HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agencies are a community resource. Credit unions and affiliated non-profits that provide HUD Approved housing counseling services are open to everyone, regardless of their membership status or affiliation with the credit union. Counseling services must be strictly separated from the lending functions of the credit union, and counselors are obligated to help clients compare the best available mortgage loan options from competing lenders.
If your credit union is interested in providing HUD Approved housing counseling services, there are two options:
- Independent Approval from HUD: Apply directly to HUD and demonstrate that you have trained and certified counselors who are fulfilling all of the requirements (including operating a “Client Management System” software package) and offer services to everyone in your community.
For more information on applying directly to HUD for approval, please click here.
- Approval through a National Intermediary: As a HUD Approved National Housing Counseling Intermediary, the Federation can directly authorize your credit union to deliver HUD-approved counseling services that fulfill the program requirements, without the need for an application to HUD. Our responsibility is to make sure that credit unions are fully compliant with HUD requirements prior to conferring approval as a HUD Housing Counseling Affiliate. The basic operational requirements are the same whether you receive approval directly from HUD or through the Federation, but the application and documentation process is less burdensome for your credit union.
To learn more about joining the Federation's national credit union network of HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agencies, please click here.
- Other Options: If your credit union would like to strengthen counseling services for your members, but is not interested in becoming a HUD Approved Counseling Agency, please click here for links to the NeighborWorks® calendar of counselor training and certification courses.
