About the Program

HUD Housing Counseling Program

  • Provides housing counseling services to families and individuals
  • Provides administration and oversight of homeownership counseling and rental counseling
  • Administers the HUD approval process to become a HUD-approved housing counseling agency
  • Administers the approval process to become a certified HUD Housing Counselor

The HUD Housing Counseling Program supports the delivery of a wide variety of housing counseling services to homebuyers, homeowners, low- to moderate-income renters, and the homeless. The primary objectives of the Program are to improve financial literacy, expand homeownership opportunities, improve access to affordable housing, and preserve homeownership.

To provide housing counseling services through HUD Programs, individuals must certify through HUD by way of passing a new written examination—The HUD Housing Counseling Certification Examination—and verifying employment at a Housing Counseling Agency. 

Refer to the HUD Exchange for more information about the HUD Housing Counseling Program.