The growth of non-profit associations within the real estate sector can be traced to 1977 and the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA).  At that time, banks began giving money to the non-profit housing sector in order to meet their CRA requirements. 

Non-profit housing agencies perform many services for the community.  First time homebuyer seminars, and then later, mortgage default counseling, preforeclosure workout assistance, help negotiating short sales, all for free or for a nominal cost.

Non-profits set up special training programs for loan originators and loan officers who want to be on the “approved