liheapwa.org/factsheet/fa
ctsheet.htm
Information on energy assistance programs for low-income households in
Washington State.
General
Consumer
Washington Utilities and
Transportation Commission
1.800.562.6150
www.wutc.wa.gov/webdocs.nsf
/0492664a7ba7ed8b882564060
06bf2ca/3756b44bfbb509ca882
5678b005620e3!OpenDocume
nt
1.800.416.5289 (TTY)
The Washington Telephone Assistance Program (WTAP) provides
assistance to low-income households, including many senior citizens, who
are without telephones. WTAP is designed to make sure families with low
incomes throughout the state have affordable telephone service.
1.800.755.5317
Workers who qualify for the EITC can receive free help filing their taxes at
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites statewide from January through
April. IRS-trained volunteers will help complete and electronically file
returns at no cost, for a rapid refund. Services are available in a variety of
languages. Contact the state EITC hotline to locate sites statewide.
Washington
Telephone
Assistance
Program
Earned Income
Tax Credit Hotline
Better Business
Bureau- Serving
Alaska, Oregon
and Western
Washington
General
Consumer
Mail: PO Box 1000
DuPont, WA 98327
Consumer
Protection
Washington State
Insurance
CommissionerConsumer
Advocacy
Consumer
Protection
Tips 4 You
Consumer
Protection
206.431.2222
206.431.2200 fax
www.thebbb.org
PO Box 40255
Olympia, WA 98054
360.725.7080
1.800.562.6900
360.586.0241 (TDD)
www.insurance.wa.gov
www.tips4you.org
Provides numerous programs addressing basic needs and public assistance
for Washington State Residents. Apply for benefits online.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a private, not-for-profit organization
that aids consumers and businesses by supplying reports on the reliability of
companies and charities. The Bureau provides dispute resolution services
and consumer education materials to the public, and promotes honest
advertising and selling practices and self-regulation within the business
community. The BBB also informs the public about consumer scams and
fraudulent business behavior.
The insurance hotline provides consumer protection information about
insurance issues.
Website created by the Low Income Housing Institute with updated regional
resources for consumer concerns. Provides information on building good
credit and avoiding predatory lending.
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2
Washington State
Human Rights
Commission
WA State
Department of
Financial
Institutions
Consumer
Protection
Consumer
Protection
1.800.233.3247
TTY: 1.800.300.7525
www.hum.wa.gov
PO Box 41200
Olympia WA 98504-1200
360-902-8700
Toll-free: 1.877.746.4334
360.664.8126 (TDD)
www.dfi.wa.gov
Enforces state law against discrimination on the basis of race, color, national
origin, creed, sex, disability, familial status, retaliation, marital status, and
sexual orientation. Under the law (RCW 49.60), everyone has the right to
be free from discrimination at work, in housing, in a public accommodation,
or when seeking credit and insurance. Consumers can file a complaint
online or by calling the number to the left.
The Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) regulates a variety of
Washington State financial services providers. DFI also works to protect
consumers from becoming victims of financial fraud. If you are unable to
resolve a problem with a company such as a bank, credit union, mortgage
broker, consumer loan company, money transmitter, check casher/check
seller, payday lender, or stockbroker; file a complaint by calling the toll free
number or contacting DFI online.
Bellingham- Island, San Juan,
Skagit and Whatcom Counties
360.738.6185
Kennewick- Southeastern WA
509.734.7140
Seattle- North King,
Snohomish, Clallam and
Jefferson Counties and
Bainbridge Island
206.464.6684
Washington State
Office of the
Attorney General
Consumer
Protection
Spokane- Eastern WA
509.456.3123
Tacoma- Pierce, Mason, Grays
Harbor, Kitsap, and South King
County
253.593.2904
The Consumer Protection Division of the WA Attorney General's Office
investigates and brings legal actions to stop fraudulent and deceptive
business practices. The division, which utilizes many volunteers, also
facilitates the resolution of consumer complaints. Each year the division
recovers millions of dollars on behalf of consumers. Another important
function of the division is to educate consumers so they can avoid getting
into trouble. To file a complaint, either call the offices to have a form sent
to you or file the complaint online.
Vancouver- Clark, Cowlitz,
Pacific, Skamania,
Wahkiakum, Lewis, and
Thurston Counties
360.759.2150
1.800.551.4636
www.atg.wa.gov
Washington State
Attorney GeneralHotline Motor
Vehicle Lemon
Law
Fair Housing
Center of
Washington
Consumer
Protection
800 5th Avenue Suite 2000
Seattle, WA 98164
1.800.551.4636
www.atg.wa.gov/consumer
Provides taped messages which give the following information: overview of
which vehicles are covered; what is a lemon; records needed to make a
claim; how to fill out an arbitration form; how the form is processed.
Housing/AntiPredatory
Lending
1517 Fawcett, Ste. 250
Tacoma, WA 98042
253.274.9523
1.888.766.8800 toll free
www.fhcwashington.org
253.274.9523 (TTY)
The Fair Housing Center of Washington is a non-profit agency dedicated to
ending illegal discrimination and enforcing the Fair Housing Act for
residents of Western Washington. The Center concentrates on four areas:
Complaint Investigation, Advocacy, Education, and Information and
Referral. They also work on policy and planning.
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Northwest Health
Law Advocates
(NoHLA)
Provides
assistance to
advocates on
health lawrelated issues,
including
medical debt
1820 E. Pine Street, #322
Seattle, WA 98122
206.325.6464
email: nohla@nohla.org
www.nohla.org
Northwest Health Law Advocates is a non-profit organization based in
Seattle that promotes increased access to health care and basic health care
rights and protections for all individuals through legal and policy advocacy,
education and support to community organizations in the Pacific Northwest.
NoHLA does not represent clients or consumers directly, but can provide
assistance to advocates.
www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/con
sumer/credit/cre41.shtm
This website provides important information about credit counseling
requirements for those who are considering filing for bankruptcy. It gives
sample questions to ask a credit counselor before engaging in services. The
website also provides a link to a list of credit counseling agencies that have
been approved to providers for the bankruptcy requirements.
Before You File
for Personal
Bankruptcy: Info
about Credit
Counseling &
Debtor Education
Credit and Debt
Counseling
Debtors
Anonymous
Financial
Counseling
www.dawashstate.org
Debtors Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their
experience with each other so that they may solve their common problem of
"compulsive debting." The website offers an index to meetings across
Washington State.
Housing/AntiPredatory
Lending
1000 Second Ave., Suite 2700
Seattle, WA 98104
206.464.7139
1.800.767.4633 toll free
www.wshfc.org
The Washington State Housing Finance Commission is a publicly
accountable, self-supporting team dedicated to increasing housing access
and affordability, and to expanding the availability of quality community
services for the people of Washington. The Washington State Housing
Finance Commission provides below-market financing for both singlefamily homes and multi-family housing, and finances housing and capital
facilities for a wide range of nonprofit organizations.
Washington State
Housing Finance
Commission
Solid Ground(formerly the
Fremont Public
Association)
Mortgage
Counseling
Homeownership
and Predatory
Lending
Northwest Justice
Project
Legal Services
1501 N. 45th Street
Seattle, WA 98103
206.694.6700
1.866.297.4300 (TTY)
206.694.6777 fax
www.fremontpublic.org
www.solid-ground.org
For intake and referral outside
of King County, call NJP's
CLEAR line at 1.888.201.1014
Mon-Fri 9:15 am-12:30 pm and
Tuesdays from 3:30 pm-6:00
pm; In King County, call
206.464.1519; seniors 60 and
over statewide can call
CLEAR*Sr. at 1.888.387.7111
TTY: 1.888.201.9737
Field & Satellite Offices:
King County Office
401 Second Ave. S. #407
Seattle, WA 98104
206.464.1519
The Mortgage Counseling Program provides mortgage default and reverse
mortgage counseling to low income clients across Washington State.
The Northwest Justice Project is a not-for-profit statewide organization that
provides free civil legal services to low-income people from 13 field offices
and three satellite offices throughout the state of Washington. NJP operates
a toll free intake and referral system called CLEAR (Coordinated Legal
Education Advice and Referral), which serves as a critical point of access
for clients throughout the state to obtain free legal help, including advice,
brief legal service, and, where available, a referral for further representation.
In addition, CLEAR maintains an extensive library of legal resources and
self-help materials which are provided to callers as appropriate and available
on the web.
Spokane Office
1702 Broadway
Spokane, WA 99201
509.324.9128
Tacoma Office
715 Tacoma Ave. S.
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Tacoma, WA 98402
253.272.7879
Kitsap Satellite Office
P.O. Box 1446
Bremerton, WA 98337
360.377.6378
Vancouver Office
500 W. 8th , Suite 275
Vancouver, WA 98660
360.693.6130
Walla Walla Office
38 E. Main, Suite 207
Walla Walla, WA 99362
509.525.9760
Pasco Satellite Office
509.547.2760
Wenatchee Office
P.O. Box 3324
300 Okanogan Ave. Ste 3A
Wenatchee, WA 98807
509.664.5101
Omak Satellite Office
P.O. Box 3569
Omak, WA 98841
509.422.2345
Yakima Office
510 Larson Bldg.
6 S. 2nd St.
Yakima, WA 98901
509.574.4234
Olympia Office
711 Capital Way S., Suite 704
Olympia, WA 98501
360.753.3610
Pt. Angeles Office
816 E. 8th St.
Pt. Angeles, WA 98362
360.452.9137
Aberdeen Office
218 N. Broadway, Suite 1
Aberdeen, WA 98520
360.533.2282
Bellingham Office
1814 Cornwall
Bellingham, WA 98225
360.734.8680
Everett Office
2731 Wetmore Ave., Suite 410
Everett, WA 98201
425.252.8515
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Longview Office
1338 Commerce St., Suite 305
Longview, WA 98632
1.866.402.7971
www.nwjustice.org
www.washingtonlawhelp.org
Northwest
Women's Law
Center
Legal Services
Volunteer
Attorneys for
Persons with
HIV/AIDS
(VAPWA)
Legal Services
Disability Rights
Washington
Legal Services
907 Pine St., Suite 500
Seattle, WA 98101
206.621.7691
206.521.4317 (TTY)
www.nwwlc.org
1200 5th Avenue, Suite 600
Seattle, WA 98101
206.267.7055
www.kcba.org
315 5th Avenues S
Suite 850
Seattle, WA 98104
1.800.562.2702
1.800.905.0209 (TTY)
www.wpas-rights.org
Provides legal representation in selected cases that affect large numbers of
women or set legal precedents in the Pacific Northwest. The Center also
provides legal information and referral at the listed phone number.
Provides direct representation for people in Washington who are HIV+ or
living with AIDS. Provides pro bono (free), low fee, and regular fee
referrals.
Provides free advocacy statewide on disability-related issues. Services
include information and referral, limited legal assistance, training,
publications and systems advocacy. Investigates reports of abuse or neglect
at residential and treatment facilities.
Seattle Office
101 Yesler Way, Ste 300
Seattle, WA 98104
1.800.542.0794
www.columbialegal.org
206.464.1518 (TDD)
Olympia Office
711 Capitol Way S, #304
Olympia, WA 98501
1.800.260.6260
Columbia Legal
Services
Legal Services
Kennewick Office
418 – F North Kellogg
Kennewick, WA 99336
1.888.201.9735
Wenatchee Office
300 Okanogan Ave, Suite 2A
Wenatchee, WA 98801
1.800.572.9615
Senior Rights
Assistance
General
Consumer/
Legal Services
Yakima Office
600 Larson Building
6 South Second Street
Yakima, WA 98901
1.800.631.1323
2208 2nd Ave.
Seattle, WA 98121
206.448.5720
1.888.4ELDERS (1888.435.3377)
206.448.5757 TDD
www.seniorservices.org
Columbia Legal Services (CLS) is a not for profit organization employing
lawyers and legal workers who provide legal assistance to low-income and
special needs people and organizations in Washington. CLS has recently
reorganized and now maintains five offices statewide. CLS provides legal
representation for eligible clients in a variety of arenas including advice and
education, court proceedings, litigation and rulemaking before
administrative agencies and legislative advocacy. CLS only accepts
referrals from Alliance for Equal Justice partners, community organizations
and social service providers.
Senior Rights Assistance provides information and assistance with legal and
consumer issues for older adults.
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Seattle Office
1904 3rd Ave. Ste 604
Seattle, WA 98101
206.441.9178
Unemployment
Law Project
Legal Services
ACLU of
Washington
Legal Services
Spokane Office
35 West Main Ave. Ste. 240
Spokane, WA 99201
1.888.441.9178
www.unemploymentlawproject
.org
705 Second Ave
3rd Floor
Seattle, WA 98104
206.624.2180
www.aclu-wa.org
Tenants Union of
Washington State
Legal
Information
5425 Rainier Ave S Suite B,
Seattle, WA 98118
Tenant's Rights Hotline:
206.723.0500
Admin Line: 206.722.6848
www.tenantsunion.org
Washington State
Bar AssociationLawyer Referral
List for the Armed
Forces
Legal Services
www.wsba.org/lawyers/groups/
legalsvsaf/default1.htm
Community
Capital
Development
Business
Development
Business
Development
Stone Soup
Cascadia
Revolving Fund
Business
Development
P.O. Box 22283
Seattle, WA 98122
info@seattleccd.com
www.seattleccd.com
120 State Ave NE, #224
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 705.2961
www.nwstonesoup.org
1901 NW Market St
Seattle, WA 98107-3912
(206) 447.9226
www.cascadiafund.org
The Unemployment Law Project provides free legal assistance and
information to people who have been denied unemployment benefits.
With offices in Seattle and Spokane, they offer their services to anyone with
a Washington state claim.
The ACLU Complaint and Referral Line provides legal information, basic
advocacy coaching and informational and self-help materials.
Provides education, advocacy and information on tenant rights; maintains
phone line on landlord-tenant laws.
The WSBA Legal Assistance to Military Personnel Section addresses
matters related to the rendition of appropriate and efficient legal service to
members of the armed forces of the United States. The section maintains a
lawyer referral list for the Armed Forces.
Community Capital Development (CCD) is an economic development
organization composed of three sister 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations
formed in 1997. Seattle Economic Development Association (SEDA, Seattle
Economic Development Fund (SEDF), and Seattle Business Assistance
Center (SBAC). Community Capital Development provides loans in 22
Washington Counties:
Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Island, King, Kitsap, Kittitas,
Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit,
Snohomish, Stevens, Thurston, Whatcom, and Yakima.
Community Capital Development's Access to Capital Programs focus on
providing capital for: Start up businesses (0-6 months),
businesses under 2 years in operation, not yet bankable, and established
businesses, in operation greater than 2 years, but facing new challenges.
Stone Soup’s Microenterprise and Lending Program
Stone Soup provides free business training courses to rural communities
throughout Washington State. This training is intended to help community
members who are interested in starting a small business or who have a small
business they would like to expand or improve. Stone Soup’s curriculum
provides training on all aspects of small business development.
Start-up information: What it takes to create a sustainable, thriving
business; participants who complete this training will then have access to
small micro loans from local community organizations and Public Utility
Districts.
Cascadia Revolving Fund is a nonprofit community development financial
institution serving Washington and Oregon. They provide loans and
technical assistance to small businesses and nonprofit organizations that are
unable to access support from traditional sources such as banks.
The NCLC’s Guide to Surviving Debt, 2006 Edition - Washington Supplement
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Washington
Volunteer Lawyer
Programs
Legal Services
www.advocateresourcecenter.o
rg/volunteerlawyerprograms24
5.cfm
This website provides a list of Volunteer Lawyer Programs (VLP). Most
VLPs provide legal information and assistance on a variety of topics
including bankruptcy, housing law and family law. Contact information for
individual VLPs is located for each region listed below.
King Region-Includes King County
2208 2nd Ave.
Seattle, WA 98121
206.448.5720
(206) 448-5757 TDD
www.seniorservices.org
12250 Greenwood Ave N.
#305
Seattle, WA 98133
206.363.3737
www.service4seniors.net
Senior Rights
Assistance
General
Consumer
Seniors Assistant,
Inc.
General
Consumer
The Seattle Public
Library- Special
Collections
General
Consumer
2306 42nd Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98116
206.386.4190
www.spl.org
Offers a consumer information collection and large print collection.
Compass Center
General
Consumer
77 S. Washington St.
Seattle, WA 98104
206.357.3200
www.compasscenter.org
Offers check cashing and individual bank accounts; receives federal
entitlement payments and provides protective payee services.
Wallingford
Community Senior
Center-Financial
Planning
Financial
Literacy
4649 Sunny side Ave N. #140
Seattle, WA 98103
206.461.7825
www.wallingfordseniors.org
Provides financial and investment consulting for seniors 55 and older twice
per month by appointment.
Security Financial
Financial
Literacy
1307 Bay St. Ste. B
Port Orchard, WA 98366
360.874.7975
Security Financial is a representative payee service. They also provide some
financial counseling when needed and classes in money management when
needed.
CENTS Program
Financial
Literacy
206.267.7017
206.267.7099 fax
info@centsprogram.com email
www.centsprogram.com
Consumer Education and Training Services (CENTS) is a non-profit
organization that empowers consumers of every age to take control of their
finances and avoid preventable money issues throughout education and
training. CENTS is also committed to assisting consumers who are already
suffering from a financial challenge. CENTS provides financial education
seminars, money management training, debt counseling, referrals, and other
legal services.
El Centro de la
Raza
Financial
Literacy/
Homeownership
/Predatory
Lending
2524 16th Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98144
206.329.9442
www.elcentrodelaraza.org
El Centro de la Raza seeks to raise the awareness level of the general public,
politicians, business and civic leaders toward the needs of the
Chicano/Latino community in the United Sates and to help the
Chicano/Latino community in the Seattle/King County area empower itself.
They offer financial literacy and homeownership programs, as well as senior
and youth services.
Financial
Literacy
1501 N. 45th Street
Seattle, WA 98103
206.694.6700
206.694.6777 fax
www.fremontpublic.org
www.solid-ground.org
Take Control of Your Money is a 2-part money management course to help
families stretch their resources, maintain good credit, and build savings for
emergencies.
Solid Ground
(formerly the
Fremont Public
Association) Take Control of
Your Money
Senior Rights Assistance provides assistance with legal and consumer
issues.
Provides basic bookkeeping services for older adults. Offers home visits to
residents in Seattle.
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Solid Ground
(formerly the
Fremont Public
Association) -Get
Checking
Solid Ground
(formerly the
Fremont Public
Association) Predatory Lending
Workshops and
Counseling
Solid Ground
(formerly the
Fremont Public
Association) - First
Time Homebuyer
Class
Solid Ground
(formerly the
Fremont Public
Association) Mortgage
Counseling
Financial
Literacy
Homeownership
and Predatory
Lending
Homeownership
and Predatory
Lending
Homeownership
and Predatory
Lending
Hopelink
International
District Housing
Alliance
Cocaine Outreach
and Recovery
Program- Money
Management
1501 N. 45th Street
Seattle, WA 98103
206.694.6700
206.694.6777 fax
www.fremontpublic.org
www.solid-ground.org
1501 N. 45th Street
Seattle, WA 98103
206.694.6700
206.694.6777 fax
206.694.6710 (TTY)
www.fremontpublic.org
www.solid-ground.org
1501 N. 45th Street
Seattle, WA 98103
206.694.6700
206.694.6777 fax
206.694.6710 (TTY)
www.fremontpublic.org
www.solid-ground.org
1501 N. 45th Street
Seattle, WA 98103
206.694.6700
206.694.6777 fax
206.694.6710 (TTY)
www.fremontpublic.org
www.solid-ground.org
Financial
Literacy
16225 NE 87th St. A-1
PO Box 3577
Redmond, WA 98073
425.869.6000
www.hope-link.org
Financial
Literacy and
Homeownership
606 Maynard Avenue South
Suite 105
Seattle, WA 98104
206.623.5132 Rental
206.623.0122 Homeownership
206.623.3479 fax
Financial
Literacy
1905 S Jackson St. Ste. A
Seattle, WA 98144
206.323.5399
www.corpfamilycrisiscenter.or
g
Get Checking offers you the chance to open a checking account that works
for you with a participating financial institution, even if you've had problems
in the past.
Predatory Lending workshops and Counseling workshops focus on: What is
predatory lending? What are the possible consequences of refinancing your
home with a predatory lender? Why predatory lenders target the elderly,
people of color and limited English speakers.
The First Time Homebuyer class provides information on the steps to
homeownership. It is a Washington State Housing Finance Commissionsponsored seminar, which is required for many of the first time homebuyer
assistance programs.
The Mortgage Counseling Program provides mortgage default and reverse
mortgage counseling.
Hopelink provides comprehensive social services to at-risk families and
individuals throughout Washington State's north and east King County
region. Hopelink provides a full array of critical social services through
more than 40 different programs, including housing, child care,
transportation, case management, Payee Services, employment programs,
adult education and literacy training, a vast referral network, food banks and
preventative health and dental care. Hopelink has emergency service centers
in Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, North Shore, Snoqualmie Valley, and
Shoreline.
The International District Housing Alliance (IDHA) has many programs that
help to improve the quality of life of International District residents and
Asian and Pacific Islanders of Greater Seattle. Their programs include:
housing search and stabilization (helping people to find affordable rental
units, eviction prevention), Homeownership 1-2-3 (information and
counseling about the home buying process, help getting down payment
assistance, financial literacy education, debt and credit counseling),
Community Building (resident outreach, intergenerational youth-elder
projects, citizenship education), and WILD (Wilderness Inner-City
Leadership Development youth program).
Helps single people and families get back in control of their finances.
The NCLC’s Guide to Surviving Debt, 2006 Edition - Washington Supplement
9
Main Office
2103 South Atlantic Street
Seattle, WA 98144
206.329.2050
ascinfo@atlanticstreet.org
Financial
Literacy
Atlantic Street
Center
Rainer Beach Family Center
8825 Rainer Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98118
206.723.1301
New Holly Youth & Family
Center
7050 32nd Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98118
206.723.4073
www.atlanticstreet.org
Children's Home
Society of
WashingtonWorkshops
Seattle Youth and
Family Services
The Atlantic Street Center helps families and communities raise healthier,
self-sufficient children and youth. They provide holistic counseling, case
management, and educational support. They primarily serve African
American and other minority children, youth and families who are lowincome and living in the Seattle/King County area. They offer classes in
parenting, financial management, English as a second language. They
sponsor cultural events and celebrations. Each family center also offers a
family support worker who counsels and aids families with challenges they
may be facing.
Financial
Literacy
3200 NE 125th St. Suite 2
Seattle, WA 98125
206.364.7930
www.chs-wa.org
Workshop topics may include job skills, nutrition, money management,
English as a Second Language, First Aid, computer literacy, family activities
and more.
Financial
Literacy
3722 S Hudson Street
Seattle, WA 98118
206.721.5542
206.721.5917
A variety of classes are offered including financial management, job
readiness, and negotiating kills. Clients up to the age of 20 and their families
are eligible. The classes are offered on a sliding scale fee. No one will be
refused services based on inability to pay. Clients must be residents of
Southeast Seattle (S. McClellan south to city limits and Duwamish River to
Lake Washington)
Working Wheels sells affordable used cars to eligible workers and job
seekers who are having transportation challenges that put them at risk of
losing a job or make it difficult to accept a job. The majority of the cars are
donated from the City of Seattle and King County. This Program was
designed by the Office of Port Jobs and serves all of King County.
Solid Ground
(formerly the
Fremont Public
Association) Working Wheels
Car Ownership
& Financial
Literacy
1501 N 45th Street
Seattle, WA 98103
206.694.6833
www.working-wheels.org
Coalition for
Responsible
Lending
Homeownership
and Predatory
Lending
206.587.5641
1.800.317.2918
www.seattle.gov/housing/preda
torylending/default.htm
Homeownership
and Predatory
Lending
5117 Rainer Avenue South
Seattle, WA 98118
206.723.4355
1.888.749.4663
www.firsthomebuyers.org
HomeSight provides homebuyer education and financial planning, buyer
purchase assistance, loan underwriting and origination, and new home
construction. Through private and public partnerships, HomeSight provides
purchase assistance loans of up to $45,000 for moderate and low-income
first time home buyers. Buyers are required to complete their education and
financial assessment programs and purchase a home in HomeSight's
designated target areas in Seattle, King and Snohomish counties.
Legal
Information
516 3rd Ave
King County Courthouse,
W621, Seattle, WA 98104
206.296.0940
www.kcll.org
Offers access to legal information; operates legal information computer
training center and e-mail and chat reference services from Web site.
HomeSight
King County Law
Library
Working Wheels makes it possible for a person to buy a car that they could
not otherwise afford. This allows clients to succeed in the workplace by
providing them with a safe and reliable vehicle at a fair and reasonable cost.
Vehicles sell from $750 to $3000 (about half of what their normal "retail"
price would be), with the average being about $1800. Clients who purchase
cars through Working Wheels are also eligible for continued low-cost
maintenance and repairs of those vehicles. The program includes zero down
financing with Sound Community Bank.
The Coalition for Responsible Lending (CRL) provides advocacy, outreach,
and education to reduce the number of predatory loans that are originated in
the region. It also provides remedial resources for victims of predatory
loans.
The NCLC’s Guide to Surviving Debt, 2006 Edition - Washington Supplement
10
Seattle Location
C213 King County Courthouse
516 3rd Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
206.296.9547
Protection Order
Advocacy
Program
Legal
Assistance
Kent Location
Regional Justice Center
401 Fourth Avenue, Room 2B,
Kent, WA 98032
206.205.7406
Redmond Location
NE District Court
8601 - 160th Ave. NE,
Redmond, WA 98052
206.205.7012
The programs in Seattle and Kent have a staff of three advocates who assist
victims of domestic violence through the protection order process. There is
one advocate available at the Northeast District Court Protection Order
Program.
The advocates provide assistance in filing emergency orders, crisis
intervention, information and referrals to social service agencies, education
and preparation prior to court hearings and advocacy during and after court
hearings.
www.protectionorder.org
Union Gospel
Mission
Legal Services
University of
Washington
School of Law,
Clinical Program
Legal Services
318 2nd Ave. Ext. S.
Seattle, WA 98104
206.682.4642
epark@ugm.org
www.ugm.org
William H. Gates Hall
Suite 265
PO Box 85110
Seattle, WA 98145
206.543.3434
www.law.washington.edu/Clini
cs/
Free walk-in legal clinic on Fridays from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Clients
may meet with volunteer attorneys and law students for legal advice, and
assistance with handling matters by themselves without an attorney.
Offers legal services for low-income people through law students closely
supervised by staff attorneys. Clinic topics change yearly. See descriptions
of current clinics on the web site.
Legal Services
1200 Fifth Avenue, Suite 600
Seattle, WA 98101
206.267.7055
206.267.7099 fax
LRS@KCBA.org
www.kcba.org
The King County Bar Association provides legal advice and some
representation with bankruptcy, debt disputes, predatory lending and other
housing issues. Programs include: Volunteer Legal Services (representation
by pro-bono attorneys for low-income clients in King County); Housing
Justice Project (free legal advice and some limited representation for low
income clients facing eviction in King County); Self Help Plus (assistance
for uncontested divorces in King County); Family Law Mentor Program
(representation by volunteer attorneys in family law cases with domestic
violence and children at risk in King County); Volunteer Attorneys for
Persons with HIV/AIDS (VAPWA, representation by volunteer attorneys for
people affected by HIV/AIDS); Legal Services for the Homeless
(representation by volunteer attorneys for people who are homeless in King
County); The Newcomers Resource Project (advice and representation by
volunteer attorneys for immigrants and newcomers to King County);
Neighborhood Legal Clinics (26 community based legal clinics for people in
King County).
Legal Action
Center
Legal Services
100 23rd Ave S
Seattle, WA 98144
206.324.6890
www.ccsww.org
Offers legal services for low-income King County tenants, to prevent illegal
and unnecessary evictions.
Eastside Legal
Assistance
Program
Legal Services
425.747.7274
www.elap.org
ELAP provides a free 1/2 hour appointment with a volunteer attorney for
advice/consultation on a civil legal issue. Some limited direct representation
by volunteer attorneys.
Legal Services
1820 E Pine St.
Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98122
206.686.7252
www.seattlecommlaw.org
The Seattle Community Law Center provides representation and advocacy
for low-income individuals with disabilities applying for, receiving or
appealing decisions on Social Security benefits.
King County Bar
Association
Seattle
Community Law
Center
The NCLC’s Guide to Surviving Debt, 2006 Edition - Washington Supplement
11
Consumer
Counseling
Northwest
King County
Office of Civil
Rights
Debt/Credit
Counseling
3560 Bridgeport Way. W
Ste 1-D
University Place, WA 98466
253.588.1858
1.800.244.1183
www.ccnw.org
Consumer Counseling Northwest (CCNW) provides confidential counseling
and educational opportunities to help consumers gain the necessary skills to
make smart financial decisions. CCNW provides the following services:
setting up a debt management program to help make payments to your
creditors, ordering your credit report and scores and reviewing them with
you, providing information about housing issues and homeownership
including ways to prevent foreclosure and information for first time
homebuyers, education classes about planning for retirement, preventing and
recovering from identity theft, and a wide variety of money management
topics.
AntiDiscrimination
400 Yesler Way, Room 260
Seattle, WA 98104
206.296.7592
206.296.4329 fax
CivilRights.OCR@kingcounty.gov
www.metrokc.gov/dias/ocre/
The Office of Civil Rights investigates and resolves complaints of
discrimination, provides education, and offers other assistance for incidents
in unincorporated King County in the areas of fair housing, fair
employment, public accommodations, fair contract practices. Protected
bases are race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability, familial
status, retaliation, marital status, sexual orientation, age, participation in a
section 8 program, use of a service or assistive animal, ancestry.
810 Third Avenue, Suite 750
Seattle, WA 98104
206.684.4500
206.684.1332 fax
TTY (206) 684-4503
www.ci.seattle.wa.us/civilright
s/default.htm
1517 South Fawcett, Suite 250
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone/TTY 253.274.9523
253.274.8220 fax
info@fhcwashington.org
www.fhcwashington.org
The Office of Civil Rights investigates and resolves complaints of
discrimination, provides education, and offers other assistance for incidents
in unincorporated King County in the areas of fair housing, fair
employment, public accommodations, fair contracting, Title VI, and
predatory lending. Protected bases are race, color, national origin, religion,
gender, disability, parental status, retaliation, marital status, sexual
orientation, age, participation in a Section 8 program, and political ideology.
Seattle Office of
Civil Rights
AntiDiscrimination
Fair Housing
Center of
Washington
AntiDiscrimination
White Center
Community
Development
Association
Business
Development
9615 16th Avenue SW
Seattle WA 98106
Phone: 206.694.1082
Fax: 206.694.1082
(please call first)
The Fair Housing Center of Washington is a non-profit agency dedicated to
ending illegal discrimination and enforcing the Fair Housing Act for
residents of Western Washington. The Center concentrates on four areas:
complaint investigation, advocacy, education, and information and referral.
Storefront Improvement Matching Grant Program: White Center businesses
can apply for matching grant funds to improve the appearance of their
storefront. The program emphasizes co-investment from private investors
and makes referrals to other resource opportunities for businesses.
Business Assistance Center: The WCCDA markets and houses the Business
Assistance Center through which business assistance professionals provide
free technical assistance and access to low-interest loans/resources.
Program partners include King County Office of Economic Development,
Washington State Employment Security, Community Capital Development,
Small Business Development Center and others. University of Washington
Partnerships: WCCDA matches White Center businesses with Master’s level
students involved with the UW Business Economic Development Program
to provide hundreds of hours of free consulting addressing a wide range of
issues. Working with the UW Business-Retail Management Program brings
much-needed assistance with window displays and store layout.
The NCLC’s Guide to Surviving Debt, 2006 Edition - Washington Supplement
12
Refugee
Resettlement
Office,/JumpStart
Fund
Microenterprise
Loans
Washington
CASH
United Way of
King County:
Individual
Development
Accounts
Business
Development
1610 S. King Street
Seattle, WA 89144
phone: (206) 323.3152
fax: (206) 322.7632
www.jumpstartfund.org/
www.dioceserroseattle.org/inde
x.html
JumpStart Fund provides micro-loans and business technical assistance to
help refugees and other eligible newcomers start, strengthen or expand their
micro-business. JumpStart approves loans for any legitimate business
purpose including working capital and purchase of fixed assets. Loans may
be used to purchase or improve property (including land or building
acquisition), for construction and renovation, leasehold improvement,
signage, machinery or equipment, or other purposes that support client’s
businesses. The Refugee Resettlement Office provides refugees with a
variety of services in addition to the JumpStart Fund including resettlement
assistance and orientation to Seattle, English tutoring, job
placement/retention, workplace-skills training, social services and financial
education.
Business
Development
1912 E. Madison St.
Seattle, WA 98122
206.352.1945
info@washingtoncash.org
www.washingtoncash.org
Washington CASH provides a business training course, micro credit lending
services from $500-$5,000, technical business assistance and peer support to
enable low-income women (especially women currently dependent on
public assistance), people with disabilities and new immigrants/refugees to
start or expand self-employment ventures.
720 Second Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
206.461.4531
www.uwkc.org/ourcommunity/
initiatives/outoftherain/ida.asp
Individual Development Accounts (IDA) are a matched savings plan. A
person who qualifies becomes an 'investor,' building savings for the down
payment on a home, starting a small business or continuing an education.
Investors commit to saving a specific amount each month; every dollar
saved is matched with three. Investors are required to attend classes to
increase financial skills, giving them the tools for success in the future.
Soon-to-be homeowners learn how to avoid predatory lenders, upkeep and
repairs on their new home, future business owners devise a business plan,
and those seeking schooling plot a career path.
Asset Building
Pierce Region
Includes Pierce County
Homeownership
Center of Tacoma
Homeownership
1424 South J St.
Tacoma, WA 98405
253.627.6560
253.627.2421 fax
www.hcthomes.org
Support Services
for the
Developmentally
Disabled
General Consumer
2607 Bridgeport Way. W. 2-J
Tacoma, WA 98466
253.383.2643
Provides financial management, an information and referral service,
and advocacy for people with developmental disabilities and seniors.
Financial Literacy
Fort Lewis
Waller Hall, Bldg 2140
Tacoma, WA 98433
253.967.7166
www.fortlewismwr.com/ACS.htm
Offers assistance to members of the Army community through
counseling and classes in consumer affairs, budgeting and financial
planning.
Army Community
Service- Fort
Lewis- Financial
Readiness
The staff will counsel you through the entire home buying and
lending process including explaining your credit report, helping you
to repair your credit and remove any judgments or collections,
teaching you how to manage your money, and helping you get your
mortgage loan.
The NCLC’s Guide to Surviving Debt, 2006 Edition - Washington Supplement
13
Consumer
Counseling
Northwest
Security Financial
Pierce College
Tacoma
Community
College
Debt Management
3560 Bridgeport Way W., Suite 1-D
University Place, WA 98466
1.800.244.1183
www.ccnw.org
CCNW is a local non-profit organization established in Western
Washington in 1970. They are a member of the National Foundation
for Credit Counseling (NFCC). They provide confidential
counseling and educational opportunities to help consumers gain the
necessary skills to make smart financial decisions. CCNW provides
the following services: setting up a debt management program to
help make payments to creditors; ordering credit reports and scoring
and reviewing them with clients; providing information about
housing issues and home ownership, including ways to prevent home
foreclosure and classes for first-time buyers; presenting educational
classes so that individuals and families can learn about planning for
retirement; preventing and recovering from identity theft, or any
other of a wide variety of money management topics.
Debt Management
1341 Bay St.
P.O. Box 1145
Port Orchard, WA 98366
360.874.7975
360.876.6268 fax
Security Financial is a representative payee service. They also
provide some financial counseling when needed and classes in
money management when needed.
Debt Management
Continuing Education at Fort
Steilacoom
9401 Farwest Dr. SW Lakewood,
WA 98498
253.964.6500
253.942.6502
www.pierce.ctc.edu/conted/
Offers classes in financial education.
Debt Management
Main Campus
6501 S. 19th St.
Tacoma, WA 98466
253.566.5001
253.566.5296 fax
tcccontinuinged@tacomacc.edu.
www.tacomacc.edu/continuingeduca
tion
Provides classes such as "Successful Money Management,"
"Financial Literacy" and "Debt Elimination Techniques that Work."
Class schedules and information available online or by request.
Gig Harbor Campus
3993 Hunt St.
Gig Harbor, WA 98335
253.851.2424
253.851.9132 fax
Metropolitan
Development
Council
Business
Development
Tacoma-Pierce
County Bar
Association
Volunteer Legal
Services Program
Legal Services
US Bankruptcy
Court Trustee
Office
Legal Services
721 South Fawcett, Suite 201
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: 253.383.3921;
TDD: 253-591-0147
Fax: 253.593.2400
http://www.mdc-tacoma.org/
715 Tacoma Avenue S
Tacoma, WA 98402
253.572.5134
Client Intake: 1.888.201.1014
vls@tacomaprobono.org
www.tacomaprobono.org
1551 Broadway Ste. 600
Tacoma, WA 98402
253.572.6600
The Metropolitan development Council (MDC) is a non-profit
Community Action Partnership serving Tacoma/Pierce County
residents. Its mission is to develop and manage innovative programs
that promote self-sufficiency and remove individuals and families
from poverty. MDC offers programs that fall under the following
categories: Education, Children, Youth and Families, Drug and
Alcohol Treatment, Housing, Homeless Services, Economic and
Career Development, Phone Services and Prevention.
Provides advice clinics (general, family law and wills), brief
service/limited representation and full representation by volunteer
attorneys for low-income clients with civil legal issues. Has Housing
Justice Project and pro se educational materials and assistance.
Adjusts debts of individuals with their generated income. Budget and
payment plans are arranged.
The NCLC’s Guide to Surviving Debt, 2006 Edition - Washington Supplement
14
Spokane
Coalition of
Responsible
Disabled
Financial
Management
Goodwill
Industries
Financial
Management
Spokane Valley
Community
Center and Food
Bank- Protective
Payee Services
Financial
Management
Martin Luther
King Jr. Family
Outreach CenterFamily Emergency
Assistance
Spokane
Neighborhood
Action Program
(SNAP)
Consumer Credit
Counseling
Services of the
Inland Northwest
(CCCS)
Consumer Credit
Counseling
Services
Financial
Management
612 North Maple Street
Spokane, WA 99201
Voice/TDD 509.326.6355
contact@cordwa.info
www.cordwa.info
East 130 Third Avenue
Spokane, WA 99202
509.838.4246
www.giin.org
10814 East Broadway
Spokane, WA 99214
509.927.1153 x21
programs@spokanevalleycommunit
ycenter.org
www.spokanevalleycommunitycent
er.org
845 South Sherman St.
Spokane, WA 99202
509.455.8722
509.455.3643 fax
www.mlkjspokane.com
Provides assistance in budget and finance management and future
investment planning for an independent life.
Individuals who are receiving government assistance, such as Social
Security or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families may also
receive help from Goodwill managing their monthly finances.
Manages client's benefits to provide basic needs; provides money
management training.
Family Emergency Assistance partners with other community
agencies in Spokane to help families manage financial crisis and take
steps toward long range success. Small vouchers for basic needs are
available for neighborhood families, as well as life skills training in
budgeting and job search.
Financial Literacy
2116 E. First Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
509.456.7111 x200
509.534.5874 fax
www.snapwa.org
Teaches how to control debt and manage money through its money
management classes. Call for class times.
Debt and Credit
Counseling
4407 N. Division, Ste. 814
Spokane, WA 99207
866.889.9347
cccsnw.org
CCCS operates two local branch offices where our certified credit
counselors are available by appointment. During your session, you
will receive a financial assessment. CCCS offers credit counseling in
the evenings and in Spanish. Languages: Spanish.
Homeownership
4407 N. Division, Ste. 814
Spokane, WA 99207
866.889.9347
cccsnw.org
CCCS has the following counseling available related to
homeownership: homebuyer education, money/debt management,
post-purchase counseling, mortgage delinquency
Spokane
Neighborhood
Action Program
(SNAP)
Homeownership
2116 E. First Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
509.456.7111 x200
509.534.5874 fax
www.snapwa.org
Spokane
Neighborhood
Action Program
(SNAP)
Asset, Economic,
and Business
Development
Valley Community Center
10814 E Broadway Ave.
Spokane, WA 99206-5003
509.456.7106
www.snapwa.org
SNAP's Mortgage Assistance Program is designed to help lowincome families purchase a home - and it can help those who may be
at risk of losing their homes to mortgage default. We offer
counseling and classes, without charge, to residents of Eastern
Washington. SNAP counselors help people who are: having
problems paying their mortgage; finding enough money for a down
payment; or figuring out how much they can afford to spend on a
home. Languages: Spanish, Russian.
SNAP administers a variety of services designed to help low-income
people in their efforts to become financially self-sufficient. SNAP's
Education and Economic Development Programs may be able to
help if you are interested in exploring higher education, interested in
money management and asset investment, looking to overcome the
barriers to employment, or interested in starting or expanding your
own business.
The NCLC’s Guide to Surviving Debt, 2006 Edition - Washington Supplement
15
Northwest Fair
Housing Alliance
Spokane County
Bar Association
Volunteer
Lawyers ProgramBankruptcy
Information Clinic
Antidiscrimination
35 W. Main, Suite 250
Spokane, WA 99201
800.200.3247
www.nwfairhouse.org
The Northwest Fair Housing Alliance is a non-profit agency
dedicated to ending illegal discrimination and enforcing the Fair
Housing Act for residents of Eastern Washington. It strives to
eliminate housing discrimination and to ensure equal housing
opportunity for the people of Washington State through education,
counseling, and advocacy. Languages: Spanish.
Legal Services
1704 West Broadway Ave
PO Box 9357
Spokane, WA 99201
509.324.0144
www.spokanebar.org
At the Bankruptcy Information Clinic, clients meet one-on-one with
a bankruptcy attorney to go over their Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing
paperwork and receive counsel and advice on next steps. No Chapter
13s.
North Central Region
Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, San Juan and Island County
Everett
Community
College,
Continuing
Education Financial
Management
Sunrise Services,
Inc.
Hopelink
American Red
Cross- Counseling
Military Families
Financial Literacy
2333 Seaway Blvd.
Everett, WA 98203
425.267.0150
www.everettcc.edu
Offers: "Creating a Debt-Elimination Plan" classes. The classes
cover information including household budgeting, spending control,
and home buying. Bring your bills and other debt information to
class and receive a credit check-up and a personalized debtelimination plan. Everett Community College and Homesight also
offer a class for first-time homebuyers. Contact the Continuing
Education department for more information.
Financial Literacy
811 Madison
Everett, WA 98203
425.347.3149
www.sunrisecommunityliving.com
Assists individuals and families with bill paying and budgeting and
teaches money management skills.
Financial Literacy
Northshore Center
18220 96th Ave. NE
Bothell, WA 98011-3390
425.869.6000
www.hope-link.org
Offers classes in budgeting/finance, and money management.
Financial Literacy
2000 West Marine View Dr.
Everett, WA 98207
425.304.4476
www.snohomishcounty.redcross.org
Provides emergency communications, personal and family
counseling, budgeting assistance and access to financial aid to
military personnel and their families.
NMCRS Everett
13910 45th Ave. NE Rm 829
Marysville, WA 98271
425.304.3203
Navy-Marine
Corps Relief
Society
Financial Literacy
NMCRS Whidbey Island
260 West Pioneer Way
Bldg 13
Oak Harbor, WA 98278
360.257.2728
Assists clients in analyzing their income and bills and provides
recommendations for budgeting.
www.nmcrs.org/seattle-area.html
Naval Station
Everett Fleet and
Family Service
Center
Children's Home
Society of
WashingtonWorkshops
Financial Literacy
13910 45th Avenue NE
Room 857
Marysville, WA 98270
1.800.531.1787
425.304.3367
www.navylifepnw.com
Provides regularly scheduled workshops and other educational
programs designed to help people learn skills such as parenting,
stress management, marital communication, and financial
management. Other topics available upon request.
Financial Literacy
PO Box 15190
Seattle, WA 98115
206.695.3200
www.chs-wa.org
Workshop topics may include job skills, nutrition, money
management, English as a Second Language, First Aid, computer
literacy, family activities and more.
The NCLC’s Guide to Surviving Debt, 2006 Edition - Washington Supplement
16
Homeownership
1000 Second Avenue
Suite 2700
Seattle, WA 98104
1.800.317.2918
www.choc-wa.org
Community Home Ownership Center (CHOC) provides information
and referral, education and counseling for all members of the
community, with an emphasis on low and moderate income
individuals and families on the following topics: debt and credit
counseling for current and prospective homeowners; classes and
lenders (such as VA, FHA, conventional, state bond, and portfolio)
for first-time homeowners; down payment assistance programs;
special housing programs; services of non-profit organizations; and
home repair programs for current homeowners.
HomeSight
Homeownership
/Anti-Predatory
Mortgage Lending
5117 Rainier Ave. S.
Seattle, WA 98118
206.723.4355
888.749.4663
206.760.4210 fax
www.homesightwa.org
Through financial planning and homebuyer education, HomeSight
helps people achieve their dream of homeownership. Their Financial
Series will tell you how to avoid predatory lenders and where to go
for help, how to develop a budget, what the basic rules of money
management are, how to prevent mortgage default and foreclosure,
and what's involved in home maintenance.
Housing Authority
of Island County
Homeownership/
Anti-Predatory
Mortgage Lending
7 NW 6th St.
Coupeville, WA 98239
360.678.4181
The Housing Authority of Island County offers first-time
homebuyers pre-purchase counseling.
Housing Hope
Homeownership/
Anti-Predatory
Mortgage Lending
5830 Evergreen Way.
Everett, WA 98203
425.347.6556
425.353.5546 fax
housinghope.org
Offers self-help homeownership with homebuyer education
programs including pre- and post-purchase counseling, predatory
lending classes, and information about avoiding defaulting on your
mortgage.
Kulshan
Community Land
Trust
Homeownership/
Anti-Predatory
Mortgage Lending
215 W. Holly St., Suite H-20
Bellingham, WA 98225
360.671.5600
www.kclt.org
Kulshan Community Land Trust offers pre- and post- purchase
homebuyer education and direct Payee Services to households of
modest means who want to own their own homes.
Legal Services
PO Box 937
Bellingham, WA 98225
360.671.6079
lawadvocates.org
LAW advocates has a staff attorney for emergent domestic violence
cases, a volunteer lawyer program for qualifying civil cases, street
law, family law clinic, debtor-creditor clinic, disability benefits,
advocacy for the homeless and a landlord-tenant panel.
Legal Services
343 PO Box 5675
Everett, WA 98206
425.258.9283
www.snocolegal.org
A do-it-yourself bankruptcy clinic where you can purchase
bankruptcy schedules and instructions and get follow-up review by
an attorney. Individuals in this program are not represented by an
attorney in court.
Legal Services
745 SE Maylor St.
Oak Harbor, WA 98277
360.675.4750
www.washingtonlawhelp.org/progra
m/2500/
Helps people with family law problems, landlord tenant issues,
divorce, child support, child custody, bankruptcy, and wills. Brief
advice and counsel, representation in court, workshops, Family Law
Court Facilitator for Island County residents.
Economic
Development
Northshore Center
18220 96th Ave. NE
Bothell, WA 98011-3390
425.869.6000
www.hope-link.org
Hopelink offers individual development accounts (IDAs) to help
people save for a home, education, or small business. You can also
take classes in budgeting, parenting, and other life skills.
Community Home
Ownership Center
Legal Assistance
by Whatcom
(LAW) Advocates
Snohomish County
Legal ServicesBankruptcy Clinic
Volunteer Lawyer
Program of Island
County
Hopelink
North West Region
Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties
The NCLC’s Guide to Surviving Debt, 2006 Edition - Washington Supplement
17
Olympic
Community
Action Programs/
ClallamCommunity
Education
Workshops
Navy-Marine
Corps Relief
Society
Forks Office
651 E Division St.
Forks, WA 98331
360.374.6193
Financial Literacy
Financial Literacy
Port Angeles Office
228 W 1st St. Ste J
Port Angeles, WA 98362
360.452.4726
www.olycap.org
NMCRS Bangor
1001 Tautog Kitsap-Bangor
Bldg 1001
Silverdale, WA 98315
360.396.6704
Provides training in life skills and workplace readiness. Instruction
based on individual's strengths. Workshops include: Workplace
Communication & Culture, Interviewing, Networking, Budgeting
Basics, Time Management, and more.
Assists clients in analyzing their income and bills and provides
recommendations for budgeting.
NMCRS Bremerton
120 S. Dewey St., Bldg. 491
Bremerton, WA 98314
360.377.0602
PO Box 1775
Forks, WA 98331
800.743.7855
360.374.6411
Crisis Line: 360.374.2273
www.forksabuse.org
In addition to domestic violence and sexual assault victim services,
Forks Abuse program offers financial literacy curriculum to
domestic violence survivors.
Forks Abuse
Program
Financial Literacy
Bremerton
Housing Authority
Homeownership/A
nti-predatory
Lending/Antidiscrimination
City of Bremerton,
Department of
Community
Development,
Housing Division
Homeownership
/Anti-predatory
Lending/Antidiscrimination
Housing Authority
of Clallam County
Homeownership
/Anti-predatory
Lending/Antidiscrimination
2603 S. Francis St.
Port Angeles, WA 98362
360.452.7631
www.hacc-housing.org
Housing Opportunities Made Easier (HOME), a Housing Authority
of Clallam County program, offers first-time homebuyer education
classes, home maintenance classes and one-on-one pre- and postpurchase counseling. HOME has information on down-payment
assistance in the form of grants, 1% to 3% interest on second loans
and sweat equity. Languages: Spanish, Russian.
Kitsap County
Consolidated
Housing Authority
(KCCHA)
Homeownership/A
nti-predatory
Lending/Antidiscrimination
9307 Bayshore Dr. NW
Silverdale, WA 98383
360.535.6100
800.693.7070
www.kccha.org
360.535.6106 (TDD)
KCCHA offers a homeownership program that teaches you about all
phases of homeownership from how to read your credit report to how
to avoid foreclosure. You will learn how to repair your credit, choose
a lender, get help with your down payment and closing costs, create
a budget, avoid predatory lenders, and you'll learn basic home
maintenance tips to keep your home in shape.
Kitsap County
Attorney Referral
Legal services
360.373.2426
www.kitsaplegalservices.org
The Kitsap County Attorney Referral Program provides the name
and phone number of lawyers appropriate to your problem. There is
a discount on the initial meeting. This is not a free program.
Legal services
920 Park Avenue
Bremerton, WA 98337
360.479.6125
Client Intake 1.888.201.1014
www.kitsaplegalservices.org
Provides assistance with a variety of civil legal issues for low income
individuals including bankruptcy and landlord/tenant law.
Kitsap Legal
Services
110 Russell Rd.
Bremerton, WA 98312
360.479.3694
www.bremertonhousing.org
360.377.8606 (TTY)
345 6th St. Suite 600
Bremerton, WA 98337
360.473.5275
www.ci.bremerton.wa.us/display.ph
p?id=479
Provides first-time homebuyer education and post-purchase
counseling.
The City of Bremerton assists low-income families in finding and
applying for home ownership. The City may assist you with a down
payment and/or rehabilitation grant toward a home. Participants must
go through the application process and qualify.
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18
West Central Region
Grays Harbor, Mason, Thurston, Pacific and Lewis County
Consumer
Counseling
Northwest/Consu
mer Credit
Counseling Service
(CCCS) of
Olympic-South
Sound
Endeavor
ResourcesProtective Payee
Services
Neighborworks of
Grays Harbor
Community
Consumer
Counseling
Northwest
Housing Authority
of Thurston
County
Thurston County
Volunteer Legal
Services
Enterprise for
Equity
Debt Management
3560 Bridgeport Way. W
Ste 1-D
University Place, WA 98466
253.588.1858
1.800.244.1183
www.ccnw.org
If you have problems with debt, this service offers debt counseling
services in person, on the phone, or online.
Financial Services
627 W. Franklin St.
Shelton, WA 98584
360.427.1164
www.endeavorresources.org
If an individual receives Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
or Supplemental Income (SSI), Endeavor Resources can set up a plan
with short or long-term financial independence goals or provide total
money management.
Homeownership
710 E. Market St.
Aberdeen, WA 98520
360.533.7828
866.533.7828
www.aberdeen-nhs.com
Neighborworks provides the following services related to
homeownership: free counseling in mortgage default; pre-purchase
analysis; Landlord Tenant Act; pre-foreclosure sale; pre-rental,
refinancing, budget, and monetary management; and reverse equity
mortgages. Homeownership program that includes both purchase and
rehabilitation options for people of all income levels. A 5% down
payment is required, but up to 3% can be from borrowed sources.
Loans up to $15,000 for down payment and/or closing costs on
single-family, owner-occupied homes. It can also be used for
"necessary rehab" work. Can be a second lien on property behind a
bank loan or first lien on owner contract.
Homeownership
3560 Bridgeport Way. W
Ste 1-D
University Place, WA 98466
253.588.1858
1.800.244.1183
www.ccnw.org
CCNW offers the following counseling related to homeownership:
pre-purchase counseling; money management; mortgage
delinquency; predatory lending; home equity conversion mortgage
counseling.
Homeownership
503 W. 4th Ave.
Olympia, WA 98501
360.664.2485
www.hatc.org
The Housing Authority of Thurston County provides the following
counseling related to homeownership: homebuyer education; prepurchase counseling.
Legal Services
P.O. Box 405
Olympia, WA 98507
360.705.8194
www.lawhelp.org/program/2498
Provides legal advice clinics and limited referrals for direct
representation for low income clients.
PO Box 1291
Olympia, WA 98507
360.704.3375
www.enterpriseforequity.org
Enterprise for Equity trains and provides technical assistance and
support for people who are interested in building a small business in
order to create income for themselves and their families. Their work
with clients covers a comprehensive curriculum that includes the
four major elements of micro enterprise development programming:
training and assistance to start and expand a business; financial
literacy training; strategies to access markets; how to access and get
credit. The people they serve are primarily women who are often
single parents. Some are WorkSource referrals and persons with
disabilities, and others are those who are considered "not bankable"
by conventional financial institutions. To be eligible, participants
must have an income of no more than 185% of the federal poverty
level (approximately $17,000 for a single person or $37,100 for a
family of four).
Business
Development
South West Region
Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, Clark, Skamania and Klickitat County
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19
Clark College
Continuing
Education
1933 Fort Vancouver Way
Vancouver, WA 98663
360.992.2739
http://web.clark.edu/conted/commun
ity_ed/comm-ed-classes.html
Clark College offers a variety of classes for a small fee on budgeting,
homeownership, planning for retirement and credit on a quarterly
basis.
Debt Management/
Homeownership
3560 Bridgeport Way. W
Ste 1-D
University Place, WA 98466
253.588.1858
1.800.244.1183
www.ccnw.org
CCNW is a local non-profit organization that provides confidential
counseling and educational opportunities to help consumers gain the
necessary skills to make smart financial decisions. CCNW provides
the following services: setting up a debt management program to
help make payments to creditors; ordering credit reports and scores
and reviewing them with clients; providing information about
housing issues and home ownership, including ways to prevent home
foreclosure and classes for first-time homebuyers; presenting
educational classes so that individuals and families can learn about
planning for retirement, preventing and recovering from identity
theft, or any other of a wide variety of money management topics.
Homeownership
1339 Commerce Ave., Suite 105
Longview, WA 98632
360.423.9197
800.423.8934
www.familyfinances.org
Family finance center offers the following counseling related to
homeownership: Homebuyer education; post-purchase counseling;
predatory lending; mortgage delinquency; home equity conversion.
Languages: Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese.
Homeownership
2700 NE Anderson Rd,
Suite D-3
Vancouver, WA 98661
360.690.4496
www.homecen.org
The Community Housing Resource Center helps first-time
homebuyers understand the home buying process, so that they can
make informed decisions about this complex process. The Center
also works with existing home owners to understand their
responsibilities and achieve long-term success. They offer the
following programs: Pre-purchase counseling; credit and debt
management; credit repair; homebuyer education; post-purchase
counseling; down payment assistance. Languages: Spanish,
Vietnamese, Russian, Mandarin, Cantonese, Cambodian.
Homeownership
1207 Commerce Ave.
Longview, WA 98632
360.423.0140
800.613.4993
www.longviewha.org
Longview Housing Authority provides the following counseling
related to homeownership: homebuyer education; pre-purchase
counseling.
Homeownership/
General Consumer
1526 Commerce Avenue
PO Box 2129
Longview, WA 98632
Tel: 360.425.3430 / 800.383.2101
Fax: 360.425.6657
The Lower Columbia Community Action Council provides various
social service programs including categories of homeownership,
low-income housing, transportation, child care, clothing, elder
services, employment, education and training, and more.
Legal Services
1409 Franklin St., Suite 101
Vancouver, WA 98660
360.695.5313
www.lawhelp.org/program/2503/
Offers legal clinics, classes, referrals and some direct representation.
Advice is regularly available in these general law issues: Family
Law, Landlord/Tenant, Collections, Employment
Contracts/Warranties, Auto Licensing, Tort Defense, Wills/Probate
and Social Security. serves Southwest WA.
Financial Literacy/
Homeownership
Consumer
Counseling
Northwest
Family Finance
Resource Center
Community
Housing Resource
Center
Longview Housing
Authority
Lower Columbia
Community
Action Council
Clark County
Volunteer
Lawyers Program
South Central Region
Yakima, Benton and Franklin Counties
Consumer Credit
Counseling
Services of the Tri
Cities
Financial
Literacy/Debt
Management
401 N. Morain St.
Kennewick, WA 99336
509.737.1973
800.201.2181
www.ccswaor.org
CCCS of the Tri-Cities offers education and support to help clients
manage their money better. Programs include: One on One Budget
Counseling; Debt Management; Creditor Participation (where
creditors reduce or waive interest rates or fees); Financial
Educational Programs; workshops for all ages; Homeownership
Center to assist and educate new and existing homebuyers.
Languages: Spanish.
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20
1115 W. Lincoln Ave., Suite 119
Yakima, WA 98902
509.248.5270
800.273.6897
www.cccsyakima.org
230 Methow St. (right by Post
Office)
Wenatchee, WA 98801
509.662.0936
Consumer Credit
Counseling Service
(CCCS) of Yakima
Valley
Financial
Literacy/Debt
Management
821 W. Broadway, Suite 107 (The
Broadway Bldg.)
Moses Lake, WA 98837
PO Box 563
Moses Lake, WA 98837
509.765.6599
Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Yakima Valley provides a
variety of financial education classes to help people prevent and get
out of debt. CCCS offers free counseling and debt assessment if you
are struggling with debt or money management problems. They can
help if you have trouble with bill payments or past credit debt
problems, if you can't budget and save any money, or if you want to
set up a new budget in order to buy a car or home, include offering
First-Time Home Buying Workshops. You can receive counseling
in-person or by phone and to get started right away, you can also fill
out an online assessment form. Languages: Spanish available in
Yakima office.
In Ellensburg, Sunnyside, and
Toppenish
Counseling is available through the
Yakama Nation Credit Enterprise.
Call the Wenatchee office at
509.662.0936 or the North Central
Washington office at 800.273.6897
Benton Franklin
Community
Action Committee
Housing
Counseling
Program
720 W. Court St.
Pasco, WA 99301
509.545.4042
800.583.1112 must call for appt.
Do you want to buy a home? Are you looking for help with financial
problems? Are you in danger of losing your home? If so, one-on-one
financial counseling and home-buying classes are available.
Homeownership
ONDS, 112 S. 8th St.
Yakima, WA 98901
509.575.6101
ONDS mission is to assist in developing a viable community by
providing decent, affordable housing, a suitable living environment,
and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of
low and moderate income. ONDS offers the following assistance
related to home buying: First-time homeowner assistance; down
payment assistance; senior and disabled persons home repair;
homeownership through new construction; single family home
rehabilitation; exterior painting for senior and disabled homes.
Languages: Spanish.
Homeownership
1115 W. Lincoln Ave., Suite 119
Yakima, WA 98902
509.248.5270
800.273.6897
www.cccsyakima.org
CCCS Yakima provides the following counseling services related to
homeownership: Homebuyer Education Programs; Predatory
Lending; Fair Housing Assistance; Post-purchase Counseling; Home
Equity Conversion Mortgage Counseling; Mortgage Delinquency.
Languages: Spanish.
La Clinica SelfHelp Housing
Program
Homeownership
1517 N. 5th St.
PO Box 1323
Pasco, WA 99301
509.546.0740
www.laclinicanet.org
www.laclinicanet.org/Spanish/index
.php
Diocese of Yakima
Housing Services
Homeownership/
IDA
5301-C Tieton Dr.
Yakima, WA 98908-3478
509.965.7100
City of Yakima,
Office of
Neighborhood
Development
Services, Housing
Programs
Consumer Credit
Counseling Service
(CCCS) of Yakima
Valley
Homeownership
The Self-Help Housing Program began in 1993 and is mostly funded
by USDA Rural Development. Local banks also participate,
including Yakima Federal Savings and Loan and Banner Bank. This
program assists families in building their own homes with the
guidance of an experienced carpenter. One hundred thirty six homes
have been completed in Benton City, Sunnyside, Grandview, Basin
City, Connell, Othello, Pasco, and Kennewick. The Self-Help
Housing program is currently recruiting families to build their own
homes in Prosser, Grandview, and Pasco. Languages: Spanish.
The Diocese is offering Individual Development Accounts with
partner agencies to help 20 first-time home buyers save and purchase
homes in Mabton and Granger in Yakima County. Call for more
information.
The NCLC’s Guide to Surviving Debt, 2006 Edition - Washington Supplement
21
South East Region
Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield, Asotin, Whitman, and Adams Counties
Blue Mountain
Action Council
General Consumer
Blue Mountain Action Council
342 Catherine Street
Walla Walla, WA 99362
(509) 5294980
www.bmacww.org
Consumer Credit
Counseling Service
(CCCS) of
Northern Idaho
Financial Literacy
and Debt
Management
1113 Main St.
Lewiston, ID 83501
800.556.0127 toll free, call for appt.
North Columbia
Community
Action Council
Whitman County
Legal Services/
Community
Action Center
Homeownership
Legal Services
903 W. 3rd Ave.
Moses Lake, WA 98837
509-765-9206
http://nccac.net/Home_Page.html
350 SE Fairmont Rd.
Pullman, WA 99163
509.334.9147
www.cacwhitman.com
Multi-Service agency that provides assistance in homeownership,
social services, pro bono lawyer referral, transitional housing, home
repair, employment and training and more.
If you have problems with debt, this service can help. They offer
debt counseling in person, on the phone, or online.
NCCAC's Home Buyer Assistance Program is designed to help lowincome families purchase a home - and those who may be at risk of
losing their homes due to mortgage default. They offer personal oneon-one assistance and classes, without charge, to residents of Eastern
Washington.
NCCAC Housing Coordinators help people who are:
• having problems paying their mortgage
• finding enough money for a down payment
• figuring out how much they can afford to spend on a home
The NCCAC Home Buyer Assistance Program is approved by the
Washington State Housing Finance Commission to provide
Comprehensive Housing Education for families and individuals that
are experiencing a housing related problem or need. Services are
provided by appointment only.
This service refers clients to available agencies for legal advice and
information, schedules for pro se clinics for divorce, custody, and
landlord-tenant. Limited representation by volunteer attorneys. Also
provides assistance with Whitman County court forms and rules.
Central Region
Grant, Kittitas, Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan, and Lincoln Counties
1115 West Lincoln Avenue, #119
Yakima, WA 98902
509.248.5270
800.273.6897
Consumer Credit
Counseling Service
(CCCS) of Yakima
Valley
Consumer Credit
Counseling
In Wenatchee
230 Methow St. (right by the Post
Office)
Wenatchee, WA 98801
509.662.0936
In Moses Lake
821 West Broadway, Suite 107 (The
Broadway Bldg.)
Moses Lake, WA 98837
PO Box 563
Moses Lake, WA 98837
509.765.6599
Consumer Credit
Counseling Service
(CCCS) of Yakima
Valley
Consumer Credit
Counseling
In Ellensburg, Sunnyside, and
Toppenish, call the Wenatchee
office at 509.662.0936 or the North
Central Washington office at
800.273.6897 for appointments.
CCCS of Yakima Valley offers free counseling and debt assessment
for clients struggling with debt or money management problems.
They can help if you have trouble with bill payments or past credit
debt problems, if you can't budget and save any money, or if you
want to set up a new budget in order to buy a car or home, including
offering First-Time Home Buying Workshops. You can receive
counseling in-person or by phone and to get started right away, you
can fill out the online assessment form. Cost: free counseling.
Languages: Spanish available in Yakima office.
Counseling is available through the Yakama Nation Credit
Enterprise.
The NCLC’s Guide to Surviving Debt, 2006 Edition - Washington Supplement
22
WSU Chelan and
Douglas
ExtensionGeneral Family
and Consumer
Information
North Columbia
Community
Action Council
Okanogan County
Community
Action Council
Consumer
Information
Homeownership
Legal Services
400 Washington Street
Wenatchee, WA 98801
509.667.6540
www.ncw.wsu.edu
903 W. 3rd Ave.
Moses Lake, WA 98837
509-765-9206
http://nccac.net/Home_Page.html
242 S. 2nd Avenue
Okanogan, WA 98840
509.422.4041
www.occac.com
This program offers educational programs and information dealing
with family and consumer issues throughout the year, including the
newsletter, "Topic Tickler", and a variety of low-cost and free
publications.
NCCAC's Home Buyer Assistance Program is designed to help lowincome families purchase a home - and those who may be at risk of
losing their homes due to mortgage default. They offer personal oneon-one assistance and classes, without charge, to residents of Eastern
Washington.
NCCAC Housing Coordinators help people who are:
• having problems paying their mortgage
• finding enough money for a down payment
• figuring out how much they can afford to spend on a home
The NCCAC Home Buyer Assistance Program is approved by the
Washington State Housing Finance Commission to provide
Comprehensive Housing Education for families and individuals that
are experiencing a housing related problem or need. Services are
provided by appointment only.
Provides Self-Help legal training, advice clinics, and direct
representation at the discretion of the attorney.
North East Region
Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille Counties
North East
Washington Legal
Aid Program
Legal Services
956 S. Main St. A
Coleville, WA 99114
509.684.8421
Client Intake: 1.888.201.1014
www.ruralresources.org
Coordinates legal services for low-income residents of Ferry, Pend
Oreille and Stevens counties through possible direct representation
by a pro bono attorney, advice clinics, and pro se assistance.
The NCLC’s Guide to Surviving Debt, 2006 Edition - Washington Supplement
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