A HUD-approved housing counselor is one of the most underutilized resources in homebuying. Free or low-cost, deeply knowledgeable, and entirely on your side, here is what they do and how to find one.
What Is a HUD-Approved Housing Counselor?
HUD-approved housing counselors are trained professionals at nonprofit agencies that have been approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide housing counseling services. They are not lenders. They do not sell you anything. They work for you.
Housing counselors can help with pre-purchase counseling, budgeting, credit review, understanding loan options, navigating down payment assistance programs, and avoiding predatory lending. For buyers who are first in their family to purchase a home and do not have parents or family members who can guide them through the process, a housing counselor fills that gap.
Why HUD Approval Matters
Not everyone who calls themselves a housing counselor is HUD-approved. The HUD approval process requires agencies to meet training standards, provide services free or at very low cost, and operate without conflicts of interest. Some DPA programs, and some first mortgage programs, require completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course as a condition of approval.
What Services Do They Provide?
- Pre-purchase homebuyer education (group workshops and one-on-one sessions)
- Budget and credit review, identifying what you need to improve and how
- Loan shopping guidance, understanding what programs you qualify for
- DPA program navigation, identifying all available assistance in your area
- Foreclosure prevention counseling
- Reverse mortgage counseling
- Rental assistance and tenant rights counseling
How to Find One
The easiest way to find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency near you is through HUD's official search tool at hud.gov/counseling. You can search by zip code, state, or type of counseling needed. The results show agencies with contact information, services offered, and languages spoken.
You can also call HUD's housing counselor referral line at 800-569-4287 to be connected with an agency near you.
Is There a Cost?
HUD-approved agencies are required to provide services free or at very low cost to clients who cannot afford to pay. Some agencies charge a nominal fee for group workshops, typically $25 to $75, but no one should be turned away from housing counseling due to inability to pay. Ask about fee waivers when you call.
Dream Home Fund and Housing Counseling
Dream Home Fund strongly encourages all DPA applicants to work with a HUD-approved housing counselor as part of their homebuying preparation. A counselor can help you understand whether Dream Home Fund DPA is the right fit for your situation, identify additional assistance programs you may qualify for, and make sure you are fully prepared for the responsibilities of homeownership before you close.
Ready to take the next step?
Dream Home Fund provides down payment assistance to help families like yours achieve homeownership. Get in touch today.
How to Get DPA