Comprehensive Housing Counseling (CHC) and the Housing Counseling Training (HCT) NOFO(FY2025)

The Comprehensive Housing Counseling (CHC) and Housing Counseling Training (HCT) programs, administered by the Office of Housing at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), aim to strengthen the nation's housing counseling infrastructure by awarding competitive grants to eligible agencies. These programs are designed to help individuals and families make informed housing decisions through education, counseling, and direct service. The FY25 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) combines both the CHC and HCT into a single application process, allowing applicants to apply for one or both programs, including the Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) Initiative. The CHC program supports HUD-approved housing counseling agencies and State Housing Finance Agencies (SHFAs) to provide comprehensive housing counseling services. These include rental counseling for HUD-assisted households, post-purchase counseling for homeowners, Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) counseling, disaster preparedness and recovery, and homelessness prevention. All services must align with 24 C.F.R. Part 214 and HUD Handbook 7610.1. The program funds direct counseling, group education, counselor training, marketing and outreach, and quality control measures. Restrictions exist to prevent funding overlap across multiple intermediary relationships, and applicants must not simultaneously receive funding as both a direct grantee and a subgrantee. The HCT program operates under a cooperative agreement model, focusing on developing and delivering training for housing counselors nationwide. Training topics must address certification requirements and emerging needs, including foreclosure prevention, disaster preparedness, renter assistance, and financial management. The training program also emphasizes workforce development through scholarships and partnerships with higher education institutions, particularly MSIs. HUD maintains significant oversight over the HCT cooperative agreement, including approving curricula, reviewing training logistics, and conducting audits. Approximately $56.1 million in funding is available for the FY25 cycle—$54.6 million for the CHC program (including $3 million for the MSI Initiative) and $1.5 million for HCT. HUD expects to make approximately 175 awards. Award ceilings are $3 million for CHC and $1.5 million for HCT. Awards will be made on a cost reimbursement basis, and no matching funds are required. The performance period is expected to run 18 months, from October 1, 2025, to March 31, 2027. Applicants must meet strict eligibility requirements. CHC applicants must be HUD-approved housing counseling agencies or SHFAs, while HCT applicants must be non-profit organizations with at least two years of experience providing training to HUD housing counselors. All applicants must be tax-exempt under IRC Section 501(a), registered in SAM.gov, and in good standing. Additional documentation, such as statutory authority for SHFAs or letters certifying MSI partnerships, must be included where applicable. Applicants are restricted from subcontracting housing counseling services unless explicitly approved by HUD. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 11:59 PM ET on May 26, 2026. The process includes completion of several standard federal forms (e.g., SF-424, HUD-2880, HUD-9906), narrative responses to rating factors, and supporting documentation such as budgets and audit records. A consolidated fillable PDF form (HUD-9906) is used to streamline responses. Reviewers will evaluate applications based on capacity, need, soundness of approach, past performance, and program evaluation. To be eligible for funding, applicants must score at least 75 points out of 100. Awards are anticipated to be announced around August 3, 2026, with funds distributed shortly thereafter. HUD may adjust awards based on programmatic priorities, performance history, and network size. While this NOFO is not subject to Executive Order 12372 (Intergovernmental Review), it is governed by multiple federal regulations, including 2 C.F.R. Part 200. No pre-application steps like Letters of Intent are required, and late submissions will not be accepted.

Emphasize housing outcomes, rural and disaster services, and MSI engagement; minimum score of 75 required for award