CHC and HCT FY25_FOA_Content_FR-6900-N-33_FINAL.pdf

FR-6900-N-33

Applications are due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on 05/26/2026.

Office of Housing

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

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

NOFO (FY2025)

Table Of Contents FR-6900-N-33 Page 2 of 89

I. BASIC INFORMATION

A. Summary

B. Agency Contact(s)

II. ELIGIBILITY

A. Eligible Applicants

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

III. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A. Purpose

B. Goals and Objectives

C. Authority

D. Unallowable Costs

E. Indirect Costs

F. Program History

G. Other Information

IV. APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT

A. Standard Forms, Assurances, and Certifications 19

B. Budget

C. Narratives and Other Attachments

D. Other Application Content

V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. Threshold Review

B. Merit Review

C. Risk Review

D. Selection Process

E. Award Notices

VI. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND

DEADLINES

A. Deadlines

B. Submission Methods

C. Other Submissions

D. False Statements

VII. POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND

ADMINISTRATION

A. Administrative, National and Departmental Policy

Requirements, and General Terms and Conditions

B. Environmental Requirements

C. Remedies for Noncompliance

D. Reporting

VIII. CONTACT AND SUPPORT

A. Agency Contact

B. Grants.gov

C. SAM.gov

D. Debriefing

E. Applicant Experience Survey

F. Other Online Resources

APPENDIX

Appendix I. Definitions

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Before You Begin FR-6900-N-33 Page 3 of 89

If you believe you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, register in the appropriate systems now and review the application package. If you are already registered, make sure your registration is active and up-to-date.

SAM.gov Registration You must have an active and up-to-date account with SAM.gov, at the time of application and throughout the life of any award.

To register, go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and click Get Started. From the same page, you can also click on the Entity Registration Checklist for the information you will need to register.

It can take several weeks to register in SAM.gov, so please get started now if you are planning to apply. SAM.gov also provides each organization with a unique entity identifier (UEI). A valid UEI is required to apply for funding.

Grants.gov Registration You must have an active Grants.gov registration. This requires a Login.gov registration as well. See step-by-step instructions at the Grants .gov Quick Start Guide for Applicants. You must apply for funding using Grants.gov, unless HUD has approved your waiver request.

See Section VI.B. Submission Methods.

Find the Application Package Use the Grants Search at Grants.gov and search for opportunity number FR-6900-N-33 . The application package has all the online forms you need to apply. You also need to access the Download Instructions link and review the content before you apply.

If you have other technical difficulties using Grants.gov, access the Support Center on Grants.gov for assistance.

To get updates on changes to this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), click Subscribe from the View Grant Opportunity page for this NOFO on Grants.gov.

Application Deadline Applications are due by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on 05/26/2026.

HUD Listserv If you are interested in email notices about upcoming funding opportunities, subscribe to HUD’s Funding Opportunities listserv.

Note: To help you find what you need, this NOFO uses internal links. In Adobe Reader, you can go back to where you were by pressing Alt + Left Arrow (Windows) or Command + Left Arrow (Mac) on your keyboard.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

https://sam.gov/ https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://sam.gov/ https://sam.gov/ https://grants.gov/ https://login.gov https://www.grants.gov/quick-start-guide/applicants https://grants.gov/ https://grants.gov/ https://Grants.gov https://grants.gov/ https://grants.gov/ https://www.hud.gov/subscribe/signup?listname=HUD%20Funding%20Opportunities&list=HUD-FUNDING-OPPORTUNITIES-L https://www.hud.gov/subscribe/signup?listname=HUD%20Funding%20Opportunities&list=HUD-FUNDING-OPPORTUNITIES-L

I. Basic Information

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

IV. Application Contents and

Format

V. Application Review

Information

VI. Submission Requirements and

Deadlines

VII. Post-Award Requirements and

Administration

VIII. Contact and Support

Appendix

I. BASIC INFORMATION

I. Basic Information

A. Summary

B. Agency Contact(s)

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

IV. Application Contents and

Format

V. Application Review

Information

VI. Submission Requirements and

Deadlines

VII. Post-Award Requirements and

Administration

VIII. Contact and

I. Basic Information FR-6900-N-33 Page 5 of 89

I. BASIC INFORMATION See Contact and Support section of this NOFO.

A. Summary Federal Agency Name:

United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) HUD Program Office:

Office of Housing Announcement Type:

Initial Program Type:

Discretionary Paperwork Reduction Act Information:

2501-0044, 2502-0621, and 2502-0567 Due Date for Intergovernmental Review:

See Section VI.C.1.

1. NOFO Summary This NOFO provides competitive awards to support housing counseling agencies (HCAs).

These agencies help consumers make informed housing decisions by providing information, advice, and tools for finding, financing, maintaining, renting, or owning a home. This NOFO solicits applications for the following programs:

Key Facts Opportunity Name:

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

FR-6900-N-33

Federal Assistance Listing:

14.169

Key Dates Application Due Date:

11:59:59 PM Eastern Time on:

05/26/2026 Anticipated Award Date:

08/03/2026 Estimated Performance Period Start Date:

08/03/2026 Estimated Performance Period End Date:

03/31/2027

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

IV. Application Contents and

Format

V. Application Review

Information

VI. Submission Requirements and

Deadlines

VII. Post-Award Requirements and

Administration

VIII. Contact and

I. Basic Information FR-6900-N-33 Page 6 of 89

1. Comprehensive Housing Counseling (CHC)

2. Housing Counseling Training (HCT)

This NOFO also includes a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Initiative, which is available to eligible applicants of the CHC or HCT programs.

You may apply for more than one program using a single application. Each program has distinct application criteria, as outlined in this NOFO. Review the criteria for each program before you submit your application. HUD will not fund incomplete, ineligible, or noncompetitive applications.

HUD expects to distribute funding for the HCT program using a cooperative agreement.

HUD’s substantial involvement in cooperative agreements includes, but is not limited to, the following items:

(a) Review and approval of marketing of courses;

(b) Work plan changes, including increasing the availability of remote training;

(c) Review and approval of proposed courses, including course materials;

(d) Provision of counseling content standards;

(e) Provide recommendations for course work, training or other activities that address Departmental initiatives;

(f) Review and approval of training locations, technology and logistics. HUD reserves the right to review and approve or reject training locations, technology, and logistics as well as the type of training and courses offered including review to ensure appropriate access is provided for persons with disabilities;

(g) Review and approval of evaluation instruments and methodology for determining value of courses and impact;

(h) Identify functional needs of persons with disabilities and outreach techniques; and

(i) Course audit by HUD staff.

2. Funding Details Type of Funding Instrument CA (Cooperative Agreement) G (Grant) A grant applies to the CHC program. A cooperative agreement applies to the HCT program.

Though structured under a cooperative agreement, funds used for housing counseling training pursuant to this NOFO are still recognized as grant funds.

Available Funds Funding of approximately $56,100,000 is available through this NOFO.

Additional funds may become available for award. Use of these funds is subject to statutory constraints. All awards are subject to the selection process contained in this NOFO.

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

IV. Application Contents and

Format

V. Application Review

Information

VI. Submission Requirements and

Deadlines

VII. Post-Award Requirements and

Administration

VIII. Contact and

I. Basic Information FR-6900-N-33 Page 7 of 89

Comprehensive Housing Counseling (CHC)

Housing Counseling Training

(HCT)

(Previously TNOFO)

Total funding by award

$54,600,000 This includes $3,000,000 set aside for the MSI Initiative.

$1,500,000

Period of Performan ce Start Date

10/1/2025 10/1/2025

Length of Period of Performan ce (POP)

18 months 18 months

Minimum Award Amount Per Program, and Budget Periods

$1 $1

Maximum Award Amount Per Program and Budget Periods

$3,000,000 $1,500,000

Payment Cost Reimbursement Award Cost Reimbursement Award

HUD reserves the right to award additional funds from any eligible source if such funds become available. In making determinations of additional funding to grantees, HUD may use one or more FY2025 NOFO application criteria and/or grantees' demonstrated performance.

Use of these funds is subject to statutory constraints. All awards are subject to the funding restrictions contained in this NOFO.

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

IV. Application Contents and

Format

V. Application Review

Information

VI. Submission Requirements and

Deadlines

VII. Post-Award Requirements and

Administration

VIII. Contact and

I. Basic Information FR-6900-N-33 Page 8 of 89

HUD reserves the right to award more or less than this amount, in one or more phases, depending upon the number of eligible applicants and other factors. HUD reserves the right to set aside funds towards specific housing counseling initiatives, as well as add unobligated funding from any available source year to this NOFO funding amount.

HUD also reserves the right to issue a Supplemental Housing Counseling NOFO in FY2026, which may be limited to new applicants or to provide support for specific housing counseling activities.

HUD may grant extensions as necessary, subject to statutory and regulatory constraints. The grant agreement and 2 C.F.R. 200.308(f)(10) allow HUD to modify the grant agreement’s period of performance for all grantees. HUD may waive the written request requirement and may approve extensions for all NOFO grants as deemed necessary.

Number of Awards HUD expects to make approximately 175 awards from the funds available under this NOFO.

Total Grant Request. Applicants should enter a response of $1.00 in line 18a of the SF-424.

Applicants are not required to request a specific award amount nor provide a proposed budget for a grant amount. Please reference the funding methodology section for each program in Section V.

MSI funds will be awarded to HUD-approved housing counseling agencies in addition to the maximum award amount. Comprehensive Housing Counseling (CHC) and Housing Counseling Training (HCT) awards are separate and have their own maximum award amounts.

Length of Performance Period:

18-month project period and budget period Length of Periods Explanation:

For more information on the Period of Performance, please see table above in “Available Funds.”

B. Agency Contact(s) See Contact and Support section of this NOFO.

II. ELIGIBILITY

II. Eligibility

A. Eligible Applicants

B. Cost Sharing or Matching

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

IV. Application Contents and

Format

V. Application Review

Information

VI. Submission Requirements and

Deadlines

VII. Post-Award Requirements and

Administration

VIII. Contact and

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

IV. Application Contents and

Format

V. Application Review

Information

VI. Submission Requirements and

Deadlines

VII. Post-Award Requirements and

Administration

VIII. Contact and

II. Eligibility FR-6900-N-33 Page 10 of 89

II. ELIGIBILITY

You are invited to apply if your organization is an eligible entity type and meets the funding conditions included in the NOFO. HUD will review applications from eligible applicants using the criteria in Section V. of this NOFO.

A. Eligible Applicants

1. Eligible Entity Types:

00 (State governments) 12 (Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education) 25 (Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)) Additional Information on Eligibility Faith-based organizations may apply on the same basis as any other organization. HUD does not engage in any unlawful and improper conduct, policies, or practices that target faith-based organizations.

Individuals are ineligible applicants.

Additional Information on Eligibility - Must be 501(c)(3) and does not conduct, facilitate, or participate in 501(c)(4) or 501(c)(6) activities.

Applicant must be approved to participate in the HUD Housing Counseling Program prior to the NOFO issue date. Applicant must be exempt from taxation under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501 (a) as an entity described in IRC Section 501(c) (26 U.S.C. § 501 (a) and (c)), or units of local, county, or state government.

Applicant Eligibility for Grant Opportunities available under this NOFO

1. Comprehensive Housing Counseling (CHC): HUD-approved housing counseling agencies, and State Housing Finance Agencies (SHFAs)* meeting specific criteria.

2. Housing Counseling Training (HCT): Non-profit organizations, other than institutions of higher education, with at least two years of experience providing housing counseling training services nationwide to housing counselors employed by housing counseling agencies participating in HUD’s Housing Counseling Program.

SHFAs are eligible for this NOFO if they possess statutory authority to provide housing counseling throughout their entire state and adhere to all program requirements outlined in 24 C.F.R. Part 214, HUD Handbook 7610.1, and other governing policies and requirements.

A.2. Eligible Activities

A. Eligible Activities under the CHC and MSI Programs. HUD requires Grantees to use grant funds for housing counseling and group education in accordance with 24 C.F.R. Part 214 and Handbook 7610.1. The restrictions applicable to the specific awards are described below. To be eligible for reimbursement as direct costs, costs must be incurred pursuant to https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-24/part-5/appendix-Appendix%20A%20to%20Subpart%20A%20of%20Part%205 https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/02/12/2025-02611/eradicating-anti-christian-bias https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/02/12/2025-02611/eradicating-anti-christian-bias https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/02/12/2025-02611/eradicating-anti-christian-bias

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

IV. Application Contents and

Format

V. Application Review

Information

VI. Submission Requirements and

Deadlines

VII. Post-Award Requirements and

Administration

VIII. Contact and

II. Eligibility FR-6900-N-33 Page 11 of 89 one or more of the following activities:

1. Housing counseling (See (2)(a)(ii)(A) in this section for limitations.)

2. Group education as defined in 24 CFR 214.3 “Education”

3. Oversight, compliance, and quality control

4. Supervision of housing counseling staff

5. Housing counselor training and certification

6. Marketing and outreach of the program

2. Restrictions

a. Statutory and Regulatory Requirements Affecting Eligibility You must comply with the current General Statutory and Regulatory Requirements Affecting Eligibility for HUD’s Competitive Programs. HUD will review your eligibility before issuing an award. As part of this review, HUD uses SAM.gov and Department of Treasury data.

i. Funding Restrictions Applicable to all awards for this NOFO Additional restrictions related to this NOFO are included in the standard terms and conditions.

See Section VII “Post Award Requirements”.

ii. Additional Funding Restrictions applicable to the awards under this NOFO A. Reimbursement under the CHC grant and the MSI Program for one-on-one housing counseling is limited to:

1. Rental housing counseling (24 C.F.R. 5.100) to HUD-assisted households as defined in Appendix 1 with a focus on building financial independence and creating clear pathways toward transitioning into unassisted rental or owner-occupied housing.

2. Post-purchase homeownership counseling for eligible homeowners as defined in Appendix 1 related to: (1) preventing or resolving mortgage delinquency; and (2) non-delinquency counseling (e.g., home maintenance and financial management, budgeting, refinancing, etc.).

3. Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) counseling;

4. Disaster preparedness and recovery counseling to HUD-assisted households and eligible homeowners to help reduce long-term recovery costs and minimize the financial impact on federal resources;

5. Homeless prevention counseling services (in accordance with E.O. 14321), including information regarding treatment, recovery, and self-sufficiency.

6. Other activities as outlined as a HUD priority in the Grant Agreement.

a. Limits on CHC Applicants. Applicants and Subgrantees are prohibited from receiving FY2025 Housing Counseling Program grant funding from multiple sources. For example, receiving funding under this NOFO as both a direct Grantee (e.g. LHCA) and as a Subgrantee of an Intermediary or SHFA is prohibited. Likewise, receiving funding under this NOFO as a Subgrantee of two different Intermediaries/SHFAs is prohibited.

B. Reimbursement for the Housing Counseling Training (HCT) Program is limited to:

1. Cooperative Agreement (2 C.F.R. 200.1). HUD expects to use a cooperative agreement https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/Eligibility-Requirements-Addendum-FY2025.pdf https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/Eligibility-Requirements-Addendum-FY2025.pdf https://sam.gov

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

IV. Application Contents and

Format

V. Application Review

Information

VI. Submission Requirements and

Deadlines

VII. Post-Award Requirements and

Administration

VIII. Contact and

II. Eligibility FR-6900-N-33 Page 12 of 89 for HCT Awards.

2. Cost Reimbursement Award. (2 C.F.R. 200.1) All awards will be made on a cost reimbursement basis in accordance with, and subject to, the requirements in 2 C.F.R. Part 200.

3. Salary Limitation for Consultants. FY2025 HCT Grant funds may not be used to pay or provide reimbursement for payment of the salary of a consultant/trainer, whether retained by the federal government or the Grantee, at a rate more than the equivalent of General Schedule 15, Step 10 base pay rate for which the annual rate for FY2025 is $159,950. The hourly rate is $76.64.

4. HCT Program Reporting Requirements. Award recipients will be required to submit monthly and quarterly progress reports, as specified in the HCT Cooperative Agreement.

b. Application Eligibility Your application is considered for funding if it satisfies the application review requirements in Section V. of this NOFO.

Program-Specific Requirements Unless specifically noted, the following program-specific requirements are for all grant applications in this NOFO.

1. MSI Program. Applicants requesting funds dedicated for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other MSIs (and partnerships therewith) must submit evidence of the college or university’s status as an HBCU or MSI. Additionally, Applicants that are partnering with an HBCU or MSI must submit a letter certifying that an HBCU or other MSI partnership is in place or that there is an intent to enter a partnership. The letter must be signed by the Applicant and an authorizing official of the HBCU or other MSI and the Applicant must provide documentation of the partnering college or university's status as an HBCU or other MSI.

2. Audits and Investigations. Successful Applicants must provide the most recent audit of financial activities (e.g., a single or program-specific audit required under 2 C.F.R.

§200.501) completed no earlier than FY 2022. All Applicants not required to complete a single or program-specific audit under 2 C.F.R. §200.501 must submit their most recent independent financial audit. HUD will review individual circumstances upon request. At the time of the NOFO application submission date and thereafter, all Applicants must disclose to HUD the status of active investigations as outlined in 24 C.F.R. §214.103(c). HUD may determine that Applicants are not eligible for grant funding based on its review of HUD, HUD Office of Inspector General (OIG), or other government audits or investigations.

3. Subcontracting. Grantees and Subgrantees must deliver the housing counseling services set forth in the Applicant’s Work Plan. It is not permissible to contract out housing counseling services, except as approved by HUD as specified in 24 C.F.R.

214.103(i).

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

IV. Application Contents and

Format

V. Application Review

Information

VI. Submission Requirements and

Deadlines

VII. Post-Award Requirements and

Administration

VIII. Contact and

II. Eligibility FR-6900-N-33 Page 13 of 89

4. Subgrant Agreement. Intermediaries and SHFAs that award subgrants must execute subgrant agreements with Subgrantees that delineate the mutual responsibilities for program management, including appropriate time frames for reporting results to HUD and compliance with HUD rules and regulations. These records must meet the data requirements of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA) (P.L. 109-282) and must be made available to Subgrantees, Branches, and HUD within 30 days of making the subaward or allocation.

5. Conflicts of Interest. See 24 C.F.R. Part 214 and Handbook 7610.1 for information about the Applicant’s code of conduct and the prohibition against real and apparent conflicts of interest that may arise among officers, employees, agents, or other parties.

6. Tax Exempt.

Applicants, Subgrantees, and Branches must be:

a. Exempt from taxation under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501 (a) as an entity described in IRC Section 501(c) (26 U.S.C. § 501 (a) and (c)), or units of local, county, or state government.

b. In good standing under the laws and regulations of the state of their organization.

c. Authorized to do business in the states in which they propose to provide housing counseling services.

d. Approved by HUD, in accordance with this part and 106(e) of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701x(e)), to provide housing counseling services to clients directly, or through their affiliates or branches. This requirement is not applicable to the HCT Program.

7. System of Award Management (Sam.gov) and UEI Registration Requirement.

Applicants must have a valid and active registration in Sam.gov. In addition, applicants and subgrantees must have a valid and active UEI Number.

8. Outstanding Performance Issues. Applicants and Subgrantees must resolve all outstanding issues communicated by HUD in writing by the later of the application deadline date of this NOFO or the expiration date of any conditional re-approval or inactive status resulting from such written communication.

9. Election for Federal Office Violation. No Applicant, Subgrantee, or Branch shall employ an individual who has been convicted of a violation under Federal law relating to an election for Federal office. See 12 U.S.C. 1701x(a)(4)(D).

10. Compliance with Third Party Certifications and Licensing. Applicants must comply with, and not be in default under, any applicable state or other licensing and certification requirements. HUD will review individual circumstances upon request.

B. Cost Sharing or Matching This Program does not require cost sharing or matching.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.1#p-200.1(Cost%20sharing%20or%20matching)

III. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

III. Program Description

A. Purpose

B. Goals and Objectives

C. Authority

D. Unallowable Costs

E. Indirect Costs

F. Program History

G. Other Information

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

IV. Application Contents and

Format

V. Application Review

Information

VI. Submission Requirements and

Deadlines

VII. Post-Award Requirements and

Administration

VIII. Contact and

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

IV. Application Contents and

Format

V. Application Review

Information

VI. Submission Requirements and

Deadlines

VII. Post-Award Requirements and

Administration

VIII. Contact and

III. Program Description FR-6900-N-33 Page 15 of 89

III. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A. Purpose To provide support to the housing counseling agencies (HCAs) that provide information, advice, and tools for consumers seeking, financing, maintaining, renting, or owning a home, and to help consumers make informed decisions about their housing options.

B. Goals and Objectives This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) aligns with HUD's mission, Presidential Actions, and relevant laws. You should consider these goals in your application and to track the success of your project. HUD will monitor compliance throughout the program's duration.

1. The Comprehensive Housing Counseling (CHC) Grant Award The CHC Grant Program will provide targeted housing counseling and group education in priority areas: rental counseling for HUD-assisted households transitioning to unassisted housing; post-purchase housing counseling for eligible homeowners, disaster preparedness and recovery counseling for HUD-assisted households and eligible homeowners, and homeless prevention counseling services (in accordance with E.O. 14321), including information regarding treatment, recovery, and self-sufficiency. The program will also fulfill statutory requirements for HECM counseling and may include additional activities consistent with administration priorities. HUD recognizes E.O. 14283, The White House Initiative to Promote Excellence and Innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU Initiative), and as part of this NOFO, the Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) initiative will fund partnerships between housing counseling agencies and MSIs to deliver counseling and education to MSI students, faculty, and staff, and their surrounding communities.

2. Housing Counseling Training (HCT) Grant Award The goal of the HCT Program award is to maintain a professional and effective housing counseling industry that can meaningfully assist consumers by providing them with the information they need to make informed housing choices and maximize the impact of HUD’s Housing Counseling program appropriations.

This is achieved by: (i) Providing financial support to create an increased number of counselor training scholarships and partnerships to conduct training; (ii) Supporting basic and specialized topics of housing counseling training including the core topics for housing counselor certification, rental housing counseling, mortgage delinquency and default counseling, housing counselor workforce development, and disaster preparation and recovery to help meet these perceived needs; (iii) Supporting housing counseling agencies (HCAs) that are in a unique position to help their communities prepare for and recover from a disaster. This can be done by integrating preparedness into their counseling and education activities. Post-disaster, they can use their knowledge of local resources and programs to help clients navigate the complexities of disaster recovery resources and programs; and (iv) Encouraging housing counselor workforce development through programs designed to prepare students for future careers in housing counseling.

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

IV. Application Contents and

Format

V. Application Review

Information

VI. Submission Requirements and

Deadlines

VII. Post-Award Requirements and

Administration

VIII. Contact and

III. Program Description FR-6900-N-33 Page 16 of 89

The HCT MSI Initiative helps support communities by enabling eligible housing counseling agencies to partner with HBCUs and other MSIs so that these institutions can help their communities address their housing and financial needs and increase the supply of local certified housing counselors.

C. Authority Funding for this program is provided by the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (Public Law 119-4, approved March 15, 2025).

HUD's Housing Counseling Program is authorized by Section 106 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. § 1701x) (Section 106) and Section 4 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. § 3533) as amended. The Housing Counseling Program regulations are codified at 24 C.F.R. Part 214. The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Program (HECM) is authorized by Section 255 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. § 1715z-20), and its regulations are codified at 24 C.F.R. Part 206.

D. Unallowable Costs Program costs incurred prior to the period of performance start date are not allowed.

E. Indirect Costs If you expect to charge indirect costs to the award, submit the Indirect Cost Rate Certification form (HUD-426) with your application.

Projec t Instruction

CHC If you expect to charge indirect costs to the award, submit the Indirect Cost Rate Certification form (HUD-426) with your application.

HCT If you expect to charge indirect costs to the award, submit the Indirect Cost Rate Certification form (HUD-426) with your application.

If you receive an award, more information about indirect cost rates is outlined in the grant agreement.

F. Program History

• Combination NOFO with multiple awards. This NOFO combines requirements from

CHC and HCT, previously published as two separate NOFOs.

• Executive Order Compliance. This NOFO and all funding opportunities contained in this NOFO align with HUD's mission, Presidential Actions, and relevant laws.

Adjustments were made to rating factors to accommodate these priorities.

• Changes to grant specific application forms and charts. The two individual grant specific forms, the HUD-9906 (CHC) and HUD-92910 (HCT) have been consolidated https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.1#p-200.1(Indirect%20cost) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.1#p-200.1(Indirect%20cost) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.1#p-200.1(Indirect%20cost)

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

IV. Application Contents and

Format

V. Application Review

Information

VI. Submission Requirements and

Deadlines

VII. Post-Award Requirements and

Administration

VIII. Contact and

III. Program Description FR-6900-N-33 Page 17 of 89 into one, combined fillable PDF HUD-9906. This fillable PDF should not be separated but submitted as is, with applicants only completing the portions relevant to their own application. The fillable PDF includes a cover page with further instructions and identifies the pages in the fillable PDF that are relevant to each application award.

Intermediaries, State Housing Finance Agencies (SHFA), and Multi-State Organizations (MSO) will need to submit a completed HUD-9906 Chart A Supplement (Excel). Additionally, HUD-9906 Chart F (Excel) must be submitted by all applicants to identify all non-federal, diversified funding resources available during October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025 and used to support housing counseling activities.

• Reimbursement for housing counseling activities. See section II.A.(2)a(ii)(B)

G. Other Information This NOFO does not include infrastructure and Build America, Buy America Act (BABA) requirements are not applicable.

IV. APPLICATION CONTENTS AND

FORMAT

IV. Application Contents and Forms

A. Standard Forms, Assurances, and Certifications

B. Budget

C. Narratives and Non-Form Attachments

D. Other Application Content

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

IV. Application Contents and

Format

V. Application Review

Information

VI. Submission Requirements and

Deadlines

VII. Post-Award Requirements and

Administration

VIII. Contact and

II. Eligibility III. Program Description

IV. Application Contents and

Format

V. Application Review

Information

VI. Submission Requirements and

Deadlines

VII. Post-Award Requirements and

Administration

VIII. Contact and

IV. Application Contents and Format FR-6900-N-33 Page 19 of 89

IV. APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT

Applications must include three main elements: a) standard forms, assurances, and certifications; b) budget; and c) narratives and other attachments. The content, forms, and format for each element are included in this section.

You may use this section as a checklist to ensure you submit a complete application.

If you don’t provide the required documents in the correct format, your application is incomplete.

Do not submit password protected or encrypted files.

_________ pages is the total maximum length of all narratives.

A. Standard Forms, Assurances, and Certifications You must properly complete and submit with your application the standard forms, assurances, and certifications identified below. You can find all forms in the application package or review them and their instructions at Grants.gov Forms. You can also read more about standard forms on HUD’s Funding Opportunities page.

Standard Forms, Assurances, and Certifications are outlined below.

Standard

Forms/Assurances/ Certifications

Submit ONE (1) per

Application

(Even if your application includes multiple programs)

Submission Requirement Notes/Description

Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424)

Required to submit with application.

Page limit: Not applicable File name: SF-424 Applicant is to place HCS ID

Element Submission Form

Standard Forms, Assurances, and Certifications Upload using each required form.

Budget Use the required budget form.

Narratives and Other Attachments Insert each in the Attachments form.

https://www.grants.gov/forms https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/CFO/images/Standard-Application-Forms.pdf https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/CFO/images/Standard-Application-Forms.pdf

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Standard

Forms/Assurances/ Certifications

Submit ONE (1) per

Application

(Even if your application includes multiple programs)

Submission Requirement Notes/Description in Box 4, Applicant Identifier

Applicant and Recipient Assurances and Certifications (HUD 424-B)

Required to submit with application and post-award.

Page limit: Not applicable File name: HUD-424B

Applicant/Recipient Disclosure/Update Report

(HUD 2880)

Required to submit with application and post-award.

Page limit: Not applicable File name: HUD-2880

Certification Regarding Lobbying Activities

Required to submit with application.

Page limit: Not applicable File name: Lobbying Certification form

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)

Required to submit with application, if applicable.

Page limit: Not applicable File name: SF-LLL

Certification for a Drug-Free Workplace (HUD-50070)

Required to submit with application.

Page limit: Not applicable File name: HUD-50070

B. Budget You must submit a budget with your application to support your project narrative.

At a minimum, your budget must indicate direct and any indirect costs.

You must also submit form HUD-426, based on the requirements in Section III.E. of this

NOFO.

The following chart contains budget requirements for each award. Include a budget narrative with your form.

Budget Form/Document Submission Requirement Notes/Description

Comprehensive Housing CHC applicants are not Page limit: Not applicable

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Budget Form/Document Submission Requirement Notes/Description

Counseling (CHC) required to request a specific award amount, nor provide a proposed budget for a grant amount, but should enter a response of $1.00 in line 18a of the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance.

If awarded, the Grantee is required to submit additional budget information during grant execution.

Page limit: Not applicable

Please see attachments for applicable word count limits.

Housing Counseling Training (HCT)

Applicants will use the program-specific budget form found on form HUD-9906 Chart G2 to report actual expenditures.

Applicants are not required to request a specific award amount but will be required to update the budget submitted on form HUD-9906-Chart G2 in order to execute the grant, if an award is made.

Page limit: Not applicable Please see attachments for applicable word count limits.

Indirect Cost Rate Certification (HUD-426)

Required to submit with application and post-award, if applicable.

Page limit: Not applicable File name: ICR Doc.

Download form from Instructions package.

C. Narratives and Other Attachments If applicable, you must upload narrative and other attachments in Grants.gov using the Attachments Form. When using the Attachments Form, you can upload PDF, Word or Excel formats.

Form CHC Program HCT Program

SHFA Statutory Authority SHFAs must submit evidence of their statutory authority to

SHFAs must submit evidence of their statutory authority to https://grants.gov

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Form CHC Program HCT Program operate as an SHFA, as defined in this program, and must submit evidence of their authority to apply for funds and subsequently use any funds awarded. Applicants should verify that their agency profile information is accurately represented in HUD's HCS and validate the information prior to submitting the grant application.

operate as an SHFA, as defined in this program, and must submit evidence of their authority to apply for funds and subsequently use any funds awarded. Applicants should verify that their agency profile information is accurately represented in HUD's HCS and validate the information prior to submitting the grant application.

Response to Rating Factors

Required with the application.

The Rating Factors will be answered within the Form

HUD-9906.

Required with the application.

The Rating Factors will be answered within the Form HUD-9906 – Chart G (Chart G1 through G4).

Form HUD-9906 Charts A-D HUD-9906 Chart A Supplement (Excel) and HUD-9906 Chart F Diversified Funding (Excel)

Required for the CHC program. See Section V.B for details about the Rating Factors for the CHC Award.

Applicable to all applicants applying for the CHC Award.

Failure to submit the completed Charts will impact the Applicant's ability to reach the minimum fundable score of 75 points.

Not applicable

Form HUD-9906, Chart E MSI Initiative

Applicable to all applicants applying for the CHC program who wish to also apply for the MSI Initiative Award. Failure to submit the completed Chart will result in the applicant not being considered for the MSI Initiative funding.

Not applicable

MSI Initiative Award - Documentation

CHC Applicants applying for the MSI Initiative Award must include documentation as

HCT Applicants applying for the MSI Initiative Award must

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Form CHC Program HCT Program outlined in HUD-9906 Chart E. include documentation.

Form HUD-9902 Housing Counseling Agency Fiscal Year Activity Report

This applies to newly approved applicants for the Comprehensive Housing Counseling (CHC) Program Award who didn't submit a Form HUD-9902 in the last HUD fiscal year. For more information, please review instructions in Section V, Rating Factor 3A.

Not applicable

Form HUD-9906, Chart G Housing Counseling Training Chart

Not applicable

Review Section V.B. for details about the Rating Factors.

Applicable to all applicants applying for the HCT Award.

Failure to submit the completed Chart G will impact the Applicant's ability to reach the minimum fundable score of 75 points.

Housing Counseling Training Scholarship Narrative

Not applicable Review section V.B. for details about the Rating Factors.

Applicable to all applicants applying for the HCT Award.

Failure to submit will result in the applicant not being considered for HCT-MSI Initiative funding.

D. Other Application Content N/A

V. APPLICATION REVIEW

INFORMATION

V. Application Review Information

A. Threshold Review

B. Merit Review

C. Risk Review

D. Selection Process

E. Award Notices

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V. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. Threshold Review HUD reviews each application to make sure it meets the following threshold requirements. If you meet all threshold requirements, your application will advance to a merit review. If you fail to meet one or more threshold requirements, your application is not eligible for HUD funding.

1. Eligible Applicant You must meet the applicant eligibility criteria in this NOFO. Applications from ineligible applicants are not rated or ranked and will not receive HUD funding.

2. Resolution of Civil Rights Matters Applicants with outstanding, unresolved judgments against them for violations of civil rights laws must resolve those judgments before the application submission deadline or the applicant will be deemed ineligible.

a. An applicant is ineligible for funding if the applicant has received notice of a judgment imposed against them for violations of:

1. the Fair Housing Act or a substantially equivalent state or local fair housing law for discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or familial status; or

2. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 109 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, the Americans with Disabilities Act, or the Violence Against Women Act or substantially equivalent state or local laws.

b. HUD will determine if actions to resolve the judgment taken before the application deadline date will resolve the matter. Examples of actions that may be sufficient to resolve the matter include, but are not limited to:

1. Current compliance with a voluntary compliance agreement signed by all the parties;

2. Current compliance with a HUD-approved conciliation agreement signed by all the parties;

3. Current compliance with a conciliation agreement signed by all the parties and approved by the state governmental or local administrative agency with jurisdiction over the matter;

4. Current compliance with a consent order or consent decree; or

5. Current compliance with a final judicial ruling or administrative ruling or decision.

3. Timely Submission of Applications Late applications are not eligible for funding. See deadlines in Section VI of this NOFO.

B. Merit Review

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HUD expects to evaluate and score your application using the following merit criteria and process.

Merit reviewers evaluate and score all applications that pass the threshold review. Merit reviewers may include Federal and non-Federal persons. Reviewers receive a copy of your application to evaluate and score each application separately.

Merit Review Summary Your application is scored on a 100-point scale. You must receive a minimum score of 75 points to receive HUD funding. If available funds are insufficient to provide funding to all eligible applicants, funding is distributed by rank order of application scores until all available funds have been distributed.

HUD reserves the right to adjust the minimum fundable score.

Rating Factor

1. Comprehensive Housing Counseling (CHC) Program

2. Housing Counseling Training (HCT) Program

Rating Factor 1. 8 points 32 points

Rating Factor 2. 17 points 8 points

Rating Factor 3. 45 points 36 points

Rating Factor 4. 30 points 12 points

Rating Factor 5. Not applicable 12 points

Total Points 100 points 100 points Policy Preference Initiative

MSI Initiative MSI Initiative

1. Rating Factors Your application must include a response to the following criteria.

Rating Factors Details HUD expects to evaluate and score your application using the following merit criteria and process. Merit reviewers evaluate and score all applications that pass the threshold review.

Merit reviewers may include Federal and non-Federal persons. Reviewers receive a copy of your application to evaluate and score each application separately.

a. Comprehensive Housing Counseling (CHC) Award and optional Supplemental MSI Initiative Program - HUD-9906 Scope of Review. HUD will review applications in accordance with the requirements of this program and the Housing Counseling Program. HUD may rely on performance monitoring and audit reports, financial status information, and other information available to HUD to make score determinations. The maximum points for each factor are outlined below.

Applicants that manage networks of counseling agencies should not submit a separate response for each proposed Subgrantee and Branch. Rather, such applicants will be directed to use the Chart A Supplement (Excel), where they will list and describe their funded network:

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• If the entity is a Branch of the Applicant’s organization, place an “X” in Field A3. If the entity is a Subgrantee, place an “X” in Field A4. Branches that are part of a Subgrantee’s organization must not be listed. For each member of the Applicant's funded network, there should be one and only one box checked (i.e., either Field A3 or Field A4, not both). If an Intermediary, SHFA, or Multi-State Organizations (MSO) provides counseling services at their main office, Applicants should list their main office as a Branch.

• Only Subgrantees and Branches that provide housing counseling services should be listed. Subgrantees or Branches that perform only administrative functions should not be listed.

• Subgrantees and Branches that did not provide housing counseling services to a minimum of thirty clients in the previous fiscal year must not be listed. (This requirement does not apply to agencies that offer only reverse mortgage counseling.)

• Intermediaries and SHFAs that award subgrants to counseling agencies that are not HUD-approved must ensure that they meet or exceed HUD’s approval standards.

• Upon completion of the HUD-9906 Chart A Supplement (Excel), applicants will transfer the totals onto the HUD-9906 Chart A.

Rating Factor HUD-9906 Chart

Rating Factor 1. Capacity of the Applicant 8 points

Sub fact or A

HECM Average Hours - Duration of the Counseling Session Agencies with HECM Roster counselors will be assessed on the average duration of a counseling session. HUD will use its own records to score this factor.

Not appli cable

Sub fact or B

Staff Training and Experience Using Chart A, indicate by entering an “X” in the appropriate field if staff have received housing counseling training by HUD or a Training (HCT) NOFO Grantee in the past two (2) years, not including on-the-job training (Field G). Intermediaries, SHFAs, and MSOs must specify this information for each Branch or Subgrantee on the HUD- 9906 Chart A Supplement (Excel), and then transfer the totals onto the HUD-9906, Chart A.

Using Chart A, indicate by entering an “X” in the appropriate field if Housing Counseling Program staff have three (3) or more years experience in their field (Field H). Intermediaries, SHFAs, and MSOs must specify this information for each Branch or Subgrantee on the HUD-9906 Chart A Supplement (Excel), and then transfer the totals

3 Chart A

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Sub fact or C

Client Satisfaction and Progress Scoring of this sub-factor will reward Applicants that measure customer satisfaction and progress. Using Chart A, indicate by entering an “X”:

• Issued client exit surveys at the end of counseling or education sessions or issued follow-up client surveys after the counseling was completed (Field I)

• Applicant maintains evidence of client progress in the client file as part of follow-up (Field J)

Intermediaries, SHFAs, and MSOs must specify this information for each Branch/Subgrantee on the HUD-9906 Chart A Supplement (Excel) and then transfer the totals onto the HUD-9906 Chart A.

3 Chart A

Rating Factor 2. Need and Advancement of Program Priorities 17 points

Sub fact or A

Rural Communities, MSI Partnerships, and Opportunity Zones

• HUD will use agency-reported data to determine the extent that an Applicant (and, if applicable, its network) serves clients from a “rural area” (as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture at 7 C.F.R. § 3550.10). HUD will use its own records to score the rural communities sub-factor.

• To be considered for MSI Initiative funding, Applicants must meet the minimum fundable score required by the CHC grant and provide a complete response to all questions on the HUD- 9906, Chart E.