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The mission of the Center for Faith-Basedand Community Initiatives is to improveHUD’s response to human need by:

Reaching out to faith-based and other

community organizations

Connecting faith-based and other

community organizations to opportunities,resources, support, and partners 

Changing policies and practices at HUD that

have kept faith-based and other communityorganizations out of its networks, programs,and initiatives

If you would like to learn more, contact theHUD Center for Faith-Based andCommunity Initiatives:By email at talk_to_us@hud.govOn the Internet at: www.hud.gov/faithandcommunityBy telephone at (202) 708-2404To learn in greater detail about becoming aHUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agency,please visit: www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hccprof13.cfmPlease note that HUD-Approved HousingCounseling Agencies need to be prepared tooffer housing counseling services beyondhomebuyer education.

A Guide for Faith-based and

Other Community Organizations

to Becoming a HUD-Approved HousingCounseling Agency
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5 Steps to Becoming a 

HUD-Approved Housing

Counseling Agency

Becoming a HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agency can be achieved through the following FIVE BASIC STEPS:

Acquire 501(c)(3) tax exemptstatusGet 501(c)(3) status from the InternalRevenue Service if you do not already haveit. Design a housing counseling plan Develop a clear, concise and comprehensive housing counseling and educationprogram. Identify the services you willoffer, the needs of the community you willbe serving, and the ways you will reachpotential clients. Form a team ofcounselors and industry partners toenhance the quality of information youwill provide. Identify your resources Approval depends on you demonstratingthat you have the resources needed to runa successful housing counseling program.Get started Evaluate your present program structure.You must have a track record of running asuccessful program for at least a year to beHUD-approved.Focus on your community HUD requires that you serve thecommunity in which you are located.When you apply for approval, tell HUDabout the housing needs of yourcommunity and how you address them.

Help Fulfill America’s Dream 

of Homeownership

Starting a housing counseling program will promote homeownership and limit delin- quencies and foreclosures in your

community. Housing counseling is a costeffective way for organizations to contribute tothe growth and stability of their communities.Effective housing counseling helps answerimportant questions that first-time homebuyershave as they begin looking for a home. As ahousing counseling agency, you will helppotential home purchasers in your communitylearn about: 

Moving from renting to homeownershipManaging their budget and creditShopping for a homeWorking with a broker, including the

advantages and disadvantages

Working with a mortgage lenderPreparing for the closing processMaintaining their home after purchase

The more your community understands thebenefits of homeownership, the stronger yourcommunity will be. Housing counseling is awin-win-win situation: your organization wins,the homebuyer wins, and the community wins.

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