Find Help in Ohio
154 government-validated organizations serving Ohio — housing counselors, credit counselors, debtor education providers, and legal aid offices.
Why Ohio Residents Need Help
Ohio shows mixed signals — auto loan delinquency at 5.34% and mortgage delinquency at 0.96% stand out above national averages. With $47K in debt per capita, the 154 verified organizations below can help residents navigate these financial pressures.
Ohio's State Distress Index score is 52.3 (Elevated), ranking #23 of 51 jurisdictions.
35 of Ohio's 50 HUD-approved housing counselors offer foreclosure and default counseling. 11 agencies serve in Spanish, with 24 non-English languages available across all agencies. 3 offer reverse mortgage counseling.
15 of the 43 DOJ-approved credit counselors serving Ohio offer in-person sessions, and 38 offer online counseling. For the post-filing debtor education course, 13 of 56 providers offer in-person classes.
Housing Counselors (50)
HUD-approved agencies providing free foreclosure prevention counseling, mortgage assistance, and financial guidance.
BREAKING CHAINS INC
EMPOWERING AND STRENGTHENING OHIO'S PEOPLE (ESOP) DBA BENJAMIN ROSE
HORIZON HOUSING COMMUNITIES DEVELOPMENT FOR OHIO (HHCDO)
LORAIN COUNTY URBAN LEAGUE
SPANISH AMERICAN COMMITTEE
WORKING IN NEIGHBORHOODS
Credit Counselors (43)
DOJ-approved agencies providing the required pre-filing credit counseling for bankruptcy, plus general debt management plans.
American Consumer Credit Counseling, Inc.
Springboard Nonprofit Consumer Credit Management, Inc. DBA credit.org
Debtor Education (56)
DOJ-approved providers for the required post-filing debtor education course in bankruptcy proceedings.
Springboard Nonprofit Consumer Credit Management, Inc. DBA credit.org
Legal Aid (5)
Federally funded legal aid organizations providing free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals facing foreclosure, debt, and housing issues.
Foreclosure in Ohio
Read the full Ohio foreclosure law guide — timeline, protections, redemption rights, and anti-deficiency rules.
Most-Complained-About Mortgage Servicer in Ohio
Ocwen Financial Corporation leads with 930 CFPB mortgage complaints in Ohio (out of 10,136 total across all servicers). If you're having issues with your servicer, a HUD-approved counselor can help you navigate the complaint process.
File a CFPB complaint · View full Ocwen Financial Corporation complaint profile
Ohio Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How many verified help providers are in Ohio?
There are 154 government-validated organizations serving Ohio: 50 HUD-approved housing counselors, 43 DOJ-approved credit counselors, 56 debtor education providers, and 5 LSC-funded legal aid offices. Of the 50 counselors, 35 offer foreclosure prevention services and 11 serve in Spanish.
Are housing counselors in Ohio free?
Yes. HUD-approved housing counselors provide free, confidential assistance. They can help you understand your options if you're behind on your mortgage, facing foreclosure, or dealing with a reverse mortgage. Ohio uses judicial (court-supervised) foreclosure, with a typical timeline of 9 months. The earlier you contact a counselor, the more options you'll have. Call 1-800-569-4287 to reach one.
What is the difference between credit counseling and debtor education in Ohio?
Credit counseling is required before filing for bankruptcy — a counselor reviews your finances and discusses alternatives. Debtor education is required after filing — a course that covers budgeting, money management, and using credit wisely. Both are provided by DOJ-approved agencies. Ohio had 26,110 bankruptcy filings last year (#13 nationally per capita). 76% were Chapter 7 liquidations and 24% were Chapter 13 repayment plans.
How do I qualify for free legal aid in Ohio?
LSC-funded legal aid is available to low-income individuals, typically those earning below 125% of the federal poverty level. Each organization has its own intake process — call and ask about eligibility. Many can help with foreclosure defense, debt collection harassment, and housing disputes. Ohio has 5 LSC-funded legal aid offices — Community Legal Aid Services, Inc. is one of the primary providers.
How current is this directory data?
Provider listings are pulled from federal government databases: HUD's Housing Counselor API, the DOJ US Trustee Program's approved agency feeds, and the Legal Services Corporation's grantee database. Data is refreshed periodically from these official sources.
What type of foreclosure does Ohio use?
Ohio uses judicial (court-supervised) foreclosure. The typical timeline from first missed payment to sale is roughly 4–9 months. Court oversight means the process takes longer but provides more procedural protections. See our full Ohio foreclosure law guide for details on protections, redemption rights, and homestead exemptions.
What are the top mortgage complaints in Ohio?
Ohio has 10,136 CFPB mortgage complaints on record across the 30 largest servicers. The most-complained-about servicer is Ocwen Financial Corporation with 930 complaints. If you're having issues with your servicer, a HUD-approved counselor can help you navigate the complaint process, or you can file a CFPB complaint directly. See Ocwen Financial Corporation's full complaint profile.