Housing Counseling & Client Services

How to Design a Workforce Development Program for Housing Counseling Agencies

This webinar is designed for non-profit agency staff members who are interested in launching a workforce development program. Participants will learn about the critical steps and considerations necessary before starting a program. The session will cover how to conduct a market analysis to identify job needs in the community, essential staffing considerations including required expertise, and other important factors to ensure the success of the program. This interactive webinar will provide practical insights and tools to help participants develop a comprehensive and effective workforce development program idea that can then be discussed strategically among staff, board members, and critical community partners.Learning Objectives - By the end of this webinar, participants will be able toDescribe the role of a market analysis in program development by knowing and communicating market needs before offering a workforce development program.Understand staffing considerations and the need to identify necessary expertise and qualifications.Identify the steps required to design and implement a workforce development program including financial and material resources needed for ongoing sustainability.Assess the potential risks and challenges in launching a workforce development program and how to create strategies for risk mitigation to maintain an environment of continuous improvement and adaptability in program management.

Just Economy Conversations: New Frontiers in Financing Homes

Fintech startups are leveraging robust data models and AI to evaluate equity and advance fairness across industries. In the housing space, new transparency tools allow for greater understanding of both possibilities and risks around affordability and the landscape of equity and inequity. Fintech tools can also improve visibility into mortgage denials and reshape our understanding of the effectiveness of traditional home buying requirements such as 20% down payments, so we can redesign our markets for the public good.

Home-purchase Deep Dive Training for Housing Counselors

The "Home-purchase Deep Dive Training for Housing" is a comprehensive 90-minute online course designed specifically for housing counselors. This course equips counselors with a thorough understanding of the homepurchase process, enabling them to better assist their clients in navigating the complexities of buying a home.Main Topics Covered:Credit: Understand the importance of credit in the home-purchase process, how to assess credit reports, and strategies for improving credit scores.Homepurchase Process: Gain a step-by-step understanding of the entire homepurchase journey, from pre-approval to closing.Mortgage Products: Learn about different mortgage products available, including fixed-rate, adjustable-rate, FHA, VA, and USDA loans.Mortgage Calculations: Master the essential calculations needed to determine affordability, loan-to-value ratios, and monthly mortgage payments.Learning Objectives/Outcomes: By the end of this course, housing counselors will:Develop a comprehensive understanding of the home-purchase process.Be equipped to explain complex mortgage concepts and processes in a simplified manner to clients.Enhance their ability to guide clients through credit improvement strategies and mortgage product selection.Be proficient in performing key mortgage-related calculations.Prerequisites: NoneFormat: OnlineDuration: 90 minutesThis training will provide housing counselors with the knowledge and skills necessary to demystify the home-purchase process for their clients, ultimately helping more families achieve their dream of homeownership.

Fannie Mae’s Home Improvement Savings Finder

Learn how Fannie Mae’s “Home Improvement Savings Finder” can help households discover money-saving opportunities for home upgrades. This easy-to-use online tool connects you to local rebates, incentives, and programs for energy efficiency, weatherization, health and safety improvements, and even utility bill assistance.In this focused overview, we’ll provide an overview of Fannie Mae’s Home Improvement Savings Finder—an easy-to-use tool that highlights rebates, incentives, and programs to support households in reducing costs, improving comfort, and adding long-term value to their homes. Whether you are a housing counselor, nonprofit partner, or simply guiding clients toward smarter investments, you’ll see how this introduction can benefit both homeowners and housing professionals.

Breaking Barriers to Homeownership: Challenges Faced by Buyers

This dynamic webinar will explore the key challenges that homebuyers face on the path to homeownership—including rising housing costs, credit barriers, limited housing inventory, and systemic inequities. Participants will gain insights into how these obstacles affect different communities and learn practical strategies to help clients navigate them. Through real-world examples and tools, this session equips housing counselors and practitioners with the knowledge to better support clients in achieving their homeownership goals.

Building a Foreclosure & Default Prevention Program

As we await national comprehensive relief strategies beyond moratoriums, housing counseling agencies are stepping in to prevent hardship to families and widespread housing loss. HCAs are assembling the tools at their disposal to work with families and help them identify and secure resources to help struggling households keep a roof over their heads. Even agencies who left foreclosure counseling services years ago are now responding to community needs for these rescue efforts to help families hit hardest by the current economic crisis.This webinar is for nonprofit managers interested in developing a new default prevention program to address community needs or those seeking to expand a current program or perhaps, complement a mortgage assistance program. Join us as we discuss basic steps, funding sources, staff training requirements, current foreclosure relief programs and resources available to help strengthen your program. You Will Learn:Learn the basic steps to setting up a successful default prevention or mortgage relief program at your agencyUnderstand regulations and best practices prior to forming the foreclosure and default prevention programDiscuss training and/or certification requirements housing counselors should have prior to performing default prevention counselingClarification on COVID 19 notices and waivers to establish Housing Counseling guidelines including alternate and remote settings, telephone counseling, client signature collection, disclosures, and other financial analysis documents while conducting remote counseling or delivering remote group educationReview the FEMA COVID 19 Resource Roadmap designed to help identify supplemental appropriated funds, in particular under the CARES Act and understand how these federally funded programs can be used to assist your communityUnderstand how the OCC, FTC and other agencies are stepping in to provide protection to homeowners and guidance to nonprofit housing counseling agenciesIdentify Federal, State, and local programs that may be used to fund mortgage default prevention programs or made available to rescue homeowners in danger of defaultHow agencies can utilize guides and products from CFPB, Fannie Mae and other national and community partners to market programs and inform consumers

Safety First: Counseling Through Difficult Situations

Clients engage housing counselors when they need guidance. Housing counselors often serve as the first line of defense when individuals and families are facing housing and financial challenges. When working with a housing counselor, the information discussed during a session, such as losing a home or not being eligible for financial benefits, can be upsetting and trigger a range of unpleasant emotions from the client. In these instances, it can cause the counselor to feel unsafe. During this webinar, we will discuss strategies counselors can use before and during a counseling session to help ensure physical safety and emotional well-being.During this webinar we will discuss:Best practices for ensuring a safe meeting spaceUnderstanding the types of emotionsHelpful phrases to use during difficult conversationsTips on de-escalating a hostile situation

Successfully Helping Your Clients Obtain Mortgages

This course is designed to help housing counselors successfully assist their clients in becoming mortgage ready and equip them with the necessary knowledge, skills, and ability to assist their clients in obtaining mortgages. The course will focus on the fundamental steps housing counselors can take to get themselves and their clients ready to go through the home-buying process. Participants will learn and explore topics ranging from the mortgage application process to mortgage products and credit score management. Moreover, participants will learn how to provide their clients with expert guidance on finding and securing the right mortgage product for their needs.

Curso Intensivo de Compra de Vivienda para Consejeros de Vivienda

El "Curso Intensivo de Compra de Vivienda para Consejeros de Vivienda" es un curso en línea de 90 minutos, diseñado específicamente para consejeros de vivienda. Este curso equipa a los consejeros con una comprensión completa del proceso de compra de viviendas, permitiéndoles asistir mejor a sus clientes en la navegación de las complejidades de comprar una casa.Temas Principales:Crédito: Entender la importancia del crédito en el proceso de compra de viviendas, cómo evaluar los informes de crédito y estrategias para mejorar las calificaciones crediticias.Proceso de Compra de Vivienda: Obtener una comprensión paso a paso de todo el recorrido de compra de viviendas, desde la preaprobación hasta el cierre.Productos Hipotecarios: Aprender sobre los diferentes productos hipotecarios disponibles, incluyendo préstamos de tasa fija, tasa ajustable, FHA, VA y USDA.Cálculos Hipotecarios: Dominar los cálculos esenciales necesarios para determinar la asequibilidad, las relaciones préstamo-valor y los pagos mensuales de la hipoteca.Objetivos de Aprendizaje: Al finalizar este curso, los consejeros de vivienda podrán:Desarrollar una comprensión integral del proceso de compra de viviendas.Estar equipados para explicar conceptos y procesos hipotecarios complejos de manera simplificada a los clientes.Mejorar su capacidad para guiar a los clientes a través de estrategias de mejora de crédito y selección de productos hipotecarios.Ser proficientes en realizar cálculos clave relacionados con hipotecas.

Effective Post-Purchase Education Strategies for HUD Practitioners

This course provides HUD practitioners with high-impact strategies to support homeowners after purchasing a home. Effective Post-Purchase Education focuses on building long-term success, addressing topics such as budgeting, home maintenance, avoiding foreclosure, and accessing community resources. Through interactive lessons, participants will gain tools and techniques necessary to provide personalized and effective education, promoting sustainable ownership in diverse communities.

Empowering Rural Communities: Strategies for Capacity Building

Rural communities face unique challenges—but also possess powerful, untapped strengths. This webinar explores practical strategies to build local capacity, strengthen partnerships, and drive sustainable development in rural areas. Learn how to identify community assets, secure resources, and implement programs that empower residents and expand opportunity. Whether you're a practitioner, advocate, or local leader, gain tools to support long-term growth and resilience in rural regions.

Housing Counselors & Development: Aligning Services with Community Growth

What’s your role in shaping community growth? This course breaks down the real estate development process for housing counselors, offering practical insights to help you better support clients and align your services with local development efforts.Join us for Housing Counselors & Development: Aligning Services with Community Growth and build your confidence in this critical area.

Housing Options for Seniors

Explore the full range of housing choices for older adults—from aging in place to assisted living and emerging trends like ADUs and home sharing. This overview covers key client considerations, safety and accessibility needs, and cost comparisons to help counselors and professionals better support senior clients in making informed housing decisions.

Legacy to Leverage: Cashflow Opportunities for Heirs Property

Heirs property represents one of the largest untapped sources of wealth in the United States, with billions of dollars in land and real estate value often locked in by legal and financial barriers. This session explores practical strategies for transforming heirs property into cashflowing assets that generate sustainable income for families and communities. From agriculture and renewable energy to real estate and tourism, participants will gain insights into how legacy land can be leveraged to build generational wealth. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of opportunities, implementation pathways, and resources available to support heirs in protecting and activating their property.What You’ll Learn:Heirs property basics and its wealth potential.How to clear common legal/financial hurdles.Monetization models: agriculture, renewable energy, real estate, tourism.Action plan: assess options, protect title, activate with key resources.

Meeting the Moment: Empowering and Equipping the Most Vulnerable in a Shifting System

With budgetary constraints, workforce reduction, and new legislation being interjected, navigating our current shifting landscape can be complicated and downright confusing for the most resourceful and economically stable among us; imagine how marginalized populations and the most vulnerable amongst us must feel. Spend time brainstorming ways to empower and equip those likely to be most adversely impacted, e.g. unhoused individuals and families, the unstably housed, individuals and families at imminent risk of experiencing homelessness, low-income seniors and senior headed households, and the home bound and/or disabled. Ensuring the aforementioned are able to access reliable information, identify and avoid scams, leverage state and local resources, create individual and household spending plans, etc. are critical components of meeting people in the moment. Join us for this 90 minute workshop designed to help front-line housing professionals meet people where they are—with empathy, clarity, and impact

Heirs’ Property in Practice: Helping Clients Prepare for the Legal Process

This webinar will provide practical guidance for housing counselors supporting clients with heirs’ property challenges. Through real-world scenarios and case studies, participants will learn how to assess a client’s situation, identify important documents and information, and help clients prepare to meet with an attorney. The session will also explore appropriate next steps and referrals while clarifying the housing counselor’s role in supporting clients through the process. Course content is subject to change.