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Housing Counseling System

This page contains information on the Housing Counseling System (HCS). Select a topic to find relevant guidance and resources.

Log in to the HCS System

Email to Obtain an ID and Password for Log in and Assistance

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Overview

Housing Counseling System (HCS) is a real-time web application that manages the counseling program data. It maintains the list of agencies, collects client data, processes grant applications, and provides performance reports. Click the link above to activate the access login page. (It is recommended that you don't bookmark the HCS log-in page but you should instead bookmark this page in order to access HCS.)

Responsibilities

  1. Agencies are required to submit their data electronically into HCS using a Client Management System (CMS) of their choice.
  2. Agencies are responsible for ensuring their data is submitted on time, complete and accurate.
  3. Agencies are required to validate their data at least once every 90 days.
  4. HUD Office of Housing Counseling staff are responsible for ensuring that their assigned agencies comply.
  5. Agencies are categorized on a Risk scale taking into consideration their HCS compliance and other factors.

HCS Data

Agency information from HCS is used to produce the listings of HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agencies by state on the web and via the toll-free phone number. If the information on the web listing or on the toll-free number is not correct, the agency makes corrections in HCS and the updated information will be posted the next day. If the agency uses a CMS to submit their agency profile data, they should make the necessary corrections in their CMS and submit the updates to HCS.

CMS

HCS is capable of collecting agency data in XML format directly from the agencies’ internal systems. As of fiscal year 2008 agencies are required to utilize a Client Management System (CMS) of their choice to automate counseling services and store client data, and interface with HCS Agency Reporting Module to submit required data to HUD. Please visit the CMS Requirement Guidance for more information and for a list of compatible CMS products.

System Requirements

HUD recommends using Microsoft Windows 7 and Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) 10 to access HCS. Minor loss of functionality may occur while HCS is accessed via different browsers and operation systems.

Note:

All required Agency data (Agency Profile, Counselor, Client, and 9902 Performance Reports) are expected to be transmitted electronically using their CMS application.

Agencies requiring assistance with their Agency ID and password for logging in HCS will contact their HUD assigned personnel.

Starting FY2015, Agencies will submit their quarterly performance reports on a new designed HUD-9902 form. Please visit the CMS Requirement Guidance page for information on the updated submission requirements related to the new form.

Grant awardees will also enter their HUD Client projections for FY2015 in the new HCS feature directly. Refer to the 9902 Projection Training Guide for instructions on how to complete projections.

Technical Support

Please report all technical issues or problems to your designated HUD contact first. If your HUD contact is unable to provide assistance, report technical issue or system error to the HUD National Help Desk at (888) 297-8689 or (202) 708-3300 and choose option 9.

Tell the Help Desk specialist that you need assistance with application:

HCS (F11) - Housing Counseling System.

Provide the following information:

  • Your name
  • Phone number
  • E-mail address
  • Name of your organization
  • HCS agency ID if applicable
  • Login ID - If you do not have Login ID, or it is not registered with the HUD National Help Desk, they will use "HCS-ARM Customer" as the general contact record
  • Brief description of the issue

Please ensure that the ticket is routed to the "HSGN - HCS - ARM" group.

Help Desk hours are 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET.

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