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HUD-certified non-profit housing counselor in Akron, OH offering free homebuyer education, financial counseling, and mortgage delinquency assistance to help residents avoid foreclosure.
Data compiled from public sources
Mustard Seed Development Center (MSDC) is a non-profit community development organization based in Akron, Ohio that provides free financial and housing counseling services to Summit County residents. Founded to address housing instability and financial hardship, MSDC operates as a HUD-approved housing counseling agency with certified counselors on staff.
MSDC offers three primary service tracks: (1) Free homebuyer education and counseling through "HomeToday" webinars and online counseling to prepare first-time buyers; (2) Free financial empowerment counseling through "Money Matters" webinars and individual sessions; and (3) Mortgage delinquency and property tax assistance for homeowners facing foreclosure risk, including loan modification support and property tax repayment plan coordination with Summit County. All counseling services are provided at no charge except for lender-required online homebuyer certification ($100 fee paid to third-party E-Home).
MSDC distinguishes itself by offering income-based assistance specifically for delinquent mortgage and property tax situations, with clear eligibility guidelines and a structured application process. The organization works directly with lenders on modification plans, forbearance agreements, and foreclosure alternatives. Staff includes dedicated directors (Toree Stokes) and assistant directors (Maranda Brisco) with direct contact information, suggesting accessible personal service rather than call-center based support.
A key limitation is that MSDC explicitly states "No Down Payment Assistance Available," and delinquent property tax assistance is pending external funding from Summit County. Services are geographically limited to Akron/Summit County area. The organization functions as a non-profit counselor rather than a lender, meaning they facilitate but do not fund financial solutions.
This is state-level context for Free Help consumers in Akron, OH. It does not confirm that Mustard Seed Development Center or this specific location is licensed.
State regulator
Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions
Consumer protection
Source: CreditDoc state-law summary and listed public regulator resources. Verify licensing directly with the listed state regulator before relying on a provider.
Mustard Seed Development Center offers 12 services including Free homebuyer education webinars (HomeToday program, Mondays 6-8pm), Free financial counseling webinars (Money Matters program, Thursdays 6-8pm), Individual Zoom counseling sessions M-F 9am-6pm by appointment, HUD-certified housing counseling for mortgage delinquency, Mortgage modification plan assistance and negotiation with lenders, and 7 more.
Mustard Seed Development Center has profile signals associated with First-time homebuyers in Summit County preparing for purchase and lender-required counseling, Homeowners with mortgage delinquency or falling behind on property taxes seeking loan modification, Low-to-moderate income households (under $100K/year for 8-person household) facing housing instability, Consumers seeking free financial counseling and budgeting assistance in the Akron area.
Key strengths: Free HUD-certified housing counseling and homebuyer education (no counseling fees); Free financial empowerment counseling through structured "Money Matters" program; Direct mortgage modification assistance with lenders including forbearance and repayment plans. Areas to consider: Explicitly does not offer down payment assistance despite serving first-time homebuyers; Delinquent property tax assistance funding is pending/uncertain ("waiting for financial assistance").
In the Free Help category, comparable providers include Apprisen, Ciera Frazier Enterprise, Jewish Family Services. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.
CreditDoc Profile Note
MSDC is profile signals for Akron-area homeowners facing mortgage delinquency or property tax arrears who need HUD-certified counseling and lender modification support, or first-time homebuyers requiring free education and lender-mandated online certification. The main caveat is that MSDC provides counseling and facilitation only—they do not lend funds themselves, and down payment assistance and property tax assistance funding are not currently available.
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