Between the Notice and the Door: Foreclosure and Eviction Prevention Counseling

A notice can bring a household to a housing counselor in a moment of uncertainty. What should happen next? This interactive, 90-minute webinar gives counselors a practical framework for helping renters and homeowners identify urgent facts, clarify household goals, explore appropriate options, and connect with qualified help. Through five fictional household cases, participants will practice reading notices, supporting a reasonable accommodation conversation, gathering mortgage and application information, assessing sustainable payments and equity, and preparing an actionable referral. The session distinguishes counseling tasks from legal questions and emphasizes verifying local requirements and loan-specific program rules. Participants leave with a workbook and reusable tools for their next client conversation. 

Learning outcomes 

1. Locate time-sensitive facts in a notice and identify information still requiring verification. 

1. Distinguish reported facts, document evidence and assumptions in renter and homeowner cases. 

1. Connect household goals and financial circumstances with appropriate pathways for further assessment. 

1. Document a referral with relevant facts, a clear question, an authorized contact plan and a next-action owner. 

Leigh Lester is an award-winning educator, strategist, and Founder & Executive Director of the Ubuntu Institute of Learning, with over 25 years of experience advancing equity, affordable housing, and leadership development. She has led national initiatives including HUD housing counseling certification, contributed to appraisal equity as a Trustee of the Appraisal Foundation, and advised federal policy through HUD’s Office of Housing Counseling Advisory Committee. Through her training, consulting, and global mentorship with How Women Lead, Leigh empowers organizations and underserved communities while driving systemic change across the housing sector.