USA CARES Certified Military Housing Specialist Course Joann Muncey Director Emergency and Housing Assistance 1
USA CARES since 2003 USA Cares is a national 501(c)3 non profit whose mission is help bear the burden of service by assisting post 9/11 military members and their families with financial and advocacy support in their time of need. With donations from a grateful American public, USA Cares assists by offering grants not loans to remedy the financial hardships in housing, basic needs and employment often caused by deployment. 2
The Need Since October 2001, over 2.1 million U.S. troops have deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. Currently, there are approximately 68,000 deployed troops. Of these, 50% are serving in their second tour of duty and another 25% in their third and even fourth tours. Kentucky has two major Military Bases and has experienced the largest deployment of National Guard since WWII. 3
Impact USA Cares impact is immediate, our results are lasting, and our reach is nation wide. Assisted with over $10,400,000 in direct grants Responded to over 48,500 requests for assistance Saved over 7,000 homes Kept over 10,000 children from being homeless Enabled 500+ veterans to receive treatment for PTS/TBI 7,400 mortgages saved 4
Military Assistance Provided Army 37,696 Navy 7,232 Air Force 3,092 Marines 4,289 Coast Guard 166 As of 30 September 2013 5
Assistance by State Top 10 States CA MI CO NC FL TN GA TX KY VA 6
USA Cares Assistance Programs Emergency Assistance Combat Injured Jobs Housing Assistance 7
Quality of Life Food Utilities Vehicle repair Auto payments Auto insurance Fuel Emergency travel Lodging The Ellison Family, assisted with utilities and insurance totaling $545.31 8
Combat Injured Program Combat Injured Program pays essential household bills while a service member attends post traumatic stress (PTS) residential treatment National Guard and Reserve make up 35 percent of our combat injured clients. Results $956,793 in direct assistance 504 veterans assisted nationwide Program active in 44 states 9
Jobs Provides financial support to qualified veterans to overcome financial roadblocks to employment Travel & lodging Uniforms Vehicle repair Relocation Focus on career building training and placement USA Cares Jobs Assistance Program is funded by private donations 10
Housing Assistance Program Over 1700 Homes saved (rent and mortgages) Free Counseling for long term solutions Program to stop Evictions/Foreclosures Rental Assistance The Bihm Family, assisted in 2009 with $6,984.00 11
USA Cares Services Provided to Housing Professionals Trains realtors, housing counselors and all other housing professionals with the skills to help military borrowers Offers Certified Military Housing Course Specialist (CMHC) course Enhances experience of military borrowers who work with Certified Military Housing Specialists Facilitates military loan modifications by making the process easier through the training learned in the CMHS course 12
Military Housing Specialist Course will help to Understand lifestyle of military personnel Rank, language, pay and allowance categories Disability and retirement benefits, Special situations and their impact on entitlements, Foreclosure prevention and housing assistance resources available Regulations that protect servicemembers. Ensure more military and veteran service members have adequate and affordable housing for their borrowed dollars Move military clients toward the proper loan modification or exit strategy 13
CERTIFIED MILITARY HOUSING SPECIALIST (CMHSC) Course Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, SCRA Foreclosure prevention and housing assistance for military borrowers Understanding of the unique military lifestyle: Rank, language and pay, all branches 70 different pay categories: Factors that affect military pay & allowances Special Situations: What happens to an injured servicemember s entitlements Uniformed Services Employment & Reemployment Rights Act, USERRA USA Cares Certified Military Housing Specialist: Program requirements, Standard Operating Procedures and benefits 14
Warning Signs of Financial Difficulty Loss of employment or reduction of hours Major illness, injury, or disability Divorce or separation Death of a spouse Assuming responsibility for aging parents or other family members 15
STEPS TO FORECLOSURE PREVENTION Be aware of the warning signs of financial difficulty Understand the delinquency cycle of a mortgage Be proactive Contact your servicer as soon as possible Seek the advice of a HUD certified housing counselor Watch out against mortgage mod scammers Keep everyone informed Keep track of it all 16
Military Pay Accurate income calculation is imperative for the positive outcome of any loan. Military pay, all services Over 70 pay categories Entitlements, Deductions, Allotments Factors affecting pay Typical deductions and collections 17
Military Pay Tax exempt pay Enlistment/Reenlistment/Extension Bonuses Thrift Savings Plan Military Pay Hotline 18
What happens to pay when Servicemember is. Injured and can t work Needs long term treatment or rehab Never able to return to work What laws exist to protect Servicemembers? 19
Special Situations Pay and Allowance Continuation Wounded Warrior Program & Pay Disability retirements Special Note: VA funding fee waived 20
SCRA Guidelines & Benefits Temporarily suspends legal action while on active duty Allows for termination of leases: Home, car, cell phone Reduction of interest rates Free legal assistance for servicemembers 21
Resources USA Cares DFAS USERRA Department of Treasury Department of HUD Department of Veteran Affairs Free JAG legal assistance FDIC Foreclosure Prevention NeighborWorks America Homeownership Preservation Foundation 22
Certified Military Housing Specialist Course (CMHSC) online 24/7 Live Presentations and webinars Joann Muncey Director Emergency and Housing Assistance E-mail: joann@usacares.org 1-800-773-0387 x 113 23
Financially ready is mission ready! Ensuring our military service personnel have affordable loans is a big step toward their being mission ready. 24