Find Free HUD-Approved Housing Counselors
Get expert, unbiased guidance from HUD-certified counselors at no cost. They can help you understand your options, negotiate with your servicer, and avoid foreclosure.
100% Free. No Hidden Fees.
HUD-approved counseling is completely free. These agencies are nonprofit and funded by HUD. You will never be asked to pay for counseling services.
Find a Counselor Near You
Call the HUD hotline or use the online locator to find approved agencies in your area.
Call HUD
Fastest way to connect
1-800-569-4287
Monday-Friday, 7am-7pm ET
English & Spanish available
Search Online
Search by ZIP code
What Housing Counselors Can Do for You
Review Your Situation
Analyze your income, expenses, and mortgage details to understand all your options and what you realistically qualify for.
Explain Your Options
Plain-English explanations of forbearance, modifications, refinancing, and other loss mitigation options specific to your loan type.
Help With Applications
Assist with completing loss mitigation applications, gathering required documents, and understanding servicer responses.
Advocate With Servicers
Can contact your servicer on your behalf, help you understand their offers, and ensure you're being treated fairly.
Foreclosure Prevention
Help you understand foreclosure timelines, your rights, and strategies to delay or stop foreclosure proceedings.
Connect You to Resources
Link you to state assistance programs, legal aid, utility assistance, and other resources that can help your overall situation.
What Housing Counselors Cannot Do:
- • Guarantee loan modifications or approval: Your servicer makes the final decision
- • Provide legal representation: They're not lawyers (but can refer you to legal aid)
- • Pay your mortgage or bills: They connect you to programs, but don't provide direct financial assistance
- • Force your servicer to do anything: They advocate, but don't have legal authority over servicers
How Housing Counseling Works
Initial Contact
Call HUD or use the online locator. You'll be connected to an agency near you. Most offer phone, video, or in-person appointments.
Intake Appointment
First meeting (usually 60-90 minutes). Bring your mortgage statement, pay stubs, bank statements, and tax returns. The counselor reviews your full financial situation.
Action Plan
Counselor creates a personalized action plan with specific steps, timelines, and resources. They explain what to say to your servicer and help you prepare.
Ongoing Support
Follow-up appointments as needed. Most counselors stay involved through the entire process until your situation is resolved.
Additional State Resources
In addition to HUD-approved counselors, many states have their own housing counseling programs and foreclosure prevention initiatives.
View State-Specific ProgramsReady to Take Action?
Before you call a counselor, take our free triage to understand your situation better. You'll get personalized recommendations to discuss with your counselor.
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