Take Charge America, Inc., a non-profit credit counseling and housing counseling agency in Phoenix, was awarded $300,000 by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office over the next three years to provide free foreclosure intervention counseling to Arizona homeowners.

Take Charge America will use the funds to assist more homeowners with one-on-one counseling, primarily individuals and families with low-to-moderate income, and who are Spanish-speaking.

Housing counseling services at Take Charge America are approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Take Charge America’s counselors can help homeowners avoid foreclosure or mitigate losses caused by foreclosure with a variety of solutions, such as accessing and sustaining loan modifications, refinancing and principal reduction.

“Arizona families are among the hardest hit by the economic downturn, and many are still struggling to meet their mortgage payments,” said Take Charge America Chief Executive Officer David Richardson. “This award will enable us to assist even more residents in need, helping them navigate the complex mortgage loan industry and possibly save their home.”

Take Charge America is one of 16 organizations throughout Arizona selected by the Attorney General’s Office to receive a share of the $5 million in housing counseling assistance available through a national mortgage settlement with the nation’s five largest mortgage loan servicers.  The funds help pay for the cost of the foreclosure intervention counseling that is provided free to Arizona homeowners.

Take Charge America introduced foreclosure prevention counseling in 2008 as a response to the mortgage crisis. It is HUD-approved to assist distressed homeowners statewide. To date, the non-profit has helped more than 10,000 homeowners with housing counseling.

Homeowners who are at risk of foreclosure can call Take Charge America at (623) 266-6382 or (866) 987-2008 to speak with a counselor.

For more information about Take Charge America’s services, visit www.takechargeamerica.org.