The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the availablility of more than $5.1 million in grants for housing counseling training.
HUD’s goal is to fund eligible organizations to deliver training in the full spectrum of counseling services. HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan made the announcement while meeting with borrowers and homeowners receiving counseling at an event in Oakland, California.
“Every day, our HUD-approved counseling organizations help families to make more informed choices about buying or renting,” said Secretary Donovan. “Right now, these counseling programs are critical in helping thousands of families avoid foreclosure and remain in their homes. That’s why we’ve increased the funding for housing counseling by 36 percent in this year’s HUD budget.”
The grants will help agencies fund training for the new HECM counseling protocols which started September 11, 2010.
“While no specific amount has been set-aside, we anticipate that the awardees will do HECM counseling training – worth approximately $500,000 – $1 million,” said Lemar Wooley, spokesperson for HUD in an email to RMD.
This year, HUD is providing approximately $79 million for comprehensive counseling, reverse mortgage counseling, and supplemental funding for mortgage modification and mortgage scam assistance. There is also a heightened focus on providing services in languages other than English.
In order to receive the grants, applicants must be public or nonprofit organizations that have tax exempt status under section 501(a) and have at least 2 years of national experience providing the majority of types of housing counseling training services.
