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Housing Counseling
Approval Information

 Information by State
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You will get frequent updates on Housing Counseling subjects, training, FHA mortgage limit increases, event announcements, mortgagee letters and notices about your Single Family Housing business.

How to become a HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency

Section 106(a)(2) of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 USC 1701x) provides the legislative authority for HUD to provide housing counseling services directly or through private or public organizations with special competence and knowledge in counseling low and moderate income families.

Detailed information and additional requirements of the housing counseling program are provided in the Housing Counseling Program Handbook 7610.1. (A revision is in Departmental clearance and is expected to be posted to the HUD documents web site early next year.) The handbook may be requested by telephone weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. EST by calling (800) 767-7468. Written requests should be addressed to:

US Department of Housing and Urban Development,
Distribution Section, Room B-100,
451 Seventh Street, SW,
Washington, DC 20410.

Facsimiles may be transmitted to (202) 708-2313

The program handbook lists the qualifying criteria that all applicants must meet to receive HUD approval. A few of the more important are:

1. Nonprofit Status. The applicant must function as private or public nonprofit organization. The agency must submit evidence of nonprofit status as demonstrated by Section 501 (c) of the Internal Revenue Code.

2. Experience. The applicant must have successfully administered a housing counseling program for at least one year.

3. Community Base. The applicant must have functioned for at least one year in the geographical area that the applicant proposes to serve.

4. Counseling Resources. The applicant must have sufficient resources to implement its proposed counseling plan no later than the date of HUD approval.

After reviewing the qualifying criteria, agencies interested in applying must complete the HUD-9900, Application for Approval as a Housing Counseling Agency, and submit an original with an original signature, and one copy of the application form. Applications should be submitted to the appropriate HUD office or homeownership center as outlined in Appendix 2 of HUD Handbook 7610.1. Local agencies apply to the homeownership center that serves their states. Applications from national and regional organizations should be sent to HUD Headquarters.

The application will be reviewed within 45 days of receipt. If, after review of the application, HUD determines that the applicant may qualify as a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, a conference will be arranged before a final determination letter is issued.

Within 60 days, the applicant will be notified whether the application was approved or denied. If approved, a Letter of Approval will be sent to the applicant. The applicant must sign and date the letter and return it to HUD.

Agencies with questions about the application process or the status of their requests should contact their HUD office.

 

 
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