The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is enhancing its efforts to provide affordable housing options, focusing on families of color and those from disadvantaged communities. The department sponsors agencies across the country to offer free or low-cost advice on home buying, renting, and foreclosure prevention. Recently, HUD has increased funding and flexibility to expand these services.
“Every day, hundreds of families use our free or low-cost housing counseling options to navigate crucial housing decisions like starting the homebuying process, avoiding foreclosure, and finding affordable rental options,” said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “Under this Administration, we have made incredible enhancements to invest in these programs, ensure they reach as many families as possible, and expand affordable opportunities for homeownership. Together, we will build accessible roads to this key tenant of the American Dream.”
HUD has appointed 11 leaders to its Housing Counseling Federal Advisory Committee to guide its Housing Counseling Program. This follows several initiatives aimed at improving housing counseling services.
In September, HUD allocated $48 million to enhance access to housing counseling services at over 160 approved agencies nationwide. The "Let’s Make Home the Goal" campaign also launched a partnership with Zillow to promote pre-purchase counseling in communities of color.
Additionally, HUD updated regulations allowing virtual methods for broader access to counseling services and revised its program handbook in multiple languages.
HUD's tools are used by over 3,000 people daily. Nationwide agency information is available at www.hud.gov/findacounselor.
These initiatives align with HUD's mission under the Biden-Harris Administration to expand homeownership opportunities. Since last year, nearly 2.3 million first-time homebuyers have been supported by HUD-backed financing solutions that include reduced mortgage insurance premiums and considerations for positive rental history in FHA-insured mortgages.
