(Photo by Christina Estes - KJZZ)

Representatives of Arizona non-profits discussed affordable housing challenges during an event organized by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.

Buying a home remains a challenge for many people, despite the Valley’s ranking as second best in a recent Bankrate.com study on the most affordable markets.

That’s why a group gathered in Phoenix on Thursday to share ways to increase home ownership among low- to- moderate income families.

Patricia Garcia Duarte is president and CEO of Trellis, a Phoenix-based nonprofit that offers financial counseling. She said they’re seeing a lot fewer people facing foreclosures.

“Here’s the unintended consequences,” she said. “The funding to support foreclosure intervention is dried up.”

Duarte said some agencies have stopped providing intervention counseling even though she said the need remains strong.

The event, cosponsored by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, the Arizona Housing Alliance and the Hispanic Association of Real Estate Professionals, also featured a panel on state and federal programs designed to increase home ownership.

Qualified participants can get financial help with down payments and mortgages. The programs are administered by government groups and non-profits and Erik Nore with Freddie Mac said historically they have seen fewer delinquencies.

“They provide home buyer counseling so there’s an education component that happens prior to purchase of the home,” he said. “It not only prepares you for the purchase process, but also sort of what to expect when you own the home. Something breaks within the house you’re responsible for fixing it.”