The Home Affordable Modification Program, Neighborhood Stabilization Program, Circuit Court of Cook County Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program, and Hardest Hit Fund: all of these programs, designed to attack the foreclosure crises in different ways, have one thing in common—they depend heavily on housing counselors for their success. Even as there continues to be a pressing need for foreclosure prevention services, funding for housing counseling is undergoing major cuts. The HUD Housing Counseling Assistance Program was zeroed out in part of 2011 and in the 2012 appropriations bill proposed by the House of Representatives.  A fraction of that funding has been restored, but it is still less than existing funding levels that are already insufficient to meet the need for counseling services. Our research showed that there are significant gaps in housing counseling resources in areas that have seen recent increases in foreclosure activity, particularly in South Cook County.

Fortunately, there is now a chance to get much of that funding restored. In the next few weeks, the House Appropriations Committee will consider an amendment to an agriculture bill that would add $60 million to the program. This funding would allow counselors to continue the crucial work of preventing foreclosures, preparing first-time homebuyers for the responsibilities of homeownership, advising seniors on reverse mortgages, and more. Counseling can produce educated, well-prepared homebuyers that would help to strengthen our persistently weak housing market.

What can you do to help? The National Community Reinvestment Coalition is organizing a campaign to let elected officials know that housing counseling is a necessary investment. You can contact Emily Rhodenbaugh at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to sign on as an individual or organization to NCRC’s letter.  You can also call both of your Senators and House members in districts where you live and work and let them know how important counseling is to your communities. You can find contact information for your elected officials here or call 202-224-3121.

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