WMBA Lunch & Learn: Unlocking Homeownership: The Role of Housing Counselors in the Homebuying Journey
Please join the Washington Mortgage Bankers Association (WMBA) for a Lunch & Learn panel discussion featuring HUD-approved housing counselors from American Financial Solutions and Parkview Services. These agencies are on the front lines of housing access, offering critical support to first-time buyers, underserved communities, and individuals facing housing challenges.
Moderated by WSHFC’s Emily Northrup, this session will explore how housing counselors prepare clients for successful homeownership, collaborate with lenders and real estate professionals, and contribute to equitable outcomes in Washington’s housing market. Learn how their work complements and enhances your role in the mortgage lending process—and discover opportunities to deepen partnerships for impact.
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Meet the Panel Speakers:
Becky House
Becky is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at American Financial Solutions (AFS). In her role she oversees the organizations strategic partnering, housing counseling programs, financial education initiatives and grant processes. In 2021, Becky was awarded the National Foundation for Credit Counseling’s (NFCC) Agency Innovation Award for financial education programs. In 2019, she was awarded the Educator of the Year award, by the NFCC. She has over 25 years of experience in program.
Loretta Cael
Loretta is the Homeownership Program Director and a HUD certified housing counselor at Parkview Services, a non-profit organization that provides affordable housing and homeownership solutions in WA State. She has been involved in the mortgage and real estate industry for over 40 years and has worked as a housing counselor since 2011. Loretta graduated from Eastern WA University with degrees in Economics and Business Finance. She is also the Director of Parkview East, which opened in the Spring of 2020.
Emily Northrup
Emily is a Grants Administrator in the Homeownership Division of the Washington State Housing Finance Commission. She manages programs that support housing counseling services, prepurchase education, foreclosure prevention, and mortgage assistance to homeowners across the state. Before joining the Commission, she directed programs for people experiencing homelessness as they transitioned into supported and permanent housing.
