Original Source HUD

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced a series of initiatives designed to broaden access to housing counseling services. These new efforts include a partnership with Zillow and the use of virtual methods to assist more Americans on their path to homeownership. The goal is to make housing counseling more accessible to first-time homebuyers, disadvantaged communities, and those who have been historically excluded from the homebuying process.

HUD's Commitment to Expanding Homeownership Opportunities

HUD's new initiatives highlight the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to expanding homeownership, particularly for those who face systemic barriers. By offering greater access to housing counseling, HUD aims to help individuals and families make informed decisions, avoid foreclosure, and secure affordable housing. “Every day, HUD’s counselors provide thousands of Americans with trusted advice about buying a home, avoiding foreclosure, and locating and sustaining affordable housing. But we know we can help even more people,” said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “Today’s announcements will help us do just that. Together, we will reach a new generation of homeowners, help more families build generational wealth, and continue our work to help Americans historically left out of the homebuying process.”

Partnership with Zillow

A significant part of HUD’s expansion is its partnership with Zillow, one of the largest real estate platforms in the U.S., attracting 217 million visitors monthly. Through this collaboration, HUD’s "Let’s Make Home the Goal" campaign will be featured on Zillow’s digital platforms, reaching millions of potential homebuyers across the country. The campaign aims to increase awareness of pre-purchase housing counseling provided by HUD-certified counselors and is focused on helping communities of color bridge the homeownership gap. “We are thrilled to partner with Zillow to expand our reach and tout the importance of comprehensive housing counseling services,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary of Housing Counseling David Berenbaum. “This collaboration allows us to use Zillow's innovative platform, ensuring that more individuals and families receive the support they need to achieve their housing goals.” The campaign, launched in 2023, has already reached nearly 5 million potential homebuyers in 15 media markets. With Zillow’s support, HUD plans to extend the campaign’s reach to more than 8 million people across 42 media markets.

New Rule to Modernize Housing Counseling Services

In addition to the Zillow partnership, HUD introduced a final rule that modernizes the delivery of housing counseling services. This new rule allows HUD-approved housing counseling agencies to use alternative communication methods, such as virtual meetings and phone consultations, to better serve clients. By providing flexible options, agencies can assist those facing challenges like transportation, childcare costs, or physical limitations, ensuring broader access to vital housing resources. Expanding virtual services is also a cost-effective approach, allowing agencies to reduce the need for multiple physical locations. The new rule will take effect on October 16, 2024, making it easier for agencies to engage with clients across various platforms. Federal Housing Commissioner Julia Gordon emphasized the importance of these changes, stating, “These initiatives make it easier for households to access the assistance they need to navigate the homebuying process or to secure safe, affordable, and stable housing.”

Empowering Homeownership

HUD’s expanded housing counseling services are a step forward in ensuring that more Americans have the tools they need to achieve homeownership. These efforts, combined with partnerships like the one with Zillow, will help break down barriers to affordable housing and provide essential support to first-time homebuyers and underserved communities. At Innovative Mortgage Services, we believe in empowering individuals to achieve homeownership through clear, honest guidance. Explore our compensation plans to join a team dedicated to supporting more families and building generational wealth through homeownership.