General Questions

Where can a housing counseling agency get more information about HUD's program?

Local Housing Counseling Agencies (LHCAs) and State Housing Finance Agencies (SFHAs) can find Homeownership Center (HOC) locations and phone numbers or refer to the latest Housing Counseling Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). Intermediaries should contact HUD Headquarters at (202) 708-0317.

How can I become approved as a HUD-certified housing counselor?

HUD certifies only housing counseling agencies. It does not certify individual counselors.

How does an agency become HUD-approved?

Requirements for becoming a HUD-approved local housing counseling agency (LHCA) or a national or regional intermediary are outlined in Chapter 2 of HUD Handbook 7610.1 Rev-4. Approval applications and instructions are available online. State Housing Finance Agencies (SHFAs) do not need HUD approval to apply for grants. These groups are simply required to meet the definition of a 'housing finance agency' in 24 CFR 266.5.

How long does it take to process an application to become a HUD-approved housing counseling agency?

Application processing times vary by HOC jurisdiction, time of year, and complexities specific to each applicant. The average processing time is 30 - 60 working days.

Can "for-profit" entities become HUD-approved?

No. For-profit entities are not eligible for approval.

What are the benefits of becoming a HUD-approved counseling agency?

HUD approval demonstrates that an agency meets certain industry standards and federal guidelines. This certification has increasingly become the benchmark for participation in various other public and private housing programs.

• HUD makes funding available for select HUD-approved agencies.
• HUD publishes an annual NOFA in the Federal Register to solicit proposals from HUD-approved agencies competing for available grant funds.
• Approximately one-third of HUD-approved agencies nationwide receive grants.

Does an agency need to be HUD-approved to apply for funds?

Yes. All agencies, except for SHFAs, must be HUD-approved on or before the date the SuperNOFA is published in the Federal Register to be eligible to apply for a direct grant from HUD.

Does an agency need separate HUD approval as a HCA to be an affiliate of an intermediary or SHFA?

No. However, intermediaries and SHFAs must ensure that affiliate and branch offices receiving sub-grants meet or exceed the standards for HUD-approved LHCAs in Chapter 2 of HUD Handbook 7610.1, REV.-4, CHG-1.

How does an agency become an affiliate of a national or regional intermediary, or a state housing finance agency?

Agencies must contact intermediaries and SFHAs directly concerning requests to become a branch or affiliate.

Can an agency submit more than one application, for instance, one for each branch?

No. Only one application is accepted.

Can an agency apply to more than one HOC if it has branches in more than one region?

No. The agency must apply to the HOC that has jurisdiction over its main office.

Who determines the awards and the amount of the awards?

Designated HOC staff rate and rank applications from LHCAs and SFHAs in their jurisdictions. Headquarters does the same for intermediaries. Award amounts are determined by the formula described in the SuperNOFA.

Does HUD provide any resources to approved agencies?

Yes. For example, HUD provides technical assistance to approved agencies. Training and informational materials may also be available, depending on available resources. Contact the Program Support Division of your local FHA Homeownership Center for information about these types of assistance.

Are there special considerations for any particular segment of the population?

Funding determinations are based on the criteria set forth in the SuperNOFA.

Does HUD consider geographic location when approving and funding agencies, such as areas of the country that have few or no HUD-approved counseling agencies?

The NOFA is designed to facilitate the equitable distribution of grant funds nationwide.

Does HUD have a mailing list? If so, how does an agency get on it?

All HUD-approved agencies and affiliates, or branch offices of intermediaries and SHFAs, are automatically placed on HUD's email listserv.

Is there a listing of HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agencies?

Yes. HUD maintains a list online.

If an approved agency does not receive a HUD grant, is the agency still required to provide counseling to HUD clients?

Yes. That is why agencies must demonstrate in their application that they have sufficient funding to carry out the proposed housing counseling plan.

Can a HUD-approved agency charge fees for counseling services?

HUD-approved agencies are prohibited from charging fees to clients participating in HUD/FHA programs. HUD-funded agencies are also prohibited from charging fees to clients served under a HUD grant.

How does a housing counseling agency report its activities to HUD?

Housing counseling agencies use an automated form 9902 system for reporting.