Housing Counseling Resources
Explaining Housing Counseling
Making the Case for Housing Counseling
Research on the Benefits of Housing Counseling
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During 2017, HUD-approved housing counseling network of 1,842 agencies assisted over 880,000 individuals and families across the country.
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In 2018, 73% of counseled households had incomes below 80% of area median income, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition
- In a 2021 HUD presentation, Measuring Impact of Rental Counseling on Evictions, it was reported that in the last fiscal year there was a 65% increase in households that received rental counseling and also avoided eviction, as well as a 28% increase in households that received rental counseling and improved their living conditions.
Research on the Barriers to Homeownership
Housing Action Training Materials
Home Appraisal
Helping Illinois Homeowners Navigate the Home Appraisal Process (2022)
HUD Updates
HUD Updates with Jerrold H. Mayer
Choosing a HUD-Approved CMS
Housing counseling agencies rely on Client Management Systems (CMSs) to track clients and outcomes. Trying to compare these complicated systems can be daunting so we created profiles of each CMS to help housing counselors assess their options. See the CMS Guide 2.0.
Getting Your HUD Certification
Beginning August 1, 2021, housing counselors will be required to become certified via a HUD-administered exam.
Visit our HUD Certification page to learn more.
Latest News for Housing Counselors
Announcing the Release of CMS Guide 3.0
Housing Action Illinois is pleased to announce the release of the latest edition of our Guide to HUD-Approved CMSs (version 3.0), which profiles HUD-approved Client Management Systems (CMSs) for housing counseling agencies. This digital resource is available for free...
New Partnership: Bringing the Housing Counselor Career Path to Moraine Valley Community College
Housing Action Illinois is excited to partner with Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC) to present our Housing Counseling Career Path certification training program this summer. The training will be a three-day virtual series. For the first time, we will hold the...
Uplifting the Community: HANA Center
HANA Center was created in 2017 when Korean American Community Services and Korean American Resource and Cultural Center merged, joining together with the goal of empowering Korean American and multiethnic immigrant communities through social services, education, and...
Making Dreams Possible: Housing Counseling in Spanish & English
Léelo en español: Haciendo posibles los sueños: Consejería de vivienda en español e inglés Spotlight on: Cory Hernandez, Financial Literacy & Home Ownership Counselor with Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission It was her own experience as a first-time...
Housing Action Awarded Nearly $1.4 Million to Distribute to Housing Counseling Agencies & Host National Trainings
Housing Action will distribute subgrants to 35 housing counseling organizations and facilitate national trainings for agencies For Immediate Release: August 31, 2022Contact: Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois,...
Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing: The Role of Housing Counselors
Fair housing is the right to choose housing free from unlawful discrimination. This training is to help housing counselors better understand the how fair housing works in the United States and why it is so important. Learn about the history of the Fair Housing Act and...
Housing Action Awarded Nearly $1.6 Million to Distribute to Housing Counseling Agencies & Host National Trainings
Housing Action will distribute subgrants to 35 housing counseling organizations and facilitate national trainings for agencies For Immediate Release: January 31, 2022Contact: Kristin Ginger, Manager of Communications & Development, Housing Action Illinois,...
Housing Action Awarded More Than $1 Million in Housing Stability Counseling Program Funding
CHICAGO – HUD has awarded $1,000,206 to Housing Action Illinois to distribute funds to local nonprofits whose housing counseling programs help families rent or buy safe, affordable homes and prevent foreclosures. This year’s network of 33 housing counseling agencies, listed below, serve communities in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Missouri.
New Initiative: Introducing the Housing Counselor Corps
Housing Action Illinois is excited to bring together two of our programs—supporting housing counseling agencies and managing a network of AmeriCorps VISTA Members—for a new initiative: the Housing Counseling Corps. We plan to launch this initiative in the fall of...
HUD Certified Housing Counselor Exam FAQ
In December 2016, HUD issued a Final Rule for the Housing Counseling program that requires that all individuals who provide housing counseling in connection with a HUD program must take and pass a HUD-administered certification exam. HUD Certification Exam Online...