HOPE | Counseling Corps | Pre-Purchase

2026 HOPE | Housing Counseling Corps | Pre-Purchase

The Homebuyer Education & Pre-Purchase Readiness VISTA will serve with the Housing Options and Planning Enterprises, Inc. (H.O.P.E.) in Oxon Hill, MD from September . H.O.P.E. is part of the Housing Counseling Corps initiative of Housing Action Corps, an Ameri Corps VISTA program managed by Housing Action Illinois since 2010. Housing Counseling Corps members receive custom training, support, networking, and post-service employment opportunities in the housing counseling field, in addition to the traditional benefits of Ameri Corps VISTA.

Learn more: housingactionil.org/americorps.

H.O.P.E.’s mission is to promote equal access to housing and capital for all persons through counseling, education, advocacy, and community revitalization. We serve low- to moderate-income households in Prince George’s County, Southern Maryland, and Baltimore, and we empower individuals and families through financial education, housing counseling, and home rehabilitation. The Homebuyer Education & Pre-Purchase Readiness VISTA will expand our homebuyer education and pre-purchase readiness programs by enhancing tools for workshop coordination, outreach, and participant preparation.

The VISTA will also help strengthen referral and tracking systems that connect households to HUD-certified housing counselors and expand organizational capacity.

In our service area, rising housing costs and limited access to financial education prevent many households from preparing for sustainable home ownership. H.O.P.E. offers a range of services designed to foster self-sufficiency, wealth building, and housing stability that meet the needs of the community we serve, but not enough residents are aware of and able to access our programs. The Homebuyer Education & Pre-Purchase Readiness VISTA will expand systems and tools, coordinate homebuyer education workshops, strengthen referral relationships with community partners, and enhance data tracking and documentation.

They will also develop standardized guides for workshop coordination, outreach, and referral process and improve data analysis to better assess program reach and readiness outcomes.

Our ideal candidate is someone interested in housing, community development, or social services who is motivated to make a positive impact in underserved and disadvantaged communities. Helpful skills include strong communication and organization, comfort working with diverse populations, and an interest in learning about homebuyer education, outreach, and nonprofit systems. Prior experience with community engagement, facilitation, data tracking, or administrative support is beneficial, but not required;

a willingness to learn, collaborate, and support capacity-building efforts is essential.

• Relocation Allowance
• Health Coverage*
• Living Allowance
• Childcare assistance if eligible
• Training
• Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend

• Neighborhood Revitalization
• Community and Economic Development
• Housing

• Social Services
• Teaching/Tutoring
• Computers/Technology
• Public Speaking
• Writing/Editing
• Counseling