HUD's Office of Housing Counseling recently announced approximately $56.1 million in funding that HUD-certified housing counseling agencies can apply for, with roughly 175 awards anticipated. Unlike previous years, agencies cannot use program funds for one-on-one prepurchase counseling but can instead direct funding toward rental counseling for HUD-assisted households with a focus on transitioning to unassisted housing, Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) counseling, disaster preparedness and recovery, and homeless prevention services that emphasize treatment, recovery and self-sufficiency. Funding can also be used to provide post-purchase counseling but only if the homeowner has a federally backed mortgage, including FHA, VA and USDA loans. Applications are due May 26, 2026.
NAR supports housing counseling as a tool for expanding sustainable homeownership and will work to ensure prospective homebuyers retain access to prepurchase counseling services.