Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority

Free-Help · OH

Rating: 4.1/5

Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority logo

Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority (operating as Raise Up) provides affordable housing and community resources to Lorain County residents seeking stable housing and support services.

Official Website

http://www.lmha.org

Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority Review

Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority, which rebranded to "Raise Up" in 2025, is a public housing authority serving Lorain County. The organization's mission centers on creating housing security and community opportunity through affordable housing development and resident support services. The rebranding reflects the organization's expanded commitment to serving not just residents but landlords and broader community members seeking housing assistance.

Raise Up offers multiple pathways for assistance: a Housing Choice Voucher Program for eligible residents, available affordable housing units including properties like Wilkes Villa Apartments, resident services and programs for current housing authority residents, and connections to local resources for community members. The organization maintains landlord engagement programs to expand the inventory of properties accepting Housing Choice Vouchers. Their website provides clear navigation for different user types—those seeking housing, current residents, landlords, and those needing broader community resources.

The organization distinguishes itself through its integrated approach to housing security, combining direct housing provision with supportive services and community resource coordination. Rather than offering only housing units, Raise Up emphasizes helping individuals "thrive and our community grow" through wraparound services. Their recent major renovation projects, such as the multimillion-dollar rehabilitation of Wilkes Villa Apartments, demonstrate active capital investment in affordable housing stock improvement.

As a public housing authority, Raise Up is appropriately categorized as free-help—offering non-profit, publicly-funded housing assistance rather than commercial financial products. However, the organization explicitly does not provide emergency housing or immediate assistance for those currently unhoused, directing such individuals to other emergency services. For eligible residents in Lorain County seeking stable affordable housing combined with supportive services, Raise Up represents a legitimate public resource, though application processes and eligibility requirements apply.

Pros & Cons

Reader-focused summary of the strongest reasons to consider Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority and the factors most worth weighing before contracting. Individual outcomes depend on your credit situation and goals.

Pros

  • ✓Housing Choice Voucher Program expands housing options beyond direct public housing units
  • ✓Active capital investment in property rehabilitation and modernization (Wilkes Villa multimillion-dollar renovation)
  • ✓Integrated resident services and community resource coordination beyond basic housing
  • ✓Clear multi-pathway access designed for residents, landlords, and community members
  • ✓Public funding model eliminates predatory lending or high-cost fees
  • ✓Maintains landlord engagement programs to increase voucher-accepting properties
  • ✓Free resources and counseling services for Lorain County community members

Areas to Consider

  • !Does not provide emergency or immediate housing assistance for currently unhoused individuals
  • !Likely subject to eligibility restrictions based on income, residency, and other HUD criteria
  • !Application processes and waiting lists typical of public housing authorities may create delays
  • !Limited service area restricted to Lorain County only
  • !Website does not clearly detail application timelines, eligibility requirements, or current availability

Verdict Summary

Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority works best for consumers who value housing choice voucher program expands housing options beyond direct public hous and can accept the tradeoff of does not provide emergency or immediate housing assistance for currently unhouse. 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 Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority

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

Compare Your Needs With Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority

Match these decision factors against Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority's profile before committing. This rubric mirrors what independent consumer-finance research typically checks for Free Help providers.

Category

Free Help

Service scope

11 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 Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority's stated strengths (Housing Choice Voucher Program expands housing options beyond direct public housing units) 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 Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority offer?

Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority offers 11 services including Housing Choice Voucher Program administration and tenant placement, Direct affordable housing units and apartment properties management, Resident services and programming for current housing authority residents, Landlord enrollment and support for voucher-accepting properties, Community resource navigation and referral services, and 6 more. Confirm current service list directly with the provider before contracting.

Who is Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority best suited for?

Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority's profile signals suggest it may fit: Lorain County residents seeking affordable long-term housing with supportive services; Low-to-moderate income families qualifying for Housing Choice Voucher programs; Property owners and landlords interested in accepting housing vouchers; Community members seeking local resource referrals and housing-related assistance. Individual outcomes vary based on your specific situation.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority?

Key strengths: Housing Choice Voucher Program expands housing options beyond direct public housing units; Active capital investment in property rehabilitation and modernization (Wilkes Villa multimillion-dollar renovation); Integrated resident services and community resource coordination beyond basic housing. Areas to consider: Does not provide emergency or immediate housing assistance for currently unhoused individuals; Likely subject to eligibility restrictions based on income, residency, and other HUD criteria.

How does Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority 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 Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority operate?

Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority serves customers in 1 states including OH. Confirm current service availability in your state directly with the provider.

How much does Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority cost?

Listed pricing for Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority: 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 Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority

State Consumer Finance Context

This is state-level context for Free Help consumers in Ohio. It does not confirm that Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority or this specific location is licensed.

State regulator: Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions
Consumer protection: Ohio Attorney General Consumer Protection Section

Credit and debt help rules in Ohio

Key state rules to check

Payday lending in Ohio: Restricted (max $1000)

Usury cap: 28% APR cap on short-term loans (HB 123, 2018); 8% general usury

Complaint resources

State references

Ohio reformed payday lending in 2018 with HB 123, capping APR at 28% and requiring minimum 91-day terms. A statewide database prevents borrower abuse. The Division of Financial Institutions regulates consumer lenders, and consumers can file complaints with the Division or the Attorney General.

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Related Questions

Quick Summary

Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority — Free Help in OH.

Overall rating: 4.1/5

Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority (operating as Raise Up) provides affordable housing and community resources to Lorain County residents seeking stable housing and support services.

Next Steps

  1. Compare Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority against similar options above.
  2. Run our borrowing power quiz to see how Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority matches your situation.
  3. Check state regulator listings for Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority's licensing before committing.
  4. Visit Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority 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.