Finding legitimate help when facing foreclosure shouldn’t require sorting through paid services or unclear offers. This page organizes the free, credible resources available to Los Angeles homeowners, government agencies, HUD-certified counselors, and legal aid organizations, by the type of help each one provides.
A note before the list: legitimate foreclosure assistance is free. Any organization asking for payment before providing help, especially an upfront fee to “save” a home, is not one of the resources described here, and charging such fees is illegal in California.
Free Housing Counseling
HUD-Certified Housing Counseling (national directory and hotline)
A HUD-certified housing counselor can review a specific loan and financial situation, explain available options like forbearance or loan modification, and often communicate directly with the mortgage servicer, all at no cost.
- Call the HUD housing counseling hotline: 1-800-569-4287
- Find a local HUD-approved agency: consumerfinance.gov/find-a-housing-counselor
Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County
A HUD-approved housing counseling agency serving Los Angeles County, offering mortgage delinquency and default counseling alongside broader homeownership services.
Legal Aid Organizations
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA)
Provides free legal services to qualifying low-income Los Angeles County residents, including help with foreclosure and homeowner fraud protection. Self-help resources are generally open to anyone, regardless of income.
- Phone: 800-399-4529
- Website: lafla.org/get-help
Bet Tzedek Legal Services
A Los Angeles legal aid organization providing free legal help to low-income and elderly homeowners, including foreclosure prevention, protection from deceptive loans, and real estate fraud protection. Bet Tzedek also participates in a joint Foreclosure Prevention Clinic alongside Public Counsel, East Los Angeles Community Corporation, and Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County.
Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA)
Provides free legal services aimed at preventing unlawful foreclosures, ranging from general advice to direct representation for qualifying homeowners.
Public Counsel
A Los Angeles-based public interest law firm involved in foreclosure prevention work, including through the joint clinic mentioned above.
Government and Court Resources
California Courts Self-Help Center: Foreclosures and Mortgage Help
A state court resource explaining the foreclosure process in plain language and linking to HUD counseling, the CFPB, and other legitimate assistance programs.
- Website: selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/foreclosures/resources
Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA)
Offers foreclosure prevention information and resources specifically for LA County homeowners struggling with mortgage payments.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
Federal resources on mortgage servicing rights, loss mitigation options, and finding a HUD-approved counselor.
- Website: consumerfinance.gov
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Consumer guidance specifically addressing mortgage struggles and default, including how to recognize foreclosure rescue scams.
- Website: consumer.ftc.gov
California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA)
The state agency overseeing California’s homeowner assistance programs. The original pandemic-era California Mortgage Relief Program closed to new applications in early 2026, but CalHFA remains the authoritative source for whatever current assistance programs exist.
- Website: calhfa.ca.gov
What Each Type of Resource Actually Does
| Resource Type | What It Helps With |
|---|---|
| HUD-certified housing counselor | Reviewing the loan, budget, and options; communicating with the servicer |
| Legal aid organization | Legal rights, disputed notices, fraud protection, formal representation |
| California Courts self-help center | Plain-language explanation of the process and forms |
| County or city consumer affairs office | Local-level information and referrals |
| CFPB / FTC | Federal rights, scam recognition, general mortgage servicing rules |
| CalHFA | Current state assistance program eligibility and applications |
How to Use These Resources Effectively
- Start with a HUD-certified counselor if the main question is what options exist given a specific financial situation.
- Reach out to a legal aid organization if there’s a legal question, a possible error in a Notice of Default, a fraud concern, or a need for representation.
- Check the California Courts self-help center for a plain-language walkthrough of the process and relevant forms.
- Use CalHFA’s website directly to confirm whether any current state assistance program exists, since programs open and close over time.
- Bring documentation to any of these conversations, including recent mortgage statements, any Notice of Default or Notice of Trustee Sale received, income information, and a list of any other liens on the property.
How to Recognize a Legitimate Resource Versus a Scam
- Legitimate help never requires payment before services are provided.
- Legitimate counselors and legal aid organizations don’t pressure immediate signatures on documents.
- Legitimate organizations are verifiable, HUD’s counselor search tool, a state bar lookup for attorneys, or a direct listing on a government website.
- Be cautious of any company using urgent language, guaranteeing a specific outcome, or asking to transfer the deed as part of “helping.”
A Realistic Example
A homeowner in Boyle Heights receives a Notice of Default and isn’t sure whether it’s accurate or what to do next. A call to the HUD hotline connects the homeowner with a local HUD-certified counselor, who reviews the loan and confirms a loan modification application is worth pursuing. Separately, since there’s a question about whether the servicer met the required contact obligations before recording the notice, the homeowner also reaches out to Bet Tzedek Legal Services for a legal review of that specific issue. Both conversations are free, and together they clarify both the financial and legal picture before any decision gets made.
Legal and Financial Considerations
None of this is legal or tax advice. The organizations listed above provide free guidance and, in some cases, legal representation, but a specific situation may still benefit from a private attorney or tax professional, particularly around a short sale, forgiven debt, or a disputed notice.
Los Angeles-Specific Notes
Several of the organizations listed serve Los Angeles County specifically, and some, like LAFLA’s self-help resources, are open to any resident regardless of income, while direct representation services are often limited to those meeting income qualifications. Confirming current eligibility and availability directly with each organization is worth doing before assuming a specific service applies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is any of this help actually free?
Yes. HUD-certified housing counseling and the legal aid organizations listed here provide free services, generally funded through government grants or nonprofit support, not fees charged to homeowners.
Who should I contact first?
A HUD-certified housing counselor is a strong starting point for most situations, since they can review the full financial picture and explain available options. A legal aid organization is the better starting point if there’s a specific legal question or a possible error in a recorded notice.
Do I have to be low-income to get help?
It depends on the organization and the specific service. Some legal aid organizations limit direct representation to those meeting income qualifications, while self-help resources and HUD-certified counseling are generally available more broadly.
What documents should I bring to one of these conversations?
Recent mortgage statements, any Notice of Default or Notice of Trustee Sale already received, income information, and details on any other liens on the property.
How do I know if a company offering help is legitimate?
Legitimate help never requires an upfront fee, doesn’t pressure immediate signatures, and can be verified through HUD’s counselor search tool, a state bar lookup, or a government website listing.
Is the California Mortgage Relief Program still available?
No. The original program closed to new applications in early 2026 after distributing its full allocation. CalHFA’s website is the best source for confirming whatever current assistance programs exist.
Can these resources help me if I’ve already received a Notice of Trustee Sale?
Yes, though time becomes more limited the closer the process gets to a scheduled sale date. Reaching out as early as possible preserves the most options.
Do any of these resources help with selling my house, or only with keeping it?
Most focus on keeping the home through counseling, legal review, or assistance programs. If selling turns out to be the direction, these organizations can still help clarify the legal and financial picture beforehand.
How EZ Casa Buyer May Help
If selling ends up being part of the plan, alongside or instead of the resources above, we’re glad to talk through the numbers honestly and explain how a direct sale compares to other paths, without pressure and at no cost to have that conversation.
Tell Us About Your Property
Documents You Need When Facing Foreclosure
Important records may include mortgage statements, Notice of Default documents, Notice of Trustee Sale documents, property tax information, HOA statements, leases, and information about liens. Keeping these documents organized can make it easier to evaluate your situation. Homeowners facing foreclosure in Los Angeles should also keep copies of communications with their mortgage servicer.
Facing Foreclosure Los Angeles Checklist
Start by confirming your missed payments, mortgage balance, foreclosure status, important deadlines, property value, liens, and estimated equity. Then compare options such as reinstatement, loan modification, refinancing when available, a traditional sale, or an as-is sale. Taking these steps can help homeowners facing foreclosure in Los Angeles make informed decisions before the process advances.