Counseling Resources

Here are the HUD-certified counseling services in the Northern San Joaquin Valley that offer free advice about buying a home and resolving mortgage problems:

• ByDesign Financial Solutions' Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Mid-Counties: Call 800-750-2227, go to www.bydesignsolutions.org or e-mail jthompson@bydesignsolutions.org.

• Project Sentinel: Call 888-331-3332 or, in Modesto, 236-1577, go to www.housing.org or e-mail solutions@stanislausmediation.org.

• Stanislaus County Affordable Housing Corp.: Call 574-1155 or e-mail Stanco@inreach.com.

• Visionary Home Builders of California: Call 466-6811, go to www.aclc.org or e-mail jllata@aclc.org.

Other groups offering HUD-approved counseling include:

• Amador-Tuolumne County Action Agency: 533-1397

• El Concilio: Serves Spanish speakers in Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties and helps people considering buying homes; 338-5713