Foundations and financial institutions are providing $4.6-million to California organizations that advise distressed homeowners so they can hire mortgage counselors, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.

One of the states most affected by the foreclosure crisis, California expects to see 500,000 homeowners struggle to keep their houses over the next two years.

“To address the mortgage crisis, there need to be independent, knowledgeable mortgage counselors who can work in the borrower’s interest,” said Alan Fisher, executive director of the California Reinvestment Coalition.

The grants will be given out over the next two years. The coalition expects to add 46 new mortgage counselors to the 300 already working in the state. The $4.6-million was pledged by two foundations — the California Community Foundation and the San Francisco Foundation — along with eight financial institutions.