Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation

Free-Help · CO

Rating: 4.1/5

Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation logo

HUD-approved nonprofit housing counselor and education provider serving low-to-moderate income communities across Colorado since 1971, offering free homebuyer education and financial guidance.

Official Website

http://www.crhdc.org

Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation Review

Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation (CRHDC) was founded in 1971 as Colorado Rural Housing Development Corporation to address severe housing and living conditions faced by migrant and seasonal farm workers. Originally focused exclusively on rural markets, the organization expanded its mission in 2009 to serve both urban and rural communities across Colorado and beyond. Today, CRHDC operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with offices in Westminster and Alamosa, Colorado.

CRHDC's primary services include HUD-approved housing counseling, free homebuyer education workshops, affordable mortgage lending, rental property management (300+ units), mutual self-help home construction programs, and housing development. The organization provides comprehensive financial education on home ownership decisions, promotes responsible lending practices, and offers technical assistance to organizations developing agricultural worker housing. Their lending division focuses on providing healthy mortgage finance options, while their development arm actively constructs affordable housing.

CRHDC distinguishes itself through deep community roots spanning 50+ years, membership in NeighborWorks® America, and a demonstrated track record of tangible outcomes: overseeing construction of 2,000+ self-help homes, providing technical assistance for 500+ farm worker housing units, and managing hundreds of rental units statewide. The organization takes a holistic approach combining counseling, education, lending, and housing development rather than offering single-service solutions. Their free CHFA-sponsored homebuyer education classes are specifically designed for low-to-moderate income households.

CRHDC is genuinely nonprofit and free for counseling services, making it ideal for budget-conscious borrowers. However, the organization operates only in Colorado and adjacent regions, limiting geographic accessibility. Their lending products appear limited compared to national lenders, and specific loan terms, rates, and approval criteria are not detailed on their website. Prospective clients should contact them directly to understand complete service availability and eligibility requirements.

Pros & Cons

Reader-focused summary of the strongest reasons to consider Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation and the factors most worth weighing before contracting. Individual outcomes depend on your credit situation and goals.

Pros

  • HUD Housing Counseling Agency designation ensures government-backed expertise and credibility
  • Free CHFA-sponsored homebuyer education workshops (full-day Saturday programs)
  • NeighborWorks® America membership indicates adherence to national nonprofit housing standards
  • Demonstrated 50+ year track record with 2,000+ self-help homes constructed and managed
  • Manages 300+ affordable multi-family rental units across Colorado for ongoing affordability
  • Multilocation presence with offices in Westminster (Denver Metro) and Alamosa (San Luis Valley)
  • Holistic approach combining counseling, education, lending, development, and property management

Areas to Consider

  • !Geographic limitation: Services available only in Colorado and adjacent regions, not nationwide
  • !Limited lending details: Specific loan products, terms, rates, and approval criteria not disclosed on website
  • !Smaller organization: May have less capacity and resources compared to national mortgage lenders
  • !Limited online accessibility: No indication of remote counseling or digital application processes
  • !Self-help housing program appears limited to specific geographic areas (currently Monte Vista, Colorado only)

Verdict Summary

Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation works best for consumers who value hud housing counseling agency designation ensures government-backed expertise an and can accept the tradeoff of geographic limitation: services available only in colorado and adjacent regions,. Compare against similar providers below before signing any contract.

Services & Features

Services offered

Feature Checklist

Credit Monitoring
All Three Bureaus
Goodwill Letters
Cease Desist Letters
Debt Validation
Credit Education
Identity Theft Protection
Score Tracking
Mobile App
Online Portal
Personal Advisor
Ai Powered

Best For

Before You Contact Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation

Before signing up with any Free Help provider, review these safeguards:

Compare Your Needs With Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation

Match these decision factors against Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation's profile before committing. This rubric mirrors what independent consumer-finance research typically checks for Free Help providers.

Category

Free Help

Service scope

10 services listed

Geographic coverage

1 states

Match to your priorities

  • Budget priority: Pricing published above — factor in setup, monthly, and cancellation fees over the full expected service window.
  • Complexity priority: Consider Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation's stated strengths (HUD Housing Counseling Agency designation ensures government-backed expertise and credibility) against your specific credit situation.
  • Timeline priority: Free Help typically takes 3-6 months for meaningful outcomes. Providers guaranteeing overnight results are red flags under federal consumer protection law.
  • Recourse priority: Confirm state licensing via your state regulator and check the CFPB complaint database before contracting.
  • Alternatives: Compare against all Free Help providers, DIY options via non-profit counseling agencies, and free CFPB resources.

Pricing

  • Monthly Price: 0
  • Setup Fee: 0
  • Money Back Guarantee: False
  • Guarantee Details:
  • Free Consultation: True
  • Tiers: []
  • Currency: USD

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation offer?

Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation offers 10 services including HUD Housing Counseling & Education (free, HUD-approved), Free CHFA-Sponsored Homebuyer Education Workshops (full-day Saturday programs), Affordable Mortgage Lending with responsible lending practices, Housing Counseling (one-on-one consultation services), Mutual Self-Help Housing Construction Program (USDA Rural Development partnership), and 5 more. Confirm current service list directly with the provider before contracting.

Who is Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation best suited for?

Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation's profile signals suggest it may fit: Colorado low-to-moderate income homebuyers seeking free HUD-approved counseling and education; First-time homebuyers wanting full-day financial education workshops before applying for mortgages; Rural agricultural workers seeking affordable housing development and financing options; Renters interested in transitioning to affordable homeownership through mutual self-help construction programs. Individual outcomes vary based on your specific situation.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation?

Key strengths: HUD Housing Counseling Agency designation ensures government-backed expertise and credibility; Free CHFA-sponsored homebuyer education workshops (full-day Saturday programs); NeighborWorks® America membership indicates adherence to national nonprofit housing standards. Areas to consider: Geographic limitation: Services available only in Colorado and adjacent regions, not nationwide; Limited lending details: Specific loan products, terms, rates, and approval criteria not disclosed on website.

How does Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation compare to similar companies?

In the Free Help category, comparable providers include Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp., Navicore Solutions, Take Charge America. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.

Where does Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation operate?

Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation serves customers in 1 states including CO. Confirm current service availability in your state directly with the provider.

How much does Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation cost?

Listed pricing for Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation: monthly price: 0; setup fee: 0; money back guarantee: False. Pricing may change — verify current fees directly with the provider before signing any contract.

Visit Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation

State Consumer Finance Context

This is state-level context for Free Help consumers in Colorado. It does not confirm that Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation or this specific location is licensed.

State regulator: Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies - Division of Banking
Consumer protection: Colorado Attorney General Consumer Protection Section

Credit and debt help rules in Colorado

Key state rules to check

Payday lending in Colorado: Restricted (max $500)

Usury cap: 36% APR cap on payday loans (2018 ballot measure); 12% for consumer loans under usury statute

Complaint resources

State references

Colorado voters approved Proposition 111 in 2018, capping payday loan APR at 36% and requiring minimum 6-month terms. The Uniform Consumer Credit Code provides comprehensive consumer protections for all credit transactions. Consumers can file complaints with the Attorney General or the Division of Banking.

Similar Companies

Comparable Free Help providers with similar service scope. Ratings reflect stored review context; verify current licensing and pricing directly before contracting.

Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp. logo

Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp.

NFCC-certified nonprofit offering free credit counseling, debt management plans, housing counseling, and bankruptcy guidance since 1996.

Rating 4.6/5

Read review →

Notable: NFCC-certified nonprofit with 30 years of operation since 1996 — not a for-profit debt settlement company

Navicore Solutions logo

Navicore Solutions

Nonprofit credit and housing counseling agency founded in 1991. Offers debt management plans, foreclosure prevention, bankruptcy education, and student loan ...

Rating 4.8/5

Read review →

Notable: 30+ years of operation since 1991 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with no profit motive

Take Charge America logo

Take Charge America

Nonprofit NFCC-certified credit counseling agency offering free initial consultations and paid Debt Management Plans to reduce interest rates on unsecured de...

Rating 4.9/5

Read review →

Notable: Nonprofit agency founded in 1987 with 35+ years of operation and 2 million+ clients served

American Consumer Credit Counseling, Inc. logo

American Consumer Credit Counseling, Inc.

ACCC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit credit counseling agency founded in 1991, offering free debt management programs starting at \/month. BBB A+ rated with 4.98 st...

Rating 4.7/5

Read review →

Notable: Nonprofit 501(c)(3) structure aligns incentives with the consumer, not profit generation

Consolidated Credit logo

Consolidated Credit

Nonprofit credit counseling agency offering free counseling, debt management programs, and HUD-approved housing help. Rated 4.7/5 from 9,144 reviews.

Rating 4.4/5

Read review →

Notable: Free initial credit counseling with certified counselors — no cost to review your situation

Greenpath Financial Wellness logo

Greenpath Financial Wellness

GreenPath Financial Wellness is a 60-year-old national nonprofit offering free NFCC and HUD-certified financial counseling, debt management, and housing guidance.

Rating 4.5/5

Read review →

Notable: 60+ year operational history as established national nonprofit with NFCC and HUD dual certification

Incharge Debt Solutions logo

Incharge Debt Solutions

InCharge Debt Solutions is a 27-year-old Orlando-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering free credit counseling, debt management programs ($32-34/mo), and HUD-cer...

Rating 4.4/5

Read review →

Notable: 27-year track record as 501(c)(3) nonprofit with 3.2 million clients served and $3.4 billion in debt repaid

Abacus Credit Counseling logo

Abacus Credit Counseling

Non-profit credit counseling founded by bankruptcy and financial professionals. Provides pre- and post-bankruptcy courses designed to help consumers analyze ...

Rating 4.3/5

Read review →

Notable: Founded and led by bankruptcy attorneys and financial professionals with credentials from Stanford, UCLA, Michigan, a...

Related Questions

Quick Summary

Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation — Free Help in CO.

Overall rating: 4.1/5

HUD-approved nonprofit housing counselor and education provider serving low-to-moderate income communities across Colorado since 1971, offering free homebuyer education and financial guidance.

Next Steps

  1. Compare Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation against similar options above.
  2. Run our borrowing power quiz to see how Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation matches your situation.
  3. Check state regulator listings for Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation's licensing before committing.
  4. Visit Community Resources and Housing Development Corporation once you're ready.

Glossary of Terms

Common terms that come up when comparing Free Help providers. Full glossary at creditdoc.co/glossary/.

Amortization — Loan Amortization
The process of paying off a loan through regular payments that cover both principal and interest. Early payments are mostly interest; later payments are mostly principal.
Why it matters: Understanding amortization explains why paying extra early in a loan saves the most money — you're reducing the principal that interest is calculated on.
Example: Month 1 of a $200,000 mortgage at 6%: your $1,199 payment splits as $1,000 interest + $199 principal. By month 300: only $47 goes to interest and $1,152 goes to principal.
Balloon Payment
A large lump-sum payment due at the end of a loan, after a period of smaller monthly payments. The loan isn't fully paid off by the regular payments — the balloon settles it.
Why it matters: Balloon payments make monthly payments look affordable but create a financial cliff. If you can't pay or refinance at the end, you could lose your home or asset.
Example: A 5-year balloon mortgage on $200,000: you pay $1,054/month (as if it were a 30-year loan), but after 5 years you owe a balloon of $186,108 all at once.
Collateral — Loan Collateral
An asset you pledge to the lender as security for a loan. If you stop paying, the lender can seize and sell that asset to recover their money.
Why it matters: Secured loans (with collateral) have lower interest rates because the lender has less risk. But you could lose your home, car, or savings if you default.
Example: A mortgage uses your house as collateral. A car loan uses your vehicle. A title loan uses your car title. If you miss payments, the lender can foreclose or repossess.
Cosigner — Loan Cosigner
A person who agrees to repay your loan if you can't. They're equally responsible for the debt, and their credit is affected by your payment behavior.
Why it matters: Cosigning helps people with thin credit get approved or get better rates. But it's a huge risk for the cosigner — they're on the hook for the full amount if you default.
Example: A parent cosigns their child's $30,000 student loan. The child stops paying after 6 months. The parent is now legally required to make the payments or face collections, lawsuits, and credit damage.
Credit Bureau — Credit Reporting Agency (Bureau)
A company that collects and sells information about your credit history. The three major bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Why it matters: Not all lenders report to all three bureaus, so your reports may differ. You should check all three reports because an error on one could be costing you money.
Example: Your car loan only reports to Equifax and TransUnion. Your Experian report doesn't show that good payment history, so your Experian score is 15 points lower.
Credit Freeze — Security Freeze / Credit Freeze
A free tool that locks your credit report so no one (including you) can open new accounts until you lift it. It's the strongest protection against identity theft.
Why it matters: A credit freeze prevents criminals from opening loans in your name, even if they have your Social Security number. It's free by law and doesn't affect your credit score.
Example: Your data was in a breach. You freeze your credit at all 3 bureaus (takes 10 minutes online). A thief tries to open a credit card in your name — denied because the lender can't pull your frozen report.
Credit Mix — Credit Mix (Types of Credit)
The variety of credit accounts you have — credit cards (revolving), auto loans (installment), mortgage, student loans, etc. Having multiple types shows you can manage different kinds of debt.
Why it matters: Credit mix accounts for about 10% of your FICO score. Having only credit cards isn't as strong as having a card, an installment loan, and a mortgage.
Example: Borrower A has 3 credit cards. Borrower B has 2 credit cards, a car loan, and a student loan. Even with the same payment history and utilization, Borrower B's score is typically higher.
Credit Report — Consumer Credit Report
A detailed record of your borrowing history maintained by credit bureaus. It lists every loan, credit card, payment history, collection, and public record tied to your name.
Why it matters: Errors on credit reports are common — 1 in 5 consumers has at least one mistake. Checking your report regularly is the first step to fixing errors that are costing you money.
Example: You pull your free report from AnnualCreditReport.com and find a $2,400 medical collection you already paid. You dispute it, the bureau verifies it's resolved, and your score goes up 40 points.
Credit Score
A 3-digit number (300-850) that summarizes how reliably you've handled borrowed money. Higher scores mean lower risk to lenders and better loan terms for you.
Why it matters: Your credit score determines whether you get approved and at what rate. A 100-point difference can mean thousands of dollars more or less in interest over a loan's life.
Example: On a $250,000 30-year mortgage: a 760 score gets you 6.2% ($1,536/month). A 660 score gets 7.4% ($1,729/month). Over 30 years, the lower score costs you $69,480 more.
Credit Utilization — Credit Utilization Ratio
The percentage of your available credit that you're currently using. If you have $10,000 in credit limits and owe $3,000, your utilization is 30%.
Why it matters: Utilization is the second-biggest factor in your credit score (after payment history). Keeping it below 30% helps your score; below 10% is ideal.
Example: You have 3 cards with a $15,000 total limit. You're carrying $4,500 in balances (30% utilization). Paying down to $1,500 (10% utilization) could boost your score by 20-50 points.
Default — Loan Default
When you fail to repay a loan according to the agreed terms — usually after 90-180 days of missed payments. It's the point where the lender gives up on collecting normally.
Why it matters: Default triggers severe consequences: credit score drops 100+ points, the debt may be sent to collections, you could be sued, and your wages or assets could be seized.
Example: You miss 4 consecutive car payments. The lender declares your loan in default, repossesses your car, sells it at auction for $8,000, and you still owe the remaining $5,000 (called a deficiency balance).
FICO Score — Fair Isaac Corporation Score
The most widely used credit scoring model, created by Fair Isaac Corporation. 90% of top lenders use FICO scores for lending decisions.
Why it matters: FICO has many versions (FICO 8, 9, 10). Mortgage lenders still use older versions (FICO 2, 4, 5), so your mortgage score may differ from what free apps show you.
Example: Your FICO 8 score (used for credit cards) is 740. Your FICO 5 score (used for mortgages) is 725 because it weighs collections differently. Same credit history, different scores.
Hard Inquiry — Hard Credit Inquiry (Hard Pull)
When a lender checks your credit report because you've applied for credit. Each hard inquiry can lower your score by 5-10 points and stays on your report for 2 years.
Why it matters: Multiple hard inquiries in a short period suggest you're desperately seeking credit, which is a red flag. Exception: mortgage and auto loan shopping within 14-45 days counts as one inquiry.
Example: You apply for 5 credit cards in one month. Each application triggers a hard inquiry. Your score drops 25-50 points from the inquiries alone, making each subsequent application harder.
Loan Term (Tenor) — Loan Term / Tenor
How long you have to repay the loan, measured in months or years. A shorter term means higher monthly payments but less total interest paid.
Why it matters: Longer terms feel more affordable monthly but cost much more overall. A 30-year mortgage costs almost double in interest compared to a 15-year mortgage on the same amount.
Example: Borrowing $200,000 at 6.5%: A 15-year term costs $1,742/month ($113,561 total interest). A 30-year term costs $1,264/month ($255,088 total interest). You save $141,527 with the shorter term.
Origination Fee — Loan Origination Fee
A one-time fee the lender charges to process and set up your loan. It covers their costs for underwriting, verifying your information, and preparing paperwork.
Why it matters: Origination fees are usually 1-8% of the loan amount and are often deducted from your loan proceeds — so you receive less than you borrowed.
Example: You're approved for a $10,000 personal loan with a 5% origination fee. The lender deducts $500 upfront, so you receive $9,500 in your bank account but owe $10,000 plus interest.