Non-profit community organization providing free housing counseling, financial literacy, and consumer protection services across Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, DC, and Puerto Rico.
Editorially reviewed by Harvey Brooks
Centro de Apoyo Familiar (CAF) was founded in 2006 in Lawrence, Massachusetts, initially to provide distressed homeowners with housing counseling services. The organization has expanded significantly, establishing operations in Prince George's County, Maryland (2009), Virginia (2017), Washington DC (2020), and Puerto Rico (2024). CAF operates as a mission-driven non-profit focused on economic, social, and educational empowerment in collaboration with community and faith-based organizations.
CAF offers a comprehensive suite of free and low-cost services organized into four main program areas: Housing and Consumer Programs (foreclosure prevention, homebuyer education, financial literacy, rental counseling, credit counseling, and local consumer protection); Health and Family Services (environmental health, family strengthening, mental health support, and elderly programs); Workforce Development (skill training, digital literacy, CDL training, youth STEM, and small business owner training); and Housing Development with actual property projects. All services are explicitly stated to be accessible to individuals of all backgrounds regardless of race, sex, social or economic status, with compliance to Executive Order 14168.
CAF distinguishes itself through its integrated approach combining housing stability with broader community development and its deep roots in faith-based and community partnerships. The organization operates the CAF Connectors Network specifically for faith-based organizations and demonstrates active community advocacy, as evidenced by leadership participation in public hearings on housing equity. Their programming includes innovative initiatives like community garden projects and hands-on training models.
As a legitimate non-profit, CAF represents genuine free-help resources without predatory lending or debt traps. The main limitation is geographic restriction to five specific regions, and the website provides limited detail on counselor certifications (though housing counseling suggests HUD-approval). Services appear genuinely free-to-low-cost, making this appropriate for low-income families seeking legitimate financial guidance and housing support.
Yes. Centro De Apoyo Familiar (Caf) Md is a registered company headquartered in Riverdale, MD. They hold a NR rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Counseling available within 1-2 weeks of contact.
CreditDoc Diagnosis
CAF is best for low-to-moderate income families in Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, or Puerto Rico seeking completely free, non-predatory housing counseling, financial literacy education, and workforce development support. The primary caveat is strict geographic limitation—this organization cannot help consumers outside its five service regions, and the website should be verified for current program availability and counselor certification status before contacting.
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