NeighborWorks America was awarded more than $7 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development as part of the agency’s grants to support housing counseling and training.

Specifically, the NeighborWorks Center for Homeownership Education and Counseling (NCHEC) was awarded $3.05 million to continue its work in promoting counseling standards and building the skill capacity of nonprofit housing organizations as well as administering the HECM program.  In 2009, NeighborWorks took over for AARP and started to provide reverse mortgage counseling administration services nationwide, including comprehensive training, HECM certification exam oversight, and online courses.

The organization was also awarded $1.58 million for comprehensive housing counseling and $300,000 for HECM counseling.  Finally, $2.3 million was awarded to more than 60 NeighborWorks network organizations around the U.S. committed to providing affordable homeownership solutions to low- and moderate-income families.

“NeighborWorks is committed to providing the best and most comprehensive housing counseling services available,” said Eileen Fitzgerald, acting CEO for NeighborWorks America. “Counselors trained to high standards who deliver important, relevant and timely information about housing to consumers are critical to building strong communities. We’re excited that HUD has recognized the scale and capacity of NeighborWorks America and the NeighborWorks network to deliver these necessary services to communities all across America.”