Discover HUD Certified Housing Counselors in Pennsylvania and unlock the path to housing stability. Find a local counseling agency near you.
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Are you an individual or family seeking housing assistance to help you keep your residence?
Use the locator below to find HUD-approved counseling agencies in PA near you.
Enter your zip code to get started. Then click to view office directions and phone numbers to call for assistance.
Housing stability is having consistent, safe, and adequate housing that you can afford and maintain over time. Essentially, you have no fears, worries, or concerns about where you will live and how you will afford to pay your monthly rent, mortgage, and other related housing costs.
According to a report by KeystoneReseach.org, housing stability has been a rising issue in Pennsylvania before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the nation in 2020.
The report reveals thousands of Pennsylvanians live with fears of having insufficient or unstable housing for a variety of reasons, such as:
Additionally, many individuals and families experience sudden personal and financial hardships that put them at risk of losing their homes or stable housing environments.
When situations arise that impact your ability to secure or maintain stable housing, you can look for support through counseling agencies that offer a variety of housing assistance to Pennsylvanians.
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), partners with HUD-certified housing counseling agencies across Pennsylvania.
PHFA's network of HUD-certified housing counseling agencies assist individuals and families facing housing crisis due to one or more of the following reasons:
Eviction: Have you fallen behind on your rent due to an unexpected financial hardship? Are you facing an eviction for failure to pay rent?
Loss of Income: Have you or a family member experienced a job loss due to a layoff? Have you lost your ability to work because of a health condition?
Default: Do you own a home and have missed several mortgage payments due to job loss, loss of income, debit, etc?
Foreclosure: Have you experienced a significant financial hardship and found yourself on the cusp of losing your home in a foreclosure sale? Do you have an adjustable-rate mortgage and suddenly have a significant mortgage increase you can't afford?
Homelessness: Did you have to suddenly leave your home for safety purposes related to domestic violence? Do you not earn enough income to afford an apartment? Do you have a place to stay due to an eviction or foreclosure?
Our HUD-certified housing counseling agencies have resources to help you through one or more of these scenarios.
A HUD-certified counselor is a professional trained by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide housing counseling services to homebuyers, homeowners, low-to-moderate-income renters, and people experiencing homelessness.
To receive a HUD housing counselor certification, a counselor must pass an exam that focuses on their knowledge of financial management, housing affordability, fair housing, homeownership, foreclosure avoidance, and obtaining and maintaining tenancy. A counselor must pass the written exam and work at an HUD-approved counseling agency. A HUD certified housing counselor who has passed the certification exam has learned the ins and outs about how to help homebuyers, homeowners and renters navigate maintaining or owning a home.
HUD-certified housing counselors must operate within a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. Pennsylvania has several approved counseling agencies located in the state.
Enter your city or zip code into the search feature to locate a nearby agency. Then, review the agency’s website to learn what housing counseling services it offers.
Call their office directly if you have specific questions about the agency’s services.
PHFA also provides counseling and education services for renters, homebuyers, and homeowners through its HUD-certified counseling agencies.
PHFA offers a financial and education coaching program to help people understand their finances and cover topics such as,
You do not have to face financial hardship such as an eviction or foreclosure to receive housing counseling assistance.
Are you or someone you know interested in buying a home and want to ensure you are financially prepared for homeownership?
Check out PHFA's homebuyer counseling and education services, including an online homebuyer course for potential homeowners with a middle credit score of 680 or above.
Do you know a current homeowner who would like some additional guidance about how to financially maintain their home?
Check out PHFA's homeowner financial education and coaching centers to assist with personal financial management for homeownership.
Homeowners can also receive free housing counseling for managing mortgage delinquency, preventing foreclosure, and managing debt.
Use our convenient "Find a Center" search feature to find a HUD-certified housing Counselor near your Pennsylvania zip code.
Remember, taking the first step toward securing a stable home environment is crucial. By reaching out for guidance and support, you give yourself the knowledge and resources necessary to navigate housing challenges and build a secure future for you and your family.
Don't wait—find a center today and start your journey toward housing stability.