Budget and Housing Counseling From Berks Community Action Program in Reading
The Budget Center at Berks Community Action Program offers budget counseling to anyone who needs help regardless of the circumstances. Its counselors handle rental and utilities assistance, home ownership counseling, delinquency and mortgage assistance, and family budgeting and credit repair.
Budget counseling itself is offered to anyone who asks. For rental and/or utility assistance, individuals applying must meet the federal, state and local poverty guidelines. Staff will help determine your eligibility for these services. The page does not print the income figures, so ask when you contact the office.
If you are working toward buying a home, the amount of time spent with each family or individual varies depending on the needs of the homebuyer and the requirements of the mortgage lender. To meet the mandatory pre-purchase sessions for first-time homebuyers, the center provides four sessions:
- Financial review and budget planning, examining current household expenses and revenue and the household's ability to absorb the added costs of home ownership
- Home and preventative maintenance, how to maintain a home's mechanical systems to avoid costly repairs
- Conditions of approval and settlement procedures, including all costs involved and the steps taken on the day of settlement
- Predatory lending, what to watch out for when shopping for a home loan, including signs of unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent practices
Budget Center Counselors have helped hundreds of Berks County families realize their dream of home ownership. The staff also provides budgeting workshops to local agencies and groups.
The housing counselor's number is 610-375-7866, ext. 41. The other Budget Counseling Center staff are Hector Cruz, Program Director, at 610-375-7866, ext. 43; Luz Benitez, HUD Certified Housing Counselor, at 610-375-7866, ext. 45; and Rebecca Medina, Assistant Housing Counselor, at 610-375-7866, ext. 41.
If you are applying for rental and/or utility assistance, a form is posted on the Budget Counseling page to download, print and complete before your scheduled appointment if possible. A separate posted document lists all items required to finish your rental application.
The office is at 645 Penn Street, 3rd Floor, Reading, PA 19601, with mail going to PO Box 22. Agency staff are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to answer questions, and the office is closed for lunch daily from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. The general number for the agency is 610-376-6571 and the general email is info@bcapberks.org.
The page does not say what the counseling costs, so ask. People facing mortgage trouble are also pointed to the agency's Mortgage Diversion Program.
Source: bcapberks.org/budget-counseling, read September 18, 2026.
The details
In Berks Community Action Program’s words
We offer budget counseling services to anyone who needs help regardless of the circumstances. Budget Center Counselors provide: Rental and utilities assistance Home ownership counseling Delinquency and mortgage assistance Family budgeting and credit repair The Budget Center staff also provides budgeting workshops to local agencies and groups. Budget Center Counselors have helped hundreds of Berks County families realize their dream of home ownership. The amount of time spent with each family or…
Organization
Berks Community Action Program
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This listing summarizes publicly available information from bcapberks.org/budget-counseling. Last recorded review: September 18, 2026. Contact the provider to confirm eligibility, hours and availability before you go. If something here is wrong, tell us.