In 1964, community volunteers dedicated to equal housing opportunities and the prevention and elimination of homelessness founded the Eden Council for Hope and Opportunity (ECHO Housing). Over the years, the nonprofit has expanded to a full-service housing counseling agency approved by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The organization primarily provides services to very low and moderate income clients.

More than 3,000 ECHO clients per year receive housing information, referrals, and assistance, according to agency officials. While ECHO's primary service component continues to be equal housing access, more recent services have focused on the prevention of homelessness. Residents of Alameda and Contra Costa counties have access to a variety of ECHO programs, including Fair Housing Services and Tenant/Landlord Services. A Shared Housing Counseling Program serves residents of the cities of Livermore and Pleasanton, and a Homeless Prevention Program serves the City of Livermore. Alameda County residents are also served by a Rental Assistance Program and the Rent/Deposit Grant Program. Those living in unincorporated Alameda County also have access to the agency's Rent Review and Eviction Harassment Programs.

The resources and support offered by ECHO are critically important to those they serve. "I wanted to extend my sincerest gratitude for the assistance and kindness I've received from Echo Housing and your team," one client wrote, adding that because of the work of an ECHO staff member "and the generosity of ECHO Housing and its funders, I am now current on my monthly rent in Livermore and no longer at risk of being evicted."

According to agency officials, "ECHO's home-seeking services, offered to all residents of Livermore and Pleasanton, include information and referral to housing in the Tri-Valley area, and counseling and education on the home-seeking process. Referrals to new affordable housing complexes and Housing Choice Voucher open wait lists are provided to clients as information becomes available."

ECHO Housing regularly offers housing education classes. That includes Fair Housing Training for tenants, landlords, other members of the housing industry, and the general public and online Homebuyer Education Workshops open to tenants living in Alameda, Contra Costa, and Monterey Counties as well as tenants working in Livermore or Pleasanton. These workshops "help you determine if you are ready for homeownership, how to select a lender and shop for a home, all about closing costs, and how to be a successful homeowner," officials say. A HUD certificate, which most affordable home buyer programs require, is given to those who participate in certain online workshops and in a Pre-Purchase Counseling session. One-to-one counseling is available for workshop attendees, according to officials. Please check the website to see upcoming workshops and events as they become available.

For more information about ECHO Housing, please visit www.echofairhousing.org

Photo by Tierra Mallorca on Unsplash