Housing Counseling

Homeownership Counseling Program

Purchasing a home may be the largest investment in a person’s lifetime. While the idea of becoming a homeowner is exciting, there are many factors to consider.  Hale Mahaolu’s Homeownership / Housing Counseling Program is a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved Comprehensive Housing Counseling agency providing housing and financial counseling to individuals and families looking for information that can help achieve their current financial goals.  The program offers both individualized in-person and group counseling services on a variety of topics including First-time Homebuyer Education, Pre-purchase and Post-purchase non-delinquency counseling, Mortgage delinquency/default counseling, Rental counseling, Student Financial Life skills coaching, and education workshops in Fraud and Scam Prevention.

About the Program

Since 1989, Hale Mahaolu has been a HUD-Approved Comprehensive Housing Counseling Agency servicing the entire State of Hawaii with a primary focus on Maui County (Maui, Lanai and Molokai) residents. HUD Certified Housing Counselors offer counseling services and workshops at no charge. There is a fee to attend the 8-hour Homebuyer Educational course.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, counseling sessions and workshops are currently being transitioned to an online format.

Funding for the program has come from various sources:

  • Alexander & Baldwin, Inc
  • Bank of America
  • Bank of Hawaii Foundation
  • Central Pacific Bank
  • County of Maui
  • Hale Mahaolu
  • Maui United Way
  • NeighborWorks America
  • State of Hawaii
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development
  • U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • Wells Fargo Housing Foundation

Program Brochure

Program Flyer

Three Ways Housing Counselors Can Help (YouTube)

COVID-19 Mortgage Forbearance: Understanding how to repay (CFPB Website)

Please choose only ONE of the options below

Option 1 – Virtual Homebuyer Education Classes

Hale Mahaolu’s Homebuyer Education Classes help potential homebuyers understand the ins and outs of the home buying process.  The class is split into three 2-hour sessions covering the following topics:

  • Are You Ready to Buy a Home?
  • Managing Your Money
  • Understanding Credit
  • Obtaining a Mortgage Loan
  • Shopping for a Home
  • Protecting Your Investment

To receive the Homebuyers Education Certificate of Completion, attendance for all three days plus a 1-hour Pre-Purchase counseling session is required.

To register for the virtual class:        https://halemahaoluhbclass2.eventbrite.com

Cost $75.00 per household

Cost includes:  Class Manual, Financial Binder, and Certificate of Completion


2024 Homebuyers Education Classes

** Class dates and times are subject to change.

Virtual Homebuyers Education Class Schedule for March to Nov 2024 (PDF)


Contact info:  Marlynn at 808-242-7027 Monday – Friday or 808-283-2665 the day of the event.

Option 2 – Online Homebuyer Education Course

Cost $75.00 per Household

Take Ownership of Your Future

Buying your first home (or your fifth!) comes with a lot of questions. Like, how much is the average down payment? Hint: It’s not 20%! Framework Homebuyer Education is the key to answering your questions before you need to ask them, so you can take on the steps with greater peace of mind and make smart financial decisions.

Framework is the only online homebuyer course designed by experts in online learning.  The course is comprehensive and will prepare you with all the facts you’ll need to navigate every step of the home buying process. You can learn at your own pace using your laptop, tablet, or even cell phone. To get started, click on the Framework graphic below.


Online class registration:


A Pre-purchase counseling session is required before the online Homebuyer Certificate is issued.


Contact info:  Marlynn at 808-242-7027 Monday – Friday to setup your individualized counseling session.

Pre-Purchase Counseling

Click to download: Pre-Purchase Counseling Intake Packet (PDF)
*Please use Adobe Reader if you are filling out the forms electronically. You will not be able to digitally sign otherwise and your data may not show up in our system.

Pre-purchase counseling allows the homebuyer to ask our counselors questions or get additional clarifications in preparation for their home purchase. Topics of discussion may include:

  • The importance of creating and maintaining a Spending Plan (budget)
  • Learning Money Management Techniques
  • Establishing and maintaining a 3 to 6 month Emergency Fund
  • Credit Building in order to qualify for lower interest rates
  • Finding the right mortgage product
  • Mortgage Application Process
  • Finalizing and Closing the Mortgage Loan

Mortgage Delinquency/Default Counseling

At times homeowners may find themselves struggling to make their monthly mortgage payments. Counselors can help homeowners negotiate available options with their loan servicers. Homeowners will be able to make informed decisions when resolving their housing issues. Topics of discussion may include the following:

  • Foreclosure Prevention Options
  • Setting up a Home Spending Plan (Budget)
  • Learning Money Management Techniques
  • Applying for Various Mortgage Loan Modifications
  • Understanding what Repayment/Forbearance options are available
  • Understanding the Pre-foreclosure Sales Process (Short Sale)
  • Understanding Deed-in-Lieu

A key component in effectively resolving many homeownership issues is active client participation.  As a good faith effort in exchange for receiving counseling services at no cost, clients must take an active role in resolving their homeownership issues; this in turn will lead them to successfully achieving their housing goals.