The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Housing Counseling has published a final rule detailing housing counselor certification requirements for counseling conducted in connection with the Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) and the Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) programs. These housing counseling programs aim to enhance financial literacy, particularly for low- and moderate-income families, ensuring potential homebuyers are prepared for long-term success and helping renters avoid eviction.
With this new rule, HUD seeks to eliminate previous barriers to participation in its housing counseling program by Tribes, Tribally Designated Housing Entities, and other Tribal entities. The expectation is that this will increase the number of HUD-certified housing counselors who can address the specific needs of Tribal communities.
"Throughout the Biden-Harris Administration, we’ve prioritized strengthening Nation-to-Nation relationships with Tribes by working to reduce historic barriers to housing access," said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. "After more than a year working with Tribes and Tribal Organizations on the proposed rule, HUD is proud to publish this final rule ensuring members of Tribal communities’ access to crucial housing counseling services tailored to their specific needs. We are committed to partnering with Tribes to increase equitable housing and support generational wealth building."
Both proposed and final rules were shaped by multiple Tribal consultation and listening sessions where Tribes provided input on existing certification requirements and suggested modifications tailored to their needs.
"Removing this barrier means that more Tribal individuals and families can be served by a trusted source within their community – a source that understands their unique cultural perspective and housing needs," said Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner Julia Gordon. "Tribal members have long been underserved in the housing market."
"This rule is the result of strong collaboration among HUD’s Offices of Housing Counseling and Native American Programs and Tribal representatives to remove a long-standing barrier to delivering robust and culturally sensitive housing counseling to Tribal members," added Deputy Assistant Secretary for Housing Counseling David Berenbaum. "We look forward to welcoming more Tribal entities into the HUD housing counseling network."
The final rule introduces a new category of HUD-certified counselor known as a HUD-certified Tribal housing counselor. It also establishes a specialized certification exam for these counselors that includes adjustments for fair housing laws relevant to Tribes and the unique status of trust land. A four-year transition period will be provided for grantees to ensure proper certification.
Additionally, under this new regulation:
- Housing counseling funded through IHBG or ICDBG must be performed by certified individuals.
- Additional training will be facilitated for counselors certified under these programs.
- Study materials for certification exams will be modified with content specific to Tribes.
