Federal investment focuses on increasing access to housing resources
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has committed $48 million to boost housing counseling services and strengthen the workforce behind these programs.
HUD said the funding aims to support organizations that help homebuyers and renters navigate the challenges of purchasing and maintaining homes, with a particular focus on first-time buyers and historically disadvantaged groups.
“Buying a home and keeping a home can be an overwhelming experience, particularly for first-time homebuyers,” HUD acting secretary Adrianne Todman said in a Press release. “HUD-certified housing counselors are available to help every step of the way. They provide vital information about available resources, such as downpayment assistance. We value the work housing counseling do to provide expert advice and will continue to fight for funding to support their efforts.”
The funding will go to more than 160 HUD-approved agencies, state housing finance organizations, and nonprofits that offer housing counseling services. The money is intended to support various programs, including pre-purchase counseling, foreclosure prevention, financial literacy, reverse mortgage counseling, and more.
Part of the funding will also focus on addressing the racial homeownership gap, with 14 HUD-approved agencies partnering with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to provide targeted support to underserved communities.
In addition to expanding funding, HUD recently modernized its approach to housing counseling. The agency now allows virtual methods to increase access, especially for people in remote areas. HUD has also updated its Housing Counseling Program Handbook, making it available in multiple languages to better serve diverse communities.
This move is expected to significantly increase the reach of housing counseling programs across the country.
A new partnership with Zillow was also launched as part of the “Let’s Make Home the Goal” campaign, which aims to raise awareness of pre-purchase counseling and address systemic barriers to homeownership in communities of color.
Read more: HUD expands access to housing counseling with Zillow partnership
“For so many individuals and families, finding safe and affordable housing options may seem out of reach,” said Federal Housing Commissioner Julia Gordon. “Unbiased housing counseling helps to turn the aspiration of obtaining a safe and affordable place to call home into reality.”
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